Minnesota Journal of Business Law and Entrepreneurship
Minnesota Journal of Business Law and Entrepreneurship The Minnesota Journal of Business Law and Entrepreneurship is a student-edited legal publication dedicated to examining the legal, regulatory, and policy issues that shape business activity and entrepreneurial innovation. The Journal publishes high-quality scholarship from academics, legal practitioners, policymakers, and students on topics including corporate governance, startups, venture capital, securities regulation, intellectual property, technology law, and economic development. Committed to rigorous legal analysis and practical relevance, the Journal serves as a forum for advancing dialogue at the intersection of law and business. By highlighting emerging trends and fostering interdisciplinary perspectives, the Journal contributes to the development of legal frameworks that support innovation, ethical business practices, and sustainable economic growth.
Learning Patterns, Engagement, and Motivation among Postgraduate Management Students: Evidence from an Empirical Study in Indian B-Schools
Management education increasingly demands pedagogical approaches that are aligned with how students learn, engage, and retain knowledge. Contemporary postgraduate management students exhibit diverse learning preferences, strong career orientation, and expectations of practical relevance, posing challenges for traditional lecture-dominated teaching methods. This study empirically examines learning patterns, engagement behaviours, motivational drivers, and retention mechanisms among postgraduate management students in an Indian B-school context. Using a quantitative research design, primary data were collected from 149 postgraduate management students through a structured questionnaire grounded in experiential learning theory, adult learning principles, and learning styles research. Data were analysed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine associations between learning styles, engagement, motivation, and learning retention. The findings reveal a strong preference for experiential and interactive learning approaches, with real-life corporate examples significantly enhancing learning retention. Career and placement relevance emerged as the most influential motivational factor, while engagement patterns varied across learner types, highlighting the limitations of one-size-fits-all teaching strategies. Chi-square analysis confirmed statistically significant relationships between learning preferences, engagement levels, motivation, and retention. The study contributes empirical evidence to management education literature and offers actionable pedagogical implications for faculty and institutions. By aligning teaching strategies with student learning patterns, B-schools can enhance engagement, retention, and overall teaching effectiveness. The findings are particularly relevant for management institutions seeking to strengthen learner-centered and application-oriented pedagogy.
School Climate and Institutional Image Building in Schools: A Systematic Review of Government and Private Schools in India
This review paper is a synthesis of theoretical and empirical literature on two constructs in Indian educational administration that are interrelated as school climate and institutional image building. The paper reviews the conceptualisation, measurement, and study of these constructs in the context of the government and the privately-operated schools in India, using peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, government reports and doctoral theses published between 1990 and 2024. The review singles out five key thematic groups: (1) conceptual development of school climate in Indian scholarship; (2) frameworks and dimensions of institutional image in school settings; (3) the school climateimage nexus: mechanisms, mediators, and moderators; (4) the government private divide in climate and image: patterns, causes, and consequences; and (5) intervention strategies and policy responses. The review shows that there are crucial research gaps, such as the lack of longitudinal research, insufficient coverage of the situation in rural and tribal schools, and the near lack of studies on digital climate as a new dimension of the image. The paper will end up with conceptual model that combines school climate and image-building processes, and a research agenda to develop the field in India.
Smart Banking Era: Evaluating the Impact of Fintech Innovations on Customer E-Banking Behavior
The rapid advancement of Financial Technology (FinTech) has significantly transformed the traditional banking system, giving rise to a more efficient and customer-centric “Smart Banking Era.” This study aims to evaluate the impact of FinTech innovations on customer e-banking behavior, with a focus on perception, satisfaction, usage patterns, and challenges faced by users. The research is based on a descriptive design and utilizes both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 140 respondents through a structured questionnaire, while secondary data were gathered from journals, articles, and online sources. The study employs statistical tools such as percentage analysis, ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and Chi-square test to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that FinTech services such as mobile banking, UPI, and digital payments have enhanced convenience, speed, and accessibility, leading to increased adoption of e-banking services. Most respondents show a positive perception and satisfaction towards FinTech innovations. However, issues such as technical difficulties, security concerns, and lack of awareness still persist. The results further indicate that demographic variables have varying levels of influence on customer behavior. Age and gender show significant relationships in certain aspects of perception and satisfaction, whereas occupation and monthly income do not significantly affect problems faced or the purpose of using FinTech services. The study concludes that while FinTech innovations have a strong positive impact on e-banking behavior, improving customer awareness, trust, and digital infrastructure is essential for enhancing overall adoption and satisfaction.
The Role of Neuro Cognitive Financial Factors on Sustainable Performance of MSMES
Sustainable performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has turned out to be a hot spot of interest in the dynamic and uncertain economic settings. This research paper analyses the contribution of the neuro-cognitive financial factors in determining the long-term sustainability and performance outcome of MSMEs. Based on the findings of behavioural finance and cognitive psychology, the study examines the effects of cognitive biases, emotion regulation, risk perception and the financial decision-making processes on the managerial effectiveness and organizational resilience. The research is based on the mixed-method approach, as it is complemented by the primary data gathering on the owners of MSMEs and managers, as well as the secondary data on the financial reports and industry databases. The major neuro-cognitive variables to be examined are overconfidence, loss aversion, decision-making based on heuristics, and financial literacy that help to evaluate their effectiveness in terms of financial stability, innovation ability, and adaptive performance. The results show that positive neuro-cognitive qualities, such as rational assessment of risk and emotional intelligence, have a strong positive impact on strategic decision-making and lead to sustainable development. On the other hand, some cognitive distortions, like overconfidence and anchoring bias, adversely influence financial planning and resource allocation, making it more susceptible to market changes. The paper also emphasizes the mediating effect of the financial literacy in alleviating the negative cognitive impact and enhancing resilience. Moreover, the combination of fintech products and data-driven decision support systems proves to enhance cognitive efficiency and financial performance of MSMEs. The study is relevant to the emerging field of intersection between neurofinance and entrepreneurship as it delivers a more subtle picture of how mental and psychological aspects affect the sustainability of a business. The paper provides policy implications to the policymakers, financial institutions and MSME stakeholders to develop specific intervention, training and supportive ecosystems to increase cognitive awareness, and financial ability. Finally, informed and balanced decision-making may be highly effective in enhancing sustainable operations of MSMEs in changing economic environments.
Al-Driven Microcredit: Revolutionizing Access to Small Loans for Low-Income Communities
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the Microcredit Industry. It helps in increasing accessibility to Loans by low income communities. Traditional Microcredit Models rely on human judgement and outdated Credit assessment Models. Those are often Costly, Biased and Slow processes. Artificial Intelligence Driven Microcredit System helps in calculating various algorithms, analyzing big data and focusing on Credit worthiness. The present study focuses on analyzing the pattern of Microcredit by the potential Borrowers. This paper explores the Transformative impact of Al on Microcredit, examining its potential to Empower low-income communities and the Challenges that need to overcome in reality. Al based analysis helps in reducing risk from borrowers' point of view and also from creditors point of view. The integration of AI in Microcredit ensures that the benefits are equally distributed among all sections of the Society. Incorporating Artificial intelligence in Microcredit often helps the bankers to process the loans very easily and make the loan processing without any time delays.
Effect of Family Financial Socialisation on the Financial Attitude of College Students in Kerala
The role of family in the development of a person is beyond debate. Research shows that the mental growth of a person happens in the first few years as a child. Also, it is usually with the family that people spend most of their time. Hence the influence of family in the financial development of a person cannot be overlooked. Family financial socialization theory can be seen as a practical application of social learning theory, where children acquire financial habits by observing their parents' behaviors, engaging in personal experiences, and participating in direct discussions about finances with their parents. Financial attitude is the way a person sees money and its use. In this study, the impact of family financial socialisation on the financial attitude of college students are analysed. The data is collected through a questionnaire, from a sample of 120 undergraduate degree students studying in different colleges in Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Kollam districts representing the north, central and south zones of Kerala. College students represent a community of people who are on the brink of stepping into an adult life where they have to take charge of their financial decisions and therefore their financial well-being lies in their hands. This paper measures the level of family financial socialisation and financial attitude, and how the former impacts the latter among college students.
Exploring the Influence of Digital Financial Literacy on Sustainable Tourism Practices among College Students
In the digital age, Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) is prerequisite skill for individuals, particularly college students, to effectively manage their financial resources, especially in the context of travel-related expenses. As travel becomes increasingly integral to both academic and personal development, mastery of digital financial tools and various financial applications empowers students to make informed financial decisions. This study investigates the influence of DFL on sustainable tourism practices among college students, focusing on Digital knowledge, financial knowledge, awareness of digital financial services and also risk management. A structured survey was administered to assess the DFL of 418 students in the Tiruchirappalli District. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between sustainable tourism behaviors and DFL, showing that higher levels of digital financial literacy students are more likely to make environmentally responsible, socially conscious, and financially sustainable travel choices. These results highlight the significance of incorporating digital financial literacy into Higher education institutions, especially for students pursuing tourism, as it provides prerequisite skills for managing finances responsibly. This study underscores that financial literacy not only contributes to personal economic stability but also promotes travel behaviors that benefit local communities, enhance environmental conservation, and protect cultural heritage.
Tariffs as Geo-Economic Statecraft: Revenue, Reindustrialization, Dollar Strength, and Strategic Competition in the First Phase of the Modern U.S. Tariff Regime
Tariffs are now again a key part of U.S. economic policy. They are used to fix trade deficits, help American businesses, and give the U.S. more power in international disputes. The 2025 tariff program was a big change from earlier, smaller ones since it raised customs duties to levels not seen in almost a century. Advocates say that tariffs can raise money for the government, protect U.S. businesses, make the dollar stronger around the world, and give the U.S. more power in negotiations. However, these possible benefits come with some big problems, such as higher pricing for consumers, problems with the supply chain, retaliatory actions against U.S. exports, slower development and investment, and more people trying to avoid tariffs. This assessment looks at fiscal data, industry trends, and economic studies in a methodical way to figure out how tariffs fit into U.S. economic policy. The analysis uses official government data and scholarly literature to look at things like tariff revenue, trade deficit dynamics, effects on manufacturing and jobs, currency changes, and foreign responses like retaliation and evasion. The assessment also looks at how tariffs can be used to protect the supply chain, fight drug trafficking, and protect the country. Tariffs can bring in money and provide businesses and consumers short-term power, but most of the evidence shows that U.S. consumers and businesses pay most of the costs, especially in industries that rely on imported goods. The long-term effects will depend on how well the law is followed, other policies in the country, and changes in the economy as a whole. The time period being looked at is the first part of the contemporary U.S. tariff cycle. During this time, policy changed from specific trade actions to a broader tool with effects on the economy, industry, and strategy. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in early 2026 that parts of the 2025 tariff scheme were not lawful caused legal ambiguity and made trade authorities rethink their roles. This change gives us a good reason to look at the first part of the tariff cycle. It shows how tariffs are being used more strategically and the risks they pose to alliances, legal stability, and the credibility of policies.
Towards Organisational Learning: The Role of Experiential Learning and Transfer of Learning in the Development of Learning Organizations
This study investigates the interplay between Organisational Learning (OL), Experiential Learning (EL), and Transfer of Learning (ToL) in shaping the development of Learning Organisations (LO). Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 470 professionals across diverse Indian organisations, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among the constructs. Results confirmed a strong direct effect of OL on LO and identified EL as a significant partial mediator. Contrary to expectations, ToL did not moderate the OL–LO relationship but showed a significant independent effect on LO. These findings highlight the importance of embedding experiential mechanisms and transfer-enhancing environments to foster sustainable learning cultures. The study contributes to the refinement of learning organisation theory and offers practical strategies for training effectiveness and organisational adaptability.
Cultivating Adaptive Excellence: The Why, How, and Benefits of Becoming a Learning Organization
Organizations must embrace adaptability as a core competency to thrive in today's volatile and complex business environment, characterized by rapid technological advancements, evolving customer expectations, and disruptive competition. This research paper examines the "learning organization" concept as a strategic imperative for achieving sustained success in the 21st century. We explore the compelling reasons why organizations must prioritize continuous learning and outline a comprehensive framework for cultivating a thriving learning culture. This research is grounded in an extensive literature review on learning organizations, organizational development, and strategic leadership. This paper explores seven interconnected pillars essential for building a learning organization: continuous learning, inquiry and dialogue, collective and collaborative efforts, empowerment, embedded systems, system connection, and strategic leadership. We provide practical insights and actionable strategies for organizations to implement each pillar effectively. Furthermore, we examine the multifaceted benefits of becoming a learning organization, including enhanced agility, increased innovation, improved employee engagement, and a stronger competitive advantage. By embracing the principles and practices outlined in this research, organizations can unlock the full potential of their human capital, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape with resilience and foresight.
