Informatics Publishing Limited

V. Rengarajan ¹, G. Sankararaman ², M. Kalyana Sundaram ³, M. Mohamed Rizwan ⁴, S. Mathew Paul Nibin ⁴

Affiliations
1 School of Management, SASTRA University, Thanjavur – 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Management Studies, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam – 602105, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Department of Commerce, Urumu Dhanalakshmi Collge, Trichy – 620019, Tamil Nadu, IN
4 SASTRA University, Thanjavur – 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Saving is really a good habit particularly for the common layman. With the understanding of the above, a study was conducted in Sriperumpudur near Chennai about the saving behaviour of households and the influence of demographics over them. Objectives: The study was conducted by the authors to know the influence of demographic variables on a whole in saving behaviour and specifically, to know the level of influence of demographic factors in savings, to identify the level of saving of the people from their income and to identify the nature of investors. Analysis: The descriptive research design is adopted by the researchers in this study. They have adopted the non-probabilistic convenience sampling method for the collection of sample and the exact sample size of the study is 457. The respondents are approached with the systematic self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The researcher has used the chi-square test and the cluster analysis for the data analysis and further execution of the study. The study was concentrated on Sriperumpudur town near to Chennai only. Findings: The study has major findings that demographic variables like gender, age, marital status, number of earning members in the family, annual income have influenced annual savings. It is also found that there is an association between different heterogeneous groups of households' investment in financial market and their annual savings. But it has been indentified that there is no association between education and annual savings. Hence it is concluded that the demographic variables are playing vital role in influencing the saving behaviour of the individuals. Applications: The study has contributed for the improvements in the area where saving behaviour can be investigated from the dimension of influence of demographic variables. There are different applications that are made to identify the demographical behaviour of the respondents towards their investment choice. This study can also extensively be applied in the case of classification of demographic and psychographic variables. Improvements: Different educational qualifications of the respondents found in this study and they are considered as School Education, UG, PG, and Professional Education. They have different qualifications and aims in the determination of the investment avenues but at the same time the qualification does not influence them to choose the investment avenue. But all other demographic variables have an influence over the choice of investment avenues and change the behaviour of the investors towards the investment process. It is also found that there are certain developments in the behaviour of the individuals regarding their investment choice by their demographics.

Keywords

Demographic Variables, Dynamic and Extrovert Clusters, Mechanical, Saving Behaviour.

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S. Arunkumar ¹, A. Anand ², V. Vijay Anand ¹, V. Rengarajan ¹, M. Shyam ¹

Affiliations
1 SOM, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Gnanam Business School, Thanjavur - 613402, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: The study is to understand and analyze the role of microfinance in women empowerment through Self Help Groups in Chidambaram taluk, to understand the demographic profile of Self Help Group members and to give suggestions for the improvement of performance of microfinance toward women’s empowerment through self help groups. Methods/ Analysis: This study is both empirical and descriptive in nature. Both Primary and Secondary data have been made use of the analysis. Primary data will be collected through field survey and questionnaires. Personal interviews with the officials concerned are also conducted to get the needed information for the analysis. Here structured questionnaire is used as a tool for data collection from SHG members. The overall progress of the project is being assessed with the help of secondary data which are collected from published sources like annual reports, records of CREED (Centre for Rural Education and Economic Development) office, internet, books etc. A proportionate random sampling method has been used for selecting the respondents from the total SHG’s. The population of this study is the total SHG members in Chidambaram Taluk, which is a finite population. There are 680 number of SHG members in Chidambaram Taluk. It refers to the number of items to be selected from the universe to constitute as a sample. In this study 200 number of SHG members in Chidambaram Taluk would be selected as size of the sample. The total sample comprises of 50 SHG members from each 4 blocks of Chidambaram Taluk (Chidambaram urban, Chidambaram rural, Vallampadugai, Kattumanarkoil). This study is conducted for duration of two months from 28th April 2015 to 30th of June 2015.The statistical tools used for analysis are as follows, Percentage Analysis Method, Weighted Average Method, and Paired ‘t’ test. The data analyzed used SPSS Version 16 software. The study has the following limitations, some of the respondents might have answered in biased manner, the Study was limited and confined to Chidambaram Taluk only and time was a major constraint due to which the sample size is limited. Findings: The study reveals that there is a significant difference observed between income generation, contribution to house hold income, participation in house hold financial decision, improvement in standard of living, change in social status, awareness about social issues, involvement in social issues at locality, improvement in basic house hold facilities and amenities, ability to solve family related problems, self-confidence, attainment of knowledge and skills, decision making capability and ability to tackle family problems before and after microfinance usage and participation in Self Help Group. Hence, the study concludes that women are empowered because of the usage of microfinance and participation in Self Help Group. Novelty/Improvement: In every economy, women play an integral part. For achieving all round development and harmonious growth, women should also be given equal rights. In order to achieve economic development, importance has to be given to the women labor. Nowadays SHG are voluntary organizations, through which members are given micro credits and it ease them to become entrepreneurs. The empowerment of women in rural as well as urban areas can be achieved through formation of Self Help Groups (SHG) of women. The economic empowerment, which is dependent on the overall empowerment of women, can be achieved through these SHGs which involve women in the areas like health, sanitation, nutrition, agriculture, forestry etc., apart from involving them in activities pertaining micro credit.

