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Combination products, amalgamating drugs, biologics, and medical devices, have revolutionized the healthcare landscape with their potential for innovative therapies. However, the intersection of diverse components within these products presents a complex regulatory environment, demanding rigorous attention to safety and efficacy. This article delves into the intricate landscape of regulatory considerations, safety, and efficacy assessments pertaining to combination products--a category at the intersection of drugs, devices, and biologics. The regulatory framework, primarily governed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), necessitates a nuanced classification determining the regulatory pathway. Collaboration between diverse regulatory centers, such as the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), underscores the integrated approach required for these innovative healthcare solutions. Safety considerations unravel the potential risks and adverse events associated with combining diverse components, emphasizing the need for robust risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The evaluation of efficacy involves sophisticated methodologies, clinical trials, and post-market surveillance, with recent advancements incorporating digital technologies. This comprehensive exploration aims to contribute to the evolving understanding and best practices in the regulatory and scientific realms, fostering collaboration and innovation in the development and assessment of combination products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribal populations in India have health care challenges marked by limited access due to geographical distance, historical isolation, cultural differences, and low social stratification, and that result in weaker health indicators compared to the general population. During the pandemic, Tribal districts consistently reported lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than non-Tribal districts. We assessed the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (the project) strategy, which aimed to increase access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among Tribal populations in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework. We designed a qualitative explanatory case study and conducted 90 focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with Tribal populations, community-based nongovernmental organizations that worked with district health authorities to implement the interventions, and other stakeholders such as government and community groups. The active involvement of community leaders, targeted counseling, community gatherings, and door-to-door visits appeared to increase vaccine awareness and assuage concerns about its safety and efficacy. Key adaptations such as conducting evening vaccine awareness activities, holding vaccine sessions at flexible times and sites, and modifying messaging for booster doses appeared to encourage vaccine uptake among Tribal populations. While we used project resources to mitigate financial and supply constraints where they arose, sustaining long-term uptake of project interventions appears dependent on continued funding and ongoing political support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 situation affected the whole landscape of retailing in India and around the world. However, some businesses have used the pandemic-related difficulties into opportunities. E-tailing is one of the ways that helped people in India to continue shopping their essential products and choosing their luxury products without making any physical visits during the lockdown. This research understands the current situation through an observation study and suggests the e-tailing model suitable during the COVID-19 and beyond. Design/methodology: We used secondary data to make the observational study. We also conducted two case studies and interviews with grocery shops and an automotive company. Findings: This research suggests a simple collaborative e-tailing model combining all supply chain players to reduce people's movement, timely delivery and enhanced service to meet customers demand during the lockdown period. Originality/value: This paper has considered two real cases for discussion and also obtained information from public domain. The proposed model has been discussed with the case companies, and it hoped to support business planning for online services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on theories of transformational leadership and institutional entrepreneurship, this study explores the causal drivers that transformed a public organization involved in the construction of the Delhi Metro. It explores the under-examined antecedents that drive organizational change, seeking to understand the links between leadership and entrepreneurship and significant reforms in the operation of a public organization. This paper then refers to institutional structures, cultures, practices, and routines that were added or modified during the construction of a large public infrastructure project. Together, these actions demonstrate the value of transformational leadership and institutional entrepreneurship in action. The findings of the study affirm that transformational leadership and entrepreneurship can drive successful outcomes in a major public infrastructure organization. Observing and recording such changes in a specific longitudinal field study are a vital precursor to unlocking the infrastructural potential of a developing country like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Warehouse receipt-based financing (WRF), an innovative instrument with its structure embedded in the agricultural value chain can potentially address farmers' concerns about timely credit access and accessible remunerative markets. However, studies indicate farmers' exclusion from currently practiced WRF mechanisms across developing countries. Transaction cost and lack of assured remunerative markets post storage are the challenges thwarting farmers' participation. The study explores how these challenges can be addressed by analyzing a case study. The finding will help in coming up with a farmer-inclusive WRF mechanism. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a case study as an analysis tool. Primary data is gathered through farmers. Descriptive statistics and partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling methodology has been adopted for empirical testing of the hypothesis of the study. The study uses SMART PLS 3.0 for analysis of data. Findings: Single window offering of multiple value chain operations and technological intervention in physical handling substantially reduces transaction costs for farmers. Sustained farmers' participation in the case supports this finding. The presence of an assured market (PAM) is found to have a positive and significant relationship with WRF in the case of beneficiary farmers. The PAM is found to have a negative yet significant relationship with WRF in the case of nonbeneficiary farmers. Critical success factors of the entity KisanMitra stated in the case substantiates a farmer-inclusive WRF mechanism. Research limitations/implications: The study analyzes a case study of specific geography. However, similarities enlisted across developing countries in the introduction section provide a scope of generalization of findings across developing countries. The identified factors for a farmer-inclusive WRF mechanism will enable the governments, policymakers and development institutions to ascertain and align their WRF implementation measures to inculcate and upgrade these factors to the prospective WRF agents. Future studies can explore the replication of farmer-inclusive WRF mechanisms across other geographies. The studies also explores the role of technological interventions in further reducing the transaction cost and suitable policy modifications to encourage replication of the study in other geopgraphical context. Originality/value: The study on WRF and the methodology adopted is first of its kind to identify factors for a farmer-inclusive WRF mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Smart cities in India are going to be a reality very soon by turning challenges into opportunities for the society. However, due to rapid increase in population burden, fast urbanization and growing demand of advanced services in the smart cities, the quantity of per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) has escalated. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system with the increasing amount of infectious wastes coming from households (HHs), quarantine centers, healthcare facilities, vaccination centers, etc. Therefore, the present study attempts to explore and analyze the various dimensions of sustainable MSWM system in the smart cities. Design/methodology/approach: The study identifies 13 factors of sustainable MSWM system from the literature, field surveys and stakeholders' opinions. Thereafter, stakeholders' opinions are collected and analyzed using total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system. These relationships are further validated through the empirical investigation of the real-life case study of Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC), Odisha, India. Findings: The TISM approach places all 13 factors into six levels in the hierarchical digraph depending upon the inputs received from the various stakeholders on their interrelationships. Study also validates the proposed TISM model by collecting the data of RMC, Odisha, on the development of MSWM system over the period of 2015–2021. Practical implications: The study also highlights various implications for the other developing cities and stakeholders to set up the roadmap for developing the sustainable MSWM system. Study defines "IT platform" and "awareness among citizens" as the base of the sustainable MSWM system in any smart city. Originality/value: The present study is the first of its kind to explore the interrelationships among the factors of sustainable MSWM system by using TISM approach. Moreover, the proposed TISM framework is further validated through the empirical journey of one of the smart cities in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pioneering step of implementation of GST in India, has brought initial producer's and service provider's and retailers in one tax regime reducing the burden of all other taxes, including the burden of CENVAT and service tax. GST is a Major step designed to streamline the taxation of goods and services. The changes in the tax structure led to the changes in the prices of goods. These changes were significant in few cases and they impacted the consumer behaviour largely. The objective of this paper is to study the consumer behaviour by analysing the impact of GST/Tax policies on automobile industry. The focus of the study is LMV (cars). The purchase pattern of cars is studied before and after the implementation of GST. The hypothesis-based research method is used and tested. The secondary data for the analysis of the production and sales is obtained from Web-based information, literature so far published in the journals is used to analyse the gap. The analysis is carried out using correlations methods such as t-test and paired t-test. This research should add significant value in understanding the implications of GST on purchase behaviour, the paper further tests possibilities of reduction of carbon footprints as an implication of policy change. The reduced number of vehicles will reduce the carbon footprint whereas the increased number of vehicles will increase the carbon footprint. Shift to electric vehicles and achieving green mobility is at the top of the agenda for developed nations. Countries like USA and China are incentivising green mobility through policy changes. India also supports green mobility by no tax and 5% GST. However, the green mobility policies should be enacted in sync with state and centre government. The results should help to understand LMV (Car) sector sales before and after GST and its implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was an attempt to assess how the trainee teachers belonging to the vernacular background, from West Bengal (Eastern part of India), India, improved their oral fluency in a Task-Based Language Teaching approach. Trainee teachers from a university were taught with a task-based approach for 2 months with task conditions like pre-task planning time, pair and group work, and feedback. The learners’ performance in the intervention tasks and pre-post-test were audio recorded. The findings indicated that the learners could produce fluent sentences with grammatical accuracy and elaborate utterances with reduced pauses. Furthermore, learners’ opinion on the task-based teaching and learning approach was sought with some questions, where they appreciated the TBLT approach as it allowed them to improve their speaking skills to an extent. The implications of the findings are discussed in light of the suitability of a task-based approach in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hybrid learning, integrating online methods of instruction with face-to-face learning methods, has recently gained increased attention. The literature on pedagogy and course management has focused on hybrid learning as a combination of virtual and physical environments, which can shift learning to a more student-centered model from the teacher-centered model. A gap exists in the literature related to the execution of hybrid learning and challenges faced by internal stakeholders, and the outcomes are achieved. This study aims to examine the implementation of hybrid learning courses and investigate the challenges and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a qualitative approach. This study presents a case of a management university in India. Ten semistructured interviews were conducted with the university officials, including the vice-chancellor, dean and faculty members. The data collection method also included reviewing university documents and reports. Findings: While formalized knowledge transfer through online courses can facilitate knowledge dissemination, it has its own downsides: it needs to be contextualized; it requires additional resources; it is not a one size fits all policy, as its conducive to some and alienates others; and students may not completely adopt it. Originality/value: This investigation attempts to examine the shift to hybrid learning in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people's livelihoods worldwide to an unprecedented magnitude, the most affected being the socially and economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities, including the transgender people that constitute one of the most vulnerable sections that are often subjected to discriminated in various sectors such as education, health, housing, and livelihood opportunities. The present study attempts to offer insights into the impact of the pandemic on the livelihood of transgender people in India, given that the pandemic adversely affected their primary sources of livelihood, such as begging, sex-work, singing, and dancing, due mainly to the restrictive measures: lockdown, shutdown, social/physical distancing, etc., imposed by government authorities to curb the spread of the virus, in turn depriving them of their livelihood choices and rendering them even more vulnerable. This study draws from twelve transgender respondents in the city of Bhubaneswar, India recruited through the snowball method and uses thematic analysis of qualitative data obtained through telephonic interviews. The study finds that the pandemic-induced measures have negatively affected the lives and livelihood of transgender people during this time of crisis. Despite the government’s sustained efforts in providing temporary livelihood options and monetary supports during the crisis, the transgender people continued to remain marginalized. Approaches to making them self-sufficient over a longer term and empowering them financially would have been of more significant impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Member-owned business organizations, such as cooperatives, are engaged in various economic activities that touch our everyday lives. Sitajakhala Dugdha Utpadak Samabai Samiti Limited (Sitajakhala Dairy Producers Cooperative Society Limited) is a successful cooperative society in the northeastern region of India. The purpose of this case study is to illustrate how the cooperative manages its production and supply chain of milk and milk products and highlights several issues that the cooperative encountered in the recent past and how those issues were managed. This case also illustrates how an agribusiness cooperative has been growing over the years, including expansion of business and the creation of a brand image, as well as benefiting its members and their communities. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a case study approach where they went for in-person interviews of Sitajakhala's executive members and office staff; in addition, the authors were given access to Sitajakhala's marketing and financial records as well as its annual reports and vision documents. Findings: Sitajakhala Co-op provides a platform where individual dairy farmers (most of who are small farmers and many of them are illiterate) can unite to bargain for higher prices for their milk. Due to its member-oriented business strategy, Sitajakhala Co-op has been growing well with active support of its members. Consistent quality control and marked improvements in labeling, bottling and packaging of milk and milk products has helped the cooperative to establish itself as a leader in dairy products supplier in Assam among bulk buyers as well as individual consumers. Sitajakhala cooperative also provides dairy farming related services to its members for free of charge to improve milk production and quality. One of the shortcomings of the cooperative is underutilization of its modern milk processing plant which needs to be addressed by the management in earnest. Research limitations/implications: This case study is based on information from one dairy cooperative in Assam, India; thus, the findings of this case may not translate into other dairy cooperatives in India or elsewhere. Nonetheless, cooperative practitioners may find the findings useful from a management perspective. Social implications: Sitajakhala Co-op management was keenly aware of the non-dairy related needs of the community it serves. Some of such services include free medical ambulance service for its members, supporting secondary education through providing merit and need-based scholarships and funding physical improvements to a local high school and a local college. In addition, the cooperative regularly provides funding to local sports and cultural events and local social institutions which have positive impact on the larger community. Sitajakhala cooperative has been providing employment to the local youth in the Morigaon area and plans on continuing to do so. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case study focusing on the management and operations of a dairy cooperative in the northeastern part of India. Knowledge gained from such study is expected to benefit not only Sitajakhala cooperative but also other dairy cooperatives in a similar situation. This case study will also benefit senior undergraduate and/or graduate students specializing in agricultural economics/agribusiness and can also be used for executive training for the management of academic institutions and food companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in Manipur, India, practice marup to respond to poverty and support each other during a crisis and for planned social events. Based on in-depthinterviews of group members, this article presents a case study of marup. It examines thispractice from the feminist social work lens to discuss implications for feminist social work with groups. The practice of mutual aids, democratic functioning and solidarity in marup develops women's capacities and prioritises economic development. Marup is a robust group framework that strengthens women's social and economic positions of women by creating financial capital, extending their social network and building social support. From the feminist social work lens, marup comes into play to interrupt the power relations between men and women within and outside the household. Through the processes and dynamics of group activities, marup represents a robust framework of a group practice that responds to women's needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study prioritizes the supply chain risks (SCRs) and determines risk mitigation strategies (RMSs) for the Indian apparel industry to mitigate the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic disruption. Design/methodology/approach: Initially, 23 SCRs within the apparel industry are identified through an extant literature review. Further, a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) is utilized to prioritize the SCRs considering the epidemic situations to understand the criticality of SCRs and determine appropriate RMSs to mitigate the shock of SCRs during COVID-19. Findings: This study prioritized and ranked the SCRs within the Indian apparel industry based on their severity during the COVID-19 disruption. Results indicate that the demand uncertainty and pandemic disruption risks are the most critical. Based on the SCRs, the present work evaluated and suggested the flexibility and postponement mitigation strategies for the case under study. Research limitations/implications: This study has novel implications to the existing literature on supply chain risk management in the form of the FAHP framework. Supply chain practitioners from the other industrial sectors can extend the proposed FAHP framework to assess the SCRs and identify suitable mitigation strategies. The results aid the practitioners working in an apparel industry to benchmark and deploy the proposed RMSs in their firm. Originality/value: The present study is a unique and earlier attempt to develop a quantitative framework using FAHP to evaluate and determine the risk mitigation strategy for managing the SCRs during the coronavirus epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interphalangeal (IP) joint dislocation of hallux is a rare occurrence probably due to the presence of strong ligamentous attachments around it. Closed reduction of this kind of dislocation proves to be unsatisfactory. Herein, we are presenting a case of an open dorsomedial type of IP joint dislocation following a road traffic accident. Case Report: A 36-year-old woman with injury to her right great toe following a road traffic accident presented in the casualty of Chettinad Hospital, Kelambakkam, India. On examination, there was a 3 × 2 cm laceration present over the medial-plantar aspect. The bone was exposed. Hallux varus deformity was noted due to the dislocation of the IP joint. The reduction of IP joint dislocation was quite unstable and was fixed with two 1mm Kirschner wires (K-wires) under fluoroscopic guidance. The patient was sequentially followed up on the 4th and 6th weeks post-op. Joint integrity and stability were assessed which were found to be satisfactory after the removal of K-wire on the 6th week post-op. Conclusion: Open IP dislocations of the hallux Miki type 2 are unstable types of injury to deal with. Closed reduction in these injuries is difficult owing to the impinging sesamoid bone along with other soft tissues. These types of injuries should be reduced and fixed with K-wires to have better stability followed by long-term immobilization of around 3 to 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric disorders can be devastating, causing damage to the patient, his/her family and society. Financial aspect is the main criterion in a disease or group of diseases for decision-making, planning and prioritizing issues. The aim of the present study was to estimate the tangible cost of psychiatric disorders per annum in Telangana, India, from societal perspective. Cost estimation of various components was done under direct and indirect heads. The direct costs included were consultation, drugs, inpatients, investigations, procedures, psychologist consultation, rehabilitation and travel for treatment. The indirect costs included attendant, disability benefits, faith healing, loss of taxes on earnings, patients in conflict with the law, student training, statutory bodies, substance abuse, suicide and attempted suicide, work absence/loss of wages and productivity. Costs were also estimated based on other published works and local conditions. Of the Rs 140,963.0 crore cost, direct costs were only a small fraction (2%) while fraction indirect costs were high (98%). Cost due to wages and productivity loss accounted for 55% of the total cost. The estimated arrived at was several times more than the total health budget of the state. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve and expand mental health services to reduce the financial burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify critical factors and examine their impact on alliance performance from an organizational learning point of view. Design/methodology/approach: A modified total interpretive structural modeling (M-TISM) methodology was used in this study. The different paths/links in the developed M-TISM model were further validated by using the Mahindra-Ford alliance case study. Findings: In this study, a total of seven critical factors were identified using an extensive literature review, and a hierarchical model was developed. Results show that prior alliance experience, inter-partner learning, knowledge transfer, absorptive capacity and knowledge internalization have a positive on the alliance productivity and performance. Furthermore, the findings indicate that prior alliance experience remains essential for alliance productivity and performance, while knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity can contribute to inter-partner learning and knowledge internalization in strategic alliances. Research limitations/implications: This study can help managers and policymakers to understand the identified critical factors from an organizational learning perspective and understand their impact on the alliance performance in a competitive environment. The managers should know that previous alliance experience, learning from partner firms, building an absorptive capacity, etc., are necessary to achieve superior alliance productivity and performance. For academicians, the M-TISM methodology used in this study can provide a mechanism to perform exploratory research and build a hierarchical model in different management research fields. Originality/value: The study fills research gaps by identifying key factors, developing a hierarchical model, and examining their impact on the performance of strategic alliances in the Indian automotive industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alcohol dependency is a multifaceted issue influenced by various socio-cultural factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective psychosocial interventions. This study aims to investigate the socio-cultural elements contributing to alcohol dependency and to devise a tailored intervention strategy. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to explore the socio-cultural factors associated with alcohol dependency in a female patient and to provide a psychosocial intervention to aid in her recovery. Methodology: A single-subject case study design was employed for an in-depth qualitative analysis. Data was collected through interviews, case record files, observations, and home visits. The participant was a female with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ICD-10), selected purposefully from the outpatient department of LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam, India. The study focused on recognizing the client's illness and developing coping mechanisms. Special attention was given to the client's spiritual beliefs and practices at her thaan (religious prayer house) as a central element of her recovery process. Conclusion: The study highlighted the significance of socio-cultural factors in understanding and treating alcohol dependency. It was found that acculturation and cultural shifts could contribute to psychological stress and substance use disorder. Conversely, cultural identification and spirituality emerged as personal strengths aiding in recovery. