IMPACT : International Journal of Research in Business Management

9-26

Authors: ANAGHA BHOPE BOBDE & V. G. UKINKAR

Tax evasion has become a critical issue in the area of taxation these days. This accounts not only for the loss of revenue but also for the increasing number of evaders day by day. The new Direct tax code has certain provision that may curb the tax evasion tendency of the tax payers. As the government hasn’t implemented the code yet researcher in this paper has tried to study the impact of the provisions of the new tax code in curbing the tax evasion tendency of the tax payers along with providing the factors which are responsible for inciting such tax evasion tendency in them.

37-44

Authors: SWAGATIKA NANDA

The banking sector plays a vital role in economic development of a country. Banks depend collecting, converting, evaluating and implementing information in order to meet the customers need. The aim of this paper how knowledge management applications can helps the success of banking industries. This study based on secondary data. This study also focuses various knowledge management practices in banks.

51-64

Authors: ZIVANAYI FRANCIS NYANDORO & TALENT GOREMUSANDU

The study explores employees’ evaluation of the relationship between reward and organisational strategies in the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council. Theoretical propositions and empirical research evidence have highlighted the significance of direct links between rewards and organisational performance. A sample of sixty-seven (67) participants comprising top and middle managers and, lower level employees based at Head Office in Harare were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis. The key findings showed that the majority of the participants reported lack of integration between rewards and organisational strategy. They further reported low levels of appreciation for their efforts and contributions by the organisation. The key recommendations are that the organisation should continuously review human resource management practices and consider performance-related remuneration that can be directly related to accomplishment of operational and strategic goals. In addition, top management need to engage the parent ministry and key stakeholders to support implementation of reward strategies and HRM practices that enhance organisational performance

75-82

Authors: M.CHANDRAKUMAR, S. D. SIVAKUMAR, S. SELVANAYAKI & V. SAKTHIRAMA

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the buying and consumption behavior of tea among the rural and urban respondents in Coimbatore district. Data was gathered through personal interviews conducted among three hundred respondents (150 rural and 150 urban). Conventional analysis was employed in data processing. Results revealed that tea was the favourite beverage for majority of the respondents. Majority of the rural and urban respondents explained that the tea was consumed because it was refreshing and energizing. The rural respondents bought tea more frequently which might be because of the small quantities of purchase influenced by the wage type income of the respondents and the brand name was considered much by urban respondents than rural. Tea brands were selected and bought for its taste and flavor and majority of the rural and urban respondents were accustomed to their brand for more than two years

91-100

Authors: Z. S. MULLA & POOJA KAMBLE

One of the challenges of testing web applications derives from their dynamic content and structure. As we test a website, we may discover more about its structure and behavior. This study consists of a framework for collection of testability measures during the manual testing process of a Website. The measures gathered in this way can take account of dynamic and content driven aspects of web applications, such as form structure, client-side scripting and server-side code. Their goal is to capture measurements related to on-going testing activity, indicating where additional testing can best lead to higher overall coverage. The current Web applications are in continuous evolution to provide new and more complex functionalities, which can improve the user experience by means of adapting and dynamic changes. Since testing is the most frequently used technique to evaluate the quality of software applications in industry, manual testing approaches will be necessary to evaluate the quality of future (and more complex) web applications

9-20

Authors: GLORIA S. SANTOS

Baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y are working together in today’s organizations. The study was undertaken to determine the specific characteristics and motivation of each generation, compare the Business Administration, major in Human Resources Management Development (BSBA-HRDM) Curriculum with the CHED Policy Standards in terms of its subject contents and to identify its responsiveness to the employment needs of its graduates. To do so, quantitative, descriptive and phenomenology research designs were used. Findings from the validated questionnaires revealed that only one from the 39 respondents was from the Baby Boomer generation, two of the three managers were from Generation X, nine from the 13 supervisors were Generation Y, and 17 from the 23 office staff were also Generation Y. The lone Baby Boomer and the Generation X were seen to be highly confident, however, in terms of goal orientation and technology enthusiasm, the Generation Y got a higher computed weighted mean than the X Generation but both groups have the same level of self-esteem at a WM of 4.333. Both X and Y agreed that benefits including salary, growth opportunities and work schedule highly motivated them, however, they differ in their secondary motivating factors, work atmosphere and autonomy for Generation X and responsibility and respect for the Generation Y. In conclusion, a few Baby Boomers were still employed, Generation X were managers while Generation Y were mostly supervisors and office staff but seek more responsibilities and aspire for respect. The BSBA-HRDM curriculum prepares graduates to handle diverse workforce. It is recommended that an in-depth studies on the management aspect of the three generations be made in the future.

