FLAME School of Business

Professor William Hundert was a great teacher who not only wanted his students to learn the course but also apply the learning's to the practical life. He was a self-esteemed man with enormous skills of motivation and teaching. He believed his students as his child and ensured that a good character is also developed with the education of the child.

Technology has always played a vital role in making material available to readers, since the printing press was invented in the fifteenth century. Various improvements in the technology of the print, from offset to desktop, have had dramatic impact on the cost and access of printed material. However, with the arrival of Digital Text, we may now be entering an

Abstract--Technology has always played a vital role in making material available to readers, since the printing press was invented in the fifteenth century. Various improvements in the technology of the print, from offset to desktop, have had dramatic impact on the cost and access of ...

The state has played a significant role in shaping the global digital economy. This is both true in shaping the early influence of United States, Europe and Japan in introducing TRIPS within WTO. The thrust for a global regime of trade related intellectual property rights, which also includes copyright, was initiated chiefly by the United States of America in the eighth Uruguay round of GATT talks due to intense lobbying from its domestic knowledge based industries and with unequivocal support from Europe and Japan. The inclusion of TRIPS within the subsequent WTO framework has gone a long way in aligning and harmonizing intellectual property of most WTO member states with the US viewpoint. Subsequent state intervention within the specific national jurisdictions has proceeded in pace with the demands of WTO on its member countries. However, the state is increasingly being caught in the middle of a deeper struggle between the industries which have an analogic approach to developing business models as opposed to those who are more engaged in a digital approach to the development of business models. The digital economy, itself enabled by the growth of the knowledge oriented economy, brings with it many radically different assumptions. A nation's policy that governs the digital access to information is a pivotal source determining the forms of control that can be exercised over such access. New digital technology, enabled by the Internet, is imposing a fresh challenge to conventional copyright oriented models. Large copyright owning organizations argue that digital media allows for an increasing possibility for piracy. Providing higher protection standards is therefore necessary. This explicitly stated position led the US lawmakers into signing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. However the digital access to information is giving rise to new forms of organization and model creation. We would like to investigate the implications of such developments for the role of the state. Some of the issues that we would like to address are: 1. Does the digital economy promise radically newer approaches for the access of information and knowledge for the people at large?; 2. How can the state provide an adequate policy framework to foreground a digital development agenda?; 3. What are some implications for both industry and civil society for embracing a digital development agenda?

The state has played a significant role in shaping the global digital economy. This is both true in shaping the early influence of United States, Europe and Japan in introducing TRIPS within WTO. The thrust for a global regime of trade related intellectual property rights, which also includes copyright, was initiated chiefly by the United States of America in the eighth Uruguay round of GATT talks due to intense lobbying from its domestic knowledge based industries and with unequivocal support from Europe and Japan. The inclusion of TRIPS within the subsequent WTO framework has gone a long way in aligning and harmonizing intellectual property of most WTO member states with the US viewpoint. Subsequent state intervention within the specific national jurisdictions has proceeded in pace with the demands of WTO on its member countries. However, the state is increasingly being caught in the middle of a deeper struggle between the industries which have an analogic approach to developing b...

This paper reviews whether the rapid growth in banking indicators in the North Eastern region of India following nationalisation of 14 major banks in 1969 and another six in 1980 based on social banking was sustained or not. It finds a phenomenon of retarding trend in almost all the banking parameters in the region since the beginning of the 1990s. It then attempts to reason out the impediments typically affecting the region, which has given rise to such a situation and makes a number of suggestions that would enhance the financial intermediary role of scheduled commercial banks in the region.

In the new global economy, trading in goods and services is becoming critical for India. Difficulties faced by the Indian exporters when organizing their international payments and liquidity management are well known, especially as they relate to obtaining support from the local banks.  Supply chain finance (SCF) aims at making  a qualitative boost to Indian exporters’ delivery and repatriation chain and hence this paper distinguishes the manufacturer centric conventional financing from the  supply chain financing with the avowed objective: to assist Indian exporters in managing their credit risks by providing timely information on worthiness of the buyers, bankers and the countries, factoring and investment  services, achieve improved performance in terms of profitability, financial and operational efficiency indicators and achieve optimum return on investment, develop world class expertise and ensure continuous innovation and deliver top quality service.

