Bhaskar B. Gardas

Understanding and predicting the determinants of cloud computing adoption: A two staged hybrid SEM - Neural networks approach

Along with water, gas, electricity, and telephone, cloud computing has been considered as the fifth utility. Like other utility services available in todays social computing services are readily available on demand (Buyya, Yeo, Venugopal, Broberg, & Brandic, 2009). The purpose of the study is to develop a hybrid two-stage, structural equation modeling (SEM) artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict motivators affecting cloud computing adoption services in the Indian private organizations. This research article proposes a new paradigm by extending the Technology Organization Environment Model (TOE) with external factors, namely, perceived IT security risk and risk analysis for the first time in a technology adoption study. One of the core contributions of the study is the introduction of new factors, perceived IT security risk and risk analysis. Data were collected from 660 professional experts and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. The SEM results showed that perceived IT security risk (PITR), risk analysis (RA), technology innovation (TI), management style (MS) and trust (T) have a significant influence on cloud computing adoption. The only exceptions were the usage of technology (UT) and industry usage (IU) which witnessed statistically insignificant influence on cloud computing adoption. Furthermore, the results obtained from SEM were employed as input to the artificial neural network (ANN) model and results showed that trust, perceived IT security risk, and management style as most important predictors in cloud computing adoption. To develop a hybrid two- stage model, SEM ANN model.Proposes a new model by extending the TOE model with external factors.Data were collected from 660 professional experts.Analyzed using SEM and ANN modeling.

A state-of the-art survey of interpretive structural modelling methodologies and applications

In this paper, a comprehensive review is projected to unfold, categorise and interpret the present research on interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach, for this 126 scholarly papers are collected from journals, conference proceedings, PhD thesis out of which 88 papers are found useful and relevant to theme of this paper. All these papers are classified into three categories, non-application areas, application areas and other topics. The scholarly papers are also categorised into four categories such as: 1) year of publication; 2) journal of publication; 3) country in which research work is carried out; 4) the cost and quality criteria. This review paper covers the ISM approach in detail and highlights the areas/sectors to which it is applied successfully. The aim of the present paper is to meet the requirements of academicians and practitioners for references of ISM methodologies and applications, and hence promote the future of ISM research.

Selection and evaluation of third party logistics service provider (3PLSP) by using an interpretive ranking process (IRP)

Purpose The concept of third-party logistics service provider (3PLSP) has been considered as an essential organizational philosophy to achieve profits. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and examine the contextual relationship among the critical success factors (CSF) of 3PLSPs practices in the cement manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the total 20 critical selection criteria with nine processes for the 3PLSPs, of an Indian cement manufacturing industry have been identified through an exhaustive literature review and opinions of the experts i.e. academics and industries. Interpretive ranking process (IRP) methodology has been presented to find out the rankings of the individual criteria and the mutual influence in the selection process. Findings The proposed model establishes the dominance of relationship among identified criteria, which plays a vital role in the 3PLSPs selection process which are experience in similar product, quality of management, information technology capacity, flexibility in operation and delivery, compatibility with the users. Research limitations/implications An empirical research approach has not been used to collect primary data to rank different criteria for effective 3PLSPs implementation in the Industry. In this paper, an example of Indian cement industry is presented to show the real world applicability of the proposed model. Originality/value This model would help a decision maker to decide the issues related to a selection of 3PLSPs. The third party service provider comprises the use of external companies who controls and delivers logistic activities. The paper discusses very practical issues in an analytical manner, using the case base method.

An ISM approach for the barrier analysis in implementing sustainable practices: The Indian oil and gas sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and model critical barriers to sustainable practices implementation in Indian oil and gas sectors by the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, through exhaustive literature survey and experts opinions, 14 critical barriers were identified, and the ISM tool, which is a multi-criteria decision-making approach, was used to establish interrelationship among the identified barriers and to determine the key barriers having high driving power. Findings After analyzing, it was found that six barriers, namely, market competition and uncertainty (B7), shortage of resources (B8), governmental rules and regulations (B1), knowledge and training (B2), financial implications (B3), and management commitment and leadership (B5) were found to have high influencing power. These barriers need the maximum attention and organizations need to overcome these hindrances for the effective implementation of sustainable practices. From the driving and dependence power diagram, two barriers, namely, management commitment and leadership (B5) and knowledge and training (B2) were found to have the highest driving power and two barriers, namely, lack of green initiatives (B9) and lack of corporate social responsibility (B14) were found to have highest dependence power. Research limitations/implications The presently developed model is based on the experts’ opinions, which may be biased, influencing the final output of the structural model. The research implications of the developed model are to help managers of the organization in understanding significance of the barriers, to prioritize or eliminate the same for the practical implementation of sustainability. Originality/value This is for the first time an attempt has been made to apply the ISM methodology to explore the interdependencies among the critical barriers for Indian oil and gas industries. This paper will guide the managers at various levels of an organization for effective implementation of the sustainable practices.

Modeling the drivers of post-harvest losses – MCDM approach

Abstract Post-harvest losses (PHL) in India are significant and cause massive economic deficit. The reduction of PHL can help achieve sustainability in balancing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The objective of this research article is to identify the crucial causal factors of PHL in the fruits and vegetables (F&V) supply chain in the Indian context. From the exhaustive literature review and expert opinions, sixteen causal factors were identified, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to ascertain the relative importance of these factors on a comparative basis. The developed model highlighted the most critical factors that should be prioritized for progressive PHL reduction. The top three significant causal factors are lack of linkages between institution, industry, and Government (F8) with an intensity of 0.164313, climate and weather conditions (F15) with a magnitude of 0.103817, and lack of linkages in the marketing channel, from farm gate to the market because of small land sizing farmers (F9) with a value of 0.101895. In future studies, for improving the accuracy and reliability of the developed model, other Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tools may be employed along with the AHP. Also, for validation purpose, the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology, which is a statistical approach, may be applied. The proposed model is intended to guide various supply chain members and decision-makers for reducing PHL and improving the performance of the F&V supply chain.

Measuring the performance efficiency of banks in a developing economy: The case study of Indian public sector vs private sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure and evaluate the performance efficiency of 44 Indian commercial banks, out of which 26 banks belong to the public sector, and 18 banks are from the private sector for the period of 2008-2013. Design/methodology/approach The two-stage network data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach (i.e. variable return to scale and constant return to scale) is used for the measurement of performance in the Indian banking sector. To verify the robustness of the proposed study, sensitivity analysis is also performed. Findings A comparative study between public sector banks (PSBs) and private sector banks (PVBs) showed that latter being more productive compared to the former. The investigation highlighted that two banks are most efficient among the PSBs, and eight banks from PVBs are found to be most effective. On the other side, the performance of State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur and Lakshmi Vilas Bank is discovered to be less significant from PSB and PVB category, respectively. Research limitations/implications This study will guide the Indian banks to improve upon the factors in which they are lagging, for the improvement of their overall performance. The quality category parameters, i.e. quality of service, quality of equipment, are not considered due to unavailability of information in the output measures, and the methodology used for the study does not identify the causes or remedies for the inefficiency of the banks. Originality/value The developed DEA model would help the decision maker to take decisions on the issues related to the performance of the banks. This paper discusses very practical issues in an analytic manner.