As the world tries to grapple with a peculiar financial situation, the present issue focuses on the recent developments in operations and supply chain.
Logistics is the primary building block of any manufacturing or service supply chain and is a key factor for improving the performance and productivity of manufacturing and service organization. A B2B market place for the logistics service providers basically provides the infrastructure for matching the requirements of the buyer with a right logistics service provider. In the first paper, “Designing an Agent-Based B2B Market Place for Third-Party Logistics Service Providers (3PLs)”, by Ashwin Kumar and Sandeep Dulluri, a double auction mechanism that would maximize the overall satisfaction of the market stakeholders is implemented by employing a UML architecture.
The second paper, “Reengineering Treatment in Block Replacement Decisions
Using Higher order Markov Chains”, by Naveen Kilari, C Nadhamuni Reddy and
B Balu Naik, attempts to evaluate the reengineering option against replacement of a block of computers. For this purpose, a block replacement model for block of items using high-order Markov chains is developed and employed. To make the model more realistic, two intermediate repairable states, i.e., minor repair state and major repair state, are introduced between the working and failure states of the system. Transition probabilities for future periods are estimated by spectral decomposition in first order Markov chain and by moving weighted transition model for second order Markov chain. The predicted inflation for computer and computer-based system in India and the real value of money using Fisherman’s relation are employed to study and develop a real-time mathematical model for group replacement decision making, which is useful for large IT companies and other organizations that deal with block of items. In continuation to this, an attempt is made to evaluate the option of reengineering the computer networking process to reduce the cost of hardware, maintenance and support, by using thin-client technology in lieu of replacement option.
The third paper, “Efficiency Study of Indian Automobile Companies Using DEA Technique: A Case Study of Select Companies”, by Debaprosanna Nandy, attempts to evaluate the efficiency of the automobile companies using the popular nonparametric data envelopment analysis technique. This empirical study not only throws light on the technical efficiencies of the automobile companies, but also offers a few suggestions as to how an inefficient company may become efficient by overcoming the shortcomings.
The last paper, “Technology Adoption in Sericulture Management in India: A Study”, by R V Praveena Gowda, A N N Murthy and E Muniraju, deals with research findings on technology adoption in sericulture cultivation in India. A survey shows that sericulturists merely adopt the available technology in sericulture management. There is an urgent need to adopt specific modern and mechanized systems at all levels of sericulture activities. Sericulturists, by making best use of the modern low-cost tools in silk rearing, mulberry harvesting and pruning can enjoy a huge market not only domestically, but also globally. This paper discusses and recommends some of the low-cost tools and other tools developed by Japan and Central Silk Research Institute, India that can improve sericulture productivity.
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.