The ancient Mesopotamian society, having been extensively recorded, has proved to be a treasure of information that has allowed historians to make sense of how mankind has reached where it belongs now. It has helped us comprehend why some social norms affect mankind significantly leading to the evolution of certain practices and principles of this era.
The subject matter of this essay deals with exposing readers about how the Mesopotamian society existed during a few remarkable periods in its history- namely the Early Dynastic Period and the Old and Neo-Babylonian period, which experienced some of the highest periods of prosperity and creative documentation.

The Harappan Civilisation, ever since its discovery in early 19th century has been the subject matter of diverse yet far-stretched speculations without conclusive proof about its culture, its heritage, and the people belonging to it. Both the countries, the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to whose boundaries the ancient civilisation belonged, have intensified their research in recent times-motivated by the quest to find the true ancestry of the people of both nations. This paper discusses trade that was undertaken in the Harappan Civilisation.

Background: After an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients remain at risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), despite contemporary treatment including aspirin and clopidogrel. The risk of MACE may be secondary to thrombin, which remains elevated after ACS. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and indicators of efficacy of the novel oral direct factor Xa inhibitor (rivaroxaban). Patients and Methods: In our study, we randomly assigned 100 patients with a recent ACS to receive the oncedaily dose of 2.5mg of rivaroxaban or placebo in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy for six months. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of death from cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The secondary endpoint was death from cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, or stroke and the incidence of bleeding at six months. Results: Rivaroxaban significantly reduced the primary efficacy endpoint, as compared with placebo, with respective rates of 4% and 22% (P=0.007). Regarding secondary endpoint, the 2.5mg dose of rivaroxaban reduced the rates of death from cardiovascular causes (0% versus 8%, P=0.041). As compared with placebo, rivaroxaban increased the rates of minor bleeding (12% vs. 2%, P=0.049), with no major or fatal bleeding had been recorded. Conclusions: In patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome, rivaroxaban reduced the risk of the composite endpoint of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Rivaroxaban increased the risk of minor bleeding but not the risk of major or fatal bleeding.

Research literature, both conceptual and empirical, has enunciated benefits of client involvement for better client vendor relationships. However, relevant research in the realm of problematic relationships is scarce. To address the gap, this research examines the role of client involvement for vendor response strategies when client displays opportunism and vendor experiences negative affect. The paper uses data from 280 project managers belonging to the IT services industry. Structural equation analysis reveals that client involvement in the form of senior management involvement has varied effect on response strategies. It weakens the influence of vendor negative affect on passive acceptance and disengagement. However, it does not impact the influence of vendor negative affect on constructive discussion and venting. Findings suggest that when client involvement is high, vendor negative emotions in response to client opportunism would lead to behavior that sustains, but does not secure the quality of the relationship. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.

The contribution of psychological factors in project relationships has received limited attention. Taking the standpoint of vendor project managers, we examine their justice perceptions, affect, and consequent behavior in response to client opportunism. Data collected from 182 respondents from the information technology industry reveal that vendor project managers perceive reduced distributive and interpersonal justice, and experience lower positive and higher negative affective states, resulting in more venting and disengagement and less constructive discussion and passive acceptance. Findings suggest that psychological factors can bring about detrimental behavior in client–vendor relationships. This has long-term implications for project relationships where client opportunism occurs.

In the last three decades, there has been considerable advancement in the design of information systems used in organizations. Information systems facilitate critical organizational activities like recording and processing of business transactions, analyzing complex and large sets of data and generating management and executive level reports. However, their adoption is generally fraught with challenges because of the negative attitude of employees to the impending change in their work life. Considering the enormous investment of cost, time and effort in information system implementation, it is imperative for organizations to ensure long term returns. This requires them to bring about employee readiness, openness and commitment to implementation. The paper uses socio-technical theory to propose how measures like organizational development interventions can influence employee attitudes to information system implementation. Taking a crossdisciplinary approach and drawing upon existing ...

