Showing papers in "Iimb Management Review in 2018"

Information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and economic growth: A causality evinced by cross-country panel data

Abstract: This study examines certain long-run relationships hypothesised to be present among per capita real GDP, information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, consumer price index, labour force participation rate, and gross fixed capital formation manifest in G-20 countries recorded for the 2001–2012 period. Using panel cointegration, the study finds that the variables are cointegrated and do not drift apart in the long run. Methodology using vector error correction models (VECM) further confirms that embellishment of ICT infrastructure – an apparent imperative in an economy's information technology (IT) policy formulation – for both fixed broadband and internet users causes a boost in the per capita GDP.

Challenges of creating sustainable agri-retail supply chains

Abstract: There is growing pressure on businesses and governments to pay more attention to the environmental and resource consequences of the ever-increasing production, distribution and consumption of agro-based products. Major issues in the sustainable development agenda include how to ensure the involvement of producers, particularly small farmers, in sourcing networks as well as in the institutional initiatives that help them to meet the stringent food safety and quality regulations. Corporates, especially in retailing, could play a critical role in creating sustainable agri-food chains.

High commitment human resource management practices and employee service behaviour: Trust in management as mediator

Abstract: This study considers high commitment human resource management (HCHRM) practices as a higher-order reflective construct and examines its effect on employee service behaviour in the banking industry of Bangladesh. Testing our hypotheses on 365 line managers, we find a positive relationship between HCHRM and both in-role and extra-role service behaviour. Trust in management significantly mediates the relationship between HCHRM and in-role service behaviour and does not mediate the relationship between HCHRM and extra-role service behaviour. We recommend that future research look for the mediating effect of other employee responses in the link between HCHRM and employee outcomes.

Board characteristics and bank performance in India

Abstract: Using a sample of 36 scheduled commercial banks in India during the period of 2001–2014, we explore the impact of board structure characteristics such as board size, independence and CEO duality on bank performance. We find significant relationship between board size and bank performance when the board size is between 6 and 9. We also find positive and significant relationship between board independence and bank performance. Further, we find that the number of board meetings and a larger number of financial experts on the board are important for bank performance. However, we find no significant improvement in bank performance when the role of CEO and chairman is separated.

Selection of warehouse location for a global supply chain: A case study

Abstract: This study is based on an India case, where an auto components manufacturing organisation is planning to expand its business in Iran. Recently, the Government of Iran has announced incentives for industrial activities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Free Trade Zones (FTZs). The purpose of this study is to illustrate the selection of most optimal location for a warehouse in various SEZs and FTZs in Iran on the basis of different criteria for warehouse location selection. Fuzzy AHP methodology has been used to choose the best out of four options available for effectiveness of supply chain.

Mechanics of engendering customer loyalty: A conceptual framework

Abstract: This article attempts a qualitative review of the concept of customer loyalty and companies' need to comprehend the character of customer loyalty in order to find a sound fit between their customer loyalty schemes and the prevailing nature of loyalty among customers. It suggests the mechanics of engendering customer loyalty by deliberating upon the concepts and dynamics of customer satisfaction and emotional attachment, the factors primarily responsible for promoting customer loyalty. A quantitative framework to assess customer loyalty to assess customer loyalty comprehensively through measurement of its antecedents and outcomes has also been proposed and discussed.

A burnout model of job crafting: Multiple mediator effects on job performance

Abstract: Studies establish that job crafting, i.e. the proactive changes made in one's work through balancing available job demands and resources, results in various positive outcomes at the individual, job, and organisational levels. This study examines how employees proactively craft their jobs to avoid stress and burnout, and become better performers. We ground our study in the occupational health context of knowledge workers. Structural equation models on data from 268 Information Technology (IT) management professionals demonstrate the coping effect of job crafting in decreasing role stress and burnout, and increasing one's psychological availability, along with multiple mediation effects in improving job performance.

Impact of job demands-resources model on burnout and employee's well-being: Evidence from the pharmaceutical organisations of Karachi

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model on burnout and well-being. A sample of 352 responses is drawn from the pharmaceutical companies of Karachi. The JD-R model includes the variables workload, autonomy, work–life imbalance, time pressure, and feedback. The results show that only three JD-R variables (workload, autonomy and work–life imbalance) have significant impact on burnout which in turn shows a significant negative impact on employee's well-being. Both managerial implications and areas for future research are discussed. This study makes a contribution by empirically testing the application of the JD-R model, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan.