From Manual Transactions to Algorithmic Systems: Expert Insights on AI’s Transformative Role in Digital Payment Services
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the organized world of digital payments (DP) is a transformation in the route of transaction execution, management, and security. With India selected as the locale for researching, the study is harnessing itself to assess the influence of AI on the DP marketplace in terms of safety and operational process. The data for the study was primary and qualitative, in which the key concepts in the field of AI in DP were explicated and the authorities' views corroborated on the issue of this technology deployment focusing on DP services. Experts from fintech, banking, and financial services (BFS), and non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) were interviewed to build a unique perspective. All interviews were audio-recorded, watched carefully during transcription and kept crisper for qualitative content analysis taken in accordance with a preset structure. So, needless to say, this research also pushes India's AI-DP path from basics to very specific details. Yet another aspect of this research is the prediction of upcoming trends and challenges in the acceptability of AI in the Indian DP environment. The issue is centred on the seamless experience of users at every stage of the process, trust placed on the users and improved security systems. The study predicts a boundless future in self-use tenderness to the functionality of AI in commerce like identity theft detection, risk management, options of expense cutting, scalability of the system, immediate implementation of transactions, and lastly, the enhancement of user experience. These revelations will also permit different players in the business to have a deeper grasp of the idea of AI transforming everyday transactions along with swift AI-related innovations and regulations that may bolster trust and sustainability within the changing DP ecosystem.
Cultural Freedom and Legal Exclusion: Gendered Property Rights under Customary Law in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
The socioeconomic and legal status of Kinnaura tribal women in the Kinnaur area of Himachal Pradesh is examined in this essay, with a focus on property rights and customary inheritance systems. Due to their active involvement in home economies, gardening, agriculture, and communal decision-making, Kinnauri women are frequently seen as socially powerful; nonetheless, they are still structurally excluded from owning ancestral land. By examining the cohabitation of legal marginalization and cultural acknowledgment within the context of tribal customary law, the study investigates this paradox. The research uses a qualitative analytical method, drawing on secondary sources such as census data, ethnographic literature, regional socio-economic surveys, legal texts like the Wajib-ul-Urj (1926), and constitutional articles pertaining to tribal governance. It critically investigates how, despite their significant economic contributions, women's access to resources is shaped by patrilineal inheritance patterns. In order to comprehend gendered property relations within Kinnauri society, the research also examines traditional marital customs and arrangements such udanang and bitho-pono. It contends that the preservation of indigenous cultural sovereignty and constitutional commitments to equality must be balanced in the achievement of gender equality in tribal areas. The study comes to the conclusion that community-led approaches to legal transformation, participatory policy discourse, and structural changes in inheritance systems are necessary for the genuine empowerment of tribal women.
Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in the Banking Sector: A Bibliometric Analysis
This bibliometric analysis examines the research environment concerning the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the banking sector from 2010 to 2026. The study concentrated on Scopus-indexed publications to recognize prominent research clusters. We employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach to evaluate the publications, resulting in 2790 that satisfied the inclusion criteria. The study found 257 words that were only used in the abstracts as well as the titles of the articles. Factor analysis identified five distinct clusters encompassing AI-fintech, risk assessment, cybersecurity, statistical modelling techniques, and marketing and technology adoption, among others. These clusters give a full picture of the complex world of research. The result highlighted two dimensions explaining 44.8% of the variance collectively and thus offers meaningful insights in the field. An evaluation of life cycle predictions shows that after a decade, the adoption of new technologies will change AI into something else. The evaluation also shows that cumulative growth will level off after 2030 and then start to drop from 2030 to 2050. After that, the subject matter score will keep going down, which indicates a shift from growth to saturation. The defined clusters provide significant direction for further inquiries and contribute to the development of research methodology. Future researchers, policymakers, academic community, and professionals in the banking sector can derive meaningful lessons from these findings, which underscore existing research deficiencies and emerging opportunities. This study enhances the bibliometric literature by providing innovative insights on AI-enabled advancements within the banking sector. Furthermore, the findings have substantial practical implications, facilitating the understanding of AI-driven technologies in the enhancement of academic pursuits and financial sector operations.
Reframing Rural Tourism in Rural Studies: A Bibliometric Analysis and Recent Trends of Two Decades of Research
Rural tourism is an important subject of tourism research in that it not only brings socio-cultural enrichment but also economic benefit to rural communities and brings authentic experience of heritage and nature to urban visitors. Despite the increasing importance of it, the literature is fragmented, and there have been few attempts to draw the different perspectives into an integrated conception. This study attempts to examine and synthesize the existing research on rural tourism to map its intellectual journey, thematic trajectory and future paths. A PRISMA-registered bibliometric review was completed alongside science mapping and qualitative content analysis. Bibliometric methods were used to investigate scientific output, most influential journals, co-citation and co-occurrence of keywords and international co-authorship networks. Theme synthesis was further carried out for the purpose of making a more comprehensive understanding of dominant research clusters and conceptual gaps. Findings reveal six key thematic areas consisting of ethnicity, ecology, communal, growth, strategy and intervention that reflect the multidisciplinary and dynamic character of rural tourism scholarship. The review also highlights a rising interest in sustainability, entrepreneurship and technological innovation, while identifying gaps in longitudinal studies, governance perspectives and integration of smart tourism practices. Overall, this study contributes because it brings together two decades of rural tourism literature into a comprehensive framework from which theory can be informed, policy can be guided, and sustainable development in rural destinations can be supported.
Exploring Spiritual Ecofeminism and Magical Realism in Vandana Singh’s “The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet”
The intersection of ecofeminism and magical realism in literature offers a unique lens through which to explore the complex relationships between gender, ecology, and spirituality. Vandana Singh’s short story “The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet,” from her collection The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories (2008), exemplifies this intersection, merging the boundaries between the real and the fantastical to interrogate patriarchal structures and their impact on both women and the environment. This chapter delves into Singh’s story and analyses it through the framework of spiritual ecofeminism which is a branch of ecofeminism that emphasizes the spiritual connection between women and nature and its interplay with the literary technique of magical realism.
From Constraints to Motivation: An Empirical Study of Gender-Based Barriers Enhancing Entrepreneurial Resilience among Women
With the advent of globalization, growth of technology, increased knowledge, exposure and transformative outlook on aspects of gender, there have been a great change in matters of roles and responsibilities of women. Nowadays, several women-owned businesses across the globe motivate and empower fellow women around to rise to make major decisions of growth and success. The role of women in entrepreneurship not only helps resolve the implications of economic aspects in a better way but also facilitates in ensuring gender equality and propagate better values of inclusivity. By developing more women-owned ventures, it not only aid to the growth of a country’s economy, but evidently embarks in transforming several of these traditional ideas that repress women from being social individuals. The growing participation of women in entrepreneurial activities has significantly helped in addressing and bringing resolution to several of the above-mentioned issues such as gender gap and poverty. The rise in number of women-owned ventures across the globe has successfully helped in disrupting the male-dominated structure of entrepreneurship, eventually providing to the progress of society in general. 237 women entrepreneurs from different entrepreneurial sector were surveyed to explore the factors that determines Gender-Based Barriers that enhancing Entrepreneurial Resilience among Women. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Gender-Based Barriers on Entrepreneurial Resilience among Women.
Adoption of Digital Banking of Digital Banking Tools and Their Impact on Customer Experience: A Case Study of Select Public Sector Banks in Rajasthan
The widespread use of “digital banking has fundamentally changed the financial services industry, putting customer satisfaction at the forefront of competition. This research aimed to find out the impact of digital banking adoption and service quality on customer satisfaction in public sector banks of Rajasthan. Through a quantitative research design, data were collected from bank customers using a structured questionnaire which was used to measure digital banking adoption, service quality, and customer satisfaction. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to investigate the interrelations among the constructs and to test the hypotheses. The findings showed that digital banking adoption and quality of services had a significant impact on customer satisfaction, which indicates the importance of reliability, security, responsiveness, and convenience in the domain of digital banking services.” By including empirical evidence pertaining to public sector banks in Rajasthan, the study adds value to the existing literature, and provides operational guidelines for banking managers who are looking for improving customer experiences and loyalty. Moreover, the study reflects the need for continued innovation, customer-centered digital solutions and strategic improvements in the quality of service, in order to reach high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
Examining the Influence of Trust in AI on Patient Satisfaction: Insights from AI-Driven Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the healthcare sector by improving treatment planning, diagnostics, and patient care. As AI become more widely used in healthcare, building and maintaining patient trust in these technologies has never been more important. Patient trust is increasingly recognised as a foundational element that determines whether AI tools are embraced or rejected in clinical environments. This study examines AI’s role by evaluating AI Diagnosis Confidence (ADC) scores, quantifying patient trust in AI, along with biomedical parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and recovery time. Built on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study examines how AI affects patient satisfaction and health outcomes, with a specific focus on the role of pharmaceutical companies in advancing AI-driven healthcare solutions. This study uses a mixed-method approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI adoption in healthcare. A dataset of 5,000 patient records was collected and analyzed from Kaggle using machine learning techniques such as Gradient Boosting and Random Forests. Additionally, the K-Means clustering algorithm was adopted to group patients based on ADC scores and biomedical data. A thematic analysis of interviews with doctors, AI experts and pharmaceutical professionals was also conducted to identify qualitative insights. Findings of the study reveal that in quantitative analysis, the Gradient Boosting algorithm achieved the highest accuracy of 0.6369, indicating that trust in AI and optimal biomedical parameters have a significant impact on patient satisfaction. Cluster analysis identified three different patient satisfaction groups, showcasing how different patients respond to AI-assisted care. Through qualitative thematic analysis, four important themes were discovered: (1) Transparency - Patients and physicians emphasised the importance of understanding AI's decision-making process to build trust. (2) Human-AI Cooperation - AI should complement human care, not replace. (3) Cultural Acceptance - Institutional validation boosts confidence in AI, while regional variations affect trust. (4) Pharmaceutical Role - To boost patient confidence in AI systems, clinical validation must be conducted by pharmaceutical companies. This study provides valuable insights into building trust in AI by integrating both qualitative and quantitative findings. It highlights the importance of collaboration across technology, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors in improving patient outcomes. This research offers a practical framework for healthcare organisations, contributing to the development of more patient-centred and trustworthy healthcare systems.
How Green is your Choice When Skepticism Clouds your Judgement? An Empirical Study on Perception, Emotion, and Purchase Likelihood
Despite the growing popularity of green products, skepticism continues to cloud customers judgement. This study investigates how perception and emotion of customers influence their likelihood to shop green products, under the shadow of skepticism. An empirical investigation was conducted drawing on data from 429 individuals via a structured questionnaire that was administered through stratified sampling. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the direct, indirect, and moderating effects within the proposed framework. SEM precedes with confirmation of two measurement model through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Major results reveal that the customers’ perception of green products influence their purchasing likelihood, both directly and indirectly, with emotion acting as a mediator in the indirect effect. Notably, skepticism significantly moderates both direct and indirect paths. This research work provides novel idea of ‘bubbling likelihood principle’, a new theory based on the empirical evidences. The disrupting nature of skepticism in sustainable decision-making of customers refers to another novelty of this study. Implications suggests that marketers should prioritize clarity, credibility and emotional authenticity in marketing communications to ensure that customers can make informed and confident green choices while purchasing eco-friendly products even if their judgement is clouded by doubt.
Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Business Practices: Empirical Study of Indian Emerging Economy
Digital transformation has emerged as a significant driver of sustainable business practices, particularly in emerging economies where organizations are increasingly adopting advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. The study examines the role of digital transformation as a catalyst for sustainable business practices in context of Indian emerging economies. This work focuses on how the adoption of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT), contributes to improving resource efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and promoting responsible business operations. This work highlights that organizations embracing digital transformation are better positioned to achieve sustainable development goals while maintaining competitiveness in the dynamic business environment. Organizations leveraging digital technologies shows improved decision-making capabilities, efficient utilization of resources, and strong alignment with sustainability goals. A sample of 283 was collected to find the result of the study. The factors studying the Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Business Practices are Technological Innovation Capability, Digital Infrastructure and IT integration, green innovation and environmental orientation and Customer orientation and market dynamics. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Digital Transformation on Sustainable Business Practices.
