Knowledge Flows and Capability Building in the Indian IT Sector: A Comparative Analysis of Cluster and Non-Cluster Locations

The role of industrial clusters in the industrialization of many emerging economies continues to dominate the debate among policy makers and researchers worldwide. While recent discussions on this debate have focused on knowledge spillovers among participants within clusters, knowledge flows between non local networks and the cluster actors have not been accorded due attention in the literature. Further, the literature does not compare the relative impact of knowledge flows among firms within clusters and firms outside clusters. In this study, we attempt a comparative analysis of the role of knowledge flows in capability formation among firms in the Indian Information Technology sector (IT sector) across cluster and non-cluster locations. The empirical results suggest that at the firm level, leveraging of capabilities to enhance performance and networks to build capabilities is not automatic; structural features of the firms’ location enable this transformation. Moreover, while capabilities affect performance of firms positively only in clusters, economies of scale and some strategies like quality certification used by firms impact performance of firms outside clusters. Interestingly, although economies of scale do not impact the performance of firms within clusters, they do, however affect the capability formation of firms within clusters only. Further, we found that local and national non-customer networks affect capability formation of firms within and outside clusters whereas international customer networks affect capability formation of firms within clusters only. These have implications for how firms can develop appropriate strategies to enhance their performance.Industrial Clustering, Information Technology industry, Networks, Capabilities

Electrolytes for sodium ion batteries: A short review

Synthesis routes and ion conduction phenomenon in sodium ion conducting solid electrolytes have been reported in the present chapter. The different experimental and theoretical tools have been explained for preparation and ion conduction mechanism of solid electrolytes. The working principle of some polymer electrolyte based conductors has been explained

Buclizine- old wine in new bottle?

Buclizine is a first generation antihistaminic with some anticholinergic potential. This drug has specific pharmacological indications in allergy, morning sickness, migraine, motion sickness and insomnia with some or doubtful success. It is an obsolete drug of decline use due to better availability of second and third generation antihistamines.Buclizine, a forgotten drug used in past is now re-introduced as an appetite stimulant. Previously one of the counterpart “cyproheptadine” was used but currently banned from most part of the world due to untoward effects.The standard textbook of pediatrics has not mentioned buclizine as an appetizer. On the other side, no article published (Pub med search) in last few decades to favors this claim. This drug has no space in WHO essential medicine list probably due to doubtful safety.A scientific issue arises- Does children require appetite stimulant? Appetizers are never be a rational solution. They can be used as adjunct because of their placebo effect. Meanwhile placebo has limited role in children on behalf of other party (parents) involvement. Misperception about diet, feeding practice, dysfunctional ‘parent child interaction’ etc. needed proper counselling rather than prescribing an appetite stimulant.There may be risk, that buclizine to become “OTC” appetizer in future due to current promotional spurt by pharmaceutical. However, large scale multicentric clinical trials are needed before promotion of buclizine as pediatric appetite stimulant, with careful watch of pharmacovigilance perspective

Role of Educational and R&D Institutions in City Clusters: An Exploratory Study of Bangalore and Pune Regions in India

This paper explores the role played by academic institutions in Bangalore and Pune cities of India. It shows that there exists a large variety of linkages between industry and academia in the two Indian cities; a hierarchy of institutions satisfies a hierarchy of local demands ranging from skills to new technologies. While labor market linkages continue to dominate, global and local changes are creating opportunities for knowledge based linkages. With enhanced competition and privatization of research and education, these linkages are bound to undergo significant change in the future and policy should facilitate this transition.

Changes in the electronic structure and properties of graphene induced by molecular charge-transfer

Interaction with electron donor and acceptor molecules such as aniline and nitrobenzene brings about marked changes in the Raman spectrum and the electronic structure of graphene, prepared by the exfoliation of graphitic oxide.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure