i-manager's Journal on Management (JMGT)


Volume 1 Issue 1 June - August 2006

Article

The Role of Six-Sigma in Achieving Competitiveness

Christian N. Madu*
Research Professor and Management Science Coordinator ,Lubin School of Business, Pace University, New York.
Christian N. Madu (2006). The Role of Six-sigma in Achieving Competitiveness. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.405

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce the reader to the important and probably the most widely recognized quality management standard in today’s business world. Six-sigma is viewed today as a necessity to competing effectively. Many of the successful companies have developed programs to enable them achieve six-sigma. Yet, many managers are still not clear on what six-sigma represents and how to go about achieving it. This paper is educational in that it traces the origins of six-sigma and educates readers on the values of six-sigma as well as the approaches world-class performers such as Motorola and General Electric have taken to improve operational excellence.

Article

The Role of Business Schools in Transition Economies: “Education to Change Society” in Kazakhstan

Robert W. Robertson*
Dean of the Bang College of Business,Kazakhstan Institute Of Management.
Robert W. Robertson (2006). The Role of Business Schools in Transition Economics: "Education to Change Society" In Kazakhstan. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 9-15. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.408

Abstract

This paper explores the role of business schools in assisting developing countries like Kazakhstan as they move from a centrally planned to a market economy. Specifically, the paper uses the case of the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research as an example of the type of institution delivering business management training necessary to build local capacity to lead the process of change and develop managers prepared for the new globalized market economy of the 21st Century.

Article

I Can be Entrepreneur, But...

Nitin S.*
Assistant Professor, Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques, Indian Institute of Management, Indore.
Nitin Singh (2006). I Can Be Entrepreneur, But…. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 16-18. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.410

Abstract

This paper talks about the Entrepreneur.

Article

Marketing Constructs: A Critical Analysis and Theory Construction

Deb Sircar*
Lecturer in Business & Management, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.
Deb Sircar (2006). Marketing Constructs: A Critical Analysis and Theory Construction. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 19-26. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.411

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight a knowle dge gap and conceptualise a knowledge domain in the marketing context. It is argued that marketing as a concept has become a diluted management practice. All the more, it has not become a theoretically respected function within organisations. In most of the cases it is related with only sales.  It is found that marketing has several interpretations created by marketing authors. However, all these interpretations are not complementary to each other. Kotler’s multiply marketing concept come close to modern marketing than other interpretation. But this concept falls short of methodological explanation. Therefore, a post modern construct is required that takes a relavist position. This concept may involve the whole organisation and direct towards customers.

Article

Towards Transparent Supply Chain: Recent Technological Trends

Manoj Kumar Srivastava*
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Rajasthan.
Manoj Kumar Srivastava (2006). Towards Transparent Supply Chain: Recent Technological Trends. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.412

Abstract

Supply chain management has become a popular topic in modern business management and researches. It brings the revolutionary philosophy and approach to manage the business with the sustained competitiveness. Productivity in the context of supply chain depends a lot on information visibility at the various stages of the chain. This paper attempts to identify this why and how of information visibility within supply chain. The latest technological advent in EPC / RFID form to enhance overall productivity of the chain through this information visibility is also discussed as one of the available and possible proposition.

Article

Innovation and Management of Internet Banking in Emerging Countries

Achraf Ayadi*
Researcher, Institute National des Telecommunications ,France.
Achraf Ayadi (2006). Innovation and Management of Internet Banking in Emerging Countries. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 33-37. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.413

Abstract

The informational nature of services renders each IT innovation a source of deep changes. Considering its part in the remaking of processes and the redefinition of the relation with customers. Internet Banking is part and parcel of most recent innovations. However, contrary to corresponding literature in developed countries, Internet Banking stirs little interest in emerging countries for diffusion reasons. Analysis of some specific cases bridges the gap in this field as far as research is concerned.

After a literature review about innovation in services, the state of developments and conditions of success of Internet Banking in emerging countries was analysed.