Keywords

Empowerment, Entrepreneurial Activities, Microfinance, Self Help Groups.

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V. Vijay Anand ¹, C. Vijaya Banu ¹, V. Rengarajan ¹, G. Thirumoorthy ², V. Rajkumar ¹, R. Madhumitha ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Cavium Inc., San Jose, California, US

Abstract

Employee Engagement is a siginificant factor which is influencing the organization to achieve its target. Emotional and psychological attachment of an employee in a work environment are closely associated with an organisation. There are no. of factors contributing toward Employee Engagement. The researchers have identified certain factors to study the level of Employee Engagement among the employees of India post from selected rural brances. Objectives: The objectives of the study are to study the association between demographic factors and Employee Engagement; to understand the certain independent factors which are influencing Employee Engagement and to identify the relationship between Employee Engagement with its outcome factors. Method/Analysis: By applying structured questionnaire, primary data were collected from 120 respondents. The statistical tools such as Chi square test, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were adopted for analysis purpose. The study factors such as demographics, Individual factors and few outcome factors. Findings: There is an association between certain demographic factors with the Employee Engagement. The Individual factor do not vary with the demographic factors viz. age, gender, marital status, position and experience of the respondents. There are significant effects of individual factors viz. Job, Growth and Development, Discretionary Efforts, Role Clarity, Emotional Energy, Learning Behaviour and Person - Organisation fit on Employee Engagement. Hence, there is significant effect of individual factors viz. Job, Growth and Development, Discretionary Efforts, Role Clarity, Emotional Energy, Psychological Feeling, Person-Organisation fit on Employee Engagement. The researcher found that there is a significant relationship between Employee Engagement and career satisfaction and retention as outcomes. Applications/Improvements: The current study portrays factors which affect the Employee Engagement of postal employees from rural areas. The study results will facilitate the organisation to strengthen the best practices towards Employee Engagement with positive outcome results.

Keywords

Discretionary Effort, Employee Engagement, Growth and Development, Productivity, Role Clarity.

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V. Vijay Anand ¹, V. Rengarajan ¹, R. Renganathan ¹, B. Swathi ¹, S. Udhaya ¹, N. Vardhini ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Employee Work Life Balance (WLB) is a major driver in the organization that helps to achieve higher productivity. It is a healthy blend of both employee's work life and personal life. There are many factors influencing work-life balance of an employee in the organization. The researchers have identified some factors along with demographic variables to study and understand the work life balance. Objectives: The objective is to study the relationship between WLB and study factors. 1. To study the association between demographic variables of respondents and employee work-life balance; to study the variation between the demographic factors and employee work-life balance; to study the effect of individual factors on employee work-life balance; to study the association between employee work-life balance and outcome variable viz., employee satisfaction and retention and to understand the effect of employee work-life balance on employee satisfaction and retention as outcome variable. Method/Analysis: The primary data were collected through the structured questionnaire with the sample size of 120 by adopting simple random sampling and snow-ball method and the statistical tools viz., Chi square test, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were adopted. The study variables include Demographic variables, Individual variables, and Employee satisfaction and Retention as outcome variables. Findings: The findings show that 49% of respondents were in the age group of 25-35 years. 88% of respondents were male and the rest were female. 78 % of respondents were married. 67% of respondents were in the monthly income group of Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 30,000. 69% of respondents were in the middle level of employment position. The Chi square test concluded that there is an association between employee WLB and demographic factors. The ANOVA test showed that study factors do not vary with the demographic factors. The regression model reveals that there is no significant effect of individual factors on employee WLB. Applications/Improvements: The current study focuses the factors influencing the work life balance of employees from rural areas and the results of the study will help the organisation to enhance better work life balance towards higher level of productivity.

Keywords

Demographic Factor, Employee, Productivity, Work-Life Balance.

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R. Alamelu ¹, L. Meena ², L. C. Cresenta Shakila Motha ³, V. Rengarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Management Studies, Fatima College (Autonomous), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Department of Training and Placement, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: This paper examines the satisfaction level of villagers towards the public transport facilities provided by the Government with respect to factors like: frequency of public transport, waiting time by villagers for buses, bus provision to different areas in Madurai, number of buses operated in Utchapatti village route and service quality of public transports. Methods/Analysis: The study is a descriptive study with survey method. An interview schedule was prepared to solicit responses from villagers. The sample constituted 200 respondents from the Utchapatti village. Convenience sampling method was adopted for collecting the primary data through interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from websites and books. The data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques such as Percentage analysis, weighted average, ANOVA and multiple regression. Findings: Compared to the bus provision to different areas and number of buses operated to the village, frequency of the bus operation is ranked high as per weighted average ranking. According to the multiple regression analysis, the variables frequency of buses and the commute time are identified as the major factors responsible for disparity in rural transport. Applications/Improvement: This paper provided a bird’s eye view of need for inclusive economic growth system which is to be initiated with mobility through provision of public transport to remote areas and the policy recommendations need to be reinvented by the Government.

Keywords

Madurai District, Public Transport, Regional Disparity, Transport Facilities, Village Transport.

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