“Investment Decision Dilemma: A Study on Young Professionals in Bengaluru”
Classical financial theories assume that investors are rational actors, making decisions solely on risk–return trade-offs and available information. In practice, cognitive limitations, emotional responses, and ingrained psychological biases systematically distort financial judgment. This study investigates the nature and extent of such biases among young professionals aged 23–31 in Bengaluru—one of India’s fastest-growing investor demographics—grounded in the frameworks of behavioural finance and neurofinance. Employing a mixed-method design, the research combines a structured survey (n = 71) with fifteen in-depth interviews across North, South, and East Bengaluru. Three objectives guide the study: to identify common psychological biases affecting investment decisions; to analyse the role of emotions and mental processes in shaping those decisions; and to provide insights into how financial literacy and awareness can reduce the impact of such biases. Key findings reveal that familiarity bias is the most pervasive distortion, with 74.6% of respondents always or sometimes preferring sectors familiar to them. Overconfidence is evident in the 38% who review portfolios weekly; 42.3% admitted to at least one impulsive decision in the past year; 69% rely on gut feeling frequently or occasionally; and a combined 53.5% are primarily influenced by news/media or peer activity, reflecting herd behaviour. In-depth interviews reinforced these patterns and surfaced a consistent gap between analytical intent and emotional execution, aligned with the empathy gap in behavioural economics. The study concludes that psychological biases are structurally embedded in this cohort’s investment behaviour and that effective mitigation requires practical in-the-moment decision support, pre-commitment mechanisms, and applied financial literacy—not awareness alone. Targeted recommendations are offered for financial advisors, fintech platforms, and educational institutions.
Human Capital Investment and Long-Term Economic Growth: An SDG 8 Perspective
Human capital investment has emerged as a critical determinant of long-term economic growth, particularly in the context of knowledge-driven and innovation-based economies. Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) emphasizes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all. This paper examines the role of human capital investment—specifically education, skill development, health, and lifelong learning—in fostering long-term economic growth aligned with SDG 8. Drawing upon theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and global policy frameworks, the study integrates human capital theory with the decent work agenda. The paper adopts a conceptual and analytical approach using secondary data from international organizations and prior empirical studies. Findings suggest that economies that prioritize inclusive and quality human capital investment experience higher productivity, employment quality, and resilience to economic shocks. However, challenges such as skill mismatches, inequality in access to education, and underinvestment in health hinder optimal outcomes. The paper concludes with policy implications for governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the need for integrated human capital strategies to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Enhancing the Financial Viability of Environment Sustainable Government (ESG) Bonds for MSME and SME in India - An Empirical Analysis
This study investigates the financial viability, awareness, and adoption drivers of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) bonds among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Employing a mixed-methods empirical design, the research integrates a comprehensive review of 103 secondary papers with primary data from 150 MSMEs nationwide. Utilizing stratified random sampling by size, sector, and region, with a 40% geographic focus on Karnataka, the study combines quantitative questionnaires on adoption metrics with qualitative interviews detailing financial viability, cost of capital, and expected ROI. The analysis reveals a severe "cost-of-capital viability trap": firms with high baseline borrowing costs (9.21%) are mathematically deterred from adopting ESG bonds compared to early adopters (7.97%). Logistic regression demonstrates that financial knowledge out-predicts firm size, proving that properly informed Micro and Small enterprises exhibit a high propensity to adopt sustainable debt. However, the data exposes a systemic, size-agnostic awareness gap. The primary barriers are operational, specifically complex issuance procedures and fragmented policy transmission, leaving 55% of firms in a complete "support void." Concluding that ESG bonds currently function as a financial luxury, the paper recommends direct process subsidies and a lightweight, MSME-specific ESG taxonomy to democratize sustainable finance.
Consumer Complaint Analytics as a Tool for Service Quality Assessment: A Comparative Study of HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank
Customer complaint analytics has emerged as a critical tool for evaluating service quality in the banking sector, particularly in the context of increasing digitalization. This study aims to assess service quality using complaint data as an objective indicator. A comparative analysis is conducted between HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank using secondary data from the Reserve Bank of India over the period 2018–19 to 2024–25. The study adopts a descriptive and comparative research design using trend analysis, category-wise classification, and graphical interpretation. The findings reveal a consistent increase in customer complaints over time, driven by expanding digital banking usage and increased customer awareness. ICICI Bank reports relatively higher complaint volumes compared to HDFC Bank, while both banks maintain high complaint resolution efficiency. The study highlights a shift toward digital and credit-related complaints, reflecting evolving service challenges. It establishes complaint analytics as a reliable tool for service quality assessment and provides insights for improving customer experience and operational efficiency.
Inclusive Business Models: Driving Growth Through Social Entrepreneurship
The concept of inclusive business models has been on the rise as a viable approach to integrating the economic and social performance in the context of increasing inequality and developmental challenges. This paper delves into the aspect of social entrepreneurship in adopting inclusive strategies to involve the marginalised communities in value chains as customers, suppliers and partners. The study looks at different areas of the inclusive business model like affordability, accessibility, scalability and sustainability and their effects on inclusive growth. The paper explains through secondary data and illustrative examples how innovative strategies such as micro-distribution, localised production and technology-based platforms can be implemented by businesses to overcome market and resource limitations. These findings indicate that the inclusive business models do not only expand market opportunities but also enhance their livelihood conditions by creating livelihoods, access to basic services and empower the disadvantaged. Nonetheless, these models face challenges of financing and regulatory environments and in balancing social and economic objectives. It proposes partnerships, policies, and impact investing as critical in cultivating such initiatives. Considering inclusive business as a part of the wider concept of social entrepreneurship, the paper contributes to the understanding of ways in which a company can become a transformational force to enhance inclusive development and stay competitive. The research findings conclude that the inclusive business models are a possible solution to sustainable and sustainable development, especially in emerging economies, where the borders between the social and market opportunities overlap.
The Evolution of National Board of Accreditation Standards for Post Graduate Diploma in Management Programmes in India: From Compliance to Outcomes
Purpose: This paper examines the evolution of National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programmes in India and ponders what that trajectory tells about changing conceptions of quality in management education. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopts a qualitative documentary analysis of NBA annual reports, accreditation manuals, Self-Assessment Report (SAR) formats, process documents, frequently asked questions, and official records of accredited programme. The analysis of documents was done chronologically and comparatively across multiple accreditation cycles. Findings: The analysis reveals a clear and progressive movement from a compliance-oriented, input-centred model towards an outcome-focused and evidence-intensive quality framework. Over consecutive accreditation cycles, the evaluation methodology for PGDM programmes became more demanding in relation to programme outcomes, faculty scholarly profile, student performance, governance effectiveness, placement quality, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. Two significant process shifts are also identified: the tightening of programme pre-qualifier requirements and the evolution of the preparation of the eSAR structure from a document-centred submission format to an integrated portal-based workflow. By 2025, institutions were required to submit the eSAR through the eNBA ‘PQ/e-SAR’ portal and retain a system-generated PDF record. Research Limitations/Implications: The study is grounded entirely in documentary evidence and therefore does not capture the lived experience of institutions or peer-review teams navigating the accreditation process. Future research incorporating qualitative fieldwork, institutional interviews, or comparative international analysis would extend and deepen the findings. Practical Implications: PGDM colleges must not consider accreditation as merely ticking the boxes. It is a continuous quality system that tightly connects program design assessment evidence generation, and internal review. Regulators, on the other hand, could consider providing capacity-building support to small and emerging institutions to make the accreditation framework developmentally equitable. Originality/Value: This article presents a historically oriented approach of the NBA accreditation scope expansion to include PGDM programmes. It places this evolution by referring to the leading discourses of quality assurance, legitimacy, and reform in management education. Besides giving a historical perspective, this article also fills a major gap in the literature by giving a deep academic exploration of the changing NBA accreditation philosophy, especially with regard to higher management education in India.
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An Empirical Analysis of the Talent Trap in Structural Attrition and Knowledge Paradoxes with Human Capital Sustainability in India's GCC With Reference to Pune Ecosystem
India hosts over 1,700 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) employing 1.9 million knowledge professionals and generating approximately USD 46 billion annually. The Pune Metropolitan Region, with over 360+ active GCCs, has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing GCC clusters. Yet this rapid scale-up conceals a structural paradox: the very knowledge-intensity that makes GCCs strategically indispensable also generates attrition rates of 22–28%, threatening the human capital sustainability these centers require for long-term competitive advantage. Drawing on a systematic secondary data synthesis spanning 14 industry intelligence reports, 62 peer-reviewed articles (2010–2025), Government of India policy documents, and published corporate case studies, this paper advances three contributions. First, it reframes talent management in Pune GCCs through the intersecting lenses of the Resource-Based View (Barney, 1991), Human Capital Theory (Becker, 1964), and the Dynamic Capabilities framework (Teece et al., 1997). Second, it presents integrative quantitative evidence on the structural drivers of acquisition and attrition, identifying five root-cause pathways that conventional HR interventions routinely address sub-optimally. Third, it introduces the Strategic Talent Capability Development (STCD) Framework — a four-stage circular model that reconceptualises talent acquisition and retention as phases in a self-reinforcing human capital accumulation cycle rather than as discrete HR activities. Findings yield six evidence-based recommendations for GCC leadership, HR practitioners, and policymakers, and identify four directions for future empirical research.
Anti-Trust Agreement in Indian Real Estate Sector: A Comparative Legal and Policy Analysis with Us and Canada
This research paper do a comparative legal and policy analysis of anti-trust agreements in real estate sector in India with the United States and Canada using doctrinal research methodology and case study analysis method to analyse the effectiveness of India’s Competition Act 2002. This paper show that on the one hand, India has a strong legal regime to deal with competition, on the other hand, a lot of challenges are there in enforcement of competition regulation laws particularly in case of real estate sector which involve cartelization of cement manufacturers and builders associations, as can be seen from the Builders Association of India vs Cement Manufacturer Association case and many more such cases like Belaire Owners’ Associations v. DLF Limited. This research is based on five comparative tables analyzing the legislative architecture, enforcement mechanism and sectoral impact of cement cartelization. In major cities, there has been a price rise of 20-40% owing to cement cartelization which transgresses the vision of “Housing for All by 2022”. On the contrary, Competition Commission of India suffers from institutional capacity constraints as shown by its paltry penalty collection of 0.4% unlike Government of US which is backed up by robust enforcement mechanism as seen in Standard Oil break-up and AT&T divestiture including Canada which follows streamlined administrative approach. The study finds crucial gaps like lack of regulatory coordination, sector–specific knowledge and lack of deterrence–related mechanisms. As such this study provides evidence–based recommendation for the establishment of a Cement Regulatory Authority, strengthening the institutional capacity of CCI, implementation of comprehensive whistleblower protection and creation of sector–specific enforcement protocols. Furthermore, this will assist in fair and healthy competition, consumer welfare, and support infrastructure development goals of India. In 2019–20 India’s real estate sector contributed 6.5% to GDP and is also the second–largest employment generator after agriculture.
Digital Financial Literacy and Investment Behaviour among Salaried Individuals in India
This study's primary goal is to investigate how digital financial literacy affects salaried people's investing habits. Data for this study was gathered using a standardized questionnaire. The study took into account a sample of one hundred salaried people, and the respondents were chosen using a straightforward random sampling approach. Statistical techniques like regression analysis and ANOVA were used for data analysis. The study's findings show that salaried people's investing choices are strongly influenced by their level of digital financial literacy. It was also noted that the salaried class's degree of digital financial literacy influences their investing choices. The study comes to the conclusion that increasing digital financial literacy is crucial because it may assist salaried people in making wiser investment choices and successfully diversifying their holdings.
From Emotion to Engagement: Examining the Mediating Role of Self-Esteem among College Students
The study aims to evaluate the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Engagement, and the mediating role of Self-Esteem in the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Engagement. Study was conducted with 250 college students drawn from Chandigarh. Through the use of Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the study's findings demonstrated that emotional Intelligence and self-esteem positively influence academic engagement. Furthermore, Self-esteem mediates in the relationship between emotional Intelligence and academic engagement. This paper also explores implications and future research directions.
