Search results

Marketing, Innovation, Strategy, Digital Marketing and E-Business.

Master's level and Executive Program.

MocDoc is a young Indian online health-care company that has achieved success in early years of establishment, and is looking forward to expand the customer base. The founder, Senthil Peelikkampatti, along with his friends decided to design a service that can bridge the gap between doctor and patients. However, initially, Senthil lost the trust in his idea due to the unacceptance of the idea by health-care experts. It took a little long for the team to gain visibility after launch of the service. Senthil and the team brainstormed to gain recognition online through different techniques of search engine optimization (SEO) and social media networking through Facebook Web site. MocDoc case is designed to stimulate discussion of a broad array of entrepreneurial issues related to online start-ups. In particular, it deals with strategy and marketing of service in the online arena. At the same time, it gives detailed overview of marketing techniques online as fuel to the business. The company is moving under strong leadership skills of CEO but fails to gain momentum in terms of gaining online customers. This case deals with decision-making capabilities to bring more number of registered customers in the online space.

The expected learning outcomes are as follows: to animate online business environment and challenges faced by virtual enterprises in the cyber space; to illustrate opportunity for students to speculate the start-up business environment; to illustrate opportunity to introduce cloud computing as a viable business option for the health-care industry; to develop understanding among students for designing effective marketing strategy for online business; to identify business opportunities and gaining competitive edge by offering bouquet of services; and to stimulate business environment for understanding innovation and strategy building.

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration among women IT/ITeS professionals in South India, examining the mediating effects of work role salience and occupational self-efficacy, along with the moderating effect of achievement aspiration.

The sample consists of 348 women professionals working in the IT/ITeS industry in South India. The study adopts a descriptive methodology and employs a cross-sectional research design.

The result shows that work role salience mediates the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration and that this mediation is moderated by achievement aspiration. Additionally, occupational self-efficacy is found to have a supplementary effect on leadership aspiration, further contributing to the model.

Despite the limitations of online data collection, the study showcases adaptability, providing valuable insights into women's career aspirations. It acknowledges opportunities for future research improvements, such as implementing longitudinal frameworks and incorporating a more diverse sample, to enhance the robustness and applicability of findings.

The study offers valuable insights for managers, researchers and academia, aiding in the identification of crucial competencies for women aspiring to leadership roles, and fostering the retention of top talent in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Individuals can leverage these insights for enhanced career development by recognizing and emphasizing strengths while addressing weaknesses through accurate self-assessments.

This study offers a novel perspective by identifying the essential competencies that are crucial for women to achieve leadership positions, thus making a valuable contribution to the existing literature in the field.

The study aims to investigate the integration of human and machine intelligence in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), particularly in the convergence of industrial revolutions 4.0 (IR4.0) and 5.0. It seeks to identify employee competencies aligned with industry 5.0 (I5.0) and propose a framework for deep multi-level cooperation to improve human integration within the intelligence system.

This study uses bibliometric analysis to review 296 research papers retrieved from the Scopus database between 2002 and 2022. The prominence of the research is evaluated by analyzing the publication trend, sample statistics, theoretical foundation, commonly used keywords, thematic evolution, country-based contributions and top-cited documents.

The study observed that research in I5.0 has been limited in the past but has gained momentum since 2015. An analysis of research papers from 2002 to 2022 reveals a gradual shift toward human-centric practices. The literature on I4.0, the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud manufacturing, blockchain and big data analysis has been increasingly highlighting the growing importance of digitalization in the future. An increase in the number of countries contributing to the field of study has also been observed.

This analysis offers valuable insights for managers, policymakers, information technology (IT) developers and stakeholders in understanding and implementing human-centric practices in I5.0. It emphasizes staying current with trends, embracing workforce empowerment through reskilling and upskilling, and prioritizing data privacy and security in adaptable systems. These strategies contribute to developing effective, inclusive and ethically sound approaches aligned with the principles of I5.0.

Recently, the Government of India has emphasized digital financial inclusion for promoting cashless transactions with a vision to transform India from a traditional cash-based economy into a cashless economy. Technology-driven payment apps are facilitated greater access to cashless financial services and improve the speed, efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness of financial transactions. This study aims to explore the determinants of quick response (QR) code mobile payment (m-payment) adoption intention among marginalized street vendors in India.

