Search

Till now, studies have determined the existence of process innovation using survey data; however, in this paper, we use secondary data to empirically establish its presence in low-tech industries. Our empirical approach consists of data envelopement analysis in the first step followed by regression analysis in the second step. We use a cross-sectional dataset, i.e., Annual Survey of Industries, 2017–2018 for our study. Our results suggest that among Indian low-tech firms, investment in computer equipment and software is the most popular strategy to trigger process innovation followed by investment in plant and machinery. We find that these factors have a greater impact on firms that export products and import inputs, than on firms that export products but do not import inputs. In other words, the export-import orientation of firms induces a differential impact of these factors on process innovation. One policy implication from the study is that government should encourage and incentivize low-tech firms to improve the capabilities of its labour force. This is the first paper in the Indian context that uses secondary data to empirically determine the existence of process innovation in low-tech industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design is the act of transforming an existing situation into a preferred one. Taking this broad definition of design, the paper analyzes the process of grassroots innovations from a design perspective in the three phases of idea generation, experimentation, and implementation. The sample is chosen from award-winning grassroots innovations identified by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF). The different factors involved in each phase of design have been examined. The results indicate that most of the innovations which win awards belong to the mechanical innovations category and have application in the farming or agriculture sector. The innovations are designed using material resources from the surroundings of the innovators while personal savings often make up the necessary finance required to develop the innovation at the idea stage. Next, the different formal institutions involved in the experimentation stage providing technical and financial assistance for further design and development of innovations are also examined, to find that mostly technical institutions are involved in providing validation and modification services to the grassroots innovations. As diffusion of innovation is the preferred condition, the paper finds that most of the award-winning innovations are diffused through a market-based channel in which the innovator owns the manufacturing unit while in some cases the innovations are licenced to another entrepreneur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry in developing nations has not attracted much attention from standard theorists. One of the reasons is that developing countries are considered 'standard takers.' As a result, the limited scholarship on standards in the context of developing countries largely remains occupied with global value chains and standards. Besides, industries in these countries are often marked with various degrees of informality. Due to this, the innate structure and governance of these industries depend a lot on socio-economic relations, over and above the formal legal and regulatory structures. This makes operationalization of standards much more complex than simple adoption of standards in codified and documented form, dominantly considered in mainstream discourse on standards. This paper attempts to answer a few of the limitations highlighted and adds to the scholarship on standards in the context of developing countries by considering the case of Aligarh padlock industry. The paper explores the socio-economic dynamics which govern the emergence, adherence and proliferation of these standards. To this end, the paper considers standards as a form of knowledge that brings order to an industry. Further, adapting upon the literature on global value chain and its role in standard proliferation and informality, the paper explores the role of local value chain in the proliferation of industry-level standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic created one of the biggest disruptions in human life. We were all confined within the walls of our homes or offices with day-to-day life worldwide seriously affected. In this context, access to and efficient use of technology determined the course of daily life for vast sections of the world's population. However, there was (and still is) a severe pre-existing global divide between the Global North and Global South vis-à-vis digital access. This paper attempts to understand this digital divide and how it has widened during the pandemic in the Global North and Global South with reference to India and the United States (US). This is initiated by analyzing certain factors within each country, namely positional and personal categorical inequalities. Through the cases of the US and India, the authors conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the global digital divide between the two worlds, affecting core social sectors like education and health. The larger implication of this is a broadening inequality between the Global North and Global South in leading development indicators like the Human Development Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development lies at the heart of sustainable entrepreneurship. In the context of this view, the current paper explores the linkages among sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Since Gujarat ranks among the five top Indian states in terms of renewable energy (RE) potential, we studied this sector using a case study approach. The study explores factors that affects the shift from conventional to sustainable entrepreneurship. These factors include major opportunities, as well as challenges for RE entrepreneurs. The findings suggest that RE entrepreneurs are driven by a mix of economic, personal commitment for the environment and social concerns. Institutional support in the form of skill development programmes, subsidies and easing entry level barriers to RE serve as opportunities for entrepreneurs. Technological expertise is another enabler for RE entrepreneurship. Major challenges identified in this study include inadequate access to formal and institutional finance, especially for start-ups, bureaucratic obstacles, limited number of government-accredited certification labs, and inconsistency in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines. Knowledge barriers in the form of lack of information regarding usage, maintenance and utility of solar technologies are also challenges for this sector. Technological risks related to the adoption of RE technologies also puts them at a cost disadvantage in comparison to conventional technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an endeavour to document the pattern of comparative advantage and structural changes of Indian exports with Africa with the help of revealed comparative advantage index and the constant market share model for the period 1980–2021. The results indicate that India possesses a comparative advantage in a large number of export products to markets in Africa. However, most of these exports belong to the category of low-tech and resource-based goods. Considering its abundant labour, it is to be expected for India to have a comparative advantage in these low-skilled and labour-intensive traditional exports. The commodities with maximum advantage in the African market are medicinal and pharmaceutical products followed by sugar, sugar preparations, and honey. In the category of technology-intensive products, India has strengthened its market power only in the export of organic chemicals and dyes, and colouring materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different stakeholders worldwide expect scientists to play an active role in public engagement activities. Additionally, numerous studies and policy documents state that scientists should be accountable for fostering increased dialogue between science and society. However, there is still much uncertainty about how scientists think about their roles and responsibilities in communicating science to the public. A cross-sectional web-based survey of senior Indian scientists elicits intriguing insights into their perceptions and attitudes toward their roles and responsibilities in science communication. Based on 259 valid responses, empirical evidence suggests that most scientists believe they have a responsibility to communicate their research to the public and should play an active role in doing so. However, the majority wants science communication specialists or communication departments within research institutions to spearhead such efforts. Compared to previous research, a strong sense of responsibility for science communication is observed among scientists across national boundaries. The study discusses possible implications for current and future policies governing science communication by scientists, particularly for establishing scientists' scientific social responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato production is increasing along with postharvest losses in Nigeria, Rwanda and India. Modified Commodity Systems Assessment Methodology on tomato was conducted in the study areas during the July – August 2017 harvest season to evaluate the costs and benefits of improved postharvest practices or technologies that will reduce losses in the value chain. The use of colour chart as maturity index to harvest tomato fruit at breaker stage for long distant market in Rwanda when adopted showed that tomatoes were better protected from mechanical injury during handling and generated an immediate increased profit of US$170 for each 1000 kg load when compared with handling tomato fruit harvested at full ripe stage. In Nigeria, the use of a Zero Energy Cooling Chamber (ZECC) resulted in reduction of tomato loss to five percent when compared with the current practice of immediate sales of harvested produce with loss of 40%. This simple ZECC technology and use of Reusable Plastic Crates (RPC) reduced loss from 30% to 10% and increased the earnings of the farmer/trader in Rwanda. In comparison, in India the use of maturity indices and RPCs during harvesting and transport of tomato was common, and resulted in lower postharvest losses during marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research work was to analyze the impact of entrepreneurship development programmes (EDPs) offered by Rural Development and Self-Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETIs) on the economic aspects of trainees of these institutes. The researchers collected data from 386 respondents using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview, telephone calling and video calling. These training centres offer four types of EDPs designed to build entrepreneurial competencies. Yamane criteria (1967), multi stage sampling and proportionate sampling method was used to determine sample size. Data was analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis test, and one sample 't' test to assess the impact of EDPs on the economic aspects of trainees. The results indicated that the EDPs have created high impact on the overall economic aspects of trainees. After analyzing the data, the impact created by EDPs on economic aspects are categorized as high impact, moderate impact and low impact. This study suggests training interventions on economic aspects with moderate and low impact in order to make entrepreneurship development programmes more effective. Based on the findings, this research work will be useful to the policy makers of Entrepreneurship Training Institutes (ETIs) to make advances in training content and design. Prospective trainees who would attend training programmes in the future would be beneficiaries of a robust training curriculum. The study will also encourage entrepreneurial intention, as the identification of economic aspects and the knowledge of the level of its impact is likely to contribute the social and economic progress of emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While seventy-one per cent of the earth's surface is covered with water, equitable access to safe and drinking water remains a challenge across countries. Especially developing countries, like India, have been identified as water-stressed. In India, various institutions are participating and joining hands to deliver social and technological solutions to resolve prevalent water-related challenges. This study reviews national policy frameworks and identifies the institutions participating in water-related technology research. Besides government interventions to formulate water-related policies, both private and government institutions are participating in water-related technology research. Along with this, local community initiatives and heterodox modes of innovations have introduced a means to address the issues surrounding water quality and availability. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) are some of the prominent institutions that have been playing a pivotal role in establishing water security through technological and ecological solutions. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and Atal Innovation Mission have documented innovative solutions developed by individual innovators for addressing local water-related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]