Why Firms Reduce Debt: Insights from India’s Bankruptcy Framework and Institutional Environment
Over the past two decades, Indian firms have exhibited a consistent trend of corporate deleveraging, marked by a gradual reduction in reliance on debt financing. This article explores the underlying drivers of this shift, focusing on the rising significance of bankruptcy costs and persistent institutional constraints within the Indian financial system. While traditional capital structure theories emphasise the benefits of leverage, the Indian experience reveals a more cautious corporate approach shaped by legal reforms, credit market frictions, and heightened perceptions of financial distress. By examining real-world corporate cases and broader financial developments, the article argues that deleveraging in India is not merely cyclical but structural in nature. The findings highlight the need for a balanced financial ecosystem that supports both stability and growth, while also offering insights for policymakers and corporate decision-makers navigating an increasingly risk-aware environment.
Analyzing the Impact of Transactional and Transformational Leadership Styles on Employee Performance: Empirical Evidence from MSMEs
Business leaders have crucial functions and duties for optimising the performance of employees as they integrate the practices of utilising human and other resources in the organisation. They are considered indispensable for giving employees the right guidance and emotional commitment to make the best possible contribution at the workplace. The ability to adopt leadership styles that are effective in managing changes and new developments in the business is made possible by paying attention to the scope and complexity of the problems in an appropriate manner. Despite the fact that various leadership philosophies might have varying effects on how their employees behave, the business leaders must explore appropriate leadership styles for a sustainable business. It must give special heed to the effective leadership styles that will enhance employee performance. As a result, this study investigates how leadership styles can have different effects on employee performance in a changing business environment after the economic disruptions of COVID 19. The empirical findings suggest that employee performance is positive associated with transactional and transformational leadership styles. These leadership styles have positive impacts on the performance of employees. However, transactional leadership has a stronger positive impact on employee performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Manipur.
A Systematic Review of the Influence of Employee Well-Being on Engagement and Job Performance: An Empirical Studies
The health and happiness of workers has become an increasingly important consideration in today's workplaces, since it has a direct impact on the level of performance and engagement of workers. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the current empirical data in order to get a better understanding of the ways in which well-being influences these important organizational outcomes. The purpose of this article is to study a broad variety of research that investigate the relationship between well-being, work engagement, and performance. The paper focuses on the ways in which different aspects of well-being, such as psychological, emotional, and physical health, lead to better levels of employee engagement and productivity. Additionally, this research finds critical moderating and mediating elements, such as leadership support, work resources, and organizational culture, that either increase or lessen the beneficial benefits of well-being on engagement and performance. These factors include leadership support, job resources, and organizational culture of the company. According to the results, firms that cultivate a supportive and healthy work environment are more likely to see gains in employee satisfaction as well as performance outcomes. These findings also highlight the significance of comprehensive employee well-being policies. In conclusion, the study provides a summary of potential topics for further investigation, especially with regard to the comprehension of the long-term effects of well-being efforts and the investigation of cultural variations in these dynamics.
Revisiting Training Accountability in Indian Maharatna Enterprises: Why Measuring Effectiveness Matters More Than Measuring Training Volume
India's Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) training ecosystem observe a consistent accountability gap, in spite of the substantial investment in human resource development (HRD). Training accountability in Indian Maharatna companies, normally associated with the training volume and base parameters such as man-hours, budget expenditure, program satisfaction and programme attendance rather than value delivered by the organization. This empirical study observe and evaluate the impact of training in seven selected Maharatna companies such as - IOCL, NTPC, ONGC, SAIL, GAIL, HPCL, and POWERGRID, (anonymously M1 to M7) using the Kirkpatrick's Framework of Four-Level Evaluation, namely Reaction, Learning, Behaviour, and Results. The study challenges the significance of evaluating the training volume—man-hours, budget expenditure, and programme attendance—compared with training effectiveness. A quantitative and longitudinal research design is used and data collected from a stratified sample of 2,520 employees across Junior, Middle, and Senior management levels of these CPSE. Three standardized training interventions were observed—Supervisory Development, Digital Literacy Enhancement, and Effective Communication— where the evaluation was done using pre- and post-training assessments of the participating employees, dual-source of behavioural ratings, and HOD-rated business impact instruments. Statistical analyses for this study included Paired t-tests, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation, and Exploratory Factor Analysis. These tools were applied to test five primary research hypotheses. The findings confirm that training is highly effective at the knowledge level (Cohen's d = 3.37) but at the same time it reveals a statistically insignificant correlation (r = 0.08, p > 0.05) between supervisor-rated behavioural change stage (Level 3) and HOD-rated business results or impact (Level 4)—labelled as the 'Broken Link.' Moreover, a 'Senior Learning Slump' was also observed, where the Senior Managers showed the highest overconfidence gap (4.2%) between their self-perception and their supervisor ratings. Diagnostic factor analysis unveiled Training Infrastructure as the dominant systemic variable—the poor facilities produced an effect of 8.5% drop in Overall Training Effectiveness (OTE), while the trainer quality variance was found to be statistically negligible for consideration. The Pearson correlation between supervisor-rated behavioural change (at Level 3) and HOD-rated business results (at Level 4) is statistically insignificant (r = 0.08, p = 0.052), which shows a systemic ‘accountability gap’. The study also concludes with actionable policy recommendations for CPSEs and Maharatna L&D practitioners, emphasizing a shift from activity-based to impact-based training evaluation as the future practice. The article argues that a fundamental reformation of training governance in Indian PSUs is the need of the hour, and a shift is required from “counting what was delivered” to “measuring what was changed”.
Artificial Intelligence in the Accounting Profession: Perspectives of Chartered Accountants in India
Purpose: This study examined how trust in technology and technological readiness shaped the attitude of Chartered Accountants toward the adoption of artificial intelligence in accounting practice in India. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed using structured questionnaire responses from 500 Chartered Accountants practicing in Moradabad and Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Preliminary screening, reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were undertaken through SPSS and AMOS. Findings: The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity. Trust in Technology exerted a significant positive influence on Attitude toward AI Adoption (β = 0.41, C.R. = 6.78, p < 0.001), while Technological Readiness also showed a significant positive effect (β = 0.36, C.R. = 6.14, p < 0.001). The structural model explained 53% of the variance in attitude and achieved acceptable fit statistics (χ²/df = 2.24, CFI = 0.958, TLI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.050, SRMR = 0.043). Implications: The findings indicate that successful AI diffusion in accounting depends not only on the technical availability of tools but also on the profession’s confidence in their reliability, ethics, and transparency, as well as on accountants’ readiness to work with digitally enabled systems. Originality: The study extends AI-in-accounting research by modeling trust and readiness as direct antecedents of accountants’ attitudes in an Indian professional context.
MOOCs as Catalysts: Exploring Attitude of Prospective Teachers towards MOOCs for Digital Pedagogical Readiness
This study investigates prospective teachers’ attitudes toward Massive Open Online Courses and role of (MOOCs) as an agent of change for their digital pedagogical readiness. Data collected from mixed-methods approach (N=100) quantitative findings from structured Likert scale surveys highlights highly favorable attitude towards perceived usefulness (M = 5.00, α = 0.82) With the use of ease and peer collaboration, they maintain a positive attitude as regards of curriculum alignment and institutional integration dimensions, concerns and aspirations still persist. Qualitative insight through semi-structured interview indicates that individuals well-versed in digital pedagogy readiness and instructional designs were found to have a more positive attitude compared to underprivileged individuals. This study underscores MOOCs could serve as a valuable tool for digital pedagogical readiness of prospective teachers, enabling them to make further progress toward achieving their goals for successful integration of technology into teaching-learning process and devise strategies for areas where challenges persist.
Influence of AI-Based Work Systems on Psychological Ownership among Employees: Evidence from Higher Education Institutions
Integrating artificial intelligence into the organisational work culture has widened the implications on the psychological elements of the behaviour studies, considerably in the higher education sector. Based on psychological ownership theory, the study examined the influence of AI-based work system on the emotional and psychological ownership among the teachers of the higher education institutions. For this a descriptive research design was adopted and primary data was collected using structured questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis validated the three-dimensional structure of psychological ownership, which included sense of ownership, sense of control and self-identity, which has accounted with the variance of 66% and confirmed the constructs applicability in the educational settings. Further, it was found that AI-based work system significantly correlated with the psychological ownership (r=0712, p <.01). while, regression analysis also found the strong positive impact between the variables. While the dimension-wise investigation revealed that AI bases system has the strongest effect on self-identity and responsibility. The findings indicated that AI can be integrated into the work culture strategically to create a supportive and suggestive environment, which increases the employee commitment and stability in the organisation.
Exploring Factors Influencing Women's Entrepreneurial Career Choices: An Analytical Study
Many of the researchers have concluded that one of the primary motivations to initiate a business is to multiply income besides job security. Income motivations dominate the internal reward motivations related to independence and intrinsic motives, Benzing, Chu, and Kara (2009). If the entrepreneurs are motivated primarily by income potential, then entrepreneurial personality as well as an increase in the profitability of business ownership should encourage more SME start-ups. Against this background, this paper attempts to discuss and analyze what was brought forth by various respondents surveyed, highlighting the factors that stimulate women to undertake entrepreneurship as a career option in Delhi and NCR. With this perspective the present study, endeavors to put forward the most important and all relevant statistics to achieve the research objectives. The Research methodology applied stratified random sampling techniques as it was aimed to collect responses from the women entrepreneurs from various sectors of the economy. A direct personal investigation method of data collection was adopted. Data was collected from over 451 women entrepreneurs across Delhi and NCR. Every single variable was very minutely tested in the exploratory factor analysis to define robust scales for analyzing factors that stimulated women entrepreneurs to undertake entrepreneurship (MOT) individually. The researcher in the present research work observed that one of the principal reasons for women to undertake entrepreneurship is that women who inherently have an entrepreneurial personality are most likely to undertake entrepreneurship as a career option.
Understanding the Growth Trajectory of the Organic Food Market: An Empirical Investigation
The widespread application of synthetic pesticides and chemical-based fertilisers has significantly elevated agricultural productivity; however, it has simultaneously generated severe public health and environmental concerns. This context has catalysed consumer interest in organic food, making the organic food market one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing segments in the global agri-food sector. The present study empirically investigates the factors that underpin the growth trajectory of the organic food market. A structured questionnaire was administered to 179 respondents associated with the food market, and data were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Multiple Regression Analysis. Four principal constructs were extracted: concerns regarding the environment, consciousness about health, willingness to pay, and governmental support. The regression model explains approximately 70.2% of variance in organic food market growth (Adjusted R² = 0.702, F = 105.689, p < 0.001). Among these constructs, willingness to pay emerged as the most significant predictor (β = 0.807), followed by consciousness about health (β = 0.188), concerns regarding the environment (β = 0.111), and governmental support (β = 0.096). These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, marketers, and stakeholders committed to mainstreaming organic agriculture.
"Unheard Voice: Navigating Challenges and Fostering Inclusion for New Talent”
When companies onboard new employees and interns, they introduce novel viewpoints, expertise, and ideas that can improve workflows and team interactions. Although they could offer valuable contributions, these new arrivals frequently feel conflicted between voicing their thoughts and staying silent. Employee voice, which entails speaking out on key matters, and silence, which signifies holding back views, might appear as contradictory behaviours. Nevertheless, employees holding valuable information or ideas continually face the dilemma of whether to speak up or stay silent. Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase in studies focused on identifying the elements that affect employee voice behavior, encompassing personal, contextual, and voice-specific factors. This expanding collection of studies has investigated the effects of voice and silence on employees, workgroups, and organizations. This paper offers initial findings and a framework for our continuing research on employee voice behaviour Future publications will provide a comprehensive analysis of the research outcomes, offering insights into the complexities of voice and silence in organizational settings.
Crystalline Signatures: Advanced Photoluminescent Profiling of Multi-Origin CVD Synthetic Diamonds Versus Natural and HPHT Counterparts
This paper delineates the spectroscopic and gemo-logical distinctions between CVD synthetic diamonds sourced from primary global producers—China, India, and the United States—and contrasts them with both natural diamonds and HPHT-grown synthetics. Through advanced diagnostic tools in-cluding DiamondView™ imaging, FTIR spectroscopy, and pho-toluminescence analysis via EXA™ and laser Raman systems, the study identifies origin-specific luminescent behaviors and structural defects, such as the [Si-V] center at 737 nm, exclusive to CVD specimens. Notably, melee-sized diamonds marketed as CVD were frequently misidentified, with over 90% exhibiting HPHT characteristics. The research establishes a refined detec-tion framework that integrates luminescence mapping and defect spectroscopy, enhancing the reliable segregation of CVD synthet-ics from natural and HPHT diamonds within the gemological pipeline.
