The Problem. The Indian information technology (IT) industry has shown a phenomenal growth over the last two decades. These changes such as increased global competition and the shift in the blend and level of the workforce have led to an increasing level of uncertainty in the industry. To overcome this unprecedented change, IT firms need to adopt flexible human resource management (FHRM) that has a direct and/ or indirect impact on job performance. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to explore the impact of work engagement on job performance through FHRM among IT professionals in India. The Solution. The results indicate that the use of FHRM by the employees is an important mediator between the positive relationship of work engagement and job performance. Both work engagement and FHRM contributed to job performance. The sample firm and responses for the study were limited to IT industry domain only. The results suggest that FHRM should be promoted at the employee and firm levels to boost job performance. The Stakeholders. Reflecting on the employee engagement and job performance via FHRM would boost the organizational flexibility in the IT industry. FHRM makes the employee more organization fit and more engaged for their respective job. This study may be helpful in unveiling the importance of flexibility in job performance. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that links work engagement, FHRM, and job

Purpose -The purpose of this study is to assess the lean performance of a tyre manufacturing firm in India. The key objective is to find key strategic and operational decision-making dimensions for developing effective lean manufacturing environment in a tyre manufacturing organization. Design/methodology/approach -This research is empirical in nature where the opinions of a group of experts of an Indian tyre manufacturing firm were consulted to formulate an interpretive structural model (ISM) of the critical success factors of lean manufacturing implementation in a tyre manufacturing organization. The authors have developed an Excel-based template for quantitative assessment of lean performance indicators on the basis of feedback from the operational staff. Findings -This research work suggests that financial capability of an organization drives the topmanagement commitment for incorporating lean manufacturing practices in a tyre manufacturing organization. Organizational culture and human resource management are the important enablers for developing change management paradigm, which in turn leads to performance improvement. This study also reveals that over-processing as well as excessive defects are the most detrimental wastes in radial tyre manufacturing, which accounts for high manufacturing cost of radial tyre manufacturing in India.Research limitations/implications -Since this study is carried out in a single (case) organization, a relatively small sample size restricts the outcome from being considered for generic industrial application. This study none the less is useful for practicing managers and academicians for the development of lean manufacturing strategy in context with the tyre industry since it encompasses insightful views of experienced lower to upper middle level managers. Originality/value -This paper provides some key enablers for the successful implementation of lean tools in Indian tyre manufacturing, where lean practices are still in the early stage and little literature is available in this context with tyre manufacturing. Also an attempt has been made to develop a simple Excel-based template for lean assessment in the tyre industry. This template can be used in other industries by simply modifying the key attributes.

Research on motivation has attracted academic and corporate entities over the last two decades. In the present study, authors have reviewed the intense literature to extract all possible dimensions of motivation, having direct and indirect impact on motivation techniques. This has examined the multidimensionality of motivation from the existing literature and present a conceptual framework based on it, and it is experienced that various motivation techniques (discussed in this study) are having a positive impact on both employee satisfaction and the quality of performance in the organization; however, the model needs to be validated using quantitative measures. In order to study the various issues highlighted in this paper related to employee motivation, a large body of literature mainly from different journals have been incorporated. To make the study more current only those studies were included which were published in the last two decades. In past research papers few dimensions of motivation were used to explain the different models motivation theory which has direct influence on employee motivation. The novelty of this study lies in its theoretical framework where authors have made an attempt to come up with a construct having dimensions that directly or indirectly influences employee motivation.

PurposeThis case seeks to illustrate the specific problem of excessive defects in radial tyres produced in a renowned tyre manufacturing company in India. This paper aims to show how lean Six‐Sigma methodology can be used to tackle the specific issues like defects reduction.Design/methodology/approachThe management took this problem on top priority as it is eroding their brand value and financial performance. A Mumbai‐based lean Six‐Sigma consulting group was approached to tackle the issue. One of the authors, who is pursuing research on determinants of successful lean manufacturing implementation in Indian industries, joined this project as a part of his field study and he spent considerable time in discussing and observing the issue with people of different hierarchical levels of the company. Lean Six‐Sigma methodologies were incorporated and the problem was evaluated with root‐cause analysis. This case is formulated on the basis of the initial findings of the study in an Indian tyre manufacturing organisation keeping the actual name of the company in disguise.FindingsOn the basis root‐cause analysis of the radial tyre manufacturing process, it was found that presence of foreign particles in the manufacturing environment, under‐ageing and over‐ageing of tyre components, and inefficient bead winding process, were the main culprits of defects. It was confirmed that lean Six‐Sigma methodology can serve as a major tool to reduce defects in the tyre manufacturing process in India.Originality/valueThis paper provides some key insights to the successful adoption of lean Six‐Sigma tools in an Indian industrial environment, where lean practices are still in the very nascent stage and very little literature is available in this context.

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