Articles 1 to 5 of 35
No Time to Browse? A Library Comes to Your Doorstep
Bookshops and libraries all over the world face declining patronage. In Mumbai, the British Council Library has seen its membership fall significantly, largely because people don't have time to travel from one end of the city to the other to borrow a few books. Setting up branches is not an option, given the high cost of real estate. In an innovative solution, the library has initiated a courier service to deliver books to readers. Based on its success, and despite some operational hurdles, it is now considering expanding the system to other cities.
Will India Match China's Manufacturing Might?
For the past two decades, China has been considered the factory to the world while India has been looked upon as the back office. One excelled in manufacturing and the other in software and services. Today, India's exports are going places -- the country is among the world's top 10 manufacturers and is growing at a brisk rate of around 10% annually. Moreover, India's rise in the manufacturing arena has come at a time when China is facing threats to its status as a low-cost manufacturing hub, experts say.
After the Rebound: How Can Indian BPO Differentiate Itself?
A strong domestic market and increased pressure on clients to cut costs have helped India's business process outsourcing (BPO) industry to rebound from the global downturn. But Indian BPO needs new models and higher-value-added services to stay competitive, according to a recent Wharton India Economic Forum panel.
Filmmaker Rakeysh Mehra: 'Raising the Bar Is Where the Challenge Lies'
Indian filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra sees his industry undergoing major changes, such as institutions replacing private financing, increased use of digital technology, a breakdown of the star system and its inefficiencies, and the emergence of a more professional playing field. Mehra is best known as the writer, producer and director of the 2006 blockbuster, Rang De Basanti. At the recent Wharton India Economic Forum in Philadelphia, Wharton professor Kartik Hosanagar spoke with Mehra about changes in the film industry, including the controversy over intellectual property rights and royalties.
As the Auto Industry Shifts Gears, KPIT Cummins Finds Room for Growth
Global auto markets are shifting gears towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Vehicles are also becoming smarter, with increasing use of electronic systems. Trends such as these are driving rapid growth for KPIT Cummins, which develops embedded software for automobile manufacturers and provides IT services aimed at streamlining operations. Headquartered in Pune, some 100 miles from Mumbai, the company had US$174 million in revenues in 2009. Ravi Pandit, chairman and group CEO, and Kishor Patil, CEO and managing director, spoke with India Knowledge@Wharton about the changing auto landscape and the opportunities, risks and challenges it presents.