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating socio-cultural dimensions into psychosocial interventions for effective treatment of alcohol dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the Indian government declared the first lockdown on 25 March 2020 to control the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, people were forced to stay and work from home. The aim of this study is to quantify the impact of stay-at-home orders on residential Air Conditioning (AC) energy and household electricity consumption (excluding AC energy). This was done using monitored data from 380 homes in a group of five buildings in Hyderabad, India. We gathered AC energy and household electricity consumption data at a 30-min interval for each home individually in April 2019 and April 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done on this data. To offset the difference in temperatures for the month of April in 2019 and 2020, only those weekdays were selected where the average temperature in 2019 was same as the average temperature in 2020. The study establishes that the average number of hours the AC was used per day in each home increased in the range 4.90–7.45% depending on the temperature for the year 2020. Correspondingly, the overall AC consumption increased in the range 3.60–4.5%, however the daytime (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) AC energy consumption increased in the range 22–26% and nighttime (8:00 PM to 8:00 AM) AC energy consumption decreased by 5–7% in the year 2020. The study showed a rise in household electricity consumption of about 15% for the entire day in the year 2020. The household electricity consumption increased during daytime by 22- 27.50% and 1.90- 6.6% during the nighttime. It was observed that the morning household electricity peak demand shifted from 7:00 AM in 2019 to 9:00 AM in 2020. Conversely, the evening peak demand shifted from 9:00 PM in 2019 to 7:00 PM in 2020. An additional peak was observed during afternoon hours in the lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the research is to identify and prioritise the implementation challenges of blockchain technology and suggests ways for its implementation in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach: Underlined by the technology, organisational, and external environment model, a conceptual framework with four challenge categories and sixteen challenges is proposed. Data collected from three stakeholder groups with experience in the implementation of blockchain technology in India is analysed by employing an analytical hierarchy process method-based case study. Further, a criticality–effort matrix analysis is performed to group challenges and suggest ways for implementation. Findings: The analysis revels that all stakeholders perceive complexity challenge associated with the technology, organisational structure, and external environment, and issues of compatibility with existing systems, software, and business practices to be high on the criticality and effort scales, which thus require meticulous planning to manage. Likewise, top-management support issues related to insufficient understanding of how technology fits with the organisation's policy and benefits offered by the technology requires high effort to address this challenge. Research limitations/implications: The results were obtained by focusing on the Indian context and therefore may not apply to other nations' contexts. Practical implications: By investigating the challenges that the developers, consultants, and client organisations need to address, this study assists managers in developing plans to facilitate coordination among these organisations for successful blockchain implementation. Originality/value: To the authors' knowledge this study is the first to identify and prioritise the challenges from the perspectives of multiple stakeholder groups with experience in blockchain technology implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar and wind power systems have been prime solutions to the challenges centered on reliable power supply, sustainability, and energy costs for several years. However, there are still various challenges in these renewable industries, especially regarding limited peak periods. Solar–wind hybrid technology introduced to mitigate these setbacks has significant drawbacks and suffers from low adoption rates in many geographies. Hence, it is essential to investigate the challenges faced with these technologies and analyze the viable solutions proposed. This work examined solar–wind hybrid plants' economic and technical opportunities and challenges. In the present work, the pressing challenges solar–wind hybrids face were detailed through extensive case studies, the case study of enabling policies in India, and overproduction in Germany. Presently, the principal challenges of solar–wind hybrids are overproduction, enabling policies, and electricity storage. This review highlights specific, viable, proposed solutions to these problems. As already recorded in the literature, it was discovered that academic research in this space focuses majorly on the techno-economic and seemingly theoretical aspects of these hybrid systems. In contrast, reports and publications from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and engineering, procurement, and construction engineers (EPCs) are more rounded, featuring real-life application and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to empirically test a theoretical model on supply chain management (SCM) adoption in India. Design/methodology/approach: The present study used a multiple case research method to study the phenomenon. The findings are based on analysis of the SCM adoption processes in three large manufacturing organizations from the aluminium, steel and fertilizer industries. Findings: The present study tested four propositions. Three of the propositions were empirically validated and one proposition was revised. The key findings are: one, a lack of recognition by an organization of higher advantages because of SCM adoption as compared to the costs leads to SCM non-adoption. Two, a lack of organizational readiness factors such as a collaborative and innovative culture, higher absorptive capacity and slack resources leads to the non-adoption of SCM. Three, a lack of institutional pressure and marketing activities of the SCM vendors on an organization lead to the non-adoption of SCM. Originality/value: The major contribution of the present study is that it has empirically validated the theoretical model for SCM adoption in India. The findings of the present study have both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, a model of SCM adoption was validated. The study provides managerial connotations for SCM vendors, consultants, practitioners and policy implications for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rural micro-entrepreneurs face knowledge disconnections from mainstream markets. • Knowledge Disconnections can be of two categories- endogenous and exogenous. • A technoficing approach can help overcome disconnections. • Technoficing approaches include basic, internal, external, online-offline. • Technoficing bridges rural–urban artisan knowledge gaps, enhancing micro-entrepreneurship. The micro-entrepreneurship sector, as the second-largest employment generator in rural areas, plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty. This study explores how social enterprises can assist rural micro-entrepreneurs in mobilizing and leveraging indigenous knowledge to align production with demand. We propose technoficing as a strategic approach to rural micro-entrepreneurship. We conducted a case study of CommunityLink, a social enterprise implementing ICT-enabled practices to facilitate the growth of rural micro-entrepreneurship in India. Our findings reveal knowledge disconnections impeding the development of rural micro-entrepreneurship. Importantly, we propose a four-phase approach of technoficing – basic, internal, external, and offline-online – that can effectively mobilize and leverage indigenous knowledge for rural micro-entrepreneurs with minimal resource investment. We synthesize our findings into a comprehensive process model. Our research contributes to the discourse on ICT for development and the emerging academic dialogue on decoloniality by highlighting the significance of empowering local institutions and practices through the strategic use of off-the-shelf technologies. Practitioners and policymakers can leverage our findings to propel indigenous efforts toward rural development and improve rural livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though TQM philosophy has been beneficial in all types of industries, however, there is hardly any literature indicating that this philosophy can be used in improving an individual's singing performance. The purpose of this paper is to share how TQM philosophy can be used in improving an individual's singing performance through a case study. A questionnaire-based methodology was adopted to analyze the singing performance before and after the implementation of the TQM philosophy. The paper concludes that TQM philosophy does make a difference in improving an individual's singing performance in the shortest possible time. TQM philosophy, thus, has been recommended for all aspiring singers to improve sixteen key quality characteristics of singing and how this journey can be followed step by step. We also discuss some of the difficulties being faced while implementing TQM and propose some solutions to eliminate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paradigm shift towards IPR policy and technology commercialization have been observed in India, during the post‐World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. Protecting innovative agricultural technologies through IPR and technology commercialization are of utmost significance to enhance country's public research enterprise, promote economic development and national competitiveness. This has impacted the innovations