i-manager's Journal on Management (JMGT)


Volume 16 Issue 3 December - February 2022

Research Paper

HRM as a Strategic Business Partner: Insights from Selected Private Commercial Banks in Ethiopia

Solomon Markos* , Yehualashet Ketema**
*-** Department of Business Administration, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Markos, S., and Ketema, Y. (2022). HRM as a Strategic Business Partner: Insights from Selected Private Commercial Banks in Ethiopia. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18672

Abstract

The HRM function is evolving from an administrative function that focuses on legal compliance to a strategic function that requires HR to be a strategic partner in improving business performance. However, there are still organizations that consider HRM merely a cost driver rather than a value-adding function. This study attempts to examine whether HRM is playing its strategic role to enhance competitive advantage in the selected private commercial banks and to assess the contributing factors for HRM to execute its function as a strategic partner. Data was collected by using a selfadministered questionnaire that was designed and distributed to employees of the HR department in the selected private commercial banks. The results of the study confirmed that HR involvement, mindset, competence, and role balance are enablers and contributors for HR to become a strategic partner. Furthermore, the finding indicates that mindset and competence can impact the role of HR as a strategic partner at large. It was further found out that the current status of HRM as a strategic partner is at its moderate level because its enablers do not exist at a higher level. Accordingly, the role of HRM as an administrative expert is still dominantly played as compared with that of a strategic partner, but it is observed that HRM is progressing towards a more strategic function than the administrative function. To realize the full strategic partnership of HRM therefore, HRM work units of private banks are recommended to exert more effort to continue with the current progress in shifting HRM function from routine administrative function towards strategic function by capitalizing on the enablers of HR strategic business partners such as mindset, competence, HR involvement, and role balance.

Research Paper

Factors Influencing Customer Gratification to use DTH Service in Bangladesh

Sabrina Quadir* , Sanjida Islam**, Israt Moriom Khan***
*-*** Department of Business Administration, Daffodil Institute of IT, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Quadir, S., Islam, S., and Khan, I. M. (2022). Factors Influencing Customer Gratification to use DTH Service in Bangladesh. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 22-28. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18450

Abstract

With a distinctive position in the advancement of the service sector, DTH (Direct-To-Home) is providing a service to perceive the user's gratification. The objective of this study is to examine the influencing factors of customer gratification and the growing popularity of DTH services in Bangladesh. Both primary and secondary information were used in this study. The conducting period of this study was from April to September of 2021, surveying a questionnaire of 561 participants in both urban and rural areas in Bangladesh. To analyze the data and find the results, SPSS version 20 was used. The findings of this study showed that the picture and sound quality, promotional and lucrative packages, thunder protection, multiple TV connections, program reminder, guide, huge channels, helpline, after sales service and parental control are the influential factors. To grow the business effectively, DTH service providers must be more concerned about customer gratification.

Research Paper

Adoption of Cashless Transactions in SHGS: A Case Study in Konaseema Region, Andhra Pradesh

V. Sridevi* , Yoginder Singh**
* Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
** Department of Commerce, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Government Arts College, Puducherry, India.
Sridevi, V., and Singh, Y. (2022). Adoption of Cashless Transactions in SHGS: A Case Study in Konaseema Region, Andhra Pradesh i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18491

Abstract

Cashless transactions are common in business sectors and in cities to a large extent. But after the announcement of the demonetization of all Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 banknotes on November 8, 2016 by the Government of India, all the sectors to the maximum extent adopted cashless transactions. SHGs too have adopted this culture by installing mobile apps on their smart phones. During 2015-16, NABARD, through its project Eshakti digitisation of SHGs, has made an attempt to update the SHG bookkeeping on a real time basis to bring transparency and credibility. The project EShakti had the advantage of addressing the problem of book keeping through available technology, knowing the credit history of SHG members, generating grades for SHGs based on their financial and non-financial records and making them available to all important stakeholders. The stakeholders, namely bankers can now take informed decisions on extending credit linkages on the basis of reports generated through EShakti. In this paper, an attempt is made to study the adoption of cashless transactions in SHGs in the Konaseema region.

Review Paper

Youth Unemployment: The Ever Elusive Luck in Youth Placement and Employment in Kenya

David Sande Ouma *
Sociologist and Dean of Studies, FPFK Goodhope School, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ouma, D. S. (2022). Youth Unemployment: The Ever Elusive Luck in Youth Placement and Employment in Kenya. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 37-51. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18558

Abstract

The start of the millennium across the globe was characterized by increased academic enlightenment, professional specialization, increased rural to urban migrations and increased unemployment rates. Youth have become the most vulnerable segment of the status quo as a result of the fruits of the status quo, which have led to their miserable lives due to poor social, economic status and joblessness. This review is guided by the following questions: (1) Are youth sufficiently given the platform to showcase their potential? (2) Do current youth policies adequately address their grievances? (3) What are the contributions of the youth in the country? (4) What are the probable solutions to the challenges? This review reveals that (1) there are few opportunities for youth, (2) youth policies are only partially implemented, (3) the negative consequences of failing to include youth in national and country programmes are severe and (4) a lack of professional ethics, accountability, and meritocracy in organisations is a recipe for denying qualified youth opportunities. The paper concludes that, (1) the education curriculum should be reviewed to corroborate national values and ethos from elementary to university institutions, (2) tightened and pragmatic legislation are key parameters to deterrence and retribution of perpetrators causing inequity in employment opportunities, (3) political goodwill is imperative in equalizing youth participation in national processes, (4) the government's pluralistic approach to the economy is key to create more jobs, and (5) internships and apprenticeships should be considered a must for colleges and universities to release quality graduates to the job market.

Review Paper

How could Mindfulness Help? A Perspective on the Applications of Mindfulness in Enhancing Tomorrow's Workplace

Bishal Patangia* , Rahul G Sankruthyayana**, Anuradha Sathiyaseelan***, Sathiyaseelan Balasundaram****
*-*** Department of Psychology, School of Social Science, Christ University, Bengaluru, India.
**** School of Business and Management, Christ University, Bengaluru, India.
Patangia, B., Sankruthyayana, R. G., Sathiyaseelan, A., and Balasundaram, S. (2022). How could Mindfulness Help? A Perspective on the Applications of Mindfulness in Enhancing Tomorrow's Workplace. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 16(3), 52-68. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.16.3.18568

Abstract

Mindfulness has emerged as one of the major strategies for the well-being of employees in the current corporate world. As the workspace continues to evolve due to technological and structural advancement, employees face difficulty coping and lack the desired agility. The present study is a systematic review of around a hundred scientific papers and various books and business research articles from the period of 2000–2021 focusing on mindfulness and employee wellness research from various journals such as Jama Psychiatry, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being, journals from Frontier Psychology and Emerald Publications, and others. The study aims to explore mindfulness and its applications across various vocational sectors, with particular emphasis on its potential relevance to the Indian population. The study also discusses the evolution of mindfulness, its implications for improving work culture and leadership, and its application in various workplaces. As there are very few mindfulness-based studies conducted on the Indian working population, the present study helps to bridge the gap and recommends future studies to be conducted on the Indian population to establish concrete scientific evidence on the possible impact of mindfulness on employees' vocational lives. The paper makes a unique contribution by analyzing the potential for enhancement through mindfulness in various vocational sectors and also identifies a strong scope for research in the emerging areas of corporate agility and robot-assisted interventions.