Research Paper

Managing a Mobile Computing Initiative in a Business School

Ram*
*,** Department of Management and Information Systems,Montclair State University, NJ.
Ram B. Misra and Richard Peterson (2006). Managing A Mobile Computing Initiative in a Business School. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.425

Abstract

This paper presents a systems approach to launching a mobile computing initiative in the school of business of a public university. The vision of this initiative is that all students, irrespective of their economic status, have a mobile computing device capable of interfacing with instructional delivery systems within the University computing network and on Internet from anywhere (classrooms, residential halls, library, and others). This will enable students and faculty to exploit the capability of technology to transform the learning process inside and outside the classroom. Because the majority of the students that the university draws belong to families with modest means, the cost burden that this initiative would add was a key issue. The paper identifies the constraints of the initiative, explains how each was addressed, and presents the logic of the approach. We conclude with a set of hypotheses to measure the effectiveness of our decisions.

Research Paper

Gender Perceptions of Globalization: A Comparative Survey Study

Z.S. Demirdjian*
*Professor of Marketing, California State University.
Z.S. Demirdjian (2006). Gender Perceptions of Globalization: A Comparative Survey Study. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 44-51. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.426

Abstract

In today’s business world, globalization has become a hotly debated topic.  Internationally oriented corporations are rushing to stake their claims of the 21st century’s gold rush.  While globalization has many economic benefits to offer, its long-term effect on the people and the places of this planet are often overlooked. In the landscape of globalization, there are many obvious green spots and some have hailed it as leading the world into a new era of prosperity and peace. In spite of all the exuberance, there are many deep concerns expressed regarding the invasive process of homogenization of national education, language, culture, and consumption of products and services with an eventual consequence of social disintegration. To what extent male and female business students, our future executives, are aware of the implications of globalization? A survey study based on 400 respondents was conducted to determine how male and female university students’ perceptions of the effect of globalization differ from each other. Results of this survey study have shown interesting convergent and divergent perceptions of the positive and negative aspects of globalization, as one of the most invasive concepts of the new millennium.

Research Paper

Developing Quality Strategy Using a Composite Approach

R. Jagadeesh*
*Professor of production and operations Management SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysore.
R. Jagadeesh (2006). Developing Quality Strategy Using a Composite Approach. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.427

Abstract

While developing products and services which are the intended outputs from the organizations, the crucial issue is to decide the appropriate quality level at which those outputs need to be offered. This is because the cost aspects as well as the marketability of the outputs are dependent on the quality of the output and governed by various internal and external forces. Also, the manner in which the quality standards need to be raised over a period of time to meet rising competition is equally important considering the strategic value of quality. This demands a holistic approach to quality planning with a strategic perspective. While strategy formulation pertaining to the conventional areas like finance or marketing, are well conceivable based on success models, formulation of quality strategy is still to be standardized. In this paper planning for quality in a strategic perspective is discussed which advocates the use of a composite approach relying on certain models and concepts. The proposed composite approach links the quality-cost relation, product life cycle, and quality expectation from market view with product quality in terms of eight dimensions of quality. This also facilitates a carefully planned continuous quality improvement cycle. The methodology involves a step-wise approach. The applications and also the merits and limitations of the approach are discussed.

Research Paper

International Alliance strategies in International Business Expansion – A case of International Business strategies of Wipro

Prashant Salwan*
Indian Institute of Management, Indore.
Prashant Salwan (2006). International Alliance strategies in International Business Expansion – A case of International Business strategies of Wipro. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.428

Abstract

In an attempt to accomplish sustained competitive advantages in global marketplaces, Indian multinational cooperation’s in recent years have turned increasingly use of ICVs (International cooperative ventures). The success of ICVs largely depends on appropriate selection of local partners. There are three type of International business strategies selection criteria namely strategic, organizational and financial. A partner with superior strategic traits but lacking strong organizational and financial characteristics may result in an unstable joint venture. A partner with superior financial strengths without strategies an organizational competence can lead to an unsustainable venture.  A company has to first study its long-term goals and have a clear strategic planning as Wipro had done in software industry. This paper deals with in detail the strength and weakness of Indian software industry and how wipro transformed itself to a multinational company by leveraging its strength and compatibility by going for an international alliance with international MNCs.