in a positive direction in these areas. The present article reviews in‐depth process of IPR management and technology commercialization attempted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)—Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS). Earlier, ICAR established a three‐tier model for technology management and transfer namely, central, zonal, and institute level committees/units. Of late, Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn), which works to meet with world‐wide commercial success of the invented technologies, have come in to facilitate the commercialization process and thus a renewed three‐tier model is in place now. The paper also presents a case study of ICAR‐VPKAS, highlighting the unique experiences, lessons learnt and evolution in managing IP and process of technology commercialization. This is purposely drawn as an early example in managing IP and commercializing the argicultural technologies, despite the challenges faced by the institute due to its remoteness, difficult accessibility and hilly location. These together, may catalyze similar efforts throughout the developing countries to promote innovation and global competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this case study was to assess whether 8 sessions of mobile call based integrated Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) intervention could help COVID-19 patient to deal with psychological issues. Methods: This article is based on a practical example of working with COVID-19 patient using the IBMS model. It is a single subject study involving a 50 year old south Indian male living in a Covid Care Center (CCC). Mobile call interviews and brief symptom inventory were used for evaluation. Subject underwent 8 sessions of integrated body-mind-spirit Intervention through video/mobile calls of 45 minutes each time for 8 sessions offered on alternative days over a period of 15 days with pre-post assessments. Results: The results indicate that there was a reduction in somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression on 15th day. Conclusion: Illustrations of real life cases may help psychiatric nurses to gain insight into the application of psycho-social-spiritual interventions through mobile phone during isolation and lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Organizational scholars are intrigued about stakeholders who propose multiple and conflicting ideas about what is good for their organization. Such contradictions are called paradoxical tensions. Although researchers have singled these out for analysis, focusing only on individual tensions prevents scrutiny of multiple paradoxical tensions that simultaneously emerge and how effectively organizations can manage them. In complex environments – especially during an organizational restructuring – multiple and interrelated tensions occur. Therefore, the objective in this paper is to investigate how organizations create multiple paradoxical tensions and how the combined effect of such tensions can constrain organizations during restructuring. The authors thus aim to help managers think reflectively and to plan interventions to deal with issues arising from restructuring through the lens of paradox theory. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted purposive sampling for an archival research-based case study of a major restructuring of a leading IT firm in India in the decade 2009–2019. This study focused on the types of paradoxes created and the response of the organization to these during the restructure. The authors identified key events using public documents and news reports from that decade. They drew on two sources of data: mainstream media coverage and third-party documents about the company. The latter included monographs and academic publications written by critics, business historians and design and management scholars. Findings: The findings address the gaps in the literature about how reorganizing during a restructure shapes the contradictions that lead to tensions and coexisting conflicting dualities, creating paradoxes. This study provides the reader with deeper insights into belonging, organizing, learning and performing tensions – core to paradox theory – along with their short- and long-term implications for organizational restructuring. The study demonstrates organizational responses to paradox and its practical implications for managers. The paradoxical nature of cultural–structural tensions in Indian organizations continues to be researched but, by focusing on paradox theory, the authors have opened doors for future research. Originality/value: Although there is no dispute that effective management of tensions can facilitate organizational performance, contradictory demands that lead to tensions have only intensified as organizational environments become more global, dynamic and competitive. Paradox theory is thus valuable for understanding tensions between equally valid principles, inferences and insights. Although this paper is based on a case study, the framework proposed here can form the basis for theoretical generalizability within certain limitations. Because organizations face similar paradoxical situations under competing demands during restructuring and because paradoxes are becoming increasingly prevalent in organizations, the authors expect their propositions to apply in other cases of restructuring. However, the authors would like to caution that the model developed here should be tested and refined in other contexts to more fully establish its validity and generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to explore the challenges faced by a leading tractors manufacturing industry of India on losing its market position and investigate the impact of implementing customer centric Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives for regaining its market position. XYZ Ltd. adopted TQM as a business tool in 2008 to counter external and internal business challenges. Improving customer satisfaction was one of the major targets for the industry with a purpose to be more competitive. Its TQM journey remained extremely successful and as a result received Deming Award in 2012. The tractors manufactured by it are now at top position from 2011 onwards in the Indian market. The customer satisfaction index has improved from 76 to 106; sales satisfaction index has increased to 105, market share enhanced by 12.6%. The case study presented in this paper may give insight to TQM practitioners to promote similar approaches in their organizations for enhancing customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of patient centered healthcare, patients are educated, more aware and demanding than ever. However, there is a significant misalignment between patients and doctors due to improper communication resulting in broken patient-doctor therapeutic relationships and degraded quality of healthcare. This suggests that patients have a greater and mature role to play in their healthcare. The paper aims to fill this gap by studying the contribution of patients in their healthcare through patientdoctor communication in selected Indian multispeciality hospitals. Qualitative multi-case study was steered and in-depth interviews of thirteen patients, twelve doctors were conducted along with the secondary data analysis of more than 600 pages of the documents from the official websites of the sample hospitals. Grounded theory three level coding revealed the themes of contribution of patients in through effective communication. The results indicate that patients contribute to their healthcare through effective communication by demonstrating association with doctors, reflecting reciprocally, resolving communication challenges and supporting their overall treatment process. The paper extends the literature on patient's contribution in their healthcare. It presents clear and succinct implementable implications and distinctive ways in which patients cooperate with the doctors, work mutually, improves communication and strengthen their overall healthcare process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child health inequality between genders is a persisting problem throughout low and middleincome countries like India. With the limited sources of child health care facilities, parental and other senior members' values and expertise may have played a vital role in shaping the upbringing of child health and minimizing the inequalities to sustain the equity. This study sought to explore the parent and other guardians' roles in a child's health inequalities with this backdrop. The present study investigates child health differences based on birth information, child immunization, feeding patterns, the morbid and nutritional condition between boys and girls and explores parental roles on curative measures and general perception of children. Methods: The study used quantitative and qualitative approaches, including Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and specific case studies from 208 households (413 children aged up to 8 years) from different settlements in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Results: We found that not much significant difference existed between boys and girls for health inequalities markers. But altogether, girls had a disadvantageous position in getting delayed health care facilities after illness, inappropriate breastfeeding patter, stunting and being underweight. The Muslim children suffered more from health inequalities compared to Hindu children. However, the qualitative approach revealed that parents and guardians did not discriminate between boys and girls for their upbringing in health care facilities. Still, specific