Estimating technical efficiencies of Indian IT companies for setting improvement targets for inefficient companies: An empirical analysis with workers' effort as key input.

BACKGROUND: The Information Technology (IT) industry of India has proved its capabilities in delivering both on- and off-shore services to clients globally over the years. However, the technological advances and innovations taking place at the global level not only present a whole new range of growth prospects, but also challenges for this highly competitive industry. Moreover, the IT sector of India also witnessed the economic recession in 2008, which had an adverse impact on the prospects of this industry. In this scenario, it is imperative for Indian IT companies not only to maintain their focus on increasing their technical efficiencies, but also to deal with the increased competition emanating from the Asia Pacific region. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the relative efficiency of the top 18 selected Indian IT software service companies in order to determine benchmarks, output slacks and target settings. METHODS: Data envelopment analysis has been used for achieving the stated objective. RESULTS: The paper found mixed trends in efficiency. The top five IT companies exhibited higher efficiency as compared to the rest of the selected IT companies. Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies Ltd. and Tech Mahindra Ltd. are more efficient while Infosys Ltd. and Mphasis have lower efficiency. CONCLUSION: The inefficient companies have to increase their workers' productivity to become more efficient, and have to catch-up and follow the best practices of the benchmark company HCL.

Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity.

BACKGROUND: This paper envelops the notion of yogic breathing and its applications as one of the techniques for stress management through regulation of skin conductivity among Indian engineering students. Stress perturbs the normal physiological or psychological functioning of an individual. Thus, it is extremely vital to manage stress. OBJECTIVE: To explore the consequence of yogic breathing on skin conductivity using galvanic skin response sensor meter (GSRSM) on engineering students, of different universities. METHODS: The study uses stratified random sampling technique for the experimental study undertaken to measure skin conductivity. 471 Engineering students, in the age group of 18-22 years who gave informed written consent were screened, of which 71 (15%) dropped out and 400 students (84.9%) completed the study. The GSRSM was used to record skin conductivity (pre and post) among experimental (n = 200) and Control group (n = 200) each comprising of 52 females (26%) and 148 males (74%). The Experimental group underwent yogic breathing whereas the Control group did not do so. RESULTS: The experimental group reported reduction in mean value in skin conductivity after deep breathing for the time period (t = 300 sec) as compared to the control group, and this was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, this uncomplicated and yet extremely effectual ancient technique of yogic breathing could be included in core curriculum to reduce and manage stress among engineering students. The paper thus highlights the use of yogic technique as an effective mode for Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering students.

An experimental analysis to monitor and manage stress among engineering students using Galvanic Skin Response meter.

BACKGROUND: This paper studies the impact of musical religious songs (hymns) for managing stress of Indian Engineering students through Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to find out, whether listening to hymns is able to reduce the value of GSR. METHODS: Sample students were selected through initial screening and the students who reported high mental stress during the interview were selected for the main drills. All the readings were taken using a GSR meter. Statistical t-test was used for the purpose of hypothesis testing. RESULTS: The study examines the relation between GSR and stress. The results indicated that listening to hymns had a significant effect on the value of GSR. The results highlight that GSR decreased at t = 300 seconds for the experimental group, who listened to hymns, as compared to control group (not exposed to the same). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, this amazingly effortless and yet highly efficient traditional technique of listening to hymns be made a part of student's routine curriculum. The paper aims at spreading awareness of listening to hymns as one of the modes of Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering Students.

Stress management through regulation of blood pressure among college students.

BACKGROUND: This paper introduces the concept of Deep Breathing and its applications as one of the means towards stress management through regulation of blood pressure among Indian College Engineering students. The underlying concept of deep breathing is that the relation between emotions and breathing is two way, i.e. not only do emotions affect the breathing, but controlled deep breathing also has an effect on emotions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to find out whether deep breathing technique is able to control blood pressure, and in turn, the level of stress. METHODS: Sample students had a selection through initial screening and the students who reported high mental stress during interview were selected for the main drills. All the readings are taken using a sphygmomanometer (digital blood pressure meter). Students' t test are used for the purpose of hypothesis testing. RESULTS: The results indicated that the deep breathing technique provided significant results. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that this amazingly simple and yet highly effective ancient technique of deep breathing become part of students' routine curriculum. The paper aims at spreading the awareness of this yogic technique as one of the modes of Stress Management amongst Indian college students.