27-40

Authors: ZIVANAYI FRANCIS NYANDORO, GABRIEL GANYANHEWE MASANGA, GERALD MUNYORO & PRUDENCE MUCHOPA

The study explores the factors that influence the retention of health workers in rural areas in Zimbabwe. Critical shortages of health workers in developing countries have been widely researched and a plethora of strategies proffered however the situation remains unabated in the face of evolving dynamic factors. A sample of thirty-four (34) health workers based in Makonde Rural District in Mashonaland West Province were interviewed using self-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The key study findings showed the main factors influencing the retention of health workers in rural areas as inter alia: poor salaries and incentives, inadequate, obsolete and often unavailable work-related infrastructure, medical supplies and drugs, inadequate career prospects, poor living conditions and lack of basic recreational amenities. The key recommendations are that to attract and retain health workers in rural areas the government and key stakeholders should continuously review and improve salaries and incentives, career developmental opportunities and socio-economic needs of health workers.

51-66

Authors: IKPOR ISAAC MONDAY & AGHA NANCY

The main objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of voluntary disclosure quality among listed firms in emerging economy. Unweighted voluntary disclosure quality index was used as the dependent variable, while firm disclosure quality determinants such as size, profitability, Board Composition and Gearing constitute the independent variables. Ex-post facto research method was employed as the research design. Data was sourced from 793 corporate annual reports of firms listed in the Nigeria stock exchange between 2000 to 2014.Two models; one based on the combined sample and the other on the non-financial companies only were developed. Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) regression techniques is used to test the statistical significance of the hypotheses of the study. Using the reduced model and full model, the results indicate that firm size and Board Composition has significant and positive relationship with voluntary disclosure quality. On the other hand, profitability and gearing were found to be significant and negatively related to the voluntary disclosure quality of listed firms in Nigeria. The implication of these findings is that large firm discloses more extensive information than do small firms. Moreover, highly profitable firms in Nigeria tend to disclose less information to avoid political attention in the form of pressure for the exercise of social responsibility and greater regulations such as price control and higher corporate taxes. Moreover, high number of non-executive independent directors on the board promotes extensive disclosure than do firms with less number of non-executive independent directors and finally, firms with more debt in their capital structure tend to provide less information to gain access to the capital markets and to reassure investors of the possibility of continuous going concern by the firms.

75-82

Authors: HARIDAS P.K

In India, IT sector has developed valuable trademark equity for itself in the global markets and offers a variety of services, products and technologies. Information technology industry in India includes IT services and software industry, BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services). The aim of this study was to identify the key organizational factors contributing to the attrition of IT employees in Kerala. This study was based on both primary and secondary data. In this study, data from 381 IT employees were used. Regression analyses were used to examine the factors that affect the attrition of IT workers. The regression analysis shows that, the organizational factors such as Organizational Commitment, Work Environment and Work Place Stress are the significant factors affecting the attrition of IT industry.

11-24

Authors: SORAB SADRI & JAYASHREE SADRI

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need to promote tourism in Kerala and in that regard a strategic examination of the issues have been attempted. The central theme of the paper is to highlight the fact that Kerala is richly endowed with natural beauty making it an ideal place where tourism can be promoted. The promotion of tourism it is argued will fetch revenue for the state both in Indian and foreign currency. This will enable the government to have a greater aggregate disposable income to moot its social programmes, improve its infrastructure, employment potential and thereby improve the quality of life of the populace. Above all it will generate employment, create an enhanced aggregate disposable income and thereby revive the falling fortunes of Kerala’s economy. Kerala has had the distinction of having the first socialist government in India under the legendary E M S Namboodripad. It boasts a high level of social consciousness and a high level of education across all social strata. The state boasts of 100% literacy and the fact that the term literacy may imply only the ability to sign one’s name and engage in socialist rhetoric seems immaterial. Unemployment levels are high and per capita output of labour is low. Moreover industrial development in the state is as poor as is the infrastructure. The roads for instance are narrow, winding and highly dangerous to travel on. The attitude of Kerala Tourism development Corporation KTDC could be more proactive and customer friendly that it is. With this contradictory background we have taken up a case for developing tourism industry in Kerala from a strategic management perspective. In this paper the case of Kozhikode (earlier Calicut) has been taken up to make our point. The choice of Kozhikode was made because of two reasons. The first author spent a full semester as Visiting professor of Business Policy at IIM (K) and made the observations first hand. The second author converted these observations into an argument for sustainable development. The major tourism requirements are accommodation transport intermediaries i.e. travel agents, attractions and amenities. A cursory inspection of the hospitality sector might suggest that a few large companies dominate the market, giving the impression of an oligopolistic structure. However the service hospitality sector is mostly fragmented in many small units where location and the spatial distribution of accommodation are important factors determining the degree of competition. The wide range and quality of accommodation, its multi product nature, seasonal variations in demand, introduce an additional dimension into the operation of the market.