case studies, the parental statements and participant observation exposed the crude facts of preferring nature towards boys than girls in the thought process of the parents and guardians in the present study. Conclusion: Therefore, in the current scenario, gender and community-specific public health intervention must get more sustainable child health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Government of India has envisaged a journey of doubling farmers' income till 2022–2023 and envisioned many policy reforms for the same. Farmers in India rely on major farm produce and do not utilize the by-products or wastes emerging from their farms for monetary benefits. Sustainable utilization of agricultural, household and livestock waste have the potential in augmenting farmers' income significantly which was established by conducting case studies in Ludhiana District of Punjab on three dairy farmers, each pursuing vermicomposting, biogas production and traditional composting. Comparative economic analysis in terms of various costs were worked out for vermicomposting, composting and biogas production. On analysis, it was found that the highest net returns per metric tonne of dung were obtained from vermicomposting (INR 2224.72, USD 29.42), followed by biogas production (INR 536.66, USD 7.10) and composting (INR 45.59, USD 0.60). Net returns from the dung obtained from one cattle equivalent were highest from vermicomposting (INR 11012.34, USD 145.64), followed by biogas production (INR 2656.74, USD 35.14) and composting (INR 225.68, USD 2.98). High profitability was accorded to vermicomposting because it is sold at remunerative prices. The study emphasizes the utilization of wastes through vermicomposting clubbed with biogas production for augmenting farmers' income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The cost of providing healthcare is spiralling up in recent times. On the one hand, patients expect the highest quality of service, while on the other hand, the managers of the healthcare services want to minimise the total operating expenses. Hence, healthcare organisations implement lean thinking (LT) to achieve these twin objectives. LT reduces the eight wastes that are prevalent in the healthcare processes and functions. In particular, if the wasteful inventories related to expensive medical supplies are reduced, the resulting cost savings can help in providing affordable and accessible healthcare. Design/methodology/approach: Hence, in this paper, a case study of a hospital is presented where LT is implemented. One of the projects was related to inventory reduction in the store of the catheterisation laboratory (cath lab). A hybrid methodology called multi-unit selective inventory control (MUSIC) that combined these three dimensions (3D), namely, consumption value, criticality and lead time or ease of availability was used to classify the medical supplies into different categories. Findings: Based on the results obtained, various inventory systems and the associated tools and techniques of LT were proposed. For example, a deep dive into the A-class items revealed that some of the medical supplies fell under both vital and scarce categories. Hence, it was recommended that the case hospital should follow the economic order quantity (EOQ) with safety stock approach as these items were to be shipped from other states in India. Subsequently, the focus should be on developing a local supplier and attempts should be made to establish a kanban system with adequate information sharing. Practical implications: This study demonstrates the step-by-step methodology of MUSIC-3D which would guide the procurement managers to apply the same in their organisation. It also helps them in identifying appropriate elements of LT for inventory reduction before the actual deployment. Originality/value: None of the papers has utilised the MUSIC-3D methodology as a precursor for inventory reduction, specifically within the domain of LT. Similarly, identifying and proposing different type of inventory systems and various LT practices based on this unique method is a novel attempt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is a primary source of livelihood for more than 75% of the Assam’s population in Northeast India, however 98.9% of farmers belong to the category less than 1 to 2 hectares of land per family in Dibrugarh district of Assam. This research aims at improving livelihood of these farmers through exploring the opportunities and constraints of their resources. The study conducted 250 personal interviews with heads of households of small farmers cultivating rice (the staple food crop) who were chosen by the method of purposive sampling among three villages of Dibrugarh district. The data were collected by personal schedule along with observation, and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the main constraints were: irrigation and drainage problems, small size of the agricultural land, lack access to the inputs of production, low productivity, high loss of production, lack of access to finance, lack of practical skills training for modern agriculture and marketing, lack of social organisations. However the key opportunities were: depending on rainfed agriculture, high fertility of the soil, diversification of family income, high demand of the rice in the market, low illiteracy rate, forming a cooperative association and the homogeneity of population, which represents their strong cultural bond. The study concluded some recommendations: offering training and consulting services by the Agricultural Extension agency, establishing a good infrastructure and facilitating soft loans for agriculture and small business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry is quickly growing worldwide and has a universally beneficial effect on the economy. The waste-water generated with the growth of the textile industry can cause considerable health and environmental issues if it is not treated properly. Generally, physical, biological, and chemical processes are used independently or in combination to treat textile waste-water. The efficiency of any treatment process depends on the working criteria. In this paper, we implemented a new hybrid methodology based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) to help workers in textile industries select the optimal waste-water treatment process. To illustrate how this hybrid methodology can be used to address the waste-water treatment problem, we conducted a case study involving 11 assessment criteria and four treatment processes used in the textile industry in India. Comparative analysis indicated that the survey overall mean was slightly lower than the overall mean for selected companies in the treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A community participation initiative of stitching personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and face shields for healthcare professionals working in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted using a case study design. Methods: The hospital tailoring unit was used to cater to the in-house demand for stitching safety gear kits for healthcare professionals. A transect walk was conducted to survey hospitals for selecting material for stitching the safety gears and to draw up a plan to meet future demand. The psychiatric social worker induced a community participatory initiative using the method of social work of community organization. A flyer was prepared to invite participants with prior experience in tailoring for this initiative. All participants were trained by the master trainers of the tailoring unit. The participants were also interviewed about their views on this initiative in an informal interview. Results: A total of 83 participants, including 26 individuals (8 volunteers and 18 who received an honorarium), 2 boutiques (n = 12), and 1 government organization, participated in the activity (n = 45). A total of 1700 complete PPE kits and 13,000 masks were stitched during this period. The participants reported that the benefit of being a part of this initiative was reduced boredom, sense of purpose and satisfaction, and improved mental health due to structured activity. Conclusions: A community participation initiative using the principles of community organization, a method of social work, can help produce desired outputs and improve the well-being of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent of COVID 19 pandemic results in closing down the universities and colleges across the world. The most vulnerable of tuition-dependent institutions, particularly the ones already facing demographically driven declines in demand, will be the hardest hit by the pandemic. The online teaching learning and assessment at this time becomes a crucial part of education. Taking the online test was crucial as lots of malpractices would happen. The developing countries like India, where the advancement of e-learning, online education, MOOC has not reached to its peak level, the assessment and evaluation of students becomes very difficult. Due to unforeseen situation like COVID-19 lockdown, the above paper shares a fruitful experience of conducting online case study-based paper and its online evaluation. The case study was conducted in the classrooms of the undergraduate class of NMIMS University for Multimedia Systems Course. This case study-based paper leaves with the message of acceptability of the online teaching-learning and its effect near the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the impact of procurement strategies on the local governments' service delivery in the context of India. The validity of the rhetorical arguments previously developed in the extant literature—innovation, market's maturity, quality specifiability, scope economies, competition, information asymmetries and transaction attributes—that are used to promote bundled public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements are explored. This is done using longitudinal case study methodology in an abductive research setting. Six cities of India and their activities concerning the municipal solid waste (MSW) management are used for testing. Thirty-nine semistructured interviews with PPP stakeholders, observations, and documentary analysis provided the evidence. The cases have offered important insights on how and why variations tend to occur among the two procurement models, i.e., bundling and unbundling and what practices can contribute to the success of these projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the specific role of value chain flexibility (VCF) in the strategies of green service production (GSP) in healthcare. The study explores the key dimensions of VCF and their linkages with the current GSP strategies in healthcare firms. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses an exploratory case study with three representative national-level healthcare firms in India. A multiple case study methodology was utilized to explore the relationships between GSP and VCF. Findings: The findings of the study suggest that several strategies for GSP require the support of multiple dimensions of VCF. More importantly, the role of each dimension of VCF depends upon the innovativeness of green service design, green procurement and green service practices. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted in the emerging healthcare market of India. Thus, the generalizability of the framework needs to be tested in another context. The study reports the employee's perception, and the patients' (customers) views were not included. Originality/value: The study is a first step to understand the theoretical perspectives of the relationships between GSP and VCF by exploring the underlying concepts. Furthermore, the study explicates the dynamics of their interplay in a systematic way and contributes to a framework of GSP and VCF in the healthcare context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A multispecialty hospital possesses sustainable competitive advantage if it continuously improves performance, repeatedly delivers quality service and unique value to the patients and the sources of competitive advantage are valuable, rare, inimitable, non-substitutable or causally ambiguous. The term sustainable competitive advantage is vague and ambiguous and the environment in which hospitals operate is dynamic, turbulent and disruptive. Therefore, sources of competitive advantage must change and evolve with time. This paper aims to explore the themes of competitive advantage in a dynamic environment for multispecialty hospitals in India by studying data from secondary sources for five hospitals. Design/methodology/approach: The findings of the case study were based on the analysis of secondary data that are extracted from the official websites of the hospitals, with the grounded theory approach. Findings: Five identified themes are as follows: changing and adapting; clinical excellence; creating unique value; managing unpredictable circumstances and patient-centric approach. All the themes supported hospital performance, service and value delivered to patients and therefore may help in building a competitive advantage of the hospital. However, sustainability factors were inconsistent across the themes. Practical implications: The CXOs and CMOs of hospitals can review the themes periodically and re-align the business strategies to build a sustainable competitive advantage. Originality/value: The findings of the study uncovered the criticality of re-alignment of resources deployed in the unpredictable and ever-changing environment in which hospitals thrive to build sustainable competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Industrial disputes result in a loss of work days, resources and also put a lot of pressure on employers, employees and the Government. Collective bargaining as a bipartite process is an effective mechanism to resolve disputes through the negotiation between employee and employer representatives. The study aims to identify the 'enablers', i.e. factors that permit and encourage collective bargaining in an industry. Through this study, the researchers have attempted to identify the nature of the relation and linkages between the factors identified. Design/Methodology: The research was undertaken in three major parts. In the initial part of the study, the enablers were identified through extant literature review. These factors were then validated with basic statistics in the second part of the research. In the final part, Interpretative Structural Modelling and MICMAC analysis was performed to arrive at a model highlighting the nature of relationship between the identified factors. Case studies on collective bargaining practices were studied to further validate the enablers. Findings: The ISM model for the enablers of collective bargaining had four levels, from the model awareness about law emerged as the most important enabler. MICMAC analysis further classified the enablers and disablers as driving, dependent, linkage and autonomous factors. Originality and Significance of the Study: The research is unique as it attempts to propose a model through the expert opinion on industrial relations manager, trade union representatives, employees' representatives, management and experts from academia. To the researcher's knowledge, there has been no significant contribution in the area of proposing a model for the enablers of collective bargaining through ISM and MICMAC. The researchers have also studied case studies related to the practices of collective bargaining in industries. The identified and validated factors would be useful to stakeholders in collective bargaining to design policies to ensure the effectiveness of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India faces challenges in achieving sustainable inclusive growth. While business, finance, social and technical innovation and other reforms are necessary, stakeholder inclusion through participatory processes is essential for achieving inclusive development. Following decades of implementation globally, Human-centred Design (HCD) approaches are now being promoted in India as an answer to participatory and creative business, social and industry innovation, albeit less so as a tool for inclusive growth and innovation. However, there is a growing critique of HCD effectiveness, ambiguity about its role in the innovation process, and other questions. Enthusiasm in India for HCD and design thinking ignores this critique, and risks repeating history unless the benefits and limits of HCD for innovation generally and inclusive growth are understood. Following a review of the recent literature this paper identifies the role of HCD in an inclusive growth framework, highlights the real challenges, and presents an illustrative case of HCD application for slum redevelopment for discussion and development. This paper identifies design thinking as a vague umbrella term, highlights the need for an informed approach relative to inclusive growth, and suggests HCD is a potentially helpful adjunct to the complex process of inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this intrinsic case study research was to better understand inclusion of girls with disabilities in Kolkata, India at a home and school for orphan girls. Non-institutionalized, inclusive, community-based care is rare in India, specifically for individuals with disabilities. This case study involved interviews (n = 32) with students, teachers and staff, observations, and document analysis. All transcripts were analyzed using structural and in vivo codes. A continuum of inclusion, designed to be culturally responsive, showcases different levels of integration. The end goal is true inclusion where individuals with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of their community such as education, employment and living. Once achieved, inclusion is embraced as the norm and can be a catalyst for growth. In this study, themes included: peer supports, creation of home, awareness of discrimination and staffing. Together, these embodied inclusive living at Shishur Sevay. Inclusive living serves as the foundation to build an inclusive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain (SC) disruption management is a complex issue that involves building SC resilience through enhancing the organizational ability to anticipate, adapt, respond, recover and learn from disruptions; it needs participation and coordinated efforts of all SC stakeholders and their processes. There is a need for a qualitative, interpretive, holistic and flexible framework in the literature. The main purpose of this work is to propose a framework. Therefore, the present study uses an interpretive method, namely "situation–actor–process–learning–action–performance" (SAP–LAP) analysis, to enhance the understanding and analyze the SC resilience building and improvement in the case company, ABC, a prominent automaker in India. Findings reveal several issues, including the establishment of risk management culture, building collaborative capabilities, framing flexible contracts, enhancing the awareness level of risks, security, and resilience among stakeholders, seamless information sharing, require attention. The efficacy and simplicity of the SAP–LAP framework may enable SC stakeholders to initiate