Excellence through Innovations in Public Enterprises

By : V.N. Srivastava

Page No: 149-161

Abstract
Public enterprises, which were once the pride of the nation, are above 300 in number. Majority of them have been loss making and average performing enterprises. Very few, who later came to be known as Navaratnas and Maharatnas, have been performing well. All tried to achieve excellence. However, only some could achieve. Some are still striving to achieve excellence. While it is true, there have been inherent constraints in both creation and management of public enterprises, nevertheless, some form of constraint or the other are there in all enterprises. Enterprises do and necessarily have to operate in constraints. The challenge lies in achieving excellence amidst constraints which have to be managed and can not be removed. This paper deals with the various issues of excellence and finally bring out how innovations help achieve excellence. It starts with a review of studies on Excellence in Public Enterprises in India and also internationally, various underlying theories and models for studies in public enterprises, various studies on excellence in public enterprises in India, public sectors pursuit of excellence and some innovations that make a difference. It finally concludes, all public enterprises can excel, be whatever the constraints.

Author :
V.N. Srivastava : Professor at the New Delhi Camp Office of Centre for Organization Development, Hyderabad.