The proposed research model was tested using 320 responses from QR code m-payment users. An interview schedule was performed using the structured questionnaire from marginalized street vendors by adopting a purposive sampling technique. The proposed research framework of this study developed on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). In addition to the existing variables proposed in the UTAUT model, three more variables have been added, namely, digital financial literacy (DFL), personal innovativeness (PI) and perceived trust (PT). Besides, the study used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques to analyze the data.

This study confirms that factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, PT and customers’ DFL are significant determinants of street vendors’ intention to use QR code m-payment services. However, social influence and PI have shown an insignificant relationship with adopting a QR code m-payment system.

The results provide insights for policymakers and service providers. Specifically, government and bankers design promotional campaigns emphasizing the ease of use, perceived benefits, security and faster business transactions to accept and use the QR code m-payment system to encourage prospective users to achieve a cashless economy.

Many prior studies have widely concentrated on m-payment adoption intention in India. However, only a few studies have attempted to examine the factors influencing the adoption of QR code m-payment services among merchants from emerging economies. There is a dearth of studies on QR code adoption from an unorganized sector perspective, specifically marginalized street vendors. Therefore, this study explicitly examines the extent to which the determinants of adoption intention toward QR code-based m-payment services among marginalized street vendors within the framework of the extended UTAUT model by incorporating DFL, PI and PT. The findings of this study contribute, theoretically and practically, to the existing literature.

Neuroeconomics and neurofinance are emerging as intriguing fields of research, despite sharing ambiguity with the concepts of neuroscience. The relationship among the concepts of economics, finance and neuroscience is not explicitly defined in the past literature, which distorts the use of neuroeconomics and neurofinance approaches in real-world practice for financial decision-making. The purpose of this paper is to consolidate the literature in the field of neuroeconomics and neurofinance to set up the research agenda for the upcoming scholarship in the field.

The purpose of this paper is to consolidates the extant literature in the fields of neuroeconomics and neurofinance by conducting an extensive systematic literature review to investigate the current state and define the relationship between economics, finance and neuroscience.

This paper identifies and explains the explicit relationship between different sub-fields of neuroscience with neuroeconomics and neurofinance and providing instances for future research studies.

The exclusive and extensive literature survey in the form of systematic literature review is undertaken for understanding the fields of neuroeconomics and neurofinance and is the key highlight of this paper. Another, interesting fact lies with matching the literature in neuroeconomics and neurofinance with further sub-fields of neuroscience such as neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, molecular neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience.

This study aims to reduce the interfacial tension by increasing the better adhesion between different immiscible polymers phases and also to evaluate the mechanical, thermal and thermo-mechanical behavior of the immiscible polymer blends.

The polymer blend composite (PBC) was prepared using a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. Two different kinds of PBC with compatibilizer (Ethylene-n-Butylacrylate-Glycidyl methacrylate) of varying compositions like polybutylene terephthalate + poly trimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate (30% glass filled) + poly trimethylene terephthalate were prepared and material behavior at various test conditions were studied. The effect of glass fiber reinforcement on polymer blend and the interlocking effect by the compatibilizer between the polymer phases were also assessed.

Mechanical behavior of PBC was estimated by tensile, flexural and angular impact tests. Likewise, the thermal deflection was studied with the help of heat deflection temperature test. Thermo-mechanical behavior likes storage modulus, loss modulus and loss tangent were studied using the dynamic mechanical analysis test. Morphological analysis was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy.

This in turn makes the process easy to obtain the PBC having inherent mechanical, thermal and thermo-mechanically stable. And, it also enhances the mechanical properties like tensile, flexural and impact strength. Simultaneously, posse’s excellent heat deflection and thermo-mechanical behavior over a temperature range of 35–140ºC at a constant frequency of 5 Hz.

The purpose of this paper is to obtain correctly classified routes based on their parameters.

In this paper, a covering rough set (CRS) approach is proposed for route classification in wireless ad hoc networks. In a wireless network, mobile nodes are deployed randomly in a simulation region. This work addresses the problem of route classification.

The network parameters such as bandwidth, delay, packet byte rate and packet loss rate changes due to the frequent mobility of nodes lead to uncertainty in wireless networks. This type of uncertainty can be very well handled using a rough set concept. An ultimate aim of classification is to correctly predict the decision class for each instance in the data.

The traditional classification algorithms, named K-nearest neighbor, J48, general rough set theory, naive Bayes, JRIP and multilayer perceptron, are used in this work for comparison and for the proposed CRS based on route classification approach revealing better accuracy than traditional classification algorithms.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the characteristics of cellulose fibres derived from the pseudo-stems of Curcuma longa and to evaluate the properties of non-woven fabric produced using these fibres.

