My PhD Research Journey - Dr. Sukanta Mishra, North Orissa University.

My PhD Research Journey Dr. Sukanta Mishra Doctorate in Commerce & Management, North Orissa University.

1 Dr. Sukanta Mishra Doctorate in Commerce & Management, North Orissa University. E-mail: [email protected] Addl. PS: CEO’s Secretariat, SAIL, RSP, Rourkela, Odisha (India). E-mail: [email protected] Acknowledgements: “Vital to Every Operation is Co-operation” - I really agree to this wonderful quotation put forth by Mr. Frank Tyger. This article was successful due to the co-operation extended by people who have truly contributed towards it. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the following people who have provided me with the encouragement and support in many different ways to complete this thesis. “The Doctoral Degree is a Key Milestone” – which could not be achieved without valuable Thoughts, Innovative Ideas, Suggestions, Inspirations and Encouragements of all well- wishers. My sincere thanks goes to: Supervisor Dr. Hrusikesh Behera, Co-Supervisor Former Principal & Reader in Commerce, MPC Autonomous College, Baripada. External Examiner Dr. Chandan Kumar Sahoo, Representative of Associate Professor & Former Head, Controller of Examinations School of Management, NIT, Rourkela. Prof. Uttam Kumar Dutta, Professor of Commerce, West Bengal State University, Kolkata: 700 126. (WB) Prof. Jagannath Lenka Director (CDC) & Professor of Economics North Orissa University, Baripada

2 I am very much thankful to: Management of Rourkela Steel Plant, who gave me permission for conducting such research. My sincere thanks goes to all Employees and Executives of Finance, Personnel, Projects, PR, Marketing, Materials Management and Works; who empowered me with valuable suggestions & information. I am very much grateful to: My family members for their unconditional Love, Support, co-operation and Encouragement throughout the Research Journey. Most importantly, I express my acknowledgement and sincere thanks to my mother-in-law Biva Rani Dash, for her unconditional love, endless support and pride in me. It is impossible to express thankfulness to everybody. However, there are those, whose spiritual support are very important. I would like to express: My sincere thanks to my Heavenly Grand Parents, who have been a source of my encouragement and support during the entire period of my PhD Studies. A Very Special Thanks for my Heavenly Mother (Krishna Kumari Mishra), who has been a source of Inspiration & Strength to overcome many trying moments to pursue my Dreams. I am Especially Grateful to: My Wife (Mandira) and Son (Rajiv); who have come to this world specially to join this historic journey. I am very much thankful to them for their Unconditional Love, Patience, without which I would have not been able to complete this PhD Research Work. At the end I would definitely say that nothing could have been possible without the Grace and Blessings of Almighty God/Goddess. All Praises, Glorifications belongs to almighty God/Goddess.

3 Inspirations: There were no body to inspire me for this PhD Research Journey. After Completion of MBA-HR from Pondicherry University, one day I Remembered the words of my Heavenly Grand Mother and my Mammy, who were telling that: One day, I will definitely achieve the Highest Qualification and this became true after so many years. Actually achieving success in higher qualifications, is not so easy, especially in Service Life as well Family Life. Keeping the blessing words of my Heavenly Grand Mother & Mammy, I decided to perform this Journey. Difficulties Faced: After successful completion of MBA-HR from Pondicherry University in June 2009, when I started journey for PhD registration, I faced a lot of difficulties in accepting me as “Scholar” by the Supervisor or Co-Supervisor, as they cannot accept more than six (06) scholars, as per University Guidelines. Same Scholar Acceptance Problem faced by me in Sambalpur University, Berhampur University & Utkal University.  Difficulties During Scholar Acceptance by Dr. (Ms.) Sujata Mangaraj: As advised by Business Administration Department of Utkal University, on my request, the President of AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools) & former Dean of Regional College of Management (RCM), Bhubaneswar – Dr. (Ms.) Sujata Mangaraj accepted me as Scholar. As per PhD Rules & Regulations, since a Scholar has to submit a synopsis on the Topic selected by him/her, a Draft-Synopsis had been submitted by me for her kind perusal as well as obtaining valuable suggestions, guidance & modifications in the Synopsis. But due to busy in attending National & International Conferences, she could not able to spare her valuable time for this, as a result of which I could not submit the Synopsis in Utkal University. One year passed in this way. In July 2010, I started discussion with Business Administration Department of North Orissa University, Baripada and then my PhD Research Journey started taking place.  Difficulties During PhD Registration in North Orissa University: As per advice of Business Administration Department of North Orissa University, on my request, and with reference of Professor Dr. Ashok Kumar Turuk, HOD: Computer Science & Engineering, NIT, Rourkela, Dr. Chandan Kumar Sahoo, Associate Professor, School of Management, NIT, Rourkela (who was earlier in NOU, Baripada); agreed for accepting me as his scholar.

