In
contrast to conventional business practices, corporate environmental
management provides a number of economic benefits from environmental
considerations. It is frequently hypothesized that incorporation
of environmental issues in corporate practices may improve
a firm's environmental performance. Sarbani Mitra, Satyajit
Dhar and K M Agrawal, in the research paper, "Triggers
of Corporate Practices and Environmental Performance: An Empirical
Evidence for India", focuses on these issues on the basis
of parametric inference tests. The authors indicate six primary
Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs), viz., environmental
policy, environment department, regulatory compliance, environmental
audit, EMS certification and environmental cost management
that may reflect the level of incorporation of environmental
issues in business practices.
Several
arguments have been made by the proponents of mega nuclear
plants that could be negated with substantial evidences. But
in the near future, most of the new nuclear power plants are
expected to be constructed in Asia. The proponents of the
nuclear power have put forward three arguments to justify
their demand. Dipankar Dey, in the research paper, "Global
Warming, Nuclear Power and Resurgence of Renewable Energy:
A Political Economic Analysis with Special Reference to India",
focuses on the three issues: (1) Nuclear energy is safer today
due to induction of better and safer technology; (2) Nuclear
energy is a better option for mitigation of carbon emission
and for combating global warming; and (3) India needs nuclear
energy to sustain its projected rate of economic growth. The
author also discusses the alternative energy initiatives taken
in different countries of the world, especially in Europe,
and focuses on the alternative energy options that are still
open to India but not yet considered by the energy planners
of the country.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): The Changing Face of Banking in India
Bank Management
Information and communication technology has changed the way in which banks provide services to its customers. These days the customers are able to perform their routine banking transactions without even entering the bank premises. ATM is one such development in recent years, which provides remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the development of this self-service banking in India based on the secondary data.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a very important role in the progress and advancement in almost all walks of life. The deregulated environment has provided an opportunity to restructure the means and methods of delivery of services in many areas, including the banking sector. The ICT has been a focused issue in the past two decades in Indian banking. In fact, ICTs are enabling the banks to change the way in which they are functioning. Improved customer service has become very important for the very survival and growth of banking sector in the reforms era. The technological advancements, deregulations, and intense competition due to the entry of private sector and foreign banks have altered the face of banking from one of mere intermediation to one of provider of quick, efficient and customer-friendly services. With the introduction and adoption of ICT in the banking sector, the customers are fast moving away from the traditional branch banking system to the convenient and comfort of virtual banking. The most important virtual banking services are phone banking, mobile banking, Internet banking and ATM banking. These electronic channels have enhanced the delivery of banking services accurately and efficiently to the customers. The ATMs are an important part of a bank’s alternative channel to reach the customers, to showcase products and services and to create brand awareness. This is reflected in the increase in the number of ATMs all over the world. ATM is one of the most widely used remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the growth of ATMs of different bank groups in India.
International Scenario
If ATMs are largely available over geographically dispersed areas, the benefit from using an ATM will increase as customers will be able to access their bank accounts from any geographic location. This would imply that the value of an ATM network increases with the number of available ATM locations, and the value of a bank network to a customer will be determined in part by the final network size of the banking system. The statistical information on the growth of branches and ATM network in select countries.
Indian Scenario
The financial services industry in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth, diversification and specialization since the initiation of financial sector reforms in 1991. Greater customer orientation is the only way to retain customer loyalty and withstand competition in the liberalized world. In a market-driven strategy of development, customer preference is of paramount importance in any economy. Gone are the days when customers used to come to the doorsteps of banks. Now the banks are required to chase the customers; only those banks which are customercentric and extremely focused on the needs of their clients can succeed in their business today.