Dimensions of human capital and firm performance: Micro-firm context

Abstract: The objective of the paper is twofold: first, to examine the dimensions of human capital with respect to a measurement model; second, to test the direct and mediating relationships between human capital dimensions and firm performance. A mixed method research design was used. Results suggest a formative construct of demographic and psychographic factors. We found a positive effect of demographic and psychographic factors on firm performance, as also a positive effect of demographic factor on psychographic factor. Further, results indicate the mediation effect of psychographic factor on firm performance. Finally, this study discusses several theoretical and practical implications of the findings.

Perceptions of Internet banking users — a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach

Abstract: This study examines the perceptions of Internet banking (IB) users in Kerala using technology acceptance model (TAM) by incorporating service quality as external variable. The study found that both the TAM variables – perceived ease of use(PEOU) and perceived usefulness(PU) – have a direct effect on IB use, and PEOU also has an indirect effect via PU. Service quality dimensions such as fulfilment, efficiency, reliability, website attributes, responsiveness, and privacy also have indirect effect through TAM variables on IB use. The study discusses the practical implications of these findings.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem in India: Taking stock and looking ahead

Abstract: This round table article takes stock of the Indian startup ecosystem against the backdrop of its meteoric rise in recent years. The discussion identifies several positive aspects of the ecosystem—a plethora of opportunities to explore, availability of ample venture funding, and a young, educated workforce. However, in order to live up to its promise, the ecosystem needs to focus on value creation as opposed to valuation, educate its young entrepreneurs, and develop tolerance for well-intentioned failure. It also needs to solve the unique problems of India and ensure that the startup movement is inclusive.

Pedagogy or andragogy? Views of Indian postgraduate business students

Abstract: Graduates of Indian business schools are educated mostly in traditional pedagogical fashion. Against this backdrop, this paper examines Indian postgraduate business students' perceptions of pedagogy and andragogy. The dataset comprises responses of a sample of 313 Indian postgraduate business students. The results reveal that learners prefer andragogy, which can be met only by business education providers shifting to learner-centred teaching and curricula. The students' preference for andragogy reflects the changing needs of Indian employers. These findings have strategic implications for the development of student-centred teaching methods and curricula in the Indian higher education sector.

Navigating from programme loyalty to company loyalty

Abstract: Loyalty programmes build attitudinal loyalty towards the loyalty programme, but not necessarily towards the company brand. This research answers the question, “How do customers navigate from programme loyalty to company loyalty?” by uncovering three mediating processes. The first process shows that programme loyalty improves perceived functional value of the brand, leading to company loyalty. The second process shows that programme loyalty increases customer's involvement with brand experience, fuelling company loyalty. Finally, the third process shows that programme loyalty increases the communication effectiveness for the brand, which enhances company loyalty.

Employee empowerment leading to flexible role orientation: A disposition-based contingency framework

Abstract: The paper investigates the effect of certain employee empowerment initiatives viz. participative decision making and job autonomy, in the development of flexible role orientation (FRO), which represents adoption of a broader perspective while defining one's job elements. Additionally, the role of psychological ownership and individual dispositions was also probed in the aforementioned relationship by testing a moderated mediated contingency framework. The hypothesised relationships were supported by empirical evidence obtained across three field studies conducted in service based organisations in India. Psychological ownership mediated the linkage between empowerment and FRO, whereas internal locus of control and role breadth self-efficacy acted as moderators.

Sovereign ratings: Determinants and policy implications for India

Abstract: This paper studies sovereign rating models of Moody's, Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Fitch to identify important determinants of sovereign ratings. Ordered logit and probit are employed to check for robustness of empirical results. We found that Moody's model is most reliable (it has the highest rate of correct predictions for sample countries). Further, the sovereign ratings are robust to the choice of estimation procedures. Economic strength, inflation and governance indicators are found to be important determinants of sovereign ratings followed by fiscal strength, domestic political risk and size of banking system. The paper provides key policy suggestions for India to improve its ratings.

Do VaR exceptions have seasonality? An empirical study on Indian commodity spot prices

Abstract: This paper compares three models namely RiskMetrics's EWMA, ARMA-GARCH and APARCH with normal and Student's t-distribution. These models have been applied to spot prices of seven commodities: aluminium, copper, gold, soyabean, guar seed, chana and cardamom. For these seven commodities, daily value-at-risk (VaR) has been computed for different time horizons and VaR exceptions at 99% confidence interval have been calculated. These models are then compared on the basis of number of VaR exceptions and loss function. Commodity prices tend to exhibit higher volatility during certain time of the year due to seasonality in production and consumption. In this context, we test whether VaR exceptions have any relationship with seasonality in spot prices.