35-44

Authors: MOHIT SHARMA & ADITI MATHUR

The purpose of the paper is to examine the current scenario of Indian mango exports and suggest measures to enhance the same by the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. India is the largest mango but the production to export ratio for Indian mangoes is about 0.22, which is comparatively very low Indian mango export destinations are mainly UAE (60%), UK (16%), Saudi Arabia (4%) and Kuwait (3%). Among major constraints for Indian mangoes in international market is lack of adherence to quality standards. According to the report of APEDA (2013-14), Maharashtra contributes the highest exports of mangoes with around 85.7% share of the total Indian mango export; on the contrary, the major producer of mango is Uttar Pradesh which contributes to only 2% share in export. Uttar Pradesh is the major producer of Dashehari variety which is one of the most preferred Indian mango varieties in international market. Growers association (mahamango), online traceability system (mangonet), farmers - co-operative linkages, support from state government are found to be the most favorable factors for boosting exports from Maharashtra. The private certification agency GLOBALGAP existed in India for providing GAP certification to the produce, quite recently INDGAP got established to facilitate the process. Further study proposes that by the adoption of GAP standards the competitive pricing to the farmer gets assured and huge potential exists to export mangoes from India, the need is to strive hard and adopt the internationally recognized quality standards during the production and processing.

47-62

Authors: ULO, FABIAN U & MAMAH, AUGUSTINE AIK

In Nigeria, most organization managers absolutely ignore scanning the turbulent and complex environments in which they operate. The absolute neglect to constantly scan the environments by organisation management often result in colossal consequences of not developing new ventures, non-identification of threats and weakness, new opportunities and strengths not improved upon, inadequate new job creation, decrease in profit base and dwindling productivity/performance of the organisation. Based on these problems, this paper examined the extent to which environmental scanning as a strategic management tool could address the problems of new venture creation and product innovation within Nigerian corporate organisations in order to sustain competitive advantage. Two firms in the South East, Nigeria plastic manufacturing industry were selected for investigation. Questionnaire was designed using five point Likert scales. Data collected were summarized in tables, percentages and, analyzed with Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 5% level of significance using n-2 degrees of freedom. The result was subjected to t-statistic test. It was discovered that environmental scanning has significance positive relationship with new venture creation and that product innovation is as a result of environmental scanning by the firms. Based on the findings, the study recommended that plastic firms in the South East, and Nigeria should constantly scan the environments in which they operate so as to continually innovate their products and create more ventures that will firm’s sustain competitive advantage.

71-84

Authors: SAMUEL YAKEDOHO NKANOR & GABRIEL OBASI CHIDOZIE UDU

This study evaluated the effects of electronic internally generated revenue (e-IGR) on infrastructural development of Ebonyi State. The main objective of the study is to determine the degree of manual and electronic internally generated revenue’s impact on infrastructure using capital expenditure as proxy. The dwindling revenue from oil and continued need for public utilities caused the need to empirically determine this relationship. To achieve the main objective of this study, three hypotheses were formulated. Ex-post facto research design was used in this work which involved the use of existing data. Data components of manual and electronic revenue and capital expenditure (infrastructure) of Ebonyi State government between 2011 and 2014 was collected and analyzed using regression and Pearson correlation method with the help of SPSS version 17.0. Results show that the extent of relationship between each independent variable (IGR and e- IGR) were very low on the dependent variable which is Infrastructure development using capital expenditure, but cannot ignore the rate at which their degree changed, signifying an increase in associations. In general, it was discovered that there exist no significant degree of relationship of variables studied. This implies that capital expenditure on infrastructure did not largely depend on electronic internally generated revenue in Ebonyi State within the years studied, rather on monthly statutory allocations which is largely from oil revenue. The study therefore recommends that the electronic approach to internally generated revenue be reviewed as a matter of urgency because of the dwindling oil revenue to the State. The executive arm of the state should also take implementation of state revenue laws more seriously

