Materials Managenent Practices in Major Public Sector Undertakings in India

One of the basic functions of management is to employ capital efficiently so as to provide maximum customer service and earn a profit in the proces1s. It is possible to achieve these objectives in different ways with the given amount of capital, either by maximising the output or by maximising the margin of profit or by a combination of both these methods. This would mean that the management must try to make this capital work as fast as possible, which is often difficult to achieve under the present conditions of the factors of production. It is also not possible to increase extensively the margin of profit due to competition in business and in this process the capital turn over and productivity of capital often becomes totally ineffective. Several modern techniques have been developed and employed by managers to remedy this situation. Among these, materials management has become one of the most effective methods to achieve both the above goals. Materials management enables a manager to improve productivity of capital by reducing material costs, preventing blocking up of large working capital for long periods and improving the capital turn over This study examines the working of materials management departments in public sector undertakings in India and Suggests méthods to improve its efficiency.

Management of Higher Educational Institutions in Kerala

Economists consider education as an investment in man. Education develops human resources necessary for the economic and political growth of any nation. Adam Smith stressed the importance of education and included the acquired and useful activities of all the inhabitants or members of society in his concept of fixed capital.‘ Karl Marx shared with Smith's view when he laid down that the function of education in a socialist society will be to overcome the alienation of the worker from the means of production; while developing the technical skill it will make him a complete man as well as a producer.2 Education is also considered as a powerful instrument for social change. By inculcating moral and spiritual values, it brings changes both in the individual and in the society. It aims at creating a social order founded on the values of freedom, social justice and equal opportunity.3 The objective of this exploratory study is to enquire into the existing system of managing higher educational institutions in Kerala, compare it with the accepted principles of management believed to be applicable to all organisations, and develop a model capable of introducing more effective management practices

Environmentally-Efficient Development Management System for Greater Kochi in Kerala State”

The base concept from which the entire research problem emerged is as follows: Lack of spatial planning and effective development management system lead to urban sprawl with non-optimal density of population to support urban infrastructure on the one side causing a lesser quality of life in urban areas. On the other side it causes loss of productivity of natural ecosystems and agricultural areas due to disturbance to the ecosystems. Planned compact high density development with compatible mixed land use can go a long way in achieving environmental efficiency of development management system.

Exceptions and Limitations to Intellectual Property Rights with Special Reference to Patent and Copyright Law

This thesis entitled Exceptions and limitations to intellectual property rights with special reference to patent and copyright law.The study on the limitations and exceptions to copyright and patent was mainly characterized by its diversity and flexibility. The unique feature of limited monopoly appended to intellectual property was always a matter of wide controversy.The historical analysis substantiated this instrumentalist philosophy of intellectual property.the study from a legal space characterized by diversity and flexibility and end up in that legal space being characterized by homogeneity and standardization. The issue of flexibility and restrictiveness in the context of TRIPS is the next challenging task. Before devising flexibility to TST, the question to be answered is whether such a mechanism is desirable in the context of TRIPS.In conclusion it is submitted to reorient the intellectual property framework in the context of the noble public interest objectives.

Studies on the bacteria associated with Penaeus indicus in a culture system

Ocean persists as a rich and renewable source of cheap protein for the whole world. Among the prawns/shrimps landed from the Indian Ocean and her backwaters, more than 90% are exported to affluent countries. The Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus, constitutes the major portion of the frozen shrimps exported from India every year. The present study is aimed at gathering information on the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) associated with B. indicus, with special reference to eggs, nauplii, zoeae, mysis, and post larvae in hatchery, and juveniles and adults in culture pond. Simultaneously, IHB associated with E. indicus in its natural habitat also is studied for comparison. It is envisaged that this information will be highly useful for modifying the existing hatchery and pond management-practices.

Planning And Operation Problems Of Indian Major Ports With Special Emphasis On Cochin Port

Rapid changes in the technological environment of marine logistics and the increasing integration of waterborne, air and land transport systems have fostered a revolution in the design and operations of transport vehicles, cargo handling technology, and terminal facilities. This in turn has caused major changes in the functions of and uses of ports. From literature, it was found that these changes were very slow in case of Indian ports and the performances of port operations were poor when compared with similar ports in the same region. It was also found that a very few studies were conducted to identify the reasons for slow improvements in the performances of Indian major ports. In this thesis, an attempt is made to find out the operational problems of Indian major ports and to analyze the reasons for it. Some solutions have also been found out using management tools

Professional Associations and Academic Librarianship in Kerala

The library professional in an academic institution has to anticipate the changing expectations of the users, and be flexible in adopting new skills and levels of awareness. Technology has drastically changed the way librarians define themselves and the way they think about their profession and the institutions they serve. In addition to the technical and professional skills, commitment to user centred services and skills for effective oral and written communication; they must have other skills, including business and management, teaching, leadership, etc. Eventually, library and information professionals in academic libraries need to update their knowledge and skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as they play the role of key success factor in enabling the library to perform its role as an information support system for the society.

Recruitment And Training Of Managers In The Public Sector Concerns In Kerala

Public undertakings have been assigned a significant role to play in the systematic socio-economic development of India. My interest in the subject was kindled while I was doing my Masters Diploma in Public Administration at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi during 1960-61. It was further strengthened by my teaching of the subject in different courses offered by me at the School of Management Studies and in several programmes organised by various voluntary and training organisations like the Institute of Management in Government, Trivandrum, Centre for Management Development, Trivandrum, etc. The several years in which I served as a member of the faculty in the School of Management Studies, University of Cochin,gave me the opportunity to come into close contact with different public sector concerns and their managers at various levels. This rich opportunity gave me a better insight into the problems faced by these concerns. The present study is a result of the interest so developed.

Management of Public Road Transport System in Trivandrum City

An efficient passenger road transport system is a boon to any city and an inefficient one its bane. Passenger bus transport operation involves various aspects like passenger convenience, profitability of operation and social, technological and environmental factors. The author’s interest in this area was aroused when he conducted a traffic survey of Trivandrum City in 1979. While some studies on the performance of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation in specific areas like finance, inventory control etc. have already been made, no study has been made from the operational point of view. The study is also the first one of its kind in dealing with the transportation problems for a second order city like Trivandrum. The objective of this research study is to develop a scientific basis for analysing and understanding the various operational aspects of urban bus transport management like assessing travel demand, depot location, fleet allocation, vehicle scheduling, maintenance etc. The operation of public road transportation in Trivandrum City is analysed on the basis of this theoretical background. The studies made have relevance to any medium sized city in India or even abroad. If not properly managed, deterioration of any public utility system is a natural process and it adversely affects the consumers, the economy and the nation. Making any system more efficient requires careful analysis, judicious decision making and proper implementation. It is hoped that this study will throw some light into the various operational aspects of urban passenger road transport management which can be of some help to make it perform more efficiently