Research Paper

The Role of Innovation in Knowledge-Economy and Sustainable Productivity

Ibrahim Badran*
Faculty of Engineering, Philadelphia University.
Ibrahim Badran (2006). The Role of Innovation in Knowledge-Economy and Sustainable Productivity. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 70-79. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.429

Abstract

This paper explains the concept of knowledge-driven economy (k-economy) and its relation with the progress of civilization and consequently on the development of any nation. The interaction between knowledge and economy are outlined in terms of innovation, technology, engineering education, productivity and investment, knowledge applicability and diffusion in the developing societies. The details of the model for knowledge economy basis are also given. The concept of innovation and its interrelationship with the knowledge economy are discussed with some emphasis on productivity and building knowledge society. Case studies and analysis of past experiences are presented.

Research Paper

Indian Banks against Global Banks: An Empirical study on Some Key Indicators and the Road Ahead

Prakash Singh*
Assistant Professor in Finance & Accounting Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.
Prakash Singh (2006). Indian Banks against Global Banks: An Empirical study on Some Key Indicators and the Road Ahead. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 80-87. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.430

Abstract

Few years after the independence, the old Imperial Bank of India was ten times bigger than the Hon Kong &/ Shanghai Bank (HSBC). Since then, the Imperial Bank has morphed into the State Bank of India (SBI), our domestic banking behemoth which towers over its competitors h ere. Yet, SBI is today a mere tenth of the modern HSBC’s size. This paper tries to give an insight about how Indian Banks — just like their peers in manufacturing — have lost out in the quest for global scale. Despite having achieved a lot over the past few decades, from expanding their rural reach to cleaning the balance sheets, Indian banks continue to be pygmies in the land of giants. With the increasing levels of globalization of the Indian banking industry, evolution of universal banks and bundling of financial services, competition in the industry is set to intensify further. The industry has the potential and the ability to rise to the occasion as demonstrated by the rapid pace of automation, which has already had a profound impact on raising the standard of banking services. However, the author also observe through this paper that on the positive side, the policy developments during 2005 indicated willingness, both on the part of the government and banking entities, to meet the challenges of global competition and at the same time capitalize on the business opportunities and technological support. However, in parallel terms, competitive pressures and loss of market share led to banks compromising on their margins. Nevertheless, their keenness to compete with their global peers by acquiring size and scale, setting up franchises overseas and getting overseas listing, accentuated the desire to benchmark themselves to global standards. The article concludes that the Indian banking sector compares well with the global benchmarks, thanks to prudential supervision and the measures undertakes by the Reserve Bank of India and the Government. The paper is divided into three parts. In the first part we make a comparison of Indian banks with their global counterparts by looking at some key indicators, the second part deals with the micro analysis of recent trends in the banking industry and finally the third section deals with future challenges.

Practice Paper

Globalization is a Catalyst for Change in Intellectual Property Systems: Case Studies in India and China

Sisir Botta* , Christopher Tsai**
Sisir Botta and Christopher Tsai (2006). Globalization is a Catalyst For Change in Intellectual Property Systems: Case Studies in India and China. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 1(1), 90-96. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.1.1.431

Abstract

The recent forces of increasing globalization have forced India and China to reform their intellectual property stance to become competitive in the new global economy. Prior to the 1970s, both India and China had intellectual property systems that were flawed and relatively powerless to provide any real protections to individual inventors. This paper argues that the recent overhauling of the intellectual property system in both India and China are a direct result of globalization. The surge in globalization following the conclusion of World War II provided the competitive environment necessary to initiate change within the systems governing intellectual property in both countries.