Airosonic Travels Private Limited: staying competitive through IT development

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Rahul Thakurta ◽  
Umesh Hodeghatta Rao
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
It Project ◽  
Project Risks ◽  
Reservation System ◽  
Decision Alternatives

Subject area Information technology (IT) project risks. Study level/applicability This case is suitable for the students who are enrolled in masters or executive programmes in management. Considering the masters programme in management, the case can be introduced in the MIS course in sessions related to IT project risks. The case will also be appropriate for discussion in elective courses, such as IT project management. Here the case can be introduced in discussions related to understanding IT project outsourcing risks. The case will also fit well with the audience of the executive programme in sessions on IT project risks. The assignment questions provided below are designed from the perspective of teaching this case to a business student audience. The case could certainly be adjusted to fit the needs of students in more technical disciplines. Case overview This case presents an organization (Airosonic Travels Private Limited) which was set up in 1988. The organization provided travel-related services (i.e. ticketing, hotels bookings, car rentals and cruises to exotic destinations) to meet the requirements of corporate users such as organization employees, vendors, dealers and customers. The packages were provided though the portal www.corporatetravels.in/. With cut-throat completion from other vendors, the organization acquired the globally preferred airline reservation system Galileo to gain market share in the computer reservation system market. This acquisition, however, led to a series of deliberations on how the new system could be put to use and integrated with the portal so that it helped Airosonic to achieve efficiency in its day-to-day processes. The integration was necessary, as this would entirely eliminate third-party requirements (such as travel agents) and also make travel planning easy, cost-effective and hassle-free. The different alternatives available to the governing body were to develop and manage the entire thing in-house, outsource the development to a third part, or delegate the entire responsibility to the third party. The analysis of the case takes into account the different risks that are associated with each of these decision alternatives and the possible ways forward for the Airosonic management. Expected learning outcomes The objective of this teaching case is as follows: to understand the different risk elements that influence development of a software initiative, to differentiate between different categories of risks including project development risks and project management risks, to appreciate the differences in the types of risks that influence different project execution scenarios such as in-house development and outsourcing and to understand how an organization can address and manage the risks facing a software initiative. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

Flight MH370: How can Malaysia deal with it?

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yan Guo ◽  
Shu Deng ◽  
Xuan Gong
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entire Process ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Malaysian Government ◽  
Assessment And Diagnosis

Subject area Crisis management. Study level/applicability Graduate and MBA. Case overview This case analyzes the event of disappearing flight MH370 belonging to Malaysia Airlines which attracted worldwide attention from a third-party perspective. This case describes clearly the entire process of the crisis, mainly focusing on the decisions made and action taken by the Malaysian Government, and then illustrates the assessment and diagnosis of the crisis. Expected learning outcomes This case not only provides a sample for the teaching of strategic and crisis management but also supplies effective guidance for the measures a nation can take regarding a huge crisis. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

Genomic deletions in Rhodococcus based on transformation of linear heterologous DNA

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Singhi ◽  
Shabnam Parwin ◽  
Preeti Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Method ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cell Disruption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Report ◽  
Genomic Deletions ◽  
Linear Dna ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Successful Expression

Several genome engineering methods have been developed for Rhodococcus . However, they suffer from limitations such as extensive cloning, multiple steps, successful expression of heterologous genes via plasmid etc. Here, we report a rapid method for performing genomic deletions/disruptions in Rhodococcus spp. using heterologous linear DNA. The method is cost effective and less labour intensive. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by successful disruption of rodA and orphan parA. None of the disrupted genes were found to be essential for the viability of the cell. Disruption of orphan parA and rodA resulted in elongated cells and short rods, respectively. This is the first report demonstrating disruption of rodA and orphan parA genes by electroporation of heterologous linear DNA in Rhodococcus spp.

IT project risk assessment of learning organizations by fuzzy set and systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Taylan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Fuzzy Sets ◽  
Learning Organizations ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Project ◽  
Project Risks

Purpose – IT projects carry high risk of failure due to the existence of great obstacles during the planning, application and development phase. The projects' risks are multi-dimensional, and they must be assessed by multi-attribute decision-making methods. The purpose of this article is to provide analytic tools to evaluate the learning organization's IT project risks under incomplete and vague information. It was also aimed to place the risk in a proper category and predict the level of it in advance to develop strategies to counteract the high-risk factors. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, three mutual approaches were used to analyze the organizations IT applications. These are enterprise analysis for determination of information requirements of organization, payback method for IT project financial analysis and risk assessment using fuzzy sets and systems. The developed fuzzy model is an expert system which can predict the category of risk for IT projects in learning organizations. Findings – This study revealed that the greatest obstacles to IT project success were the lack of organizational learning, resistance to change, etc. User involvement limitation was found to be also one of the common reasons of IT project failure. The information sharing policy was determined to increase productivity of employees in offices and to decide the creators and the users of knowledge. Learning is a continuous process for organizational transformation. Individual and organizational learning were searched to minimize the level of risks factors and learning culture. IT project risks were categorized properly using fuzzy sets and systems to reduce or even eliminate high risks. Originality/value – The paper is original and gives the first such work for industry.