99-108

Authors: SAMUEL Y. RUAN SHIH-CHANG WANG

The differential evolution approach has become a promising optimization technique in recent decades. It has been successfully applied to solve various problems in science and engineering fields; however, few applications have been addressed in the domain of supply chain management. In this paper, an improved DE approach is proposed for the aggregate planning problem in a supply chain. The approach comprises an improved DE variant with a winner-based constraint handling mechanism called the winner-based constrained differential evolution. To test the performance of the approach, it is verified and compared with most commonly used DE approaches. The experimental study shows that the winner-based constrained differential evolution possesses particular qualities in convergence, accuracy, and reliability for the aggregate planning problem in supply chains.

19-30

Authors: KEITH KOMEN KIPTIS & DANIEL WANYOIKE

As a result of globalization and competition, many financial institutions are sharing resources in their business conduct in order to gain competitive advantage. One such sharing occurs through bancassurance where banks and insurance organizations partner to enhance their operational capability and to ward off competition. The current study therefore sought to establish the influence of bancassurance on financial performance of commercial Banks in Nakuru Town, Kenya. The study used a descriptive design employing quantitative approaches. The target population of study was all 180 finance-related employees of the eight banks offering bancassurance in Nakuru Town. Primary data was collected using a close-ended questionnaire while secondary data was sourced from the Central Bank of Kenya using financial statements for a period between 2010 and 2014. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21 was used to analyze the data and the results obtained were presented using tables. The study established that at 5% significance level management quality, asset quality and capital adequacy all had positive influence on financial performance with management quality having the most significant influence. Further, the study established that liquidity had a negative and insignificant influence on financial performance of banks (p = 0.076). The study recommends bank management should come up with optimal regulatory policies on capital adequacy, asset quality and liquidity that would not compromise the banks financial performance. Similarly, the banks should recruit the best management talent available and compensate them adequately as they are the people who determine its operation through decisions, ensure the bank's smooth business, handles risks and exercises control and ultimately determine the earnings the bank

43-54

Authors: ANTONY KOOME KIRAI & JOSPHAT KWASIRA

Developing countries in one way or another have reformed their public procurement regulations. The reforms have not been limited to regulations only, included public procurement process, methods, procurement organizational structure, and the workforce. It has been attracting great attention from practitioners, academicians and researchers due to poor performance resulting from non-adherence to proper processes and procedures. Public procurement as a function of government includes decisions about the services that will be delivered to local authorities and the communities they serve (Hughes, 2005). It is utilized not only to secure goods and services required by public sector organizations for their missions and to support services provided to taxpayers, but it is also used to implement national policies and to achieve social and other objectives (Thai, 2005). Many national and international instruments have been concerned with building an effective procurement system. In this context, particular procurement issues, such as the implementation of secondary policies, the review mechanism to address complaints, provisions on electronic procurement or rules governing privately financed projects, have received an in-depth examination (De Castro, 2006). Mahmood (2010) noted that public procurement represents 18.42% of the world gross domestic product. In developing countries, public procurement is increasingly recognized as essential in service delivery (Basheka & Bisangabasaija, 2010), and it accounts for a high proportion of total expenditure. For example, public procurement accounts for 60% in Kenya (Akech, 2005), 58% in Angola, 40% in Malawi and 70% of Uganda’s public spending Basheka and Bisangabasaija (2010). This is very high when compared with a global average of 12-20 % (Frøystad et al., 2010). Due to the colossal amount of money involved in government procurement and the fact that such money comes from the public, there is need for accountability and transparency (Hui et al., 2011). The success of any given organization will depend on the strategic management of all its key sections. Procurement enhances efficiency and competitiveness among other benefits, but to realize these benefits, it is imperative to look at the strategic factors that affect the performance of the procurement function. It is against this background that the study sought to fill the existing knowledge gap.

