Research & Consultancy
Pursuant to the recommendations of the Vision Committee, the Administrative Staff College of India has been directing its endeavours in a proactive way, and in an increasing measure, towards identifying and assisting in areas of topical and special interest to the governmentand industry. The overarching purpose behind these endeavours is to improve the managerial and business practices in organizations and help develop policy approaches, leading to enhanced economic performance and long-term effectiveness. The college has also been paying special attention to tracking the impact of the work accomplished by it, to establish whether the outputs generate the outcomes expected of them.
New Business
During the year under review, ASCI actively continued its efforts in securing new projects in functional as well as
sectoral areas. These include energy, urban infrastructure, corporate governance, administrative reforms, service delivery, regulatory issues, trade issues, clean environment, technology management and human capital building. The sizeable number of assignments received in these spheres is testimony to the varied capabilities of the college. ASCI has effectively leveraged the expertise and experience gained over the years to successfully carry out the assignments and maintain its momentum in attracting new contracts.
Thus during 2007–08, the college received 69 new research and consultancy assignments (compared to 55 in the previous year), valued at Rs. 789 lakhs (Rs. 699 lakhs in the previous year). Of these, research accounted for 26 assignments (23 in the previous year), worth Rs. 264 lakhs (Rs. 179 lakhs in the previous year); and consultancy accounted for 43 projects (32 in the previous year) worth Rs. 525 lakhs (Rs. 520 lakhs in the previous year). The project assignments secured this year are thus higher, compared to the previous year, by 25 per cent and 13 per cent in volume and value, respectively.
As in the previous year, the Centre for Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development (CEEUG) was in the lead in undertaking projects work. Its share in the new assignments received was the highest (see Table 1). Areas under CEEUG have won several prestigious contracts, many of them via an open, competitive bidding process.
Research & Consultancy Assignments Received
| Centre/Others |
2006–07 |
2007–08 |
| Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development |
37 |
3 |
| Public Policy, Governance & Performance |
2 |
13 |
| Economics & Finance |
5 |
11 |
| Innovation & Technology |
1 |
15 |
| Management Studies |
6 |
5 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
2 |
2 |
| Human Development |
1 |
1 |
| Library |
1 |
1 |
| Total |
55 |
69 |
The clientele for these assignments included national and international agencies, enterprises and establishments in the corporate sector, as well as the central and state governments. Andhra Pradesh (AP), Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal were among the states from whom projects were secured by the college. Many assignments were also secured from departments, ministries and agencies under the union government, such as Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Agriculture, Defence, Environment & Forests, Power, Science & Technology, Urban Development, and Planning Commission. The international bodies that awarded prestigious contracts to the college include: The Department for International Development (DfID) of UK, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), South Asia Network of Economic Research Institutions (SANEI) of Pakistan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The World Bank group.
ASCI continued to work, for the third consecutive year,with the Dept. of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Govt. of India (GoI), in implementing the prestigious Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. The college assisted the department in carrying out scrutiny, evaluation as well as spot studies of the nominations received under the scheme. The college also facilitated the work of the
Expert Committee (headed by the Secretary, Administrative Reforms, GoI) and the Empowered Committee (headed by the Cabinet Secretary, GoI) in selecting the awardees. Consequent to ASCI’s notable contribution to the selection exercise in 2005–06 and 2006–07, DARPG awarded the contract for 2007–08 as well to the college. Similarly, the Director-General of ASCI was a member of a panel of judges that selected the best steel plant in the country for award of the Prime Minister’s trophy.
Among the prestigious assignments bagged by the college are: study of corporate governance in public enterprises in Orissa; assisting the Ministry of Coal, GoI, in drafting the Coal Regulatory Bill; review of the implementation by banks of the Code of Commitment to Customers as brought out by the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India; study of the socio-economic impact of the Tehri Hydro-electric project; assessment of the functionality of the first referral units and public health centres in AP; repositioning of the postal services of GoI; facilitating the implementation of reforms under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) in urban management, city development, sanitation and water supply; facilitating the strengthening of administrative and rural development training institutions in the lagging states; advisory and technical assistance services to state electricity companies and regulatory commissions, study of the export potential of khadi institutions; factor productivity study of major crops in India, analysis of the environmental instruments to implement the National Environment Plan; impact of the World Trade Organization on oil seed growers and processors in India; building the institutional capacities of research and manufacturing organizations in technology management; developing science and technology performance measures and indicators; study of competition issues in the domestic segment of the air transport sector in India.