PKC Laundries: a start-up business at the crossroads

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Ammani Pagadala ◽  
Rajiv Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Vendor Management ◽  
Management Issues

Subject area Strategy Study level/applicability Strategic Management course in an undergraduate programme. Case overview PKC Laundries started a technology-driven laundry service that would be just a click away for their customers and would provide a quick and satisfying cost-effective solution to the customers’ laundry needs. The business, conceived as a start-up, was based on the asset-light aggregation model which used existing vendors to provide the service. The business has been running for almost two years now but has encountered certain operational challenges of vendor management and in generating sufficient operating profits. At this juncture, the question that is bothering the owners is would it be right if PKC went in for backward integration by investing in an automatic laundry plant to manage the risk of dependency on their vendors or should they strengthen and scale-up the present business model? The owners seem to be in a muddle about their strengths and weaknesses and the foreseeable opportunities and threats and going forward what sort of challenges should they prepare themselves for? This case requires the reader to understand the scenario in which a small and medium enterprise (SME) operates within its micro and macro environment. It then makes the reader think and critically analyse the dilemma the young entrepreneurs are facing and identify the problems and possible strategies to overcome these problems. The case highlights the challenges faced by PKC as an aggregator business and the scope of what PKC can do in the future to strengthen its position. It also explores various marketing management issues such as segmenting, targeting and positioning. The case also helps in understanding strategic management issues such as analysis and formulation and implementation of the strategy. Expected learning outcomes The expected learning outcomes are as follows: To understand the micro and macro environmental factors affecting a firm; to understand the issues involved in formulating and implementing a strategy; to understand the challenges faced by a start-up (both operational and for scaling up); and to understand the strategies adopted by the company to develop their business. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Reviving the brassware industry in Moradabad, India

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Hari Narain Singh ◽  
D.K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Multiple Challenges

Subject area This paper aims to understand the subject of entrepreneurship and project management through techno-economic intervention. Study level/applicability Postgraduate students of management and graduate students of engineering and management. Case overview Multiple challenges existed at the ground level in the Moradabad Brass Cluster in terms of gaps in technology, skill, infrastructure and market that all needed to be improved upon. Expected learning outcomes The objectives and learning outcomes were proposed to understand the cluster economic crisis, entrepreneurship, project management, technical improvements and better understanding of certain theories. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

State of third party logistics providers in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1322-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Wee Kwan Tan ◽  
Zhao Yifei ◽  
Dali Zhang ◽  
Olli-Pekka Hilmola
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Trends

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify global trends in the third-party logistics (3PL) industry, and with that to find out where the opportunities and challenges lie, what the critical success factors are, and how companies can position themselves well in China. As there is currently very limited knowledge about the 3PL industry in China, this study also intends to shed light in this area. Design/methodology/approach – The study is conducted through focus group interviews with senior executives of leading 3PL companies in China followed by a survey with 70 logistics companies. Findings – The key strengths of the logistics industry in China include numerous factors such as good connectivity and new infrastructure, while its main weaknesses are a shortage of qualified staff and slow adoption of technologies. There are a number of concerns and issues raised, such as lack of qualified staff, oversupply of warehousing space in China, competition from the influx of foreign 3PL companies to China, and regulations on free trade zones, seaports and airports, all of which may have policy implications. Research limitations/implications – As most of the logistics companies in the study are located and dominating in the Eastern and Southern China, it may be useful to conduct similar study in the new emerging western and central regions of China for comparison. Practical implications – Managers and investors will appreciate the challenges and opportunities in logistics services in China and have a better insight into Chinese logistics development. Originality/value – While China has been viewed as a cost effective place for manufacturing, the logistical costs in China are still very high as compared to other developed countries. This research will highlight the key reasons for the high logistical cost in China.

scholarly journals Controller involvement in a project management setting: effects on project functions and performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Malagueño ◽  
Jacobo Gomez-Conde ◽  
Yannick de Harlez ◽  
Olaf Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Governance ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Project Risks ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Country Specific

