Bounding Uncertainty:The Uses of Analogical Abduction in Entrepreneurship

Conceptualizing entrepreneurship as problem-solving has shed light on how problems are solved through entrepreneurial ventures. This approach presupposes that problems objectively exist, an assumption that is valid for the world of Knightian risk, in which categorization is possible. In the current study, we adopt the ontological stance of Knightian uncertainty, in which a priori categories cannot be assumed, and therefore problems do not objectively exist. We posit that in the world of Knightian uncertainty entrepreneurs who perceive certain situations as unsatisfactory but remediable engage in problematization which yields problem statements. These problem statements are operationalized to form the basis of entrepreneurial action aimed at remedying dissatisfaction. We submit that to problematize, entrepreneurs engage in analogical abduction, which allows them to develop problem statements by treating target domains replete with Knightian uncertainty as if they were similar to familiar source domains. Such conjectures are selected based on the likeness of relevant attributes between the source and target domains, aid entrepreneurs in bounding uncertainty, and guide entrepreneurial action. Entrepreneurs adopt positive feedback of entrepreneurial action as a rule to guide future action under similar circumstances, while negative feedback leads them to recalibrate problem statements and modify further action. We illustrate this process using the empirical vignette of Starbucks

Problem formulation for theorizing at the frontier:An Oliver Williamson inspired approach

Ostensibly, the evolving science of strategic management is geared towards addressing vexing managerial problems. In practice, however, scholars in the field have a marked tendency to formulate problems to fit existing theoretical and methodological frameworks, even at the expense of committing type III errors. While the tendency to do so is often attributed to institutional pressures and the like, we submit that an equally or more compelling reason is the absence of guidance on how to engage in problem-driven inquiry and formulate problems to explore theoretical frontiers. In the strategic management field’s problem-solving spirit, we provide an approach for problem formulation and theorizing inspired by Oliver Williamson and two of his accomplished advisees. We abduce five principles and six dialectic conversations. We synthesize these principles and dialectics into five protocols to enable canonical problem formulation directed at exploring theoretical frontiers, that is, a “white space.” Using a recently rejected manuscript, we show how our Williamson inspired approach can be useful in formulating problems that are both managerially relevant and theoretically fruitful

The COWIN portal – current update, personal experience and future possibilities

India began one of the biggest COVID-19 vaccination drives on 16 January 2021, marking the beginning of the mammoth effort to vaccinate more than 1.3 billion people. The vaccination programme to protect people has started globally to combat the pandemic, which has killed more than 3.1 million people globally and infected 149 million people as of 29 April (1). India started its vaccine drive with two vaccines- Covishield by the Serum Institute of India and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech. Around 12,000 private hospitals, empanelled under PM-JAY (National Health Insurance), and hospitals under the CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) are the vaccination sites. The monitoring of inoculation drive and to track the listed beneficiaries on a real-time basis, Co-WIN application has been developed for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the whole drive in India. This software was developed by Union Health Ministry, and their experience with electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) software has ensured the versatility and utility of this dedicated Co-WIN software(2

Burden of overweight and obesity among children studying in schools of Western Rajasthan

Background: Obesity in children has become a public health concern worldwide with a significant rise in recent years. Aim & Objective: This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of overweight and obesity in adolescents studying in school and to determine the risk factors for obesity as well as overweight in this population. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional research was carried out among adolescent children of age group 12-15 years from Jodhpur's rural and urban schools. Methods and Material: The present study included 1864 school children. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and the researchers measured weight and height with the help of calibrated tools. Index for Body Mass (BMI) and Z-scores were calculated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized gender-specific growth chart was used to classify children as being overweight and obese. Statistical analysis used: The statistical evaluation was conducted utilising SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square analyses were applied to analyse the relationship of independent variables with overweight/obesity status. Variables showing statistical significance at a 5% level were further analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: It was discovered that the rate of overweight and obesity among Jodhpur schoolchildren was 23.2%, with 22.9% classified as overweight and 0.3% as obese. The analysis revealed that children attending urban and public schools exhibited higher rates of obesity and overweight compared to those in rural and private schools. Conclusions: The study highlights a considerable burden of overweight among children enrolled in schools of Jodhpur, warranting the implementation of sustainable intervention aimed at encouraging physical exercise and a balanced diet

The burden of depression and malnutrition in the elderly population of Western Rajasthan

With changing demography, developing countries will be outnumbered by the elderly and their associated chronic diseases. The geriatric population is at increased risk of malnutrition with multiple factors, especially depression. This study explored potential linkages between malnutrition and depression in the geriatric population. A cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary healthcare facilities at Western Rajasthan, India from April to June 2018. After consent from 310 elderly patients attending out patient department, a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Assessment of malnutrition status using mini nutritional assessment (MNA), depression using geriatric depression scale (GDS), physical frailty using activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was done. Chi-square, Fischer test, and unpaired t-test were employed for inferential statistics. Multiple logistic regression was used to compute the adjusted odds ratio. Out of 310 elderlies, 192 (61.9%) participants were categorized as having poor nutrition and 99 (31.9%) were likely to suffer from depression. The elderly at risk of malnutrition among depressed was 75.8% (n=99) with a preponderance for females, and minor disabilities. Multivariate analysis suggested higher odds of malnutrition in the elderly with lower socioeconomic status and rural residence. Depression and malnutrition are linked in a destructive cycle but the causality remains elusive

Emerging and re-emerging viral infections in India

The number of outbreaks have  progressively increased since many years in India. In this era of globalization and rapid international travel, any infectious disease in one country can become a potential threat to the entire globe. Outbreaks of Nipah, Zika, Crimean- Congo Haemorrhagic Fever and Kyasanur Forest Disease and have been reported since a decade and now we are facing COVID 19 pandemic. One of the challenges in the prevention of these outbreaks is that as the cases decrease, the felt need declines, the public demand decreases and the mitigation responses get overshadowed by the need of emergency responses elsewhere. The One Health approach is a movement to promote alliance between medicine field, veterinary medicine and environmental sciences to upgrade the health of humans, animals, and ecosystem. The data in this article is compiled from different websites and publications of World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), grey literature and media. There is an urgent need for better surveillance and disease burden assessments in the country and to gain detailed insights into vector biology, factors of environment influencing the diseases, mapping of endemic areas, strengthen intersectoral coordination, infection control practices, and ensure use of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE) and availability of drugs and vaccines to handle the outbreaks in a better way

Death, Disability, and Premature Life Years Lost Due to Cigarettes, Bidis, and Smokeless Tobacco in India: A Comparative Assessment

Background: Due to the staggering number of tobacco users in India, it is important to determine the exact mortality and morbidity rates due to tobacco use. This study aimed to estimate deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLLs) attributable to cigarettes, bidis, and smokeless tobacco (SLT) in India. Methods: Data pooling and meta-analysis were done using case-control studies available on the three types of tobacco products. Health burden was estimated by applying the population attributable fraction (PAF) value to the total disease burden. Findings: A total of 33 studies were included. PAF was calculated for oral and lung cancer as well as ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to cigarettes, oral and lung cancer, IHD, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to bidi, and oral and stomach cancer and IHD due to SLT. Cigarettes resulted in 8.4 million DALYs, 8.26 million YLLs, and 341 deaths; bidis led to 11.7 million DALYs, 10.7 million YLLs, and 478 thousand deaths, and SLTs accounted for 4.38 million DALYs, 4.3 million YLLs, and 171 thousand deaths annually. Conclusion: Evidence of measurable health burden and methodology for calculation for individual states was provided in the study. The generated evidence could be utilized for policy recommendations and revision of the existing taxation norms