The fibres were extracted via a decortication method. The acquired intrinsic qualities of the fibres were used to assess the feasibility of using them in textile applications. The thermal bonding approach was used for the development of the non-woven fabric, using a hot press machine with low-melt polyester fibre as a binder.

The mean length of Curcuma longa fibres was determined to be 52.73 cm, with a fineness value of 4.00 tex. The fibres exhibited an uneven cross-sectional morphology, characterized by a diverse range of oval-shaped lumens. The fibre exhibited a tenacity of 1.45 g/denier and an elongation value of 4.30%. The fibres possessed a moisture regain value of 11.30%. The experimental non-woven fabrics had consistent weight and thickness, while exhibiting different properties in terms of tensile strength and air permeability, with Fabric C having the highest tensile strength and the lowest air permeability value.

The features of Curcuma longa fibre, obtained with the decortication process, exhibited suitability for textile applications. Three experimental non-woven fabrics comprising different compositions of Curcuma longa fibre and low-melt polyester fibre were produced. The tensile strength and air permeability properties of these fabrics were influenced by the composition of the fibres.

This study aims to propose a comprehensive framework among Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for analyzing the Information Facilitated Product Recovery System (IFPRS) on the basis of feedback captured from the industry experts and researchers.

Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) methodology interspersed with fuzzy MICMAC is used to extract the interrelationships and develop a hierarchical structure among the identified KPIs. Further, the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) method has been enforced to determine the intensity of these relationships and identify the most influential KPIs among identified KPIs from literature review and expert opinions. The outcome indicates that “information sharing,” “technology capacity” and “technology standards such as EDI, RFID” are the KPIs that have attained highest driving power.

This study has identified 15 KPIs of IFPRS and developed an integrated model using TISM and the fuzzy MICMAC approach, which is helpful to describe and organize the important KPIs and reveal the direct and indirect effects of each KPI on the IFPRS implementation. The integrated approach is developed, as the TISM model provides only binary relationship among KPIs, while fuzzy MICMAC analysis provides explicit analysis related to driving and dependence power of KPIs.

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis can be performed based on the adequate number of responses collected using structured questionnaire. More qualitative techniques like ELECTRE, TOPSIS, etc. can be used to establish the strength of relationship among the KPIs and ranking them to focus on the few critical KPIs.

The proposed modeling could empower various governmental and non-governmental regulatory bodies in formulation of policies to effectively tackle the problem related to product recovery systems. This study has strong practical implications, for both practitioners as well as academicians. The practitioners need to concentrate on identified KPIs more cautiously during IFPRS implementation in their organizations and the top management could formulate strategy for implementing these KPIs obtained.

There is a lack of studies related to the modeling of KPIs of IFPRS. As vast information is essential about the products returned during different product recovery stages, this study bridges the gap in literature by providing a framework for KPIs related to IFPRS. It is expected that the results originated will assist the experts to relevantly identify the significant and drop insignificant KPI for successful product recovery implementation and performance improvement of IFPRS.

Entrepreneurship, finance, technology and innovation, general management.

This case is suitable for students in finance, entrepreneurship and general management. The case seeks to understand the challenges of funding in technology startups and how they vary from product to service areas.

Availability of capital, short term and long term, is a major constraint faced by entrepreneurs. In India, in the technology sector, services companies have been able to innovate and grow whereas product-based companies that survived the challenges of funding have been scarce. Aluru Karthik Prasanth is presented in the case as a young entrepreneur with passion and drive to pursue the commercialization of an idea he developed during his undergraduate studies in engineering. Leaving behind the beaten paths ofMTech and employment, he decides to pursue MS entrepreneurship at IIT Madras. As he starts with his program, he analyses the challenges faced by previous technology start ups, Karthik has a dilemma – deciding whether to follow a product idea or change his plans to a technology service.

A detailed analysis of the case would help students address the following questions in entrepreneurial decision making: should an entrepreneur in technology in India pursue a product idea or service idea?. What are the pros and cons of each choice in financing? How can an entrepreneur pursue a product idea and minimize his/her risks? How does an entrepreneur's personal attributes influence his/her course? (e.g. family background, need for control) What are the challenges and opportunities in each kind of funding: debt, venture, angel, etc. in the Indian context?

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.