PurposeThe authors examine the extent to which a controller's involvement in project functions (namely definition and scope, organization, constraints management and risk management) cascades down to project performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test the study’s framework using survey data from a sample of project leaders in German and Swiss firms. Responses were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.FindingsThe authors find that controllers contribute to project success via the previously described project functions. Further, the study reveals the crucial role of controllers in managing uncertainty and project risks.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the arguments used in this research were not country specific and suggest that the findings of this study also apply to the controller professional in general, this study clearly acknowledges that further research is needed to address the effects of this role in different jurisdictions given the specific characteristics of controllers acting in German-speaking countries.Practical implicationsThe authors provide insights on the role of controllers at an operational level, like project management, highlighting the need for controllers to support an effective project governance.Originality/valueThe authors add to the literature by examining the role of controllers in highly knowledge-intensive, highly pressured, task-driven, interdependent and dynamic operational settings, thus contributing to a better understanding of how controllers function at an operational level. The authors also strengthen a broader role of controllers in project management that goes beyond their historical controlling activities to include more modern functions, extending previous studies analyzing their professional identity.

Lammtara Pictures: creating a cultural entertainment organization – the way forwards

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Master's Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Way

Subject area Entrepreneurship and strategy. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and graduates. Case overview This is a case that can be used to teach advanced undergraduate classes or lower-level master's level classes in the areas of strategy, leadership and entrepreneurship. The case will appeal to SMEs, policymakers in the area of entrepreneurship funding, incubators and other funding firms associated with entrepreneurs. Expected learning outcomes As the case is specific to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – it can be used to study UAE or the Middle East North Africa region. Ideally, students should be encouraged to read up on the region/country prior to studies. They should also understand the need and state of entrepreneurship in the region. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

The transformation process of AGD, Argentina

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andres Hatum
Keyword(s):  
Organisational Change ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Mba Programs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Processing ◽  
Transformational Process ◽  
Oil Export ◽  
The Right

Subject area Strategic and organisational change, adaptation responses under competitive pressure and uncertainty and transformational process. Study level/applicability For Executive MBAs or MBA programs. Case overview Founded in 1948 by Adrian Urquía, Aceitera General Deheza (AGD) transformed itself from a small oil-processing factory into the biggest indigenous firm in the industry. Nowadays AGD is a leading edible oil export company and also one of the frontrunners on the retail market for bottled oil with several successful brands. It ranked 40th among the 1,000 top companies in terms of turnover in Argentina in 1999 (Revista Mercado, 1999), and it is considered the fifth most important exporter in the country (Revista Mercado, 1999).After the changes the country went through in the 1990s, the company was able to adapt and thrive in an industry in which most indigenous businesses did not manage to survive. Nevertheless, the roots of AGD's success do not date from the 1990s but long before, in their thinking ahead about ways of improving technology, scale and cost-effective measures – a trio of decisions that would prove to be the right combination for survival and success. Expected learning outcomes An understanding of the process of business transformation: type and pace of change. The study of the transformation process of a firm will be complemented conceptually with the understanding of the adaptation process under the Argentinean context characterised by uncertainty. Students will also examine organisational flexibility. Defining organisational flexibility, the determinants of whether a firm is flexible or not and why we can consider AGD as a flexible firm. Supplementary materials Teaching note.

The D-NET software toolkit

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Manghi ◽  
Michele Artini ◽  
Claudio Atzori ◽  
Alessia Bardi ◽  
Andrea Mannocci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heterogeneous Data ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Data Models ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Software Toolkit ◽  
Diverse Application

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the architectural principles and the services of the D-NET software toolkit. D-NET is a framework where designers and developers find the tools for constructing and operating aggregative infrastructures (systems for aggregating data sources with heterogeneous data models and technologies) in a cost-effective way. Designers and developers can select from a variety of D-NET data management services, can configure them to handle data according to given data models, and can construct autonomic workflows to obtain personalized aggregative infrastructures. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a definition of aggregative infrastructures, sketching architecture, and components, as inspired by real-case examples. It then describes the limits of current solutions, which find their lacks in the realization and maintenance costs of such complex software. Finally, it proposes D-NET as an optimal solution for designers and developers willing to realize aggregative infrastructures. The D-NET architecture and services are presented, drawing a parallel with the ones of aggregative infrastructures. Finally, real-cases of D-NET are presented, to show-case the statement above. Findings – The D-NET software toolkit is a general-purpose service-oriented framework where designers can construct customized, robust, scalable, autonomic aggregative infrastructures in a cost-effective way. D-NET is today adopted by several EC projects, national consortia and communities to create customized infrastructures under diverse application domains, and other organizations are enquiring for or are experimenting its adoption. Its customizability and extendibility make D-NET a suitable candidate for creating aggregative infrastructures mediating between different scientific domains and therefore supporting multi-disciplinary research. Originality/value – D-NET is the first general-purpose framework of this kind. Other solutions are available in the literature but focus on specific use-cases and therefore suffer from the limited re-use in different contexts. Due to its maturity, D-NET can also be used by third-party organizations, not necessarily involved in the software design and maintenance.

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