Indian Journal of Marketing August 2005

Volume XXXV • Number 8 • August 2005

Comparative study on Service Quality of Mobile Operators: An approach of Multidimensional Profile Analysis
The telecom services have been recognized the world- over as an important tool for socio-economic development for a nation and hence telecom infrastructure is treated as a crucial factor to realize the socio-economic objectives in India. Accordingly, the Department of Telecom has been formulating developmental policies for the accelerated growth of the telecommunication services. The government of India recognizes that provision of world-class telecommunications infrastructure and information is the key to rapid economic and social development of the country. It is critical not only for the development of the Information Technology industry, but also has widespread ramifications on the entire economy of the country. The Indian Telecom sector is passing through a dynamic transitional phase, as it is clearly undergoing the operation of market forces of demand and supply. The sovereignty of consumers is quite evident through their revealed preference in favour of economically rational decisions.
Dr. Sanjeev Panandikar Mumbai Educational Trust’s School of Management		Mr. Rahul Rajput Mumbai Educational Trust’s School of Management
Role of NGOs In Microfinancing Through self Help Groups –A Study in Kanyakumari District
Development interventions in the rural areas by Voluntary Agencies (VAs) or, as they came to be known later, on Government Organization (NGOs) dates back to the pre- independence days. These interventions emanated from the prevailing situation of mass poverty, due to high levels of illiteracy and social discrimination as well as the inability of the official delivery mechanism to reach the benefits of social and economic development to the weaker sections of the rural society in their economic pursuits. The inability of credit institutions to cover a sizeable segment of the rural poor is generally attributed to the high cost of administering large number of small loans and the perceived lending risks in the absence of any collateral. This promoted a number of VAs/NGOs to enter the rural credit scene for organizing the poor into informal groups for mutual help and benefit many of these groups have been provided credit support. These NGOs are instrumental in promoting informal structures of the poor to help them save and promote self-reliance in financing their needs through the concept of self-help groups. (SHGs).
Dr. J. K. Stephen Reader and Head S. T. Hindu College Nagercoil		A. Seilan Research Scholar S. T. Hindu College Nagercoil
Insurance Perspective in Eastern UP – An Empirical Study
The task of the government is not to do the business but to regulate the business. Public enterprise in any country cannot perform all the economic and business activities efficiently and effectively. Even in a Socialist economy Public enterprise are not able to discharge all of their responsibilities. For last 57 years we have seen that the government has not been able to discharge the regulatory roles, promotional roles, entrepreneurial roles and planning roles. Baring a few enterprises in public sector (NTPC and Oil PSUs) all other sectors in public sector have not performed up to the mark. So government should appraise in this matter and return those fields back to the private sector, which have not performed well and needs participation. It has been the wrong public work culture environment, which has lead to the poor performance of the Public sector. In the year 1956, the basic objective of privatization of the insurance sector was governance and social welfare and security of people.
Ravi Kumar Sharma Research Scholar Banaras Hindu University Varanasi
Narcissism and Advertising: Youth Centre Marketing
In recent years a great deal of concentration and attention has focused on global marketing. The Tri-national Companies apply a common marketing strategy for all countries for their effective sales promotion. Global marketing paves the way for global advertising. The concept of advertising helps the marketer to remove the hindrance of knowledge. At the same time advertising is a brutal business where mistakes can be a very costly affair. As a consequence, this will affect the socio,economic and cultural background of the country. There is a debate, over standardization versus localization of marketing and advertising strategies Professor Theodore Heritt (1983) who observes the worldwide market place has become homogenized and consumer’s basic needs, wants, and expectations transcend geographic, national, and cultural boundaries.
Dr. I. Francis Gnana Sekar Reader in Commerce St. Joseph’s College Tiruchirappalli
An analysis of Farmers’ Preference for Bt Cotton with Reference to Dharampuri District
Cotton has been a premier agricultural crop of India playing a pivotal role in the national economy in both rural and urban sector. It contributed about 65 percent of the raw material for textile industry and also one – third of total foreign exchange earning of India amounting to nearly $ 11.00 billion. Cotton sustains huge employment in the rural and urban sector and plays a key role in economics and trade activities within the country. Being a cash crop, farmers were highly sensitive to pest incidence and resorted to indiscriminate and excessive application of recommended and non-recommended pesticides, which in turn led to the elimination of beneficial parasites and predators. Indiscriminate use of synthetic Pyrethroids led to whitefly resurgence in many parts of the country. In Southern State of Andhra Pradesh many cotton farmers committed suicide due to crop failure and losses.
K. Sivakumar Sr. Research Fellow Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore.	N. Ajjan Professor and Head Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore		S. D. Sivakumar Associate Professor Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore
Marketing Strategies for Launching Water Soluble NPK Fertilizers
The three major categories of fertilizer industry in India are Public Sector Undertaking s, Co-operatives and Private Sector. About 33 Major manufacturers have been producing N and NP/NPK fertilizers in the country. The fertilizer consumption depends upon the cropping pattern. Different types of fertilizers like straight fertilizers; complex fertilizers and mixed fertilizers are available in the market. Traditionally nutrients have been applied by either broadcasting or application of granular or complex fertilizers directly in the soil in bulk quantum. Over the years, in order to reduce cost and increase yield, farmers have been adopting alternative methods of application of fertilizers such as fertigation and foliar feeding. With the advent of drip and and sprinkler irrigation for water management, fertigation is gaining importance. Water-soluble NPK fertilizers are being used for different crops like vegetables and ornaments. It enhances the nutrient uptake and reduces the leaching loss of nutrients in soluble form. Water-soluble NPK fertilizers have been recommended for plants as a supplementary dose but it would be an additional cost to the farmers. Hence, it is essential to assess the farmers’ preference for using the same before launching the product for coffee plantations.
N. Deepa Sr. Research Fellow Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore
Life Insurance Advertisements on Television: A Study on Quality of Illustrations
Man is exposed to risks and uncertainties. For instance, the time of the death of a person is not certain, and In the case of his premature death a man’s dependents may find themselves deprived of all means of existence. Every prudent man will carefully consider how best he can prevent such risk or minimize or provide against its effects. It is difficult for an individual to survive unless the arrangement for covering the risk is possible. This arrangement is made possible by insurance.
Gautam Bansal Assistant Professor Punjab College of Technical Education Ludhiana		Pawan Taneja Assistant Professor Punjab College of Technical Education Ludhiana