67-78

Authors: ELIZABETH WANJIKU & ALEX NJIRU

Microfinance plays a major role in many gender and development strategies because of its direct relationship to both poverty alleviation and to the empowerment of women. In Kenya and elsewhere, microfinance institutions have been on the rise with microfinance having been portrayed as a way to reach poor people in the development process, meet the UN Millennium Development Goals, and as a new innovative strategy for alleviating poverty. Studies on microfinance services and women empowerment in Kenya remain scanty with global empirical evidence providing contradicting information. The study sought to find out the effect of microfinance services on women empowerment in Olkalou Constituency, Kenya. A descriptive research design was used for this study. The target population comprised of women who had been using microfinance services in the constituency. Data was collected using closed-ended questionnaires which yielded quantitative data. The sample size in this study was 120 women chosen at random where 30 respondents were allocated to each of the microfinance institutions. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21 and the findings presented in tables. The study found that microfinance services have positive and significant effect on women empowerment in Kenya. The study established that microfinance services provided financial access which provided women with start-up and working capital, training, savings leading to women engagement in income generating activities and hence positive outcome on empowerment and women role in society and decision making. There was a strong positive significant correlation between income generation and Women economic empowerment (r=0.704, p<0.05) and financial literacy and Women economic empowerment(r=0.777, p<0.05). Credit access had an insignificant effect on economic empowerment. The study recommends that MFIs to enhance women training mostly in rural areas to enhance their skills on viable and sustainable investment ventures. Further, the government should formulate and review the existing policies on microfinance and financial empowerment to women in Kenya to incorporate the emerging issues due to volatility of the banking industry and the changes in the needs of the poor.

89-94

Authors: CH. SHANKAR & K. RAMULU

In the present global scenario the concept of risk has became a focal point for those who are thinking and acting in markets. The market may be Financial, Commodity, and Currency etc. The market crises and volatility in the past four decades conformed that the centrality and importance of risk and its analysis. The present paper explains the concept of risk and the two dimensions of risk like subjective risk and probabilistic risk and explains the concept of uncertainty

101-108

Authors: ENOS KABU

This study examines the presence of risk society through decisions that happened and formulated in relation to fishery business and forests management practices in Indonesia. Since sustainability of fishery business and rainforests also depend on strategic decisions made by local government; this study focuses on how the strategic decisions are shaped and formulated by identifying and examining the information used to formulate strategic decisions, and describing the nature and effectiveness of communication among the decision making agencies at the meso level, and with local people. This study was designed fundamentally based on a case-study approach that examines the meso levels of decision makers and local people at the micro level. Data were collected using in-depth interview and then analized using qualitative discourse analysis. This study shows that information based-economy was widely used and considered in formulating strategic directions and decisions. To better address the sustainability issues and risks under the risk society context, relevant information concerning related-risks, a two-way communication and cooperation among decision making agencies need to be established in reformulating strategic decisions that impact on the sustainable fishery business and continued existence of rainforests.

117-128

Authors: HILARY KIPKORIR MWAITA & JOSPHAT KWASIRA

This study sought to investigate determinants of strategic social security initiatives among employees of Nakuru County Government, Kenya. This study conceptualized that there are various determinants of the use of social security initiatives in Kenya. The independent variables guiding this study were financial literacy, literacy on social security and, governance of security schemes. The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted 60 employees of Nakuru County Government and 30 pension officials of National Social Security Fund, Nakuru offices. The study sample was 80 respondents who were sampled using proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 21. The study revealed that financial literacy is high among employees of Nakuru County. Most of the existent financial knowledge started being acquired at young age and increased with time. As a result, use of strategic social initiatives was high. On its part, social security literacy was average. However, effort had been made to promote such literacy in Kenya. As result, most of the respondents knew the importance of social security initiatives. However such knowledge was not sufficient since some employees were not aware how some social security funds operated. As a result, some of the respondents often made investment mistakes. Lastly, it was evident that governance did not affect adherence to social security schemes significantly. The study recommends that there should be effort to continue offering financial education which should be engrained in school curriculum since financial literacy is garnered over time. Employees should also endeavour to pursue trainings that would enhance their capacity to make informed investment decisions so as to avoid mistakes. There should be regular effort to promote social security literacy in Kenya. Regular review of social security legislation and policies should also be undertaken so as to ensure that governance of such schemes is effective.