resilience-building processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety of road embankments is mainly assessed in the engineering practice by limit equilibrium analyses. Locating the critical slip surface of embankments and calculating the corresponding factor of safety is a crucial task. In this paper, the continuous ant colony optimisation algorithm is used to analyse the stability of slopes with non-circular slip surfaces. To illustrate the proposed procedure, one example from published literature and another engineering case study of a landslide at a road construction site in India is analysed. This latter study is supplemented by the results of geotechnical investigations performed before and after the failure of the embankment. The results demonstrate that the proposed technique identifies correctly the critical slip surface and can thus be used for engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose- TQM as a never-ending drive in pursuit of a delighted customer and needs to be assimilated into everything the business does. It comprises different aspects such as use, availability, efficiency, service and delivery for customer satisfaction. An insufficient understanding of TQM creates an environment for failure of implementation of TQM framework. Indian industries started realizing the TQM outcomes in early 1990s and a satisfying TQM culture has been rooted in Indian industrial sector. So an attempt has been with a case study analysis within an Indian automobile industry with the use of an effective questionnaire survey which was prepared after a prolonged literature survey, field visits and expert interviews. Research Methodology- After a detailed analysis of literature a questionnaire was prepared which was sent to different industries. A brief study of respondents was made where a Non-TQM Indian automobile industry was selected at random to implement TQM as well as to get optimum benefits after its implementation. Findings: Results concluded with seven core benefits to the industry which mainly comprises of corrected Layout and adequate scheduling, enhanced employee involvement and recognition, better supplier quality. The final results suggested a increase of Rs. 30,470 in revenue and new job distribution on seven machines were suggested to continue the same. Research Implications- The study is subject to the regular restrictions of survey investigations. The case study is implies only in an Indian automobile industry. To get better findings it can be applied to different type of industries simultaneously. Originality/Value- The study is supportive in portraying the benefits of TQM implementation in India which might be taken seriously by Non-TQM industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current trend of conducting research and publishing the same to fulfill the academic or professional requirements can jeopardise what research actually means in health sciences. Rather than highlighting how many publications one can have, or showcase the expertise as a researcher, research can inform knowledge gaps and address the same in a replicable and scientific manner. More importantly, for low- and middle- income countries like India, research can be a powerful tool to assess healthcare problems at the primary care and develop innovative solutions to strengthen health systems at the grass root level. It can be argued that, enriching research portfolio for an individual is a misleading approach whereas research has much more to offer to the society at large. In the context of in primary care, academic and implementation research is important for several distinct reasons. The practice-based research can inform better practice through communicating the concerns or findings from research with key stakeholders of primary care. If the primary care practitioners are equipped with fundamental research skills, it may help them to become better critics and evidence-based practitioners. Publishing research findings in a good scientific journal is not an easy job. A lot of time and resources are often required from the submission process to publication. There are many obstacles for publishing a research, some are inherent some are man-made. In this article we describe our experiences about the bottlenecks that we have faced while conducting medical research and we have also prescribed some possible solutions which can help to the researchers in future while conducting medical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to improve the yield of a particular model of a car windshield, as the organization faces losses due to poor performance and rejection. Design/methodology/approach: The Six Sigma DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) methodology is used to reduce variation and defects in the process. It is a methodology based on data-driven and fact-based analysis to find out the root cause of the problem with the help of statistical analysis. A worst performing model is selected as a case study through the scoping tree. The preprocess, printing, bending and layup process defects are reduced by analyzing the potential causes and hypothesis testing. Findings: This paper describes Six Sigma methodology in a glass manufacturing industry in India for automotive applications. The overall yield of a car windshield achieved 93.57 percent against the historical yield of 88.4 percent, resulting in saving 50 lacs per annum. Due to no rework or repairing in the glass, low first-time yield causes major losses. Process improvement through focused cross-functional team reduces variation in the process. Six Sigma improves profitability and reduces defects in the automotive glass manufacturing process. Research limitations/implications: This case study is applied in automotive glass manufacturing industries. For service and healthcare industries, a similar type of study can be performed. Further research on the common type of processor industry would be valuable. Practical implications: The case study can be used as a problem-solving methodology in manufacturing and service industries. The tools and techniques can be used in other manufacturing processes also. This paper is useful for industries, researchers and academics for understanding Six Sigma methodology and its practical implementation. Originality/value: This case study is an attempt to solve automobile glass manufacturing problems through DMAIC approach. The paper is a real case study showing benefits of Six Sigma implementation in the manufacturing industry and saving an annual cost of 50 lacs due to rejections in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is the key to the growth of each business in a fast-changing world. Innovations affect financial activities because the successful innovation opens the new markets, gives the opportunity to reduce costs or introduce new products and services with a higher profit margin. Each organization, institution, enterprise or individual can be innovative. Innovations may not be implemented only in large enterprises, but also in medium or small. The aim of this paper is to innovate and optimize the polishing process in production plant with variant production. In this paper case study is used as research method which includes measurements and observation. The paper is focused on five variants of one product. We obtained the required data by measuring in a manufacturing plant in southern India in Madurai. At the end the results are summarized, and the optimization of the polishing process is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical studies suggest that re-corruption is a common occurrence in developing countries, and we know little about what transpires between corruption and re-corruption. The objective of this empirical study is to discuss the practices of government officers in between phase of corruption and re-corruption. It does so by considering the case of a government officer working in an agricultural marketing yard of India. The findings from the case suggest that officers choose to mimic honest dispositions after their transfers to new postings as it gives them more choices in the practice of corruption. The hibernation model of re-corruption is used to explain this behavior of the officers. The study is critical and inspired by Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice. The findings from it will directly contribute to the design of anti-corruption policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A public health approach to palliative care supports community-dwelling adults with advanced illness. A better understanding of successful community-based palliative care programmes and partnerships is needed to expand community-based services for ageing populations. Aims: This study describes two organisations in two different countries that provide health and social services to community-dwelling adults with advanced illness. Methods: Unstructured key-informant interviews and observational data were collected at the Christian Medical College's College of Nursing Community Health Programme (Vellore, India) and at Phinney Neighborhood Association Village (Seattle, Washington, USA). Findings: College of Nursing Community Health Programme nurses work with volunteer community health workers to identify and provide client-focused support to ensure quality-of-life. The Phinney Neighborhood Association Village is a volunteer-led organisation that provides social support. Both serve community-dwelling adults with advanced illness. Conclusion: Partnerships between healthcare organisations and community volunteers support a public health approach to community-based palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]