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3556 items in total found

Journal Articles | 2018

Leadership competencies for effective public administration: a study of Indian Administrative Service officers

Vishal Gupta, Sanjeev Chopra, and Ram Kumar Kakani

Journal of Asian Public Policy

Public administrative service occupies a strategic position in the public governance system of any nation. Contemporary public administration needs competent public managers who are able to make sense of the ambiguity inherent in the job. This study presents an attempt to identify important competencies needed for public administrators (specifically District Magistrates in India, a peak leadership role in the public service). Based on focused-group discussions and a survey of 218 Indian Administrative Service officers, the study identified eight competencies, namely people first; leading others; integrity; decision-making; planning, coordination and implementation; problem-solving; self-awareness and self-control; and innovative thinking. The eight competencies were further clubbed under four meta-competencies, namely stakeholder analysis and decision-making, managing change and innovation, team building and positive administrator personality. A detailed description of the behaviours included within each competency and meta-competency is provided. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Robot-storage zone assignment strategies in mobile fulfillment systems

Debjit Roy, Shobhit Nigam, Rene de Koster, I.J.B.F. Adan, and J.A.C. Resing

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review

The robotic mobile fulfillment system (MFS) is widely used for automating storage pick and pack activities in e-commerce distribution centers. In this system, the items are stored on movable storage shelves, also known as inventory pods, and brought to the order pick stations by robotic drive units. We develop stylized performance evaluation models to analyze both order picking and replenishment processes in a mobile fulfillment system storage zone, based on multi-class closed queueing network models. To analyze robot assignment strategies for multiple storage zones, we develop a two-stage stochastic model. For a single storage zone, we compare dedicated and pooled robot systems for pod retrieval and replenishment. For multiple storage zones, we also analyze the effect of assigning robots to least congested zones on system throughput in comparison to random zone assignment. The models are validated using detailed simulations. For single zones, the expected throughput time for order picking reduces to one-third of its initial value by using pooled robots instead of dedicated robots; however, the expected replenishment time estimate increases up to three times. For multiple zones, we find that robots that are assigned to storage zones with dedicated and shortest queues provide a greater throughput than robots assigned at random to the zones.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Internet search engines and two-sided markets: Implications for antitrust analysis

Viswanath Pingali

Economic & Political Weekly

Internet search engines provide a vital platform for various groups to interact and create value. On the one hand, they help users find answers to their search queries, and on the other, search engines monetise their free search services by selling advertisements to connect potential buyers with sellers. An exploration of the economics of search markets is presented along with a discussion about the economic literature on two (multi)-sided markets. There is also a discussion of issues with the developments in the antitrust case pertaining to Google in India.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Looking under the hood: A comparison of techno-economic assumptions across national and global integrated assessment models

Volker Kreya, Fei Guo, Peter Kolpa, Saritha S. Vishawnathan, and Amit Garg

Energy

Integrated assessment models are extensively used in the analysis of climate change mitigation and are informing national decision makers as well as contribute to international scientific assessments. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of techno-economic assumptions in the electricity sector among fifteen different global and national integrated assessment models. Particular focus is given to six major economies in the world: Brazil, China, the EU, India, Japan and the US. The comparison reveals that techno-economic characteristics are quite different across integrated assessment models, both for the base year and future years. It is, however, important to recognize that techno-economic assessments from the literature exhibit an equally large range of parameters as the integrated assessment models reviewed. Beyond numerical differences, the representation of technologies also differs among models, which needs to be taken into account when comparing numerical parameters. While desirable, it seems difficult to fully harmonize techno-economic parameters across a broader range of models due to structural differences in the representation of technology. Therefore, making techno-economic parameters available in the future, together with of the technology representation as well as the exact definitions of the parameters should become the standard approach as it allows an open discussion of appropriate assumptions.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Uncertainty Handling in Bilevel Optimization for Robust and Reliable Solutions

Zhichao Lu, Kalyanmoy Deb, and Ankur Sinha

International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems

Uncertainties in variables and parameters cause optimization problems to move away from globally-optimal and uncertain solutions. Practitioners resort to finding robust and reliable solutions in such situations. Bilevel optimization problems involving a hierarchy of two nested optimization problems have received a growing attention in the recent past due to their relevance in practice. While a number of studies on bilevel solution methodologies and applications are available for a deterministic setup, but studies on uncertainties in bilevel optimization are rare. In this paper, we suggest methodologies for handling uncertainty in both lower and upper level variables that may occur from different practicalities. For the first time, we perform a systematic study demonstrating the effect of uncertainties in each level along with the definition of robustness and reliability in the context of bilevel optimization. The issues and complexities introduced due to such uncertainties are then studied through a number of test cases, for brevity, we only show results on three test cases. Finally, two real-world bilevel problems involving uncertainties in their variables are solved. The study provides foundations and demon- strates viable directions for further research in uncertainty-based bilevel optimization problems.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Does plant size matter? Differential effects of FDI on wages and employment?