11-28

Authors: RAKHI SINGH & VIJAY AGRAWAL

The public sector enterprises referred as“temples of modern India” was setup when only the government has the resources to initiate the Industrial revolution. Now after years of nurturing, when private sector has come of age and have become strong and vibrant part of industrialization few PSEs are being divested for the reasons of non-performance and some for the sake of bridging the gap of fiscal deficit.However looking back it has been observed that there remains the important role of State interventions to revive the country’s economy from depression. Since October 2008, when the global economy looked as if it could plunge into another Great Depression, governments across the world have wasted no time in debates and the ‘State’ has decisively stepped in with stimulus and bailout packages. Incidentally, the ultimate ‘Capitalist’ economy in history, the United States has been the most aggressive in State intervention. (Business & Economy, 2010)The research paper attempts to explore the various new dimensions of sustainability considering the disinvestment pattern so far. The current disinvestment policy could be a major threat to PSE’s which are currently treated with disregard by the policy reformers. The paper examines that many Public sector enterprises in India have responded admirably post-economic reforms and liberalisation. Not only did they expand production and profit levels but also became an important choice of investment for global and domestic investors. In future, the PSEs will garner enough opportunities and will enhance their scope of strategy, apart from building their competitiveness through strong and proactive leadership, effective management, and efficient processes that govern business planning and development, and management of resources.

39-48

Authors: ZUBER M. SHAIKH, SOLEIMAN AL-TOWYAN, & GAZALA KHAN

Patient and Family Rights (PFR) is a common chapter available in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation (fifth edition) and Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) Standards for hospitals (second edition) . JCI Accreditation is a USA based international healthcare accrediting organization, whereas CBAHI is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based national health care accrediting organization. However, both these standards are accredited by Ireland based International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is the only accrediting organization who “accredit the accreditors' in the world. In Patient and Family Rights (PFR) chapter of JCI Accreditation for hospitals, there are nineteen (19) standards and seventy-seven (77) measurable elements (ME) whereas in CBAHI Accreditation there are thirty one (31) standards, ninety nine (99) sub-standards and fifty (50) evidence(s) of compliance (EC). The scoring mechanism is totally different in both these accrediting organizations. The researcher has identified thirty two (32) common parameters from JCI Accreditation and CBAHI standards, intent statement, measurable elements, sub-standard and evidence of compliance. On the basis of these identified common parameters, the researcher has compared the Patient and Family Rights chapter in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards. Methods This is a comparison study (normative comparison) in which the researcher has critically analyzed and compared the Patient and Family Rights (PFR) standards of JCI (Joint Commission International) Accreditation of USA (United States of America) and CBAHI (Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data Collection Primary data are collected from the JCI Accreditation Standards for hospitals, fifth edition, 2013 and CBAHI Standards for hospitals of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, second edition, 2011. Secondary data are collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Objectives of the study The aim of this study is to analyze critically Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards to point out the best in among both these standards. Conclusion This critical analysis of Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards for hospitals clearly show that the PFR Standards in CBAHI Standards are very comprehensive than the JCI Accreditation standards.

61-70

Authors: ZUBER M. SHAIKH, SOLEIMAN AL-TOWYAN & GAZALA KHAN

The Staff Qualifications and Education (SQE) is a chapter in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation (Fifth Edition) which describes the standards of Medical Staff & Staffing Management Standards in DET NORSKE VERITAS (DNV) Standard, Interpretive Guidelines and Surveyor Guidance for Hospitals, May 2013, Version 3.0. JCI Accreditation is a USA based international healthcare accrediting organization, whereas DNV is a Norway based international accreditation organization. The DNV International Accreditation Standard for Hospitals are based on the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) standard platform developed in the United States (US), and has been adopted by hospitals around the world as a new standard of excellence. These standards integrate clinical and patient safety requirements with proven quality principles into one seamless program. It’s a highly developed management system uniquely formulated to promote excellence within hospitals. However, both these standards are accredited by Ireland based International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is the only accrediting organization who “accredit the accreditors' in the world. Methods This is a comparison study (normative comparison) in which the researcher has critically analyzed and compared the Staff Qualifications and Education (SQE) standards in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation (Fifth Edition) and Medical Staff & Staffing Management Standards in DNV Standards for Hospitals, May 2013, Version 3.0. Data Collection Primary data are collected from the JCI Accreditation Standards for hospitals, fifth edition, and DNV Standards for hospitals, Version 3.0. Secondary data are collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Objectives of the Study The aim of this study is to analyze critically SQE Standards in JCI Accreditation and Medical Staff & Staffing Management Standards in DNV Standards to point out the best among both these international standards. Conclusions This critical analysis of SQE, MS and SM standards in JCI and DNV Accreditation for hospitals clearly shows that the SQE Standards in JCI Accreditation are very comprehensive, to the point and are much better than the DNV Accreditation.

