Performance Implications of Diversification in Professional Service Firms: The Role of Synergies

There is growing interest in the Professional service firms because they are seen as archetype of the knowledge-based economy. In this study we look at under researched area of exploitation of synergies in professional service firms and its implications for performance. Overcoming the uni-dimensional nature of extant studies, we examine the performance implications of diversification along the twin dimensions of services they offer and the knowledge of the industry domain of their clients. We hypothesize that moderate levels of coherence in these dimensions lead to improved performance while excess coherence in these domains lead to diminished performance. These predictions are tested and supported by data from the Indian IT industry which is synonymous with emergence of knowledge economy in India. Our study thus contributes to the theory of diversification of professional service firms.

The Transformation of Microfinance in India: Experiences, Options and Future

The paper looks at the growth and transformation of microfinance organisations (MFO) in India. We first, define microfinance and identify its "value attributes". Having chosen only those MFOs that have microfinance as the core, we look at the transformation experiences. To understand the transformation experiences better, we identify issues that trigger transformation viz: size, diversity of services, financial sustainability, focus and taxation. Having identified these we look at transformation experiences internationally. We examine the Bolivian, Kenyan, Bangladeshi and the Indonesian experience. We then look at the Indian experiences. We argue that the transformation experiences in India are not large in number. However, we have found that there are three forms of organisations that seem to be popular in the microfinance sector - the Non-Banking Finance Companies, the Banks - both Local Area Banks and Urban Co-operative Banks and the Co-operatives. We then argue that in the Indian case, we find that the MFO spins off from the NGO rather than the NGO transforming itself. Having examined various options, we conclude that there is no ideal or easy path for MFOs to mainstream in India. This has implications for regulatory framework. We argue that there should be regulatory changes that allow smaller MFOs to get into more complex forms as they grow organically. We also argue that NGOs should be allowed to invest in the equity of MFOs and MFO promoted banks, as is the case in Bolivia and Africa. We maintain that entry norms on capitalisation for the current forms of organisations (NBFCs, Co-ops and Banks) need not be changed to ensure only genuine MFOs make use of the legislation and not other organisations masquerading as MFOs.

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

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis of the Brainstem as a Clinical Entity.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare progressive neurological disorder of early adolescence caused by persistent infection of the measles virus, which remains prevalent worldwide despite an effective vaccine. SSPE is a devastating disease with a characteristic clinical course in subcortical white matter; however, atypical presentations of brainstem involvement may be seen in rare cases. This review summarizes reports to date on brainstem involvement in SSPE, including the clinical course of disease, neuroimaging presentations, and guidelines for treatment. A comprehensive literature search was performed for English-language publications with keywords "subacute sclerosing panencephalitis" and "brainstem" using the National Library of Medicine PubMed database (March 1981-September 2017). Eleven articles focusing on SSPE of the brainstem were included. Predominant brainstem involvement remains uncharacteristic of SSPE, which may lead to misdiagnosis and poor outcome. A number of case reports have demonstrated brainstem involvement associated with other intracranial lesions commonly presenting in later SSPE stages (III and IV). However, brainstem lesions can appear in all stages, independent of higher cortical structures. The varied clinical presentations complicate diagnosis from a neuroimaging perspective. SSPE of the brainstem is a rare but important clinical entity. It may present like canonical SSPE or with unique clinical features such as absence seizures and pronounced ataxia. While SSPE generally progresses to the brainstem, it can also begin with a primary focus of infection in the brainstem. Awareness of varied SSPE presentations can aid in early diagnosis as well as guide management and treatment

Exploring a novel NF-ĸB- inhibiting nanoparticle for periodontitis therapy.

Periodontitis is an infection-driven inflammatory disease characterized by gingival inflammation and bone loss. The NF-ĸB signaling pathway is pivotal in osteoclastogenesis and infection-induced pro-inflammatory responses. The use of nanoparticles as a vehicle to deliver drug increases stability, loading capacity, and facilitates transmembrane transportation. The hypothesis was that a novel nanoparticle carrying therapeutic NBD inhibitory peptides (NBD-nanoparticles) will inhibit measures of periodontal disease. In this project, we tested the nanoparticles for their ability to directly inhibit osteoclastogenesis and inflammation as an original strategy for periodontitis therapy. We also tested the capability of the nanoparticles to inhibit gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss in an animal model. Methods: In vitro- In order to test the impact of NBD-nanoparticles on osteoclastogenesis, RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated using RANKL and treated with NBD-nanoparticles. Controls included treatment with empty nanoparticles and no treatment. Seven days later, the cultures were fixed and stained with TRAP, an osteoclast marker, and the number of multinucleated TRAP positive cells were counted. In order to test the impact of NBD-nanoparticles on pro-inflammatory responses, RAW or THP1 cells were stimulated with the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis, treated with NBD-nanoparticles or empty nanoparticle and tested for expression of cytokines critical in periodontitis, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα by ELISA. Differences were evaluated by ANOVA. In vivo - NBD-nanoparticles were tested in a murine ligature-induced periodontitis model where mice received a ligation around the second molar, P. gingivalis infection and microinjections of NBD-nanoparticles, empty nanoparticles, or PBS in the gingiva. Gingival tissue was tested for mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by real-time PCR. Alveolar bone loss was determined by measuring the CEJ-ABC distance. Bacterial culture from oral swabs confirmed bacterial persistence. Differences were evaluated by ANOVA. Results: NBD-nanoparticles inhibit osteoclastogenesis directly and P. gingivalis-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. NBD-nanoparticle application inhibits the gingival expression of periodontitis-related cytokines and alveolar bone loss in a murine ligature model. Conclusions: NBD-nanoparticle is able to inhibit osteoclastogenesis directly and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in vitro. This nanoparticle prevents gingival inflammation and bone loss in a murine model for periodontitis