Assignments Completed
The college successfully completed 51 projects (24 pertaining to research and 27 to consultancy) during the year (as compared to 33 in the previous year, comprising16 research projects and 17 consultancy projects). On
this front too, the Centre for Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development maintained its lead, with a project closure score of 29 (see Table 2 below).
Research & Consultancy Assignments Complete
| Centre/Others |
2006–07 |
2007–08 |
| Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development |
12 |
29 |
| Public Policy, Governance & Performance |
4 |
5 |
| Economics & Finance |
1 |
5 |
| Innovation & Technology |
6 |
4 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
- |
3 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
2 |
3 |
| Human Development |
6 |
2 |
| Library |
2 |
- |
| Total |
33 |
69 |
Income Earned
On account of new projects contracted as well as completion of ongoing projects (either in full or in part as per the defined milestones), the college earned, during 2007–08, an income of Rs. 758.77 lakhs (Rs. 696.66 lakhs in the previous year). The break-up is given in Table 3 below.
Income Earned from Research & Consultance - in Rs. Lakhs
| Activity |
2006–07 |
2007–08 |
| Research |
258.58 |
284.40 |
| Consultancy |
411.08 |
474.37 |
| Total |
696.08 |
758.77 |
Thus, there is an increase in the project income to the tune of about 9 per cent.
Further, during the year under review, ASCI submitted many proposals for providing consulting, advisory, technical assistance and contract research services in several focus areas. It is envisaged that some of these endeavours will translate into contracts of substantial size in the coming year.
Projects Carried Forward
A total of 71 research and consultancy projects are carried forward to 2008–09. Here, too, a major chunk of the assignments are those undertaken by the Centre for Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development (see Table 4 below).
Research & Consultancy Assignments Carried Forward
| Centre/Others |
2006–07 |
2007–08 |
| Energy, Environment, Urban Governance & Infrastructure Development |
46 |
38 |
| Public Policy, Governance & Performance |
6 |
10 |
| Economics & Finance |
2 |
10 |
| Innovation & Technology |
4 |
5 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
2 |
4 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
3 |
2 |
| Human Development |
1 |
- |
| Library |
1 |
2 |
| Total |
65 |
71 |
Research Output/Publications
The research and consultancy work carried out by the college is almost entirely of the sponsored nature. Hence, its ownership rests with the respective sponsors/clients. Before the findings generated during the course of the research and consultancy work can be published, consent needs to be obtained from the sponsor/client concerned. This may not be readily forthcoming due to the mconfidentiality and sensitivity of the assignment and/or owing to the usual norms of non-disclosure agreed to by both the parties.
However, wherever possible, ASCI continued its endeavours to bring out publications based on its research work. Faculty members have been publishing articles and presenting research papers at national/international conferences. A list of publications is provided separately in Annexure 8. Considerable scope, however, exists for improvement in this area.
Towards this end, the college instituted during 2006–07 a seed research fund of Rs.10 lakhs. It can be availed by faculty members for pursuing research on issues of topical interest and contemporary concern. Each member whose research proposal is selected will receive Rs. 50,000. The objective of this initiative is that scientific and evidence-based research carried out by faculty members with internal funding will be freed of the above-mentioned restrictions and constraints. This, in turn, should facilitate the publication of research findings and case studies, which can also be used in the management development programmes of the college. During 2007–08, two faculty members availed of the seed fund for their research projects.
Impact Assessment of Projects
In tune with the suggestions of the Court of Governors, ASCI has stepped up its endeavour to collect evidence on the impact of the research and consultancy projects (R&C) being carried out. Towards this end, a concrete plan of action has been readied.
With the help of the project leaders concerned, contact has been established with the R&C clients so as to get them on board the impact assessment initiative. The Urban Governance area, which is the most active in terms of the volume and value of projects being carried out by the college, has since integrated the impact, assessment ,aspect into its projects.
B. Training & Conferences
The management development programme activity of the college during 2007–08 has done exceedingly well. The income earned is Rs. 1,215.48 lakhs—an increase of Rs. 127.97 lakhs over previous year—from three categories of programmes (see Table 5 below). It may, however, be added that this income does not include the income of Rs. 98.40 lakhs generated from the Post- Graduate Diploma in Hospital Management offered by ASCI.