An Analysis of Marketing Strategies in FinTech Firms and Their Financial Performance Implications
The rapid growth of Financial Technology (FinTech) has transformed the financial services industry, driven by advancements in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and blockchain. In this highly competitive and technology-driven environment, marketing strategies play a critical role in influencing customer behavior and determining financial performance. This study aims to analyze the marketing strategies adopted by FinTech firms and examine their implications for financial performance using a qualitative research approach. The research is based on secondary data collected from academic literature, industry reports, and company sources, and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that digital marketing strategies, including personalization, data-driven targeting, and omnichannel engagement, significantly contribute to customer acquisition, retention, and overall profitability. Customer trust and risk perception emerge as key mediating factors, highlighting the importance of transparency, security, and credibility in marketing communication. Additionally, customer experience and engagement are identified as critical drivers of long-term financial outcomes such as customer lifetime value and sustainable growth. The study also emphasizes the role of technological capabilities and regulatory frameworks in shaping marketing effectiveness. Overall, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of how marketing strategies influence financial performance in FinTech firms and offers valuable insights for both academics and practitioners. By adopting a qualitative perspective, the study contributes to bridging the gap in existing literature and enhances understanding of strategic marketing practices in the evolving FinTech landscape .
Managerial Communication Competence and Employee Engagement: An Empirical Study
In the contemporary professional landscape, communication has evolved from traditional face-to-face interactions to a complex ecosystem of digital and in-person exchanges. Among these, emails and meetings remain the two most dominant modes of workplace communication. While emails provide a documented, asynchronous method of interaction, meetings offer real-time collaboration and decision-making opportunities. However, the transition between these two communication formats is often poorly managed, resulting in inefficiencies, misinterpretations, and productivity loss. This research article explores the dynamics of professional communication, focusing on the continuum between emails and meetings, and proposes strategies for mastering both effectively. The study examines how professionals can determine when an email suffices and when a meeting is necessary. It highlights the importance of clarity, tone, structure, and purpose in email communication, while also emphasizing preparation, facilitation, and follow-up in meetings. By analyzing communication failures and best practices across industries, the paper identifies key factors that influence the effectiveness of both emails and meetings, including organizational culture, technological tools, time management, and interpersonal skills. A critical aspect of this research is the concept of “communication escalation,” where discussions initiated via email evolve into meetings due to complexity or ambiguity. The paper argues that understanding this transition is essential for improving decision-making efficiency and reducing communication overload. Additionally, the role of digital tools such as collaborative platforms, scheduling software, and AI-driven assistants is examined in enhancing communication workflows. The article also addresses common challenges such as email overload, meeting fatigue, lack of engagement, and miscommunication. It proposes practical frameworks for structuring emails and conducting meetings that align with organizational goals and individual productivity. Furthermore, the research integrates perspectives from organizational behavior, communication theory, and human resource management to provide a holistic understanding of professional communication. Ultimately, this paper aims to equip professionals, managers, and organizations with actionable insights to optimize communication practices. By mastering the balance between emails and meetings, organizations can foster clearer communication, improve collaboration, and enhance overall productivity in an increasingly digital workplace.
An Integrated Framework of Student Mental Well-Being: Examining the Role of Psychological Resilience and Support Synergy
This research examines the impact of the different stakeholders on student well-being by integrating school environments, family support, teacher facilitation, counselling, integrated support synergies and psychological resilience into a multi-stakeholder framework. A survey is developed by using a 5-point Likert scale to collect data from 463 students, and the data was analysed using SPSS and AMOS Structural Equation Model. This research showed that the four factors of school environment, family support, teacher facilitation, and counselling support significantly affect ISS, with counselling support being the most significant. Psychological Resilience (PR) partially mediates the relationship between Integrated Support Synergy (ISS) and student well-being, as the positive contribution of PR helps explain how coordinated support systems can directly or indirectly influence students' well-being. The ISS of support systems helped to moderate the positive association between PR and student mental well-being. The findings suggest that PR will positively contribute to the well-being of students in relation to ISS that are coordinated/supportively more integrated. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the combined impact of multiple support systems on the well-being of students. The present study shows that more cooperation is needed between all stakeholders and that more emphasis should be placed on building resilience in the educational environment to facilitate positive mental health outcomes of the students.
Digital Strategy and Organizational Transformation through Industry 4.0–Enabled Operations Management Systems: Longitudinal Evidence from a Large Manufacturing Firm
Digital transformation driven by Industry 4.0 technologies has become a critical enabler for improving operational performance in large-scale manufacturing industries. However, empirical evidence demonstrating measurable performance improvements through integration of digital technologies with operations management systems remains limited, particularly in continuous manufacturing environments. This study empirically examines the impact of Industry 4.0–enabled operations management systems on manufacturing performance using real production, quality, and equipment effectiveness data. A longitudinal case-based research design was adopted, comparing operational performance before and after the implementation of digital operations management systems. Performance indicators included monthly production output, rejection percentage, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Results show a substantial increase in production output from 416,667 tons/month to 500,000 tons/month, a sharp reduction in rejection percentage from 0.05% to 0.01%, and a significant improvement in OEE from 77% to 85% following digital transformation. The findings provide strong empirical evidence that digital transformation, when embedded within core operations management systems, leads to significant and sustainable performance improvement. The study contributes to operations management and Industry 4.0 literature by validating a data-driven performance improvement framework applicable to large-scale manufacturing industries.
Digital Governance in the age of AI in the State of Uttar Pradesh: A Data Ethics and Regulatory Framework
In the era where digitalization has taken place and the technology has drastically changed where now the current generation is using AI it becomes increasingly important to examine how the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-enabled digital platforms is reshaping the governance in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and whether the existing legal and institutional safeguards are sufficient to address the resultant data ethics challenges. Looking at Uttar Pradesh as the state where digital governance, data ethics and algorithm accountability is studied particularly in context with constitutional commitments to equality, privacy and due process. It thereafter tries to map the use of AI in driving various initiatives in respect of policing, justice, welfare delivery and agriculture and analyze the same through ethnic lens focusing on legitimacy, purpose limitation, privacy protection, fairness, transparency, accountability and human oversight. While using doctrinal mode of analysis of various statutes, case-laws and policy document along with reviewing the public records available on state AI deployments, the research paper argues that while AI is framed as a tool for efficiency and predictive governance, current regulatory and institutional arrangements in Uttar Pradesh but it leaves significant gaps in impact assessment, transparency, independent oversight and rights-based redress. At the end of the paper the researcher has proposed a context specific ethical AI governance framework for Uttar Pradesh, combining clear normative principles, strengthened oversight institutions, mandatory algorithmic impact assessments and remedies that are more of citizens oriented, with a vision of aligning digital innovation in the state of Uttar Pradesh with constitutional values and emerging international standards.
An Analysis of the Key Enablers in the Adoption and Recommendation of Mobile Wallet Services
Purpose The study develops a conceptual model to identify the most significant enabler that affects users' intentions, subsequently influencing perceived satisfaction, which in turn impacts the recommendation to utilize mobile wallets. To identify enablers, two constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), namely perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are utilized, alongside an additional variable, perceived security, derived from the existing body of literature. All these three variables are categorized as “Enablers”. Using convenience sampling, the data has been gathered from 220 mobile wallet users in NCR region through a structured questionnaire (5-point Likert scale). The proposed model is empirically tested using the Structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. The study’s findings revealed that the most significant enabler is perceived security followed by perceived usefulness. The perceived ease of use does not positively influence the user’s intention. The users' intentions favourably affect perceived satisfaction; nonetheless, being satisfaction is not enough, resulting in users refraining from recommending the services to others. The findings of the research would be beneficial for marketers, service providers and researchers in managerial decision making, formulating policies, customizing the services as per user’s preferences and future research direction.
The Research Supervisors Contribution in Doctoral Studies at Government versus Private Universities of Delhi/NCR
The Doctoral education represents the highest level of academic excellence with the motive of fostering autonomous researchers who can produce original contributions to their fields. Ph.D. programs are pillars of new knowledge production, new discoveries, advancing science, and helping future academics grow professionally. The quality of supervision is at the heart of this process and the function goes beyond only academic assistance to include intellectual mentorship, emotional support, and a long-lasting trust between the supervisor and the researcher. International studies have consistently shown that unclear expectations, ineffective communication, limited mentoring and misaligned objectives between supervisors and doctoral candidates are significant factors leading to delayed thesis submissions and elevated attrition rates. In India, these challenges are made worse by excessive workloads for supervisors, inefficient administration and lack of clear institutional accountability frameworks. This means that a scholar’s progress is mostly based on the ability of their supervisor rather than any consistent institutional standard. The Delhi NCR area is a great place and particularly instructive setting for this inquiry because it has both well-known public universities like the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and also known private universities like Ashoka University, Amity University, Sharda University, and O.P. Jindal Global University. While both sectors contribute meaningfully to doctoral education and their supervisory approaches, resource environments, and institutional priorities vary in ways that remain insufficiently explored in Indian academic literature. The present study addresses this gap through a systematic comparative examination of supervisory practices across both institutional types. A quantitative research design integrating descriptive and comparative frameworks was utilized.A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 208 doctoral scholars through purposive sampling. After checking for completeness and consistency, 199 responses were kept for final analysis. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS which included descriptive statistics, Independent Samples t-tests, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation, Multiple Linear Regression, and MANOVA. SPSS has made it laid back to compare some groups and get a better idea of how all the supervisors works together. The finding of this study give doctoral students, their supervisors, institutional administrators, and regulatory bodies like the UGC evidence-based ideas. The study improves doctoral guidelines, encourages the development of strong supervisory frameworks, and sets consistent standards for mentorship by identifying both strengths and weaknesses in supervisory practices in different institutional settings. This strengthens India’s commitment to building a fair and competitive national research ecosystem.
Evaluating Retail Investor Preferences: A Review of Traditional and New Age Investment Options
This study aims to understand an individual's purchasing behavior for various investment opportunities. Investing is essential to achieving your goals. It is your best bet for a better future. the connection between a particular investor's actions and behavioral bias in the context of making investing decisions. The study's goal is to investigate how behavioral biases affect investing decisions. Investment activity is dangerous since it is predicated on future unpredictability. The growing number of retail investors in the Indian financial markets necessitates a thorough investigation into their purchasing patterns and conduct. The goal of the present research is to determine how an individual investor's demographics affect their financial habits, risk tolerance, and choice of mutual funds. The impact of demographic factors on the selection of risky versus non-risky and all possible investments together are investigated in this study. Based on statistical testing, it has been determined that age and income are two demographic variables that affect people's choice of investments. Tests performed on the gathered data revealed that respondents' income levels had an impact on their decision to make riskier investment decisions. Additional research along these lines is crucial in many ways. Given the significance of the retail investor in a growing nation such as India, the results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the retail investor. In the near future, financial experts will be able to create more specialized financial solutions with a deeper comprehension of end-user behavior.
“Barriers and Enablers of Inclusion: Investigating HR Diversity Initiatives in Indian Private Universities”
This study investigates the obstacles and facilitators of inclusion within the human resource (HR) practices of Indian private universities, proposing an empirical framework that links diversity initiatives to organizational outcomes. While international literature underscores the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), there is a paucity of empirical evidence pertaining to Indian higher education, where private universities employ extensive and diverse workforces yet encounter enduring structural inequities. In order to bridge this gap, the present study utilizes a mixed-method design. Evidence was amassed through 20 interviews, 3 focus groups, and a survey completed by 310 faculty and staff from four major private universities (Amity, Manipal, Symbiosis, and O.P. Jindal). Thematic analysis surfaced systemic barriers such as inequitable pay and contracts, hidden HR processes, linguistic and regional biases, and systemic inequities alongside facilitators, which include mentoring and transparent grievance processes, accompanied by clear leadership intention. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) verified the framework and barriers were shown to diminish inclusion considerably (β = –0.42, p < .001) while enablers were shown to increase inclusion greatly (β = +0.56, p < .001). The enablers positively influenced inclusion outcomes which in turn influenced organizational performance (β = +0.49, p < .001) and acted as a mediator in the relationship between enablers and retention, productivity, and reputation. This research advances both theory and practice by providing one of the first empirically validated models of inclusion for higher education in India.
