Raghuvar D. Pathak

E-governance for improved public sector service delivery in India, Ethiopia and Fiji

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of corruption in India, Fiji and Ethiopia and survey citizen perception of how e‐governance could fight corruption. The main objective is to investigate and explore the potential of e‐governance applications in three countries representing three different regions of Asia, Africa, and Oceania.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted over 918 citizens in India, Ethiopia and Fiji using convenience random sampling. A structured questionnaire was used. The main emphasis of the survey was on citizen perception about corruption and poor service. It further asked respondents on how e‐governance can cut corruption.Findings – Benefits of e‐governance in developing countries are the same as those in developed countries but there are many potential benefits that remain unreaped by developing countries as a consequence of their unlimited use of e‐governance. Based on these assertions, the researchers tried to evaluate and assess the potential of ...

Issues faced by SMEs in the internationalization process: results from Fiji and Samoa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the issues, challenges, and impediments coming in the way of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) internationalization in small developing nations of South Pacific like Fiji and Samoa.Design/methodology/approach – The paper encompasses both quantitative and qualitative data. Analyses of antecedents are descriptive in nature, while establishing the relationship between intervening variables and outcomes are quantitative. For quantitative data, structured questionnaires are used, while for the collection of qualitative data, archival and library research methods are employed. Structured questionnaire is used to collect data from 118 and 78 sampled respondents in Fiji and Samoa, respectively, and statistical analysis is performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences package.Findings – These research findings pinpoint that the problem lies in evaluating the nature of issues affecting internationalization of SMEs. The results also show tha...

A Technology Management Perspective On Collaborations in the Indian Automobile Industry: A Case Study

A study was conducted to analyze technology management practices of firms in the automobile industry in India. The case studies of three firms which collaborated in post Indian independence (i.e. after 1947) period and after the economic reforms began (i.e. after 1985) have been presented. The cases were prepared using interviewing and observation techniques. Profitability, liquidity, and turnover ratio analyses have been carried out to assess the firms’ financial health. Input from the questionnaire survey has been presented to compare the perception of the firm’s performance compared to industry on select variables. The situation–actor–process–learning–action–performance (SAP-LAP) paradigm was used to analyze the cases. Learning issues have been synthesized.

E-governance to cut corruption in public service delivery: a case study of Fiji

Abstract Experience in a number of developed and developing countries has shown that E-Governance initiatives can promote greater transparency with the goal of cutting corruption. This article examines perceptions of public service delivery in Fiji to explore the potential of E-Governance to cut corruption and improve governance. Based on a survey of community perceptions and a review of selected literature it suggests that service-delivery oriented IT initiatives can contribute to an effective, multi-pronged strategy to cut corruption in the Fiji public sector.

Managing People and Technology for Enhancing Competitiveness: Software Industry Perspective

Abstract Technology underpins business. This is evident in service sectors like the software industry, which is global in nature. The management of technology is well known in the software industry, where software professionals are the key enabler and knowledge carriers. The performance of the firm depends on the effective management of the technology by its workforce. Indian software industry is well known for its skilled software professionals and their technological knowledge to handle the domestic market and global projects as well. However, the global market share of Indian software industry is less than two percent. With such a dismal market share, can the Indian software industry call itself a global player? In view of this, there is a need to re-look into the strategies for sustainable and healthy industry. This paper discusses two key issues, people and technology, for enhancing the competitiveness of the software industry of India. The article also presents two case studies dealing with the issues related to the people and technology and examines how software firms explore the technology advantages in software development Operations.

Grass-root creativity, innovation, entrepreneurialism and poverty reduction

This paper advocates improvement of problem solving skills rather than focusing on free or non free markets for reducing poverty. The paper challenges the commonly held assumption that the entrepreneur also needs to be always the innovator and the investor. Based on a multicountry study, a suggestion is made for the need for a culture specific and customised entrepreneurship education for reducing poverty.

Public Enterprise Reform in Fiji Islands

Reforming the public sector has been on the agenda of nations throughout the world since the late 1970s. Fiji is no exception. It has embarked on reforming its commercial and industrial enterprises since the late 1980s. The government of Fiji has reformed most of its enterprises with an avowed objective of enhancing profitability, productivity, efficiency and accountability. This paper makes an attempt to share some of the experiences of public enterprise reform process in Fiji. It aims to analyze the background, process, contents and impact of the reform and examine the factors impeding the reform program. It highlights that (a) both internal and external factors were responsible for introducing reforms; (b) the reform efforts have not been able to produce desired results; (c) the structural inadequacies in institutions and organizations have created bottlenecks in the reform process; and (d) uncertainty in the political sphere has contributed further to policy shifts.

The Key Factors Contributing to Successful Performance of Cooperatives in Fiji for Building a Harmonious Society

Abstract Cooperatives have been promoted in many developing countries including Fiji to build harmonious societies addressing issues such as unemployment and housing shortages and as a means of creating income generating activities. It is designed to be an easy method of development in these countries. However, in majority of cases these efforts resulted in failure. This study demonstrates that one of the main reasons for failure was inadequate planning. The ideas were thrust upon the people without first preparing them fully about the ideas, concepts and principles of cooperatives. This study attempts to analyze the key factors that seemed to contribute toward successful running of cooperatives. The views and opinions of cooperators helped to develop useful prescriptions. The issues identified may be relevant to those starting or managing cooperatives in Fiji and elsewhere. It was found that in some cases, for example the Fiji Nursing & Associates and Fiji Police Credit Unions, the cooperatives were successful because they followed the credit union philosophies and procedures meticulously. The credit union increased awareness of members by visiting branch offices, conducting meetings, discussions, and keeping in touch through newsletters.

Critical evaluation of project-based performance management: Change intervention integration

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate project-based management in the context of interventions to initiate improved organisation performance. Design/methodology/approach - The work draws on literature from project management, change management (CM) and performance management. Findings - Results identify the interrelated aspects of project management, CM, and performance management. Conclusions indicate that improved organizational performance and increased productivity would be achieved by adopting an integrative approach to project-based interventions. Research limitations/implications - Further research into specific integrated techniques and tools for delivering change would be valuable with particular focus on technical contributions to CM. Moreover, the PM field could gain from utilising CM processes in implementation of projects. Practical implications - Whilst a number of theories of CM are widely accepted, literature suggests they are falling short of their endeavours as a result of the theories lacking a useful framework to successfully plan, implement and manage change. Social implications - The rapidly changing business environment has required organisations to seek out effective processes, tools and techniques to implement successful change. Whilst there is a significant body of literature surrounding CM, the high failure rate of change interventions suggests improvements could be made to its management, monitoring and control. The analytical focus of this research was in how the common and most utilised CM models could be improved with PM processes, in order to appropriately deliver successful change. Originality/value - This article critically argues the value of project-based management in the CM process, with particular focus on the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBoK). As such, change interventions to bring about improved organizational performance can be considered a project; as such, a new approach to project-based change interventions is proposed.

Citizens' perceptions of corruption and e-governance in Jordan, Ethiopia and Fiji - the need for a marketing approach

The purpose of this research is to assess citizen’s perceptions of corruption and e-governance in Jordan, Ethiopia and Fiji. The research is based on surveys using structured questionnaires and focus group interviews. Conclusions are derived from a mix of descriptive and inferential analysis. The survey covers a total of 1212 respondents using stratified sampling. Findings reveal that public-sector corruption and demands for bribes are increasing in each country. Only a few people are aware of e-governance and feel that it can help in curbing corruption. The study proposes that to mitigate negative forces in the implementation of e-governance such as corruption, digital divide and urban bias, developing countries need to apply a marketing approach to e-governance services.