Shruti Sharma

Asian Development Review: Studies of Asian and Pacific Economic issues

This paper examines the differential effects, based on the size of the plant, of industry-level foreign direct investment (FDI) on plant-level employment and the wages of skilled and unskilled workers in India's manufacturing sector. On average, there are strong positive differential effects of increased inward-level FDI for large plants relative to small and average-sized plants in terms of employment and the average wages of both skilled and unskilled workers. Small plants experience negative effects from inward FDI, which can be explained by intra-industry reallocation of output from smaller to larger plants. After conducting a regional analysis, I find positive spillovers to small plants in Indian states that receive large and persistent flows of FDI. This suggests that a critical mass of FDI is necessary for small plants to experience positive spillover effects.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Transition Experiences in MD–PhD Programs

Devasmita Chakraverty, Donna B. Jeffe, and Robert H. Tai

MD–PhD training takes, on average, 8 years to complete and involves two transitions, an MD-preclinical to PhD-research phase and a PhD-research to MD-clinical phase. There is a paucity of research about MD–PhD students’ experiences during each transition. This study examined transition experiences reported by 48 MD–PhD students who had experienced at least one of these transitions during their training. We purposefully sampled medical schools across the United States to recruit participants. Semistructured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis; items focused on academic and social experiences within and outside their programs. Using a phenomenological approach and analytic induction, we examined students’ transition experiences during their MD–PhD programs. Five broad themes emerged centering on multiple needs: mentoring, facilitating integration with students in each phase, integrating the curriculum to foster mastery of skills needed for each phase, awareness of cultural differences between MD and PhD training, and support. None of the respondents attributed their transition experiences to gender or race/ethnicity. Students emphasized the need for mentoring by MD–PhD faculty and better institutional and program supports to mitigate feelings of isolation and help students relearn knowledge for clinical clerkships and ease re-entry into the hospital culture, which differs substantially from the research culture.

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Journal Articles | 2018

Stochastic modeling of unloading and loading operations at a container terminal using automated lifting vehicles

Debjit Roy and Rene De Koster

European Journal of Operational Research

With the growing worldwide trade, container terminals have grown in number and size. To increase operational efficiency, many new terminals are now automated. The key focus is on improving seaside processes, where a distinction can be made between single quay crane operations (all quay cranes are either loading or unloading containers) and overlapping quay crane operations (some quay cranes are loading while others are unloading containers). Using a network of open and semi-open queues, we develop a new integrated stochastic model for analyzing the performance of overlapping loading and unloading operations that capture the complex stochastic interactions among quayside, vehicle, and stackside processes. The analytical model is solved using an iterative algorithm based on the parametric decomposition approximation approach. The system performance is tested at varying container traffic levels. We find that the percent absolute errors in throughput times compared to simulation are less than 10% for all cases. Using these integrated models, we are able to generate design insights and also rapidly analyze what-if scenarios. For example, we show that the best yard layout configurations for single (either loading or unloading) operations and the best for overlapping (both loading and unloading) operations largely overlap. The best configurations have relatively few stack blocks and many rows per block. The model is generic and amenable to obtain other design and operational performance insights.

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Journal Articles | 2018

From bazaar to Big Bazaar: Environmental influences and service innovation in the evolution of retailing in India, c. 1850-2015

Chinmay Tumbe and Shashank Krishnakumar

Journal of Historical Research in Marketing

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the factors affecting the evolution of retailing in India since the mid-nineteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper compares the trajectories of four distinct retail stores in India – Spencer’s pan-Indian retailing empire since 1863, Akbarallys’ department store chain in Mumbai since 1897, Apna Bazar’s consumer cooperative chain in Mumbai since 1948 and the Future Group’s pan-Indian retailing chain since the 1980s. Historical sources include firm biographies and newspaper archives.

Findings

This paper proposes a systems theory linking environmental influences and service innovation, to explain the evolution of retailing in India since the mid-nineteenth century. The key environmental influence on retailing has been state patronage – colonialism and high-end department stores until the 1940s, socialism and cooperative stores until the 1980s and liberalisation with restricted foreign direct investment in retailing until 2015 associated with indigenous corporate large retail format stores. Service innovation in terms of home delivery and recreation of the bazaar atmosphere due to norms on gender and community have also interacted to shape individual success in modern retailing and the dominance of small shop retailing over the long run.

Research limitations/implications

This paper questions standard accounts of retailing history in India that began with the late-twentieth century by showing the scale of a pan-Indian retailing chain in the early-twentieth century. It also provides an account of retailers that is missing in the current literature on the history of consumption in India.

Practical implications

Findings of this study will be useful to marketing professionals and teachers who wish to learn more about the history of retailing in India. It also shows how retailers navigated changes in the regulatory and business environment.

Originality/value

Through a comparative study, this paper outlines the environmental influences on retail formats and service innovation strategies that are required to serve the Indian market. It also brings to fore the significance of retailing chains in colonial India.

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Journal Articles | 2018

The four eras of "marketing" in twentieth century India

Chinmay Tumbe and Isha Ralli

Journal of Historical Research in Marketing

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the evolution of “marketing” in the public and corporate discourse of twentieth-century India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws its inferences from an analysis of the digital Times of India and Financial Times historical newspaper databases, the corporate archives of two leading Mumbai-based firms – Godrej in consumer goods and Cipla in pharmaceuticals and oral histories of marketing managers.

Findings

The paper identifies four eras of “marketing” in twentieth-century India. Era I (1910-1940) saw the emergence of agricultural “marketing boards” and “marketing officers” in the public sector and the growth of Indian and multinational advertising agencies. Era II (1940-1970) witnessed the formation of management and advertising associations and business schools with close involvement of American players. In Era III (1970-1990), there was a paradigm shift as “marketing” grew in corporate discourse and firms began to employ “marketing managers” in “marketing departments”. Era IV (1990-till date) witnessed the explosion of “marketing” in public and corporate discourse alongside the consumption boom in India. The paper shows how “marketing” evolved separately in the public and private sectors and in different phases as compared to that in the West.

Research limitations/implications

This paper overturns conventional wisdom on marketing history in India, which has so far discounted its significance before 1960 or accorded primary significance to the 1990s’ economic liberalisation programme.

Practical implications

Findings of this study will be useful to marketing professionals and teachers who wish to learn more about the history of marketing in India.

Originality/value

The paper uses unexplored archival material and provides the first account on the evolution of “marketing” in public and corporate discourse in twentieth-century India.

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