White Papers

Abstract:

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the auto sector have emerged in response to growing off-shore requirements of auto industry. The growth has been so rapid that it has remained elusive to researchers and the present study is an attempt to bridge this knowledge gap.

Three scales (Engaging Leadership both from the perspectives of the leaders and the subordinates and Employee Engagement) were developed by the researchers for the purpose of the study. Two existing scales viz., Cultural Intelligence and Positive & Negative Affectivity were also used in the study. The results show statistically significant results between professionals of high performing and low performing SMEs on Engaging Leadership, Employee Engagement, Cultural Intelligence and Positivity and Negativity. 

Abstract:

Subcontracting relationship of local SMEs with TNCs of the host country can serve as an important channel for the transfer of knowledge and technology, enabling the enhancement of SME competitiveness. However, there are only few studies, which have probed various kinds of assistance flow from TNC to subcontracting SMEs using quantitative methods.

This paper analyses the extent, diversity and benefits of TNC assistance to SME subcontractors along with the factors for the variation of the assistance, using primary data collected from SME subcontractors of two Indian auto TNCs located in Bangalore. These SMEs were able to receive more of product related and purchase process related assistance and moderate managerial know-how related assistance. But the assistance was less for SME subcontractors who were in the growing stage of the relationship while it was more for SMEs who were in the enduring stage of the relationship.

New ventures are considered to be a major source of small firm growth. In Indian context the contribution of new ventures in terms of new employment, production and exports has largely remained unexplored. It is equally important and unexplored, the significance of the contribution of bank credit to the growth of new ventures in India. This paper is an attempt to throw light on these two aspects.

Rapid changes in the space of communication technologies give an opportunity to different enterprises to change the way they do their business and emerge as more competitive players in the process. The paper gives an introduction to some of the key technologies in the wireless broadband space and also presents a comparative analysis on 3G and WiMax broadband technology.

Oil marketing companies in India operate in a complex business environment. They have to distribute their products using multiple channels, each with its own pecularities. Oil companies in recent part have geared up to take on competitive pressure and retail training has to play a key role in this transformation.

“Small is Beautiful and Big is Advantageous”, this quote seems to be quite true in case of Small Retailers worldwide who are trying to fight the onslaught from Big Chains and
maintain their position in the market. Though Big Chains have a lot of advantages in their kitty, the small players have an edge over them in lot of areas.

Small retailers worldwide have experienced a lot of turmoil with the emergence of Big Retail Chains in their vicinity. Some retailers were forced to close down their shops while some are still struggling to make a living. In an ICRIER survey conducted in India on 1600 small retailers, a whopping 50% reported lower sales and 61% of all retailers pointed to competition from organized retail for their declining financial health.[1] In countries like Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia, there is zoning system which demarcates space for foreign chains to open their outlets and do business.

The White Paper talks about the story of a packet of ‘Star Glucose Biscuits’ in ‘SuperMart’ on FC Road in Pune, from the point of view of Supply Chain Management.  The Supply Chain model of Star Biscuits, Forecasting demand and determining stock levels, dealing with the drastic changes, etc. have been talked about in detail in this paper.