Style-exposure analysis of large-cap equity mutual funds in India

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to examine the investment style of the large-cap equity mutual funds in India using style-exposure analysis proposed by Sharpe (1992). The study uses the constrained quadratic optimisation factor model over the period January 2011–April 2015. To assess the dynamic drift in the style of a fund, a rolling-period exposure style analysis of the funds has been carried out by using a 36-month rolling-period window. The results of the study show that the fund managers exhibit some level of active management and a good selection capability.

Mathematical model to mitigate planning fallacy and to determine realistic delivery time

Abstract: Planning fallacy is the tendency to underestimate the duration of a task due to the optimistic bias of individuals. We design a mechanism from the principal's perspective (an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)) to mitigate the optimistic bias of agents (a contract manufacturer (CM) and a supplier) in a serial supply chain. The OEM determines the deadline of agents by explicitly factoring the agent's planning fallacy in the model through the cost under-estimation factor. Further, we prove that threshold based incentives are better than lump-sum bonus to motivate the supplier and the CM to mitigate procrastination of task.

Relationship between the pecking order theory and firm's age: Empirical evidences from India

Abstract: The present work examines the impact of age on the pecking order of deficit and surplus firms. Using empirical evidences, the results indicate that age does not have any significant impact on the pecking order of firms when they have deficits, and firms (across all groups) continue to issue large amount of debt to fill up deficit gaps. While in surplus conditions, old firms followed by middle age firms appear to redeem comparatively more debt vis-a-vis young firms. Being at growing stage, young firms prefer to retain funds more for future financing needs.

Continuous performance-based feedback and justice perceptions: Evidence for mediation by experienced participation

Abstract: One of the goals of most modern organisations is to ensure justice and fairness. Performance management (PM), a human resource (HR) system, supposedly contributes to how employees perceive procedural, distributive and interactional justice. However, the mechanism underlying performance feedback and the three types of justice perceptions remains unexplored. The author hypothesised and found that it is the experience of participation by employees (N = 220) of Indian software multinationals that mediates the relationship between continuous performance-based feedback and perceived justice. Implications of the findings and limitations of the study are discussed.

Discursive work within weak field mandate events: The case of a conference on assistive technologies for persons with disabilities

Abstract: The present study outlines discursive work in a weak field mandate event. The case is a conference focussed on assistive technologies that may help persons with disabilities gain better access to educational and employment spaces in India. Findings highlight three mechanisms which underpinned event-specific discursive work – discursive clarity, alignment, and coordination. In outlining such discursive work, the present study indicates how actors, who congregate as a group without high symbolic or resource support from powerful institutional elites, attempt to influence broader processes of institutionalisation.

Punishing an “unfair” leader: people as pragmatic politicians with in-group but fair-but-biased prosecutors with out-group

Abstract: Contrary to the fairness expected in the modern world, people seem to treat in-group members (us) better than out-group members (them). Do people then defend in-group members as politicians but prosecute out-group members in a fair-but-biased manner? Given information about injustices by a male or female manager, participants made outrage, attribution, attitude, and punishment responses to the manager. In-group defence held in the first three responses but fairness in punishment. However, the seeming fairness in punishment arose from bias suppression by outrage and mediation by attitude, and the order of mediation was from outrage to attitude and not vice versa.

Pharma Selling: In conversation with Melvin D'Souza, Vice President and General Manager, Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd.

Abstract: The Indian pharmaceutical industry has grown steadily in recent years, as indicated by the increase in production, capital creation, and arrival of new players in the market. While the pharmaceutical sector has had a significant impact on the Indian economy, managing it in today's complex environment has become challenging. Changes in the global economy, intensifying competition, and evolving industry policies pose challenges for pharma companies. This article is an excerpt from the interview with Mr. Melvin D'Souza, Vice President and General Manager, Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd. that explains the current state of the Indian pharmaceutical sector, and the sales and distribution challenges faced by its players.

Anomaly in Decision Making Under Risk: Violation of Stochastic Dominance Among Farmers in Gujarat, India

Abstract: We investigate farmers’ decision making under risk by eliciting their willingness to pay for hypothetical risky income distributions. We also investigate whether farmers behave differently to price and yield risk. To do so, we present the risky income distributions as those with constant price and variable yield to a set of farmers, and those with constant yield and variable price to another set of farmers. We find that many farmers violate first order stochastic dominance, an assumption central to validity of rational decision making under risk. We also find that farmers who perceive themselves as risk takers are more likely to violate them.