Today, services are playing a dominant role in economic activity across many nations. Among services, banking is the primary one, which holds great stakes in running an economy. In the present century, electronic technology has changed the face of many services, not to speak of banking. R K Uppal and Rosy Chawla, in the paper, "E-Delivery Channel-Based Banking Services: An Empirical Study", have studied various aspects of electronic channels used in delivering banking services. They have made an enquiry into the perceptions of bank customers regarding e-banking services, quality of e-banking services, bank frauds, future of e-banking, preferences regarding use of e-channels and problems faced by e-bank customers. The study has found that customers are interested in e-banking services. Every system by default is not ideal, neither is e-banking. There are certain problems regarding e-banking services, such as lack of infrastructure, inadequate knowledge, unsuitable locations, misuse of ATM cards, etc. As customers are unable to derive full advantage of e-banking services, this study has given some insights as to how well e-banking services can be promoted among customers.

Management programs are inclusive of quantitative techniques. The need to teach quantitative techniques is to enhance the decision making capabilities among students as they scale up the corporate hierarchy to become business managers. Laying conceptual foundation in the minds of students is the core of the issue. If quantitative techniques are taught in detail, in an understandable and practical method, students will be in a position to assimilate the concepts to use them in their future careers. Probability is one of the important components in quantitative techniques. Rajkumar Pillay D and Anurag Dugar, in the paper, "Teaching Concepts of Probability: A Case Study Methodology for B-Schools", have made an attempt to study the absorption levels of students in teaching probability using case methodology. For the study, they have taken two batches of students from a reputed B-School in India. A case-based methodology was adopted to teach the concept of probability to the two sections of the school. It was found, on testing the hypothesis, that the absorption levels of students were similar. This study concludes saying that case-based teaching is quite effective in making students comfortable at quantitative techniques.

Using computers in organizations has become the order of the day. Computers are used along with information system applications. Information systems are designed to meet the operational, tactical and strategic functions effectively. The degree of usage of this computer-based information system depends on the functional level. If it is on the operational level, the usage will be on the higher side, since this aspect works more on a structured pattern. At a strategic level, the usage will be on the lower side, since the design is more of an unstructured pattern. Khushdeep Dharni, Ravi Kiran and R K Sharma, in the paper, "Use of Computer-Based Applications: A Study at Different Levels of Management", have investigated the usage of computer-based information systems in the manufacturing sector. The population considered for this study includeds large and medium-scale limited manufacturing companies. The respondents are top, middle and lower-level of management. The outcome of the study indicates that use of computer-based information systems is significantly different across three levels of management. Middle-level managers are the maximum users. The study also bring to light that lower-level managers were complaining about slow speed and the need for upgradation of their systems. There is a need to emphasize effective integration of the enterprise by means of more and better use of database applications.

In the financial sector, mutual funds are an investment option that have offered convenience to an investor due to its two characteristics. First, no lock-in. A customer can invest and retrieve his investment within a span of one day. Secondly, the risk is minimum, compared to other investment options since mutual funds offer less risk to an investor. The reinvestment of funds is done in a safe option by the fund managers. In the paper, "Analyzing Investors' Attitude Towards Mutual Funds as an Investment Option", B B S Parihar, Rajeev Sharma and Deepika Singh Parihar, have done a study on customer opinion about investing in mutual funds. The study has been done using demographic variables on the attitude of investors towards mutual funds. It also focuses on the benefits delivered by mutual funds to the investors. The findings reveal that the majority of investors have still not formed any attitude towards mutual fund investments and the reason behind this is a lack of awareness about mutual funds. However, it indicates that there is a lot of scope for the growth of mutual fund companies in India provided there are funds to satisfy everybody's needs and sharp improvements in service standards and disclosure.

An organization's performance appraisal system needs to be rational. It needs to consider all possible factors to judge the performance of employees leading to a better, justified and error-free gauging system. Very less number of organizations adopt a rational approach, since it will cost them more managerial and operational time of human resources department. C Vijaya Banu and P Umamaheswari, in the paper, "A Study on 360 Degree Performance Appraisal Systems in Reliance Life Insurance, Udumalpet", discusses about an investigation into one such an organization which does rational performance appraisal called a 360° appraisal system. For the study, they have considered three structured questionnaires: First, administered to employees for a self assessment; second, administered to managers to assess the performance of subordinates; and third, administered to customers to assess the employees. They have concluded the study by recommending that rational appraisal helps organizations to identify training needs, performance of employees and determination of rewards/incentives.

-- K Rajanath
Consulting Editor