4  Difficulties in Acceptance of PhD Registration Application & Synopsis:  06-December-2010: On this day, I had been to North Orissa University for submission of Application, for consideration of PhD Registration in Commerce & Management along with Synopsis on the following topic: “Competency Based Performance Management System: An Initiative towards a High Performing Organization.” The Former Controller of Examination Dr. LD Naik, did not agree to accept my Application and advised me to take PhD Registration in other Universities which are much better than NOU. When I requested him for consideration of acceptance of my Application, he advised me to choose a Supervisor of this University. On Request of Dr. Chandan Kumar Sahoo, & HOD of Business Administration: Prof. Dr. Sitaram Das, Prof. Dr. Hrusikesh Behera, Former Principal & Reader in Commerce, MPC Autonomous College, Baripada agreed to accept me as his scholar. Accordingly: Prof. Dr. Hrusikesh Behera remained as Supervisor and Prof. Dr. Chandan Kumar Sahoo remained as Co-Supervisor throughout the journey of my PhD Research.  07-December-2010: After Selection of Supervisor & Co-Supervisor for my PhD Research, I requested the Former Controller of Examination for consideration of acceptance of my Application for PhD Registration. But again due to non-acceptance of my Application and same advice given for taking admission in other better Universities, a Serious Argument occurred in between Prof. Dr. Hrusikesh Behera & Dr. LD Naik (Former Controller of Examinations) and then he agreed to accept my application in the Evening (6:00pm). My PhD Research Journey started from this day.  22-December-2010: On this day, the Subject Research Committee approved the topic of my Synopsis and advised to start Research Work on this.

5 Time Frame & Eligibility Criteria for PhD Thesis Submission: The period of Research Work is Five (05) years. However, University may allow Three (03) Chances of Extension. The Eligibility Criteria for acceptance of PhD Thesis is as follows: For Acceptance of PhD Thesis by the University, A Research Scholar has to:  publish an article in National as well as International Journal.  attend National/Internal Seminar and present a Conference Paper.  complete 6 Months Pre-PhD Course Work successfully.  submit Progress Report at every 6 Months Interval to the Controller of Examination, till submission of PhD Thesis.  07-December-2017: Thesis Submission After fulfillment of above Eligibility Criteria and with 2 Years Extension Permission, I had submitted PhD Thesis in the PhD Section of North Orissa University on 07- December-2017.  25-May-2019: The Precious Day of PhD Research Journey This was the most precious day for me. On this day my PhD Thesis Presentation and Group Discussion finished successfully and at the end my Supervisor, Co-Supervisor, External Examiner as well as Representative Controller of Examinations of NOU, have congratulated me for success in PhD Research. This could only be possible with the blessings of God/Goddess.  12-June-2019: Issue of PhD Notification by North Orissa University On 12th June, 2019 North Orissa University had issued Notification on my success in achievement of prestigious PhD Degree. My family members, friends and all well-wishers became very happy for this successful achievement and especially when I showed this University Notification to my Mother-in-Law (Biva Rani Dash), who became extremely happy on this success and also praised for the initiatives taken during this PhD Research Journey. Still today I remember the days of special care taken by my mother-in-law during my MBA Classes in Utkal University as well as MBA Examinations. With her blessings it could be possible to get success in achievement of MBA & PhD Degree. It’s my misfortune that after 2 ½ months, she passed away on 8th August, 2019 in Heart Attack and Kidney Failure. It is still not believable that she will leave us all of a sudden.