Thriving is a psychological state in which individuals experience a sense of vitality and a sense of learning. Thriving come from relational connections with others, and is deeply rooted in social systems. Theoretical literature suggests that thriving occurs in the presence of decision-making discretion, broad information sharing, and a climate of trust. However, no study has investigated these environmental factors empirically. Using a multiple-studies approach, we (a) established valid and reliable scale for each of these environmental factors using experimental vignettes, (b) confirmed the association of decision-making discretion, broad information sharing and climate of trust with thriving, and (c) identified the role of self-determination theory in determining these relationships. Our analysis was based on data collected from 512 Indian management students across five studies. The results indicate significant difference in thriving for high vs. low level for decision-making di...

It is common knowledge that leadership guides human resource practices which influence employees' behaviour and outcomes. Understanding this relationship becomes germane to comprehend the dynamics of organisational change. Human resource practices are crucial for a sustainable change since employees operationalise and institutionalise it. However, limited research has discussed the combination of leadership, human resource practices, and employee behaviour in the context of change. Considering the extensive change management literature on the importance of transformational leadership, we explore the role of the related human resource practices in bringing about affective commitment to change in employees. Additionally, we investigate the intervening role of perceived organisational support. Taking a theoretical perspective, we present the dimensions of the three constructs and the relationship between them. Through the conceptual model, we attempt to understand the practical mechanisms through which transformational leadership can enable organisational change. Research implications and future directions are discussed.

Extant literature indicates the role played by transformational leadership in bringing about organizational change in general, and affective commitment to change in particular. However, it does not explain the process through which transformational leadership at the top management level influences individual attitudes across the levels of hierarchy. This paper identifies communication as a common and an integral component of charismatic leadership, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration impacting employees. Drawing on the literature on transformational leadership and change, the paper proposes a theoretical understanding of how transformational leader communication facilitates employee affective commitment to change. Additionally, it explores the intervening role of organizational identification in the relationship. The paper contributes by demonstrating the salience of leadership communication in bringing about organizational change. Also, it elucidates the key characteristics of communication and organizational identification which are instrumental in promoting affective commitment towards change. Implications of theory and practice and future directions for research are discussed.

Enablers of change in the specific context of service organizations have received limited attention in the literature. Considering the unique features of service organizations, and applying contingency theory to them, this paper seeks to understand the change enablers. For this purpose, it examines the aspects that characterize service organizations from the technology, task and external environment perspective, analyses the resultant challenges to change initiatives, and identifies the measures required to overcome them. The paper provides supporting arguments based on findings from the existing change and service literature. Through this process, it highlights the significance of the following enablers of change: employee empowerment, team work, inter-group collaboration, change communication, rewards and training program, service-oriented culture, and senior management leadership. The paper emphasizes the importance of congruence between the enablers, and the role of employees, especially the senior management. Implications for scholars and future directions for research are discussed.

Purpose This paper aims to explore how organizations can measure diversity, equity and inclusion, and what are the potential areas where they can take initiatives to meet the diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Design/methodology/approach This paper explains the distinction among diversity, equity and inclusion. It elaborates on the separate perspectives that organizations need to adopt to define and measure each one of them. It consequently brings attention to their implications for research, practice and society. Findings This paper reveals that the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion, although related, need to be approached independently. The three concepts need to be measured individually and separate initiatives need to be designed and implemented to attain those goals. Originality/value This paper highlights the conceptual differences among diversity, equity and inclusion, and their evaluation. It underscores that diversity itself is not sufficient in ensuring organizational performance. Most of the discussion around implementing diversity pays little attention to steps that need to be taken to ensure equity and inclusion of the diverse workforce. This paper seeks to address this gap.