Audit Quality Dynamics in the Wake of Ind-As and IFRS Convergence: A Study of Nifty-50 And BSE-Sensex Listed Companies
A major shift has occurred in India's regulatory and financial reporting landscape with the merging of Indian Accounting Standards (IND-AS) with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Employing a mixed-methods strategy, this research delves into how this change has affected audit quality for Nifty-50 and BSE-SENSEX enterprises. The quantitative analysis involves using a paired sample T-test to compare audit fees before and after the installation of IND-AS. Audit fees are used as a proxy for audit effort and quality. Audit reports and management commentary are analyzed qualitatively using NVivo software. Recurring themes pertaining to audit complexity, disclosure procedures, and compliance problems are captured. Despite a general trend towards higher audit fees followping adoption, the data show that this trend is not statistically significant for all organizations. In addition to the statistical research, the qualitative findings show that auditors confront more scrutiny, longer audit deadlines, and difficulties with adaptation. Beyond simple numerical patterns, this two-pronged analysis sheds light on the ways in which IFRS convergence affects audit practices, effort, and quality. Auditor, legislator, and business executive management of post-convergence audit dynamics in India can benefit from the study's conclusions.
A Bibliometric Analysis of MSMEs and Marketing: Mapping Research Trends, Thematic Structures and Emerging Directions
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have become very essential in the economic growth in terms of job creation, innovation and inclusive growth. As digital technologies continue to spread, marketing activities in MSMEs have changed dramatically and there has been a rise in academic interest in this field. The paper provides a bibliometric analysis of the MSME marketing research to investigate the development of the research field, topical changes, and new tendencies. The Scopus database was searched through a structured search strategy and screened through the PRISMA 2020 framework to extract data, narrowing the dataset to 728 documents. Co-occurrence analysis, thematic mapping, treemap analysis, and additional bibliometric analyses were conducted using tools such as VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. The results suggest that there has been a significant rise in research publications especially since 2015, as reflected in the themes of digital marketing, innovation and business performance. Four thematic clusters were identified: digital marketing practices, MSME performance and innovation, industrial development, and socioeconomic contributions. The findings also highlight the growing importance of sustainability and technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence and big data, in MSME marketing research. Despite the expanding body of literature, a clear disconnect remains between traditional and digital marketing perspectives. The study is valuable since it offers a thorough analysis of the literature, identifies research gaps, suggests areas for future study and policy development.
Linking Financial Innovation and Marketing Strategy to Performance Outcomes: Insights from Indian Entrepreneurial Firms
Financial innovation has become a critical instrument for entrepreneurial companies to maximize operational effectiveness, mitigate risks, and pursue strategic expansion in today's fast-changing and competitive business environment. Specifically in the case of India, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constrained by resources and financial uncertainty, cutting-edge financial practices can provide a competitive advantage. This research examines how financial innovation is correlated with firm performance in the case of entrepreneurial ventures in India. The aim is to investigate how various financial innovation dimensions, including product innovation, process innovation, and technology adoption, drive financial and non-financial performance results. Based on primary data gathered from 350 entrepreneurial Indian firms using a structured questionnaire, the research uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to test hypothesized relationships. The results show a strong positive influence of financial innovation on profitability and market growth, moderated by enhanced financial management capacity. The research contributes to theory by deepening the knowledge of innovation-performance relationships in emerging economies and provides practitioners with useful insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors seeking to utilize financial instruments to foster sustainable development. The findings highlight the necessity for aggressive innovation initiatives in financial operations to create resilience and long-term performance.
Risk Characteristics and Long-Run Cointegration of ESG Mutual Funds: Evidence from ABSLAMC and BSE 100 ESG
The Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Integration Strategy Fund, launched in December 2020, achieved over ₹622 Cr in assets under management (AUM) by January 2026. The study investigates the fund's use of ESG factors for risk-adjusted returns, its consistent AUM growth, and investor confidence in sustainable investing. It analyzes AUM evolution through monthly data and employs modeling techniques like ARCH/GARCH to assess volatility, revealing time-varying heteroskedasticity. Furthermore, tests for long-term equilibria with the BSE 100 ESG benchmark and the application of GARCH-enhanced models indicate superior performance of the ESG fund when adjusted for volatility, highlighting its significance for sustainable portfolio development.
Beyond Intentions: The Role of Past Investment Behaviors in Driving Mutual Fund Investments and Risk Tolerance.
This study examines how habitual investing patterns and behavioral intentions jointly shape mutual fund investment behaviour in an emerging economy. Drawing on dual-process theory, it benchmarks the influence of reflective (intentional) and impulsive (habitual) systems, addressing the intention–behaviour gap in retail investing.Data were collected from 423 mutual fund investors in India through a structured survey. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysed the effects of habit strength, intentions, risk perception, perceived behavioural control, financial goals and technology-related factors, with emphasis on the habit–intention interaction.Habit strength was a strong predictor of investing behaviour, reducing reliance on intentions and narrowing the intention–behaviour gap. Strong habits enhanced perceived behavioural control, lowered risk perception and positively moderated the influence of financial goals—including retirement planning, asset acquisition and emergency fund preparation—on investing behaviour. Technology-related factors showed only partial indirect effects through habit formation.
Navigating IPR Challenges in the Online Gaming Industry: A Study from International Perspective
With changing technology and innovation, the online gaming industry has plethora of challenges to be met to include diversified business models. The complexity of applying intellectual property rights (IPR) in the online gaming sector is one of the main obstacles. There is a very thin line between uses which are legal and uses which are unauthorized, and to navigate this is a complicated piece of work. This research paper outlines the pivotal requirement for developing a diversified legal supporting structure which balances out the interests of all parties, encourages innovation and ensures fearless growth of online gaming industry. The issues involve infringement of copyrights, trademark rights, publicity rights and the infringement of rights concerning new age technology such as blockchain. The paper helps to highlight that how players of online gaming protect their rights through the usage of smart contracts. This research paper dwells into the current application of IPR in online gaming and makes a comprehensive study of IPR in various countries. This research paper brings forth the various complexities related to Intellectual Property Rights in online gaming industry both at the national and international level. The author has attempted to discuss case laws which help in bringing forth the trends that are being followed globally to protect IPR related to online gaming. This research paper also suggests the best practices which can be adopted by the online gaming industry to empower their legal framework in the field of IPR. Building up the legal framework to work beyond borders is the key to tackle the challenges that the nature of online gaming industries present.
Mitigating Biases in Managerial Decision Making with Assistance from Large Language Model Tools: The Case of Artificial Intelligence Auditing
Managers have historically relied on data for decision-making. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential enhancement of managerial decision-making capabilities through the usage of Large Language Models (LLMs). The study aims to investigate how LLM-based tools could provide cues to managers, influencing their decision-making process and contributing to better organizational decision-making. The research employed a theoretical approach to examine the role of LLMs in managerial decision-making. It assessed how LLM tools offered decision choices to managers and explored the convergence divergence between LLM suggestions and human intelligence. The study emphasized the phenomenon of artificial intelligence avoidance and underscored the need for artificial intelligence auditing at both the planning and operational phases to ensure effective decision-making. The findings highlighted that LLM-based tools could significantly impact managerial decision-making. When LLM suggestions aligned with managers' human intelligence, decision certainty could be enhanced. However, if there was a divergence, managers might experience uncertainty due to artificial intelligence avoidance. The study emphasized the importance of auditing LLM tools, particularly in the context of business organizations, to address biases and ensure reliable decision support for managers. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into artificial intelligence auditing in the context of business organizations. It underscores the originality of exploring the convergence and divergence between LLM suggestions and human intelligence, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of managerial decision-making in the presence of artificial intelligence tools.
Financial Competitiveness of ESG Investments: A Comparative Study of Portfolios across Indian and Global Markets
In 2004, the World Bank and United Nations have promulgated the ESG investing framework which has a primary focus of considering sustainability practices in financial analysis. As a result of this, the regulatory bodies across the world have instructed their industries to integrate the ESG practices in their business. The investors in securities market attracted to the ESG initiatives taken by the industries and they made their investment decision by considering the ESG factors. This has motivated many researchers to find out the nexus between ESG factors and the performance of the portfolios. In the same way, a comparative analysis between ESG and traditional funds of India, US, UK, Australia and Sweden have performed in this study. The researchers considered a sample of 30 ESG thematic and traditional funds for a five year period. Performance of ESG and traditional funds assessed through return & risk metrics and risk adjusted measures. It is identified that the ESG funds have a high downside risk protection ability than the traditional funds. The ESG funds from the UK and Australia have exhibited a strong performance than the traditional funds. In the US, the traditional funds have dominated the ESG funds in terms of performance metrics. The ESG funds from India and Sweden, with a mixed results, depicts that the ESG investing is in the nascent stage.
Uniform Civil Code: A Comparative Constitutional Study of India and Global Jurisdictions with a Special Focus on Uttarakhand’s Legal Framework
The concept of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) remains one of the most debated legal and constitutional questions in India, juxtaposing the principles of secularism, equality, and legal pluralism. [1]This research undertakes a comparative constitutional analysis of the UCC by examining the legal structures and implementation strategies of countries that have adopted uniform civil laws such as France, Turkey, and the United States alongside India’s constitutional provisions under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The paper critically evaluates how these international legal systems balance civil uniformity with cultural diversity and individual rights. Special emphasis is laid on the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which has emerged as the first in post-independence India to draft and adopt a UCC at the state level. The study explores the legal architecture, procedural challenges, and constitutional validity of Uttarakhand’s approach within the federal framework of India. By mapping global best practices and identifying key jurisprudential conflicts, the paper offers a nuanced understanding of the feasibility, legal sustainability, and socio-constitutional implications of implementing a UCC in a diverse democracy like India.
Rights and Dignity of Senior Citizens in Madhya Pradesh: A Quantitative Study of Legal Awareness, Welfare Access, and Dignity Violations
The population of older persons is increasing in India, including in Madhya Pradesh. Older persons, aged 60 years and over, constitute an important part of our society who have played a crucial role in the country's growth and development. But as they age, they increasingly encounter problems in the areas of their rights, dignity and welfare. Despite the shield of protection provided to senior citizens under the Indian Constitution and other statutory laws, the reality is quite different (and often disheartening) in states such as Madhya Pradesh. This article outlines the results of a quantitative structured study in Madhya Pradesh to examine the awareness of senior citizens about legal provisions, the nature and extent of violations of their dignity, and their access to government welfare schemes. The paper is based on a research study conducted in Madhya Pradesh with 300 respondents (urban and rural) using a validated structured questionnaire.The study findings indicate that most older persons are unaware of major laws, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and state policies. Rural India experiences a higher incidence of violations of dignity, such as verbal abuse, psychological neglect, financial exploitation and lack of medical care. A multiple regression analysis reveals that income, education and awareness of rights are the most significant predictors of dignity and well-being for older persons. The chi-square tests also confirm a significant association between place of residence and violations. The study ends with policy implications to close the loop between law and practice for the elderly in Madhya Pradesh.
Leveraging Humour to Diffuse Tension and Foster Positive Emotions in High-Stress Teams
The proposed study explores the utilisation of humour strategies to relieve tension, create favourable emotions, and resilience at the workplace among high-stress Indian teams by using such keywords as emotional regulation, team dynamics, psychological safety, and employee wellbeing. It has synthesized both numeric evidences, 61% professionals required more workplace humour, the prevalence of adaptive styles (F(3,303) = 49.33) among students and Army humour benefiting 50% + stressed employees, as well as patterns in qualitative conflict management. Findings support humour as a moderator of hassles, self-esteem boost, and cohesion, but threats of dark humour and cultural bias are to be considered. More importantly, correlational limits emphasize the need of causal studies. Comprehensively, humour can become one of the most crucial, yet underused interventions to inform the workforce prone to burnout (59%), which is relevant to India.
