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Environmental and climate concerns have made corporate environmental management a raging topic for discussion among academicians and industrialists. The current study explores the association between corporate environmental management and firm performance; and examines the influence of different performance measurement methods and sample characteristics on this association. The meta‐analysis, homogeneity test, and publication bias test have been performed on 318 effect sizes from 117 studies. The results indicate a significant positive association between the overall corporate environmental management and firm performance association. The findings suggest a significant influence of the nature of the data, corporate environmental management measures, corporate performance measures, region, economic development, time phase, nature of data, and period of study in the given context. The findings will help managers to better understand and choose the appropriate corporate environmental management measures to attain internal and external efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Faecal microbiota transplantation [FMT] has been shown to be effective for induction of remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis [UC]. At present, the clinical factors impacting the response to FMT in UC remain unclear. Methods Patients with active UC treated with multisession FMT via colonoscopy at weeks 0, 2, 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22 were analysed. Response to FMT was defined as achievement of corticosteroid-free clinical remission at week 30. Patient and disease characteristics were evaluated to determine the predictors of response to FMT. Results Of 140 patients with active UC treated with FMT, 93 (mean age 34.96 ± 11.27 years, 62.36% males [ n  = 58], mean Mayo clinic score 8.07 ± 2.00) who completed the multisession FMT protocol were analysed. Fifty-seven [61.29%] patients achieved clinical remission. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] for age 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–0.97, p  = 0.001), moderate [Mayo clinic score 6–9] disease severity [OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.12–8.06, p  = 0.025] and endoscopic Mayo score 2 [OR 5.55, 95% CI 2.18–14.06, p  < 0.001] were significant predictors of remission on univariate analysis. Younger age, disease extent E2 and endoscopic Mayo score 2 [OR 0.925, 95% CI 0.88–0.97, p  = 0.002; OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.01–8.25, p  = 0.04; and OR 8.43, 95% CI 2.38–29.84, p  = 0.001, respectively] were associated with clinical remission on multivariate logistic regression. A mathematical model [nomogram] was developed for estimating the probability of remission with the FMT protocol. Conclusion Younger age, disease extent E2 and endoscopic Mayo score 2 significantly predict achievement of clinical remission with FMT in active UC. The prediction model can help in selecting individuals for FMT. Validation in larger cohorts is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Khushdeep Dharni, R.K. Sharma, Ravi Kiran This paper aims to explore Computer-based Information Systems (CBISs) use in manufacturing firms across levels of management, as well as functional areas, in terms of duration and extent of use. An attempt has also been made to study the value of CBISs for different managerial roles. A survey was undertaken covering 26 large-scale manufacturing organisations in India. The respondents were spread across different levels of management, i.e., top level, middle level and lower level, as well as across different functional areas of management. There is a difference in the use of CBISs among Indian managers across both levels of management and functional areas. Information Technology (IT) and Finance & Accounting managers were the heaviest users of CBISs, with an average weekly use of 51 hours and 36 hours respectively, while Production managers and Human Resource (HR) managers were relatively light users with a weekly usage rate of 22 hours and 23 hours respectively. Managers viewed CBISs as having moderate importance for supporting their tasks and activities across managerial roles. Within managerial roles the maximum value of CBIS was attached to carrying out decisional roles, followed by interpersonal roles and informational roles. To a large extent, managers used CBISs for making operational decisions rather than tactical and strategic decisions.

Intangible assets are identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance. The intangible assets are non-physical sources of value generated by innovation (discovery), unique organisational designs, or human resource practices. This paper examines the importance assigned to intangible assets, dimensions related to measurement and reporting of intangible assets and relationship between orientation towards intangible assets and selected variables. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 164 practitioners. It was found that intangible assets which are covered under Intellectual Property Law are accorded more important than other intangible assets. Major issues pertaining to intangible assets, in Indian context, were identified using factor analysis. Value relevance of intangible assets and management of intangibles assets were identified as the major issues. Cluster analysis was used to categorize respondents on basis of their orientation towards intangible assets. The results of correlation analysis show that there exist a positive relationship between management of intangible assets and importance assigned to intangible assets covered under intellectual property rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing business environment demands an urgent shift of focus from the tangible assets to the intangible assets. The present paper attempts to explore and analyse the major issues related to the importance of intangibles, approaches to measure intangible assets, relationship between intangibles and firm performance, and trend of disclosures related to intangibles. Intangible assets have created a new research domain. Intangibles continue to be a complex research domain. Problems associated with the domain start right from identification and definition of intangibles. Difficulties in the identification stage are passed on to measurement and reporting. The organisations are spending a huge amount of money on acquiring and creating Intangible Assets. For sustained investments, the impact of intangible assets on firm performance needs to be ascertained. With increased awareness and recognitions of these assets the future challenge will move from merely "identifying and reporting" to "nurturing and exploiting" these assets. There is a dire need for research insights on organisational level management of intangibles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural entrepreneurship plays a vital role in rural development. The path of rural prosperity can be carved through the successful ventures in the rural areas. This paper explores the growth determinants of beekeeping ventures in India. For data collection, a pre-structured questionnaire was administered in the local language among the beekeepers in Punjab. Venture age is found to be positively related to the expansion of the beekeeping ventures. Expansion leads to a number of benefits in the long run, ranging from the scale of operations to lesser financial problems. Venture age is also found to be associated with the building of the brand for selling honey. The findings of the study offer value to academicians and policy makers for understanding the rural ventures in a better manner and planning interventions for the sustenance and promotion of the self-employment opportunities in the rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retail revolution is sweeping every sector of India, and rural sector is no exception. Buying behavior of agri input consumers of organized rural retail outlets has been explored in this study. Two top and bottom retail outlets on the basis of sales of Godrej Aadhaar and Hariyali Kisaan Bazaar were included in the study. Using simple random sampling, 15 respondents were selected from each retail outlet, making a sample size of 120. Customer profile of the organized rural retail outlets largely included the persons with large landholdings. Results from the study indicate that major items purchased from rural retail outlets included implements, seed and fertilizer. Quality and trustworthiness were the major reasons for making a purchase from the organized rural retail outlets as compared to other options. Price was the most important consideration at the time of purchasing agri inputs followed by packaging and branding. Fair billing and home delivery were considered relatively less important. Respondents from top and bottom retail outlets were in agreement over the importance given to various factors at the time of purchase. Agri inputs remain a price-sensitive market as factors like quality, brand and packaging were considered relatively less important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]