6 Abstract of Thesis: “Competency Based Performance Management System: An Initiative Towards a High Performing Organization” Competency has its origins in the Latin word 'competentia' which means “is authorized to judge” as well as “has the right to speak”. In the present business environment of cut throat competition and globalization, competency based practices have gained much attention from the contemporary organizations, globalization, individualization, digitalization and increasing competition are changing the face of the industry as we know it. They aim at achieving an optimum performance in the long term by developing the skills and competencies of the employees on a continuous basis. Literature and best practices indicate that, to some extent, if employers treat their employees as valued contributors, they tend to remain in the organization. To this end, organizations train, offer competitive compensation plans and increase benefits to secure their employee loyalty. The competency approach to human resources management is not new. A competency is a set of skills, related knowledge and attributes that allow an individual to successfully perform a task or an activity within a specific function or job. A competency based performance management system ensures that the right behaviors have been identified that will drive the best performance, and that those behaviors can be measured effectively followed by the right compensation/reward methods. The success of any performance management system depends upon the stability of its foundation. The most successful systems are built on the belief that there are specific competencies (behaviors that drive success in a given organization, help employees to understand what is expected of them, and provide employees with a road map for success) that represent the observable behaviors necessary to become high performer. Competency-based performance management helps organizations in accomplishment of their vision, mission and objectives. This achievement is possible because competency management enhances worth of human capital by evolving distinct and inimitable human competencies. Performance management system in an employee oriented organization is very important to assess the performance of employees as well as to motivate them to contribute effectively in the organization. In the competitive world today, employee performance is the key for success of an organization. Competency based performance management systems are extensively used for appraising, developing, rewarding and promoting people in most of the organizations. The performance of an employee (executive/non-executive) depends on the competencies, they possess or acquire through the process of development. These competencies are meta, business knowledge, skill/functional, social interaction, cognitive, behavioural and motivational in nature, which further helps in demonstrating a set of behaviour in a particular situation. Therefore, there is a demand for effective and competent executives/non-executives in both public and private organizations. The proposed study is an analytical one which has focused on competency based performance management system. Rourkela Steel Plant (a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited) has been selected for the purpose of study. SAIL is India’s largest steel maker and one of the top steel makers in the world, with a turnover of INR 66,267 Crore (US$9.32 Billion) having sufficient facilities for optimum utilization of its human resources. For an

7 objective assessment of the performance and potential of the employees and to distinguish between different levels of performance, the personnel department has followed a comprehensive appraisal system for the employees (executives/non-executives) to ensure an objective assessment of performance and potential of the employees and to integrate company’s and individual goals. The organization has systematic promotion policies for promotion within executives as well as non-executive employees. Besides to motivate the employees for their better performance, HR department takes care for the aspiration of the employees towards promotion, career planning, and succession planning. This study will help the manufacturing units to respond to the upcoming changes and demands of competent executives/non-executives, as well as in enabling efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. The competency based performance management model developed during the progression of this study will boost up individual executive/non- executive performance; especially the lower and middle level executives/non-executives. These competencies will allow the organization to ascertain the critical and strategic competencies, essential for current and future achievement of an organization. My Publications & Conference Papers: CONFERENCE PAPERS  “The Real Essence and Key Drivers of Employee Engagement: An Evidence of Organizational Effort” in the National Seminar on “Employee Engagement and HR Initiatives” organized by PG Department of PM & IR, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India on 14th May 2011. INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS  Mishra, S. and Sahoo, C.K. (2015). “Organizational Effort towards Performance Management System: A Key to Success”, Industrial Engineering Letters (IISTE - International Institute of Science, Technology & Education), 5 (2): 20-25.  Sahoo, C.K. and Mishra, S. (2012). “Performance Management Benefits Organizations and Their Employees”, Human Resource Management International Digest (Emerald Group Publishing Limited, UK), 20 (6): 3-5. NATIONAL PURBLICATIONS  Sahoo, C.K. and Mishra, S. (2012). “A Framework towards Employee Engagement: The PSU Experience”, ASCI Journal of Management (Journal of Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad), 42 (1): 94-112.  Mishra, S., Sahoo, C.K. and Behera, H. (2011). “360-Degree Feedback and Managerial Performance: A New Perspective of Assessment”, Growth (Journal of the Management Training Institute, SAIL, Ranchi, India), 38 (4): 45-51.  Mishra, S., Sahoo, C.K. and Das, S. (2010). “Competency Based Performance Management System: An Exploration”, Personnel Focus (Quarterly Journal of National Institute of Personnel Management, Utkal Chapter, Bhubaneswar, India), October-December 2010, 15-22.

8 My PhD Research Journey - Interview RSTV (Rourkela Steel Television) – YouTube (06-Dec-2019) It’s my great fortune that I have been given an opportunity for expression of my success in PhD Research Journey. On this day, on behalf of Management of RSP, a conference had been organized by Public Relations Department, wherein expression of above mentioned descriptions took place. A very special thanks to Public Relations Department as well as Announcers of Rourkela Steel Television for announcement in English, Hindi & Odia News. Links:  ENGLISH NEWS DT- 6/ 12/ 2019 RSTV (Rourkela Steel Television) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YIeK7YJ_Sk  HINDI NEWS DT- 6/ 12/ 2019 RSTV (Rourkela Steel Television) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhjIzNAhAoc  ODIA NEWS DT- 6/ 12/ 2019 RSTV (Rourkela Steel Television) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEYsx4Gq4Q0

Useful Thoughts That Will Inspire Your Life “If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means “First Attempt in Learning”. End is not the end, in fact E.N.D. means “Effort Never Dies”. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam former president of India