The Icfai University Press - Publication Division of the Icfai University

September' 08

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Articles

Sustainable Entrepreneurial Support (in Supply Chain) as Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of Large Organizations: A Conceptual Framework --Satyajit Majumdar and Rohit Nishant

Second and third generation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) integrates society and businesses. This paper views CSR from strategic and social perspectives with the help of Indian examples. Supply chain linkage by the firms through CSR initiatives can result into sustainable entrepreneurial support. The study explains two aspects of networking, i.e., sustainable support from business firms to the needy people, and enhancement of firms' supply chain efficiency which in turn benefits the customers and society. A conceptual framework is presented and propositions are made on the benefits of such alliances. Such entrepreneurial support is relevant in a developing country perspective.

Article Price : Rs.50

The Effectiveness of Women Entrepreneurship Training Program: A Case Study --P Nagesh and M S Narasimha Murthy

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of women entrepreneurship training and education program and helps to understand the need for entrepreneurship training. It also helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of such training programs. The comparison of the pre-established goals and the actual attainment helps to identify the improvements needed in training programs. The results of the study indicate that the state and central government training centers and nodal centers, which impart training to the entrepreneurs, are successful in meeting the requirements of only two-thirds of the respondents. The remaining one-third of the respondents felt that there was no effective delivery of contents in the training programs and the same needs to be improved. The study identifies the areas of improvement as practical exposure to the contemporary business, meeting the successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs to understand the causes of success and failures in business. The study concludes that in addition to skill development, the entrepreneurship and management development institutes should necessarily initiate steps to motivate women entrepreneurs and to provide them with practical management inputs.

Article Price : Rs.50

Women's Enterprise Development in Eritrea Through Microfinance --Ravinder Rena

Women play a key role in economic growth and development, yet they are still discriminated against in economic life. Eritrea has extreme poverty and more than 66% of its people live below the poverty line, because of which the number of poor households in the country is high. Many are women-headed households, whose husbands died during the conflicts or who are now serving in the National Service. Women-headed households are particularly vulnerable. The Savings and Micro Credit Program (SMCP) provides major microfinance to women entrepreneurs. A small group of men and women were interviewed to ascertain their successes and problems with microcredit and enterprise development. This paper discovers how the women benefitted from the microfinance program and got rid of their poverty. The study also analyzes various other institutions that provide microfinance to the women and other beneficiaries. The study concludes that the women entrepreneurs are considerably supported and benefitted by the microfinance program.

Article Price : Rs.50

CASE STUDY

Vijay Mallya, The Indian Business Baron: A `Bon Vivant' Entrepreneur? --Lekha K C Ravi

The case study speaks of the Indian business baron Vijay Mallya (Mallya), multibillionaire, Chairman of the Conglomerate United Breweries Holdings (UB), often referred to as the `Branson of Bangalore'. The case study focuses on Mallya's varied interests, his flashy flamboyant style of leadership and his unorthodox style of management. Mallya's entrepreneurial style reveals sharp business acumen. Mallya reigns over a diverse portfolio of businesses—alcoholic beverages, life sciences, aviation, agriculture, chemicals, and information technology. The incredible prices paid for his prime acquisitions are also debated. Do they reflect business insight or impulsiveness? The case study concludes by assessing the long-term vision that drives this maverick entrepreneur and multifaceted personality.