The Sociopolitical and Economic Context in Evaluating Productivity and Implementing Management Science Techniques

The importance of the sociopolitical and economic context in dealing with a problem situation in a particular country has been widely emphasised in the literature. However, one continues to come across studies in which the authors first concede this point but then go on to evaluate another country from their parochial perspective. This is particularly true of studies based on short-term trips abroad. The result could be incorrect data, incomplete analysis, and erroneous conclusions. Mostly, if not always, these studies show that the situation in the host country is highly illogical based on, of course, the yardstick used in the guest's country. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the process that leads to the reports on such studies. The lessons that follow from this analysis, we believe, are relevant in using the historical experience of one country for obtaining insights into the problem in another.