Programme Income, 2007–08
| Programme Type |
Income (in Rs. Lakhs) |
| College-announced |
474.35 |
| In-company on-campus* |
720.52 |
| In-company off-campus |
20.60 |
| Total |
1,215.60 |
* Includes workshops, conferences & seminars
Programmes in the areas of General Management (Rs. 405.56 lakhs), Human Resources (Rs. 268.80 lakhs) and Operations (Rs. 173.01 lakhs) contributed significantly to the management development training activity (See Annexures 4 and 5 for details of the programmes in the three categories).
The conscious decision to reduce the number of offcampus programmes compared to the previous year (see Table 6 below) resulted in higher revenues and faculty productivity. At the same time, greater emphasis was placed on conducting more customized on-campus programmes. This yielded good results in terms of income generation.
Comparative Programme Profile
| Programme Type |
No. in
2006–07 |
No. in
2007–08 |
| College-announced |
58 |
57 |
| In-company on-campus* |
96 |
91 |
| In-company off-campus |
23 |
12 |
| Total |
161 |
160 |
* Includes workshops, conferences & seminars
Of the 160 programmes conducted during 2007–08, 57 were announced programmes, 91 were in-company oncampus programmes and 12 were in-company offcampus programmes (see Tables 8, 9 & 10 for a detailed area-wise break-up). The client details of the training programmes can be found in Tables 11a and 11b. The total number of participants in these programmes was 3,773. The sector-wise break-up of the participants is given in Table 7 below.
Profile of Participants
| Sector |
No. in 2006–07
|
No. in 2007–08
|
| Government |
1,568 |
1,708 |
| Public sector |
1,099 |
788 |
| Private sector |
472 |
623 |
| Banks |
225 |
293 |
| Foreign participants |
268 |
361 |
| Total |
3,632 |
3,773 |
| Women participants |
233 |
376 |
The maximum participation during 2007–08 was from the government, followed by the public sector and the private sector. As can be seen from Table 7, there is an increase of 61 per cent in participation by women, 35 per cent in foreign participation, 32 per cent in private sector participation, 30 per cent in participation by banks and 9 per cent in government sector participation. However, public sector participation in the programmes fell by 28 per cent. During the period, five programmes were conducted exclusively for women participants—one announced and four in-company programmes.
Nine new programmes were conducted during the year under review: Developing Emotionally Intelligent Leadership, Mentoring and Career Development, Managing Performance, Improving Work Culture, Leadership Skills Development, e-Procurement, Inventory Management, Using Data for Monitoring and Evaluation, and Marketing for Hospital and Health Care Professionals.
Two conferences, three workshops, two panel discussions and two research seminar were conducted during 2007– 08 (see Annexure 5).
Outlook for Future
ASCI has consistently striven to not only maintain but also improve upon its core competencies. The college has harnessed and strengthened the experience and expertise gained over years and tapped suitable opportunities in the marketplace. Due attention is being paid to work aimed at benefiting the disadvantaged regions of the country and lagging sectors of the economy. Sound economic growth, ably aided by the ongoing reform interventions of the central and state governments, and the good governance initiatives of the corporate sector have opened up exciting research and consulting avenues. College activities in this area will not only chart fresh territory but also expand in scope. To enable ASCI to convert the current as well as emerging opportunities into income-generating projects, its faculty strength is being commensurately increased. Thus, it can be said that the outlook on the research and consultancy front is positive and encouraging.
