South Asian journal of management 

About: South Asian journal of management is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Human resources & Emerging markets. It has an ISSN identifier of 0971-5428. Over the lifetime, 390 publications have been published receiving 8728 citations.

Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries & Competitors

Abstract: Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries & Competitors By Michael E Porter The Free Press, New York, 1980, Pages: 397, Price: $25.33 ISBN-10:0684841487; ISBN -13:978-0684841489Competitive Strategy - Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors aims to provide a comprehensive and structured approach for strategy formulation by inviting readers to look into the profound impact of environmental forces in general, and of competitors in particular, on the success of businesses.OVERVIEW OF THE BOOKCompetitive Strategy - Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors posits that organizational actions are externally controlled and constrained. Survival of the organization lies in creating a best fit between environment and resources of the organization. Hypothesis supports the idea that environmental factors play decisive role in putting up threats and opportunities for the organizations. In addition, structure of industry and environmental forces keep on evolving, thereby forcing organizations to consistently interact and respond according to the changing environmental conditions. However, organizations do not remain passive in this process, rather they can be proactive to understand and predict changes in industries. Porter, in this book, provides set of tools and techniques to make strategic choices among various options posed by environment.Porter is of the view that every firm competing in industry holds a competitive strategy. The process of formulation of strategy in an organization takes place in two ways:* Explicit strategy formulation that is based on the planning process; and* Implicit strategy formulation that is evolved as an outcome of organization's functional activities.Porter takes the position that it is always doubtful to have implicit process as source of best strategy; hence, he attributes the explicit process of strategy formulation as a best way of taking maximum benefits for the firm.FINDING THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTThe essence of the book is to provide a framework of relating a company to its environment. Framework encompasses a best fit between firm's resources and environment. The book has been written from two dimensions. On one end it highlights importance of understanding industry structure and developing in-lined strategies to deal with it. Another dimension of the book, which is rather more interesting and productive, is to propose frameworks and tools for industry analysis and crafting strategy. The book, thus, successfully asserts philosophical insights and provokes thinking of business pundits to look into industry dynamics with a different perspective on one hand, and proposes standardized generic tools for systematic analysis on the other.Accordingly the book is divided into three parts.First part encapsulates general analytical techniques for understanding environmental forces, dynamics of industry evolution and dimensions of competitive strategies.Included in Part II is the application of generic business strategies in various forms of industries, in line with structural determinants, sources and impediments of respective industrial segments/forms.Finally Part III establishes multiple options for a firm in its dealing with environmental forces. The book considers Vertical Integration, capacity expansion and entry into new business as available strategic decisions for the firms.SCANNING THE COMPETITIONCompetition has always been central to the managerial decisions. Rising intensity of competition has continued until present era. This book however presented new spheres of looking into competition. Contemporary writers raised important points in strategy formulation for coping with competitive forces of the industry. Porter has given a systematic and rigorous tool to answer to these questions. Porter also signaled a new direction and provided thought for economic models. …

The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits

Abstract: The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits Pearson Education Inc., Wharton School Publishing, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2004; Pages: 432; Price: US $ 29.99; ISBN: 0-13-146750-6. The treasure lying at the bottom of the world's economic pyramid, attracts companies with unimaginable prospects and profits. The economic pyramid of the world contains more than 400 crores of population at the bottom whose earnings and spendings per capita are low, but as an aggregate, are much larger than they are perceived to be. Hence, it is high time for the corporate managers to make an effort to locate the Alibaba's treasure lying hidden at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). Broadly, the characteristics and spending patterns of the BOP segment are different as compared to the other segments of the society. In the high and medium range markets, consumers are able to buy bigger packages of consumables such as a 10 kg packet of detergents so that they need not shop frequently. But low-end BOP consumers do not have so much disposable cash to buy in bulk and store. Hence, it is suggested that this segment be provided with "single serve" packages. Already in India, 30% of personal care and other consumables such as shampoo, tea, and cold medicines are sold in single serve packages and most single serve packages are priced at one rupee. Hindustan Lever Limited offers Clinic Plus shampoo priced at 50 Paisa. The major differences between the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Top of the Pyramid markets are differences in buying habits and cultural differences. The Bottom of the Pyramid is characterized by a low brand consciousness due to low economic position, and is mostly need driven. Major emerging BOP markets in the world, including China, India, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Indonesia, with a combined population of about 300 crores, represent 70% of the world BOP population. Such a huge jumbo size BOP market promises intense marketing opportunities for the companies. THE BOOK UNDER REVIEW Part 1 of the book emphasizes the development of an appropriate framework for the active engagement of the private sector at the BOR It provides the basis for a profitable win-win situation for all stake holders involved in the process of catering to BOP markets. Part 2 describes 12 cases, in a variety of businesses where BOP is becoming an active market and is bringing benefits to its customers far beyond offering just products. Part 3 contains stories in video form-an attempt to present the prospects and prosperity underlying the BOP markets, and to bring the BOP markets into limelight. Around 100 hrs of video was collected as part of the research. The book specifies workable solutions for serving huge population lying at the bottom of the world's economic pyramid. Even with NGOs working tirelessly and government support and international aid being circulated heavily, the problem of poverty still persists. According to the author, the main reason for this situation is that the private sector, which is huge and potentially capable of solving any problem in the world, is practically not involved. The concept of 'Bottom of the Pyramid" is explained in this book. The World's Economic Pyramid contains wealthy people at the top with high spending capacities and habits. But the size of this segment is very small i.e., only about 7.5 to 10 crores of 600 crores plus population, whereas more than 400 crores of population live at the bottom of the pyramid earning less than $2 per day and in India alone around 40 crores of people earn less than Rs. 90 per day. The author opines that, to effectively serve this BOP market, instead of old and tried solutions, continuous innovation and a paradigm shift in the thinking process of the private sector is needed. THE BOOK PRESENTS CASES OF COMPANIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN BOP MARKETING * The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF): It established the Solar Electric Light Company (SELCO) in 1995 to market, install, and serve the Solar Home Systems (SHS) in south India. …

Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations

Abstract: you have excellent communication skills, the ability to manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, a commitment to helping people and organisations improve performance? Do you also have the ability to handle details and see the big picture? If so a career in human resource management and industrial relations could be for you. The first port of call for many job applications is the human resources department of an organisation or a recruitment consultancy. Industrial relations experts are called in when employers and unions are in dispute about wages and conditions. But recruitment and bargaining are just two of many roles that human resource management and industrial relations (HRM & IR) professionals are involved in. Other roles include those of change management, strategic planning , training and development, and remuneration. Human resource management is about managing people so that businesses are competitive and successful. To do this in a fast-changing global economy, HRM & IR professionals keep up with issues and trends that affect employment relationships the labour market and economics, the product or service market, the political environment, environmental concerns, technological change, employment regulations, organisational psychology and social trends. The human resource management (HRM) function of an organisation manages the individual aspects of the employment relationship-from employee recruitment and selection to international employment relations, salaries and wages. HRM is a complex blend of science and art, creativity and common sense. At one level, HR practice draws on economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, political studies, and strategic and systems thinking. At an operational level, success depends on interpersonal relationships. HR professionals are often the \" go to \" people in an organisation for advice and information. When things go wrong employees rely on the integrity and ability of HRM staff to manage and advise on issues without taking sides. They may also train and develop staff to ensure the business performs well, that it meets its goals and continually improves within legislative frameworks. HRM practitioners also keep up-to-date with legislation and analyse contemporary employment issues. Industrial relations is also a multidisciplinary field that studies the collective aspects of the employment relationship. It is increasingly being called employment relations (ER) because of the importance of non-industrial employment relationships. IR has a core concern with social justice through fair employment practices and decent work. People often think industrial relations is about labour relations and unionised employment situations, but it is more than that. Industrial relations …

Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students

Abstract: Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students John Adams, Hafiz T A Khan, Robert Raeside and David White Response Books, A Division of Sage Publications, New Delhi, 2007, Pages: 270; Price: Rs. 395; ISBN: 978-0-7619-3589 This book is a fair attempt in comprehensively covering separate chapters with various topics related to research methods, including research problem formulation, research design, data collection, data analysis, advanced statistical analysis and easy-to comprehend snippets on report-writing. The book is divided into eight sections. Section 1 is a general introduction with only one chapter. The authors provide answers to questions such as what is research, why research is conducted, who does research and how research is conducted. Three major research types, such as, descriptive, explanatory and predictive, are indicated. It is highlighted that the type of research approach selected depends on the nature of the research problem at hand. Section 2 with its single chapter focuses on the research methodology. The authors differentiate between research method and methodology. While the former is a way of conducting and implementing research, the latter is the science and philosophy behind all research. The authors opine that it is the research methodology component that allows us to comprehend the process of knowledge creation. Apart from this, one can also find in this chapter different practices of conducting research: quantitative, qualitative, pure, applied, longitudinal, and empirical. Excellent piece of information on deriving logical conclusions based on inductive and deductive reasoning that is usually not focused heavily in other business research methods books is a plus point to the reader in understanding the nitty-gritty of evolving conclusions. A small description on research ethics decries the unethical practices of obfuscation (not highlighting the results that are important or those that the researcher does not like or hiding information by producing a verbose report full of technical jargon), and plagiarism (passing off someone else's work as one's own). It also provides the reader web-links of several professional bodies that have produced codes of conduct in research including that of Royal Statistical Society. Section 3 contains two chapters. The chapter on Research Cycle outlines the systematic procedure in carrying out the research work and includes the usual paths such as formulating the research problem, generating hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing the data, and monitoring the research model. Excellent considerations are provided in a separate chapter about the importance of different types of literature review, viz., evaluative review, exploratory review and instrumental review and its significance in tracing the various designs used in approaching the topic, identifying the experts on the topic, dissecting the theoretical perspectives, distilling the major limitations and controversies of the earlier studies on this topic, exploring the avenues for other potential research problem and, so on. This is one of the very few books on business research methods laying adequate emphasis on Literature Review. This will benefit the reader in terms of the importance and the modus operandi of reviewing the earlier studies on the research topic. Section 4 on Research Design comprises five chapters and is devoted exclusively to areas pertaining to data collection. Chapter 5 on Sampling encompasses sampling techniques under probability and non-probability, sample size determination, problems with random sample surveys which include nonresponse bias, sampling error, and sampling bias. Sample size determination is sufficiently covered. Though they are covered adequately, a separate discussion on Sampling Process including the various stages involved in selecting the ultimate sample elements will be useful to the reader. For unexplainable reasons, this chapter also focuses on classification of research designs (experimental, quasi-experimental and observational), and includes yet another discussion on scales of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio). …

Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Student's Guide

Abstract: Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Student's Guide By Michael Jay Polonsky and David S Waller Sage Publications, Second and South Asia Edition, 2010; Pages: 279; Price: ?395 ISBN: 978-81-321-0577-0(PB) I am sure, in many mushrooming management institutes, the completion of a research project remains to be a formality in order to acquire the masters degree (at least in countries like India). I do not know how many students are enthused to do the research project and how many of them have fair knowledge about various aspects of research at that stage. The very word 'research' makes people uncomfortable when basic things are not clear and when one doesn't receive proper guidance for conducting the research. The number of people that would like to register for Ph.D. in management and the number that receive doctorates is a clear indication of it. When enough research is not carried out in a discipline, the growth and development of the discipline itself is at stake. What if a 279 page book takes the place of research guide, what if it answers all the expressed, unexpressed and possible doubts of masters level student? What if it sows necessary zest in a student for research? Michel Jay Polonsky and David S Waller's book Designing and Managing a Research Project subtitled A Business Student's Guide precisely does that. It is not an exaggeration to say it is a 'guide' in true sense. The book interacts, advises, directs and also leads the student (confused or otherwise) through his/her research project. In one word, it makes the life of business management student easy. It provides a solid basis of academic research projects. In a cursory look of the book, one would understand that it is not a book of research methods, it is a ready help available for a business student in dealing with various issues associated with the design and management of a research project. It is directly addressed to the student, and it reads as if a guide/supervisor in reality advising his research student. Following the logical flow of the research process, the content of the book has been arranged into three main parts namely: 1) The Foundations; 2) Undertaking the Research; and 3) Communicating the Results. Part one "The Foundations" consists of five chapters. The first chapter while providing an overview of the book also deals with the basics of research and research projects. The second chapter deals with the question, how to choose a topic? While cautioning that a poorly chosen topic will have adverse effects, the authors emphasizes upon choosing a manageable and focused topic of research. The chapter goes into the specifications of what a student could do if the topic is assigned to him or what a student should do if the topic has not been assigned. While emphasizing that selection of right topic is crucial for both the student and assignment, the chapter deals with five essentials steps in choosing a topic. The third chapter provides an overview on the role of the supervisor. Beginning with the need for understanding the supervisor's potential role and expectations for a healthy student-supervisor relationship, it deals with various roles a supervisor can play, selection of supervisor and also the possibility of having multiple supervisors. The fourth chapter deals with the complexities of working in groups, if a student has to work in a group project. It elaborates on the sources of conflict and its management. Chapter five throws considerable light on ethics in research and in general business. It deals in detail with codes of ethical conduct and various ethical issues to be considered while conducting the research. In the second part, from Chapters 6 to 11, the authors focus on various activities involved in "Undertaking the Research". For a research project to be successfully completed, it requires a structured process and the sixth chapter of the book deals with each such step involved in the planning of a research project. …