Impact of Financial Literacy, Banking Access and Inclusion on Fintech Adoption in India: An Empirical Analysis in the Indian Emerging Settings
The swift advancement in financial technology (FinTech) has considerably revolutionized the financial ecology within a developing economy like India. This research explores the influence of financial knowledge, banking services and financial inclusion on FinTech implementation. With the rise in digitalization, FinTech models like mobile banking, digital wallets, and neo-banks have boosted ease of access and productivity in banking services. Nevertheless, differences in banking information and entry to banking network carry on with influencing the adoption rates. The study emphasizes that financial literacy plays an essential role in allowing people to comprehend and use FinTech services constructively, whilst financial services confirm larger contribution among all socio-economic groups. Additionally, technological evolution like blockchain and virtual payment models have rapid integration but also faced issues related to trust, security and consciousness. The results recommend that enhancing banking knowledge and uplifting comprehensive financial models are necessary to augment the advantages of FinTech in India’s developing financial environment. A sample of 309 was collected to find the result of the study. The factors studying Impact of Financial Literacy, Banking Access and Inclusion on Fintech Adoption in India are Financial Literacy, Trust and security, Technology Readiness and Innovation Awareness. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Financial Literacy, Trust and security, Technology Readiness and Innovation Awareness on fintech adoption.
Behavioural Finance in Investment Decision: A Management Perspective
In the field of finance, where reason and efficiency are generally expected, investment decision-making is a vital process. However, the subject of Behavioural finance calls these assumptions into question by investigating the deep effect of human Behaviour and cognitive biases while managing investment decisions. This research study investigates the complex interaction between Behavioural finance and investing decisions, intending to shed light on the underlying biases, emotional regulations, theoretical underpinnings, and real-world repercussions. This paper emphasizes the practical significance of recognizing and controlling Behavioural biases, urging investors and financial practitioners to be more alert. It provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of human Behaviour on investment decisions and is a valuable resource for investor and financial advisors to navigate the complex interplay between psychology and finance in the pursuit of more informed and rational investment decisions.
Circumnavigating the Risk-Return Trade-Off: An Inclusive Examination of Security Strategies
For individual investors, effective portfolio management is indispensable for several reasons. It helps in the systematic achievement of financial goals—whether short-term objectives like building an emergency fund or long-term goals like retirement planning. It enables disciplined risk management by ensuring that an investor's exposure to market volatility is aligned with their risk tolerance and time horizon. It facilitates the optimization of returns by identifying the most efficient combination of assets given prevailing market conditions. Moreover, portfolio management promotes financial discipline, helping investors avoid common behavioral biases such as overconfidence, herd mentality, and panic selling during market downturns. The study examines how individual investors currently approach portfolio construction, what strategies they employ, and how their decisions are influenced by risk preferences, market knowledge, and investment horizons.
The Effects of Negative Electronic Word-of-Mouth (E-WOM) On Customer Patronage: An Inclusive Review of the Restaurant Industry
Electronic word of mouth, or e-WOM, has grown to be a powerful force in the digital age that has a giant impact on consumer behaviour and decision-making. This study is set to explore the often-overlooked impact of corrupt e-WOM and its substantial consequences on consumer patronage, even thoughmoral e-WOM can improve business reputation and customer patronage. The study gazes at the ways that negative e-WOM circulates, how it affects customer opinions, and what tactics companies may do to lessen its negative consequences. Businesses may protect their brand image and keep customers by taking proactive steps to understand the mechanics of negative electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM). eWOM is a common way for users and social media influencers to share their thoughts and experiences. Positive or negative e-WOM might be present, depending on the situation. Customers are wedged by negative electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM), and the degree of that damage varies depending on where the information came from. Social network friends are seen as very dependable people and frequently check how customers feel about the restaurant. Due to the perception that social media influencers have a monetary stake in the content they post, many people see them as fly-by-night sources. For other sources of unfavorable electronic word-of-mouth on social media to be considered genuine, they must be both numerous and seen as reliable. This study carefully investigates the often-ignored aspect of negative e-WOM and its significant effects on consumer behaviour. This thorough analysis aims to provide businesses navigating the challenges posed by negative online sentiment with a comprehensive perspective by focusing on understanding the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies. The study discovers the psychological effects of negative e-WOM on customer perceptions through a comprehensive assessment of the literature, looking at the emotional and cognitive reactions brought on by uncomplimentary online criticism. Furthermore, the study explores the critical roles that credibility and trust play in influencing consumers' perceptions of a business, taking into account the detrimental effects that negative e-WOM may have on these dynamic components. This study provides useful information for companies looking to understand the complex dynamics of negative e-WOM and makes actionable suggestions for preserving clientele in the digital age. In the ever-changing online market, businesses looking to build lasting connections with customers and strengthen their brand reputation must recognise and respond to negative electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM).
Role of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Trust and Purchase Intentions in Indian E-Commerce: An Empirical Study
This study explores the role social media marketing plays in building consumer trust and buying behaviour in the Indian e-commerce market. With the increase in virtual boards and rise in the role of internet, social media has surfaced as a strong marketing strategy to create an impact on the consumer conduct. The research points out how two-way communication, user-generated content, virtual feedback and influencer marketing notably impacts customers behaviour and decision-making procedures. It also discovers the way social media enables brand consciousness, engagement and customer experience management, finally leading to busying behaviour. In addition, the study focuses on the significance of comprehending the growing customer choices, specifically among the younger generation and implementing online policies to be a part of the competition. The results imply that productive social media marketing policies are able to develop brand loyalty, build trust, and impact customer purchasing behaviour within the changing e-commerce ecosystem. The factors studying the Role of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Trust and Purchase Intentions in Indian E-Commerce are Social Media Engagement, Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM), Purchase Intention and Brand Awareness. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Trust and Purchase Intentions.
Synthetic Harm and Legal Accountability: Structuring Tort Law Responses to Generative AI Systems
Generative AI has come a long way from its humble beginnings as something that was merely bandied about in casual conversation among friends and colleagues. Today, it is ubiquitous and has become an integral part of every digital platform that we use and interact with. The extent to which it has become an integral part of our lives is raises significant normative and legal concerns. While its proliferation is certainly having many positive effects on our lives, it is evident that there are many problems that come along with it, particularly in the context of tort law principles in the United States. While it is evident that there is an element of uncertainty that is associated with Generative AI and its outputs, can we really rethink and reapply some of the very old principles of tort law to this new and complex world? This paper is based on three major legal disruptions that have been caused by generative AI. First of all, the unpredictability of generative AI makes it hard to apply principles of negligence law because it is based on foreseeability and a quantifiable standard of care. Secondly, tort law is based on the concept of one person being liable for an injury. On the other hand, generative AI is based on complex systems that spread liability to developers, companies that use the technology, and the technology itself. Thirdly, there is difficulty in applying product liability law to generative AI because it is dynamic and is changing all the time through interactions with users and is thus considered to be either a product or a service. Furthermore, there is an overwhelming amount of information on platforms such as Widely used generative AI platforms and that is seeping into regular social media which is making it increasingly difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is artificial. This is posing a threat to legal principles that depend on clearly identifiable communicators and intent. Instead of seeking to fundamentally transform the law of torts, this paper proposes a more pragmatic approach to developing a parallel system that can be applied in conjunction with existing rules. This might include risk-based categorization, ex-ante duties, and ex-post accountability. The intention is to address the current issues while also being flexible to address future changes in generative AI.
Orange Economy and Social Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Challenges in India
The Orange Economy, also known as the creative economy, has emerged as an important driver of economic growth, innovation, employment generation, and cultural preservation in India. The present study examines the relationship between the Orange Economy and social entrepreneurship, focusing on opportunities, challenges, and future prospects in the Indian context. The study is based on secondary data collected from government reports, UNESCO publications, ICRIER studies, and research articles related to creative industries and entrepreneurship. The findings reveal that India’s creative economy contributes significantly to employment generation, with sectors such as handicrafts supporting nearly 7 million livelihoods and cultural tourism generating approximately 5 million jobs. The rapid growth of digital platforms and internet users, projected to reach 950 million by 2025, has accelerated digital entrepreneurship and creator-based businesses. However, challenges such as lack of finance, weak intellectual property protection, digital divide, and inadequate infrastructure continue to affect sustainable growth. The study concludes that stronger policy support and digital inclusion can significantly strengthen India’s Orange Economy.
Bibliometric Analysis of Fintech in Regulation using Scopus Database
Through the present study a bibliometric analysis is presented for Fintech regulation research using the scopus database with the primary objective of evaluating the publication trends, collaboration networks and thematic developments in the field. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques are used in the present study for the identification of key contributors, influencial themes and the emerging research direction in this area. From the study it is understood that after 2017 there was a increase in the number of research papers published in this theme. Using the Biblioshiny software and R studio analysis has been done for the 332 research papers drawn from scopus database. The thematic analysis shows core areas such as blockchain regulation, RegTech, and financial inclusion, were the core areas while other emerging topics included artificial intelligence and cyber security. This study contributes to the understanding of the intellectual structure of Fintech regulation and provides directions for future research.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Dynamics: Strategic Business Planning, Venture Financing, and Scalable Growth
This study investigates the dynamic interplay among strategic business planning, venture financing, and scalable growth within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing on a quantitative survey of 412 startups and growth-stage ventures spanning six major Indian metropolitan regions, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, this research employs first-order Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using PLS-SEM via SmartPLS 4.0 to test a theoretically grounded measurement and structural model. The independent variables, Strategic Business Planning (SBP), Venture Financing Accessibility (VFA), Regulatory Environment Quality (REQ), and Digital Infrastructure Readiness (DIR), are hypothesised to influence the dependent variables of Entrepreneurial Performance (EP) and Scalable Growth Orientation (SGO). Composite reliability values ranged from 0.872 to 0.946, and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) exceeded 0.50 for all constructs, confirming convergent validity. Discriminant validity was established through HTMT ratios and Fornell–Larcker criterion. The structural model explains 61.3% of variance in Scalable Growth Orientation and 54.7% in Entrepreneurial Performance. All four paths from independent constructs to dependent constructs were statistically significant at p < 0.001. Strategic Business Planning emerges as the strongest predictor (β = 0.412, p < 0.001), followed by Venture Financing Accessibility (β = 0.337, p < 0.001). The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, venture capitalists, incubators, and startup founders navigating the unique institutional and infrastructural landscape of India's ₹7.4 trillion startup economy.
ESG Litigation and Corporate Compliance: Emerging Trends in Business Regulation
The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments of companies have shifted irrevocably from a voluntary corporate responsibility policy into an area of hard law, enforcement, and high-stakes litigations. This paper will explore the rapidly evolving ESG litigation and corporate compliance scene in 2026 and illustrate the key regulatory regimes, common litigation strategies, and critical compliance challenges faced by companies globally. This paper attempts to demonstrate that today businesses function in a diffuse and growing more aggressive accountability environment, considering the latest trend of green washing litigation in various jurisdictions, the European Union's Omnibus simplification of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), as well as the U.S.' recent deregulatory swing at the Federal level, alongside a growing number of initiatives at the State level, and the landmark Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2025 regarding climate obligations. Finally, in order to overcome the jurisdictional divergence, reduce litigation risks, and help companies align their business strategies with shifting stakeholder expectations, the paper proposes a framework for compliance governance.
An AI-Driven Predictive Model Using Decision Trees for Detecting Gender Bias in HR Practices and Recommending Policy Interventions
Despite the prevalent legislative frameworks and diversity efforts, gender prejudice in organisational Human Resource (HR) practices remains a quantifiable and impactful type of inequality in the workplace. This article suggests an AI-based predictive system based on Decision Tree classifiers to actively identify gender bias in five HR practice areas: pay equity, promotion, access to training, employee engagement, and attrition. A new two-step modelling model is proposed: Stage 1 (Reverse Modelling): with the help of HR outcome variables as predictors, the gender of the employees can be predicted which statistically demonstrates the presence of systemic bias; Stage 2 (Forward Modelling): the gender and the HR features are used as predictors to predict an artificial bias label, which indicates the circumstances under which bias appears. This framework is trained on HR_Analytics.csv (1,480 records) and tested on three independent datasets of 22,119 records of employees overall. The experimental findings show reverse model AUC of up to 62.4, which proves that there is a significant gender cue in HR results. Forward modelling has 100 percent accuracy and F1 score on all the dataset. Among the key results are a pay gap of -7.1% in Sales departments established in two independent datasets, deficits of 2.04-2.18 sessions per year of training in Finance and Marketing, and delays in promotions of 0.51-0.57 years in case of female employees in HR and Technology functions. The output of decision trees is converted into specific HR intervention, which is automatically generated into a rule-based policy recommendation engine. Comparative analysis with six other algorithms shows that the Decision Tree is the only algorithm to provide state of the art predictive accuracy and fully interpretable results as well as auto-generated policies, which are not available with black-box ensemble techniques.
