http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/ Knowledge@Wharton is an online resource that offers the latest business insights, information, and research from a variety of sources. Content includes analysis of current business trends, interviews with industry leaders and faculty, articles based on the most recent business research, book reviews, conference and seminar reports, and links to other websites. en-us Copyright (c) 2007 The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/globals/images/katw_white.gif http://Knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/ 125 45 Knowledge@Wharton Research Leadership and Change http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4424 Women have always been powerful forces in Indian politics. When it comes to business, however, they have had little opportunity -- often regarded as marriageable assets, useful for tying up business alliances. But forces such as globalization, liberalization and a growing emphasis on education have enabled women to move away from peripheral roles and, in many cases, take over the reins of the company. According to experts, this&nbsp;trend is altering the paradigms for everything from succession planning and inheritance to what constitutes &quot;entry level&quot; work for the offspring of family business heads.&nbsp; Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:06 EST Marketing http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4425 Nearly 40% of India's population lives in darkness after dusk.&nbsp;Until recently, expensive and polluting kerosene provided the majority of lighting in rural homes. Now,&nbsp;the adoption of&nbsp;eco-friendly solar lights&nbsp;among rural&nbsp;consumers has become a big business opportunity for a number of companies. But the learning curve to roll out these and related products has been steep, requiring a mix of price points, marketing, distribution channels and financing. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:06 EST Innovation and Entrepreneurship http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4423 Firstsource Solutions, India's third-largest pure-play business process outsourcing (BPO) company, has always been slightly ahead of the curve by setting up centers abroad and diversifying into sectors such as health care. However, the sailing hasn't been completely smooth the last couple of years, largely because of the global economic slowdown. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, CEO and managing director Ananda Mukerji says that despite the falling margins that come with focusing on the domestic BPO market, Firstsource has positioned itself well overall, and its prospects are good for serving the U.S. health care industry. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:06 EST Managing Technology http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4426 It certainly hasn't started a fire. Before last month's India launch of the Kindle, the e-book reader from Amazon, local media gave it top billing. But any hopes for a big splash quickly diminished, because the price and the services on offer indicated to many that -- like Apple with its ill-fated iPhone launch --&nbsp;Amazon doesn't have a clear strategy for the Indian market. Others suggest that Amazon is merely &quot;testing the waters&quot; without the expectation of widespread initial adoption. Still, limited broadband accessibility and price sensitivities regarding books and subscriptions mean that the Kindle has a long way to go in the Indian market. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:06 EST Innovation and Entrepreneurship http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4420 The turbo-charged proliferation of mobile phones -- including &quot;smartphones&quot; -- means that the demand for sophisticated, efficient mobile software platforms for news and information is growing in leaps and bounds. That's not news to Kunal Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Polar Mobile, a startup that develops proprietary content for mobile devices for a range of customers, from <em>Time</em> magazine to <em>The Hockey News</em>. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Gupta discusses his upbringing in Canada, his early exposure to entrepreneurship and what the future holds for mobile software Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:11:49 EST Business Ethics http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4422 According to Ignatius Chithelen, managing partner of New York City investment firm Banyan Tree Capital Management, recent news of illegal insider trading charges against Raj Rajaratnam of Galleon Group, a US$3.7 billion hedge fund, has inspired a round of gallows humor on Wall Street. But the charges against Rajaratnam and five others also raise fundamental questions about the relationship between character and success, and why investors need to take notice of any potential red flags, Chithelen argues in this opinion piece. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:11:49 EST Law and Public Policy http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4421 In recent years, India has sewn its way toward a more reliable income for nearly 35 million garment industry workers. Agricultural laborers left the fields to work in factories that sprouted up as the economy gained steam. But as demand for exports has dropped amid the global financial crisis, hundreds of thousands of Indian garment workers have found their new line of work is on shaky ground. Sudden job losses highlight an industry where workers have few rights and where the support systems that help laborers in developed markets are lacking, according to experts interviewed by India Knowledge@Wharton. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:11:49 EST Health Economics http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4419 A few years ago, Indian pharmaceutical companies seemed to be on the takeover trail. But if recent headlines are any indication, the same firms are now targets for multinational suitors. According to some industry experts, an increasing number of acquisitions by multinational companies (MNCs) is almost certain once valuations improve -- whether for diversification, exposure to emerging markets or other purposes. Meanwhile, questions concerning the impact of the growing presence of MNCs in the Indian health care market -- particularly on drug affordability -- loom large. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:11:49 EST Strategic Management http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4414 Among the growing group of Indian companies that have made a global impact in recent years is the New Delhi-based Hero Group. Launched in 1984 to make motorcycles in collaboration with Japan's Honda, the US$3.2 billion company has emerged as India's largest two-wheeler maker. By some measures, such as production volume, it is the world's largest two-wheeler company. How can Indian manufacturers leverage their capabilities to grow into successful global players? How has India's economic history affected their strategy? India Knowledge@Wharton discussed these questions and more with Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Corporate Services, the services business arm of the Hero Group. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:49:41 EST Marketing http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4416 Ever since Mercedes-Benz entered India with its line of trucks in 1954, the German auto maker has been expanding operations around the country. India's luxury car market is tiny -- at 0.06% of the total market. China's, in contrast, is much larger. How does Mercedes-Benz plan to leverage its strong brand recognition in India to appeal to the younger generation? India Knowledge@Wharton discussed this question and others with Wilfried Aulbur, chairman and managing director of Mercedes-Benz India, a division of Daimler Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:49:41 EST Operations Management http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4415 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. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:49:41 EST Law and Public Policy http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4418 With the rise of environmentalism and the high cost of gasoline, it would seem that the electric car would take off. Not so fast, says Bangalore-based writer Shoba Narayan in this opinion piece. Although companies like the Reva Electric Car Company are advancing the cause and major auto makers are likely to follow suit, Indian consumers need to be convinced they will achieve substantial savings and that there is enough infrastructure in place to support electric vehicles before they will be willing to open their wallets. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:49:41 EST Strategic Management http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4417 R.C. Bhargava, chairman of India's number-one passenger car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, has just returned from Rohtak, in northern India, where his company is building an R&amp;D showpiece that will soon roll out a small car created on a brand-new platform with a 1.2-liter engine. The new Maruti offering is a sign of the times amid predictions that India will soon become the world's small-car hub. Other major auto manufacturers are joining the charge, hoping to take advantage of low labor and raw material costs as well as recent signs of an economic rebound. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:49:41 EST Innovation and Entrepreneurship http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4411 When Vivek Kulkarni was the IT secretary for the government of Karnataka in southern India, he worked to attract the world's top IT firms to Bangalore. After leaving his post in 2003, he set up Brickwork India, an outsourcing firm that caters to the needs of individuals and small businesses by providing virtual executive assistants for US$8 to US$14 an hour. Brickwork's future, however, lies in combining this business with value-added projects such as a study on the quality of health care in small hospitals, being done in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Advanced Study of India. India Knowledge@Wharton looks at Kulkarni's entrepreneurial journey and the lessons it has taught him. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:03 EST Human Resources http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4412 Job portals, which have largely replaced employment ads in newspapers and magazines, have become an urban phenomenon. They are now going to the grassroots. As new portals come online, how much will they help ease rural unemployment? Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:03 EST Innovation and Entrepreneurship http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4413 Subhash Chandra, the founder and executive chairman of Essel Group, has built up a diverse conglomerate with sales of more than US$2.5 billion and interests in packaging, television broadcasting, direct-to-home (DTH) television, amusement parks, online lotteries and a lot more. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Chandra discussed the launch of his latest venture -- Veria, a health and wellness TV channel, website and chain of retail outlets in North America -- and shared his views on how entrepreneurs recognize opportunities, among other topics. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:03 EST Strategic Management http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4410 Trouble has been brewing for Indian airline carriers for some time, and recently, the horizon looks even darker. Private-sector airline owners have threatened to go on strike, pilots have protested firings by calling in sick, and Air India, the national carrier, is seeking a government bailout of US$1 billion. According to industry experts, moving forward will require a combination of cost controls, lower tariffs on fuel and more rational pricing and flight routes. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:03 EST Human Resources http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4408 Rural recruits account for 70% of the employees at McDonald's restaurants in southern India today. Other big rural recruiters range from international firms such as IBM, Adidas and Vodafone to home-grown ones like telecom giant Bharti Airtel, private-sector bank HDFC, and retailers Pantaloon and Aditya Birla Group. These companies are increasingly relying on rural India to staff their front and back offices in urban and semi-urban towns, but what's unusual about this rural regiment is that they are trained and placed in their jobs by a public-private partnership called the Employment Generation &amp; Marketing Mission (EGMM). Is this a formula for success that others can follow? Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:46:29 EST Operations Management http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4407 If you need to send an overnight package in India, chances are it will take several days to complete its journey. Logistics -- including the transportation of goods, warehousing and value-added services such as packaging -- is still a nascent and fragmented industry in India. But while a lack of adequate infrastructure and complex taxation and regulations have presented major hurdles, new players -- like Air Deccan founder G.R. Gopinath's Deccan 360 -- are entering the fray, hoping to extend same-day delivery beyond the major cities and change the way companies manage their supply chains. Will they manage to do it? Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:46:29 EST Innovation and Entrepreneurship http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4406 It's not too surprising that some businesses are actually thriving during the downturn. A case in point: software and services house TEOCO (The Employee Owned Company), which helps other companies cut costs and streamline processes. Set up 15 years ago in Virginia by a young entrepreneur from India, TEOCO counts all the major U.S. telecom companies as clients and is looking to expand organically and through global acquisitions. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Atul Jain, TEOCO's founder and CEO, discussed his upbringing in Kolkata, his decision to not attend India's prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, and the lessons he has learned about entrepreneurship. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:46:29 EST