College-Announced Programmes, 2007–08
| Area |
No.ofCourses |
No.of Participants |
| Economics |
1 |
10 |
| Finance |
3 |
55 |
| General Management |
5 |
116 |
| Health Studies |
5 |
45 |
| Human Resources |
26 |
633 |
| Information Technology |
5 |
113 |
| Marketing |
3 |
52 |
| Operations |
6 |
232 |
| Strategic Management |
1 |
15 |
| Urban Governance |
2 |
67 |
| Total |
57 |
1,338 |
Customized On-Campus Programmes, 2007–08
| Area |
No.ofCourses |
No.of Participants |
| Infrastructure Development |
6 |
106 |
| Economics |
7 |
151 |
| Environment |
2 |
46 |
| Finance |
4 |
86 |
| General Management |
19 |
408 |
| Human Resources |
15 |
379 |
| Information Technology |
9 |
210 |
| Marketing |
3 |
77 |
| Operations |
5 |
110 |
| Poverty Studies & Rural Development |
5 |
153 |
| Public Policy Systems |
4 |
63 |
| Health Studies |
3 |
74 |
| Strategic Management |
3 |
84 |
| Urban Governance |
6 |
138 |
| Total |
91 |
2,085 |
* Includes workshops, conferences & seminars
Customized Off-Campus Programmes, 2007–08
| Area |
No.ofCourses |
No.of Participants |
| Finance |
1 |
16 |
| General Management |
1 |
26 |
| Human Resources |
5 |
137 |
| Marketing |
1 |
25 |
| Operations |
3 |
92 |
| Health Studies |
1 |
54 |
| Total |
12 |
350 |
Non-Corporate Clients, 2007–08
International
World Bank Institute Commonwealth Secretariat
Govt. of Afghanistan
Govt. of Sri Lanka
German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)- Gender
Mainstreaming
Project, Govt. of Afghanistan
Government
Ministry of Power, GoI
Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region GoI
Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI
Ministry of External Affairs, GoI
Dept. of Personnel & Training (DPT), GoI
Dept. of Science & Technology (DST), GoI
Indian Space Research Organization, (ISRO) GoI
Defence Research & Development.
Organization (DRDO), GoI Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), GoI
Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, GoI
Bureau of Police Research & Development, GoI
Dept. of Posts, GoI National Institute of Technology, Warangal
Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd.
Kolkata Urban Services for the Poor
Government College of Engineering, Salem
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh Govt. of Orissa
Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University
Corporate Clients, 2007–08
Public Sector (Including Banks)
NTPC Ltd.
NMDC Ltd.
ONGC Ltd.
NHPC Ltd.
Bank of India
Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.
Steel Authority of
India Ltd.
HMT Machine Tools Ltd.
Private Sector
Fortis Healthcare Ltd.
My Home Industries
Quality Care India Ltd.
Indofil Chemicals Co. Ltd.
E2E Serwiz Solutions
Maytas Properties/Maytas Infras Punjab National Bank
|
ENDOWED LECTURES
01 June 2007: Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture (endowed by M/s National Mineral Development Corp. Ltd). “Panchayati Raj: From Yesterday to Tomorrow”, by Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Hon’ble Minister of Panchayati Raj, Minister of Development of the North-Eastern Region, and Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India.
24 November 2007: C. C. Desai Memorial Lecture (endowed by M/s Gulf Oil Corp. Ltd.). “Elephants Too Dance: The India Growth Story”, by Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao, IAS, Finance Secretary, Govt. of India.
25 February 2008: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture (endowed by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh). “Constitutional Morality”, by Prof. Andre Beteille, FBA, Chairman, Indian Council of Social Science Research.
PUBLIC LECTURES
26 April 2007: “Development of Mumbai as an International Financial Centre”, by Mr. Percy S. Mistry, Chairman, Oxford International (OI) Group.
25 October 2007: “People Participation in the Prevention of Crime and Terrorism”, by Mr. Valentine Smith, Chief Detective, Victoria State Police, Australia.
21 November 2007: “Agricultural Growth and Rural Employment in Rain-fed Regions”, by Dr. Yoginder K. Alagh, Chairman, Institute of Rural Management, Anand.
5 December 2007: ASCI Foundation Day Lecture. “Ever-Green Farm Revolution: Pathway to Sustainable Food Security”, by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, President, Pugwash Conferences on Science & World Affairs and Chairman, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
15 December 2007: Second ASCI Golden Jubilee Address. “High Growth: What It Means, What It Entails”, by Mr. P. Chidambaram, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Govt. of India.
10 January 2008: “Indo-British Relations in Historical Context”, by Prof. Gordon Johnson, President of Wolfson College, Cambridge and Chairman of the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press.
29 January 2008: “Korea and South-East Asia: Challenge of Mutual Understanding”, by Prof. J. Y. Ra, President of Woosuk University, Korea.
8 February 2008: “Celebrity Diplomacy”, by Dr. Andrew Cooper, Professor of Political Science, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. |