87-92

Authors: AASHISH SANGWAN

The resources like food, water, and a healthy environment which are essential to human well-being are threatened in developing countries like India. Increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring environmental sustainability are interconnected and essential elements. In this paper an attempt has been made to identify and assess the mitigation of negative impacts of agriculture in addition to other issues. Main objective of this study is to address the question of the environmental impacts of agriculture, assessing environmental impact of the farm level taking into account environmental objectives like soil erosion and water quality etc. The impacts may vary with farming system, technologies used and other choices of individual products. In this study the linkages between agriculture and environment would be built on the strength of existing studies and secondary data at the national level.

105-112

Authors: K. VENKATA KRISHNA RAJU & DR.R.RAJENDRAN

The Gandhian plan of rural development sought all round development bringing into full and active play all the resources of the individual. The poorer the household the greater is the burden on women. Who strive to augment its income though long hours of manual work at low wages? The Self Help Groups (SHGs) is a boon to rural women particularly to women with entrepreneurial skills. Micro finance and SHGs are effective in reducing poverty, empowering women, creating awareness and ensure sustainability of environment which finally results in sustainable development of the nation. The continuous study in different dimension about the business enterprises which are managed by Women SHGs will bring many fruitful understandings, insights and based on these outcomes many remedial measures could be provided to the business units of SHGs. The present study attempts to find out performance of SHGs financed by different commercial banks under micro finance scheme in Perambalur District under the programme of Swarnajayanthi Gram SwarozgarYojana (S.G.S.Y). Out of population 541, 300 respondents were selected under multi stage simple random sampling method. The financial performance studies under 7 variable such as project selection, source of finance, application of funds, ensure the fast as well as cash cycle, repayment, redeployment and cost control mechanism.

119-124

Authors: SWATI SHARMA

A study was undertaken to examine the nature and extent of post-harvest losses in onion supply chain in the Jodhpur district which is major onion district of Rajasthan. A total sample size of 75 onion growers, 20 wholesalers and 25 retailers was taken from Jodhpur district. Maximum aggregate post-harvest losses (24.47 kg/q) have been found at producer level due to faulty storage, lack of adequate transportation, drying, improper handling of the produce at the time of marketing, rotted bulbs, doubles, bolters, poor packing facilities, injury at the time of harvesting and de-topping. Total losses in the supply chain were estimated to be 30.87 kg/q (79.27 %) losses were observed at farm level and rest were contributed at wholesale and retail level. The farm level post harvest losses excluding the losses at farm level storage for Jodhpur district was estimated to be 119013.58q for the year 2009-10

719-78

Authors: ZUBER M. SHAIKH, SOLEIMAN AL-TOWYAN & GAZALA KHAN

International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) is a very important and critical chapter in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation (fifth edition) , whereas these IPSG Standards are also available in the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) Standards for hospitals (second edition) in Quality Management and Patient Safety, Laboratory, Radiology, and Nursing chapters. JCI Accreditation is a USA based international healthcare accrediting organization, whereas CBAHI is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based national accrediting organization. However, both these standards are accredited by Ireland based International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is the only accrediting organization who “accredit the accreditors' in the world. Methods This is a comparison study (normative comparison) in which the researcher has critically analyzed and compared the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) standards of JCI (Joint Commission International) Accreditation of USA (United States of America) and CBAHI (Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data Collection Primary data are collected from the JCI Accreditation Standards for hospitals, fifth edition, 2013 and CBAHI Standards for hospitals of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, second edition, 2011. Secondary data are collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Objectives of the Study The aim of this study is to analyze critically International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards to point out the best in among both these standards. Conclusions This critical analysis of International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards for hospitals clearly shows that the IPSG Standards in JCI Accreditation are very comprehensive than CBAHI Standards.