Creditor Democracy in Insolvency: Evaluating the Committee of Creditors under India's IBC in Comparative Perspective
This research examines the Committee of Creditors (CoC) mechanism under India's Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016, comparing it with creditor governance structures in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. The study analyzes the effectiveness of India's creditor democracy model in facilitating corporate restructuring and maximizing creditor value recovery. Through comparative legal analysis and empirical data from 2017-2024, this research evaluates voting mechanisms, creditor representation, and decision-making processes across jurisdictions. Findings reveal that India's 66% majority threshold and financial creditor dominance create unique governance dynamics distinct from debtor-in-possession models or court-supervised approaches. The study concludes that while India's CoC structure demonstrates innovation in creditor empowerment, challenges remain in balancing diverse creditor interests and ensuring efficient resolution timelines. The research contributes to understanding insolvency law reform and creditor governance mechanisms in emerging economies.
“Herding Behaviors and Market Dynamics: Evidence from Indian and Emerging Stock Markets”
Herding behavior has emerged as a significant behavioral phenomenon influencing the functioning and stability of stock markets across the world, particularly in emerging economies. It refers to the tendency of investors to imitate the actions and decisions of other market participants rather than relying on their own information and rational analysis. This work investigates the presence and impact of herding behavior on market dynamics in Indian and other emerging stock markets. The work emphasizes how psychological biases, market uncertainty, information asymmetry, and volatility encourages investors to follow collective market trends, thereby affecting asset prices, trading volume, and market efficiency. Herding behavior becomes more pronounced during period of financial crises, extreme market movements, and heightened uncertainty. The study identified factors like market sentiments, trading volume, global economics events, institutional influence, and investor emotions as major drivers of herd behavior in stock markets. It is concluded that understanding herding behavior is essential for investors, policymakers, and regulatory authorities for improving market efficiencies, reducing irrational trading, and maintain financial stability. It recommends strengthening investor education, improving transparency, and enhancing regulatory monitoring to minimize the adverse effects of herd-driven market movements in emerging economies. A sample of 333 was collected to find the result of the study. Factors affecting the Herding Behaviors and Market Dynamics: Evidence from Indian and Emerging Stock Markets are Information Uncertainty, Market Volatility, Market Sentiment and Speculative Trading Behavior. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Herding Behaviors and Market Dynamics on Emerging Stock Market.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and Startup Performance: The Role of Digital Ecosystem Support
Economic growth of the company gets a boost from the innovations; the most important factor that needs to be considered in innovation-based growth is disruptive innovation. Leaders of small and large firms welcome this as the lodestar. Entrepreneurs have very limited knowledge about the role of entrepreneurial orientation and digitalization strategies, where they can enhance or hinder the disruptive innovation of the company. Introduction of digital technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain can help to achieve digital innovation by the companies that have high digital entrepreneurial orientation (EO), which in turn helps them to be more open-minded, innovative, risky, and digitally oriented. When a company acquires, analyses, interprets, and understands some new technical knowledge, it integrates it into its technological operations to secure a competitive technological advantage. Firms started relying on technology absorption capacity to get a competitive advantage, to source and use the knowledge for commercial ends from outside. This research is an empirical study that involves 167 entrepreneurs, who were surveyed to know the factors that determine Entrepreneurial Orientation, Startup Performance, and the Role of Digital Ecosystem Support. The study concludes by confirming a significant impact of digital ecosystem support on entrepreneurial orientation and startup performance.
Socio-Cultural Barriers of Women Entrepreneurship in India: An Empirical Study Using Stepwise Multiple Regression
In rural India, women entrepreneurship has arisen as an important factor of socio-economic advancement and gender empowerment. In spite of governmental facilities that guarantees equality in rights, rural women keep on facing several socio-cultural, financial, and governmental obstacles which hamper their progress in business. This research discovers the fundamental challenges that impact women entrepreneurship which includes illiteracy, limited access to capital, gender inequality, restricted authority, and societal customs. It also investigates the role of new patterns like technical development, government aid, job training in influencing entrepreneurial chances for rural women. By implementing a theoretical methodology along with data collected through regression analysis, the study find out the important upliftment causes like self-reliance, familial motivation and government aid. The results indicate that though monetary aid is necessary, a comprehensive support system like pedagogy, structural guidelines and emancipation are required for a long-term entrepreneurial advancement among rural women. The study determines that nourishing governmental policies and tackling long-standing, ingrained obstacles may notably stem women’s contribution in business and contribute towards an inclusive financial expansion. 166 women entrepreneurs were surveyed to know the factors that determines socio-cultural barriers of women entrepreneurship in India and overall impact of Socio-cultural barriers on women entrepreneurship. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Socio-cultural barriers on women entrepreneurship.
Language and Power in Professional Contexts: An English Studies Perspective on Corporate and Legal Communication
Language functions as a central mechanism through which power is constructed, negotiated, and institutionalized within professional environments. In corporate and legal contexts, communication is not merely a medium of information exchange but a strategic instrument that shapes authority, hierarchy, decision-making, and organizational control. This study examines the relationship between language and power in professional settings through an interdisciplinary framework integrating English studies, discourse analysis, and organizational communication theory. The research investigates how linguistic structures, rhetorical strategies, and discourse patterns influence power dynamics in corporate communication and legal discourse. By analyzing professional texts including corporate reports, internal communications, legal contracts, and courtroom narratives, the study identifies patterns through which authority is asserted, legitimized, and contested. The research further explores the role of digital communication platforms in transforming traditional power structures by enabling new forms of interaction and discourse. A mixed-method analytical approach combining qualitative discourse analysis and computational text modeling is employed to examine linguistic features such as modality, lexical choice, framing, and narrative control. The findings reveal that language operates as both a tool of domination and negotiation, with significant implications for organizational transparency, inclusivity, and ethical communication practices. The study contributes to English studies and professional communication research by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding how language constructs and sustains power relations in contemporary corporate and legal environments.
Separation of Powers in the Age of Judicial Activism: A Critical Examination
The doctrine of separation of powers constitutes a foundational principle of constitutional governance, ensuring the distribution of authority among the legislature, executive, and judiciary to prevent the concentration of power. In the Indian context, this doctrine operates in a flexible form, shaped by constitutional design and judicial interpretation. Over the past few decades, the rise of judicial activism has significantly influenced this balance, with courts increasingly intervening in matters traditionally reserved for the other branches of government. This paper critically examines the evolving relationship between separation of powers and judicial activism, with a particular focus on the Indian constitutional framework. Adopting a qualitative and doctrinal research methodology, the study analyses constitutional provisions, landmark judicial decisions, and scholarly literature to assess whether judicial activism strengthens democratic governance or leads to institutional overreach. Key cases, including Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997), and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) case (2015), are examined to illustrate the judiciary’s expanding role in law-making and policy intervention. The findings suggest that judicial activism has played a crucial role in safeguarding fundamental rights, addressing legislative and executive inaction, and advancing social justice. However, it also raises concerns regarding democratic legitimacy and the potential erosion of institutional boundaries. The paper argues for a calibrated approach that preserves judicial independence while maintaining respect for the functional domain of other branches. It contributes to contemporary constitutional discourse by offering a nuanced evaluation of judicial activism in the age of evolving governance dynamics.
Defamation Laws in India: Balancing Reputation and Press Freedom in a Constitutional Democracy
Defamation laws in India, recognized as a reasonable restriction under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, are increasingly used by politicians and corporations as tools to suppress dissent. Criminal defamation under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, along with excessive civil damages, has created a chilling effect on journalists and media organizations. This paper employs doctrinal and comparative analysis to examine the misuse of defamation laws and their impact on press freedom. It references landmark Indian cases and compares the Indian framework with the United States and the United Kingdom, where stronger protections for free expression exist. The study also engages with international human rights standards, including the UN Human Rights Committee's stance on criminal defamation. It concludes that while protecting individual reputation is important, the ongoing criminalization of defamation in India undermines democratic accountability. Reforms such as decriminalization, damages caps, and anti-SLAPP legislation are essential to balancing the right to reputation with the freedom of the press.
Do Local Voices Shape Local Services? Assessing Participatory Budgeting in Municipal Governance
Background: Local self-governments face persistent challenges in delivering essential services while maintaining accountability and transparency. Participatory budgeting (PB) has emerged as a democratic innovation that allows citizens to directly influence municipal spending decisions. While PB has been widely studied in Latin America and large cities globally, little is known about its effects in mid-sized Indian municipalities, which face unique fiscal and administrative constraints. Purpose: This paper addresses the research gap by examining whether participatory budgeting can improve municipal service delivery and accountability in mid-sized Indian cities. It outlines a conceptual framework and research design to assess the mechanisms through which PB operates and the conditions under which it produces positive outcomes. Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed-methods approach is proposed, combining quasi-experimental impact evaluation with process tracing and household surveys. The design compares municipalities with PB initiatives to matched non-adopters, focusing on changes in budget allocation, project execution, complaint resolution, and citizen satisfaction. Qualitative data from interviews and document analysis will complement quantitative findings to explain mechanisms. Findings: While this paper presents a research framework rather than empirical results, expected scenarios suggest that PB can enhance priority alignment, accelerate project execution, and increase citizen satisfaction when supported by administrative capacity and transparency. Risks of elite capture and implementation bottlenecks remain important challenges. Originality/Value: By focusing on mid-sized Indian municipalities, the paper contributes to an underexplored area of local governance research. It provides a rigorous methodological framework for evaluating PB and offers practical guidance for policymakers seeking to strengthen accountability and service delivery through participatory processes.
Climate Justice and International Law: Duties of States Toward Vulnerable Nations and Communities
Climate change has emerged not only as an environmental crisis but as a profound challenge to global justice, disproportionately affecting vulnerable nations and marginalized communities that have contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines the concept of climate justice within the framework of international law, focusing on the legal and moral duties of states toward those most at risk. Using a doctrinal and qualitative approach, the study analyzes key international legal instruments, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, alongside evolving principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities and the polluter pays principle. The paper argues that while international climate law increasingly acknowledges equity and justice concerns, it remains limited by weak enforcement mechanisms and reliance on voluntary state commitments. Particular attention is given to issues of climate finance, adaptation support, and loss and damage, highlighting the persistent gap between legal obligations and practical implementation. Through selected case studies from India and other vulnerable regions, the study illustrates how climate impacts intersect with human rights, development inequalities, and governance challenges. The findings suggest that achieving climate justice requires a shift from aspirational commitments to binding, enforceable obligations grounded in equity and accountability. Strengthening international cooperation, enhancing financial mechanisms, and integrating human rights into climate governance are essential for ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind in the global climate response.
Leadership Strategies and Managerial Challenges in Virtual Work Settings
Remote working has changed basic leadership techniques and managerial methods and is forcing organizations worldwide to rethink their strategies due to both encouraging and difficult aspects. Academic researchers examine changes resulting from rising remote work adoption patterns observed in both leadership approaches and management procedures. The practice of virtual leadership depends on three core capabilities consisting of digital communication abilities and emotional intelligence alongside trust-building methods alongside remote performance monitoring without physical presence. The essential role of technology supports virtual collaboration and assists companies to maintain their established cultural practices. The chapter examines employee engagement increase methods through practical organizational examples and theoretical facts about how leaders enhance productivity and accountability in distributed work environments. Research reveals that leaders should create suitable leadership methods for the changing digital work environment combined with contemporary management techniques.
Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance among Hotel Management Students: Evidence from the Doaba Region of Punjab
The hospitality industry requires professionals who possess not only technical expertise but also strong emotional and interpersonal competencies. Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as an important predictor of academic and professional success, particularly in service-oriented disciplines such as hotel management. This study examines the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance among undergraduate hotel management students in the Doaba region of Punjab, with self-regulation examined as a mediating variable. A quantitative research design was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 250 students enrolled in hotel management institutions across Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and SBS Nagar districts. A total of 232 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, reliability testing, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance. Emotional intelligence also significantly influenced self-regulation, which partially mediated the relationship between EI and academic achievement. The study highlights the importance of integrating emotional intelligence training into hospitality education to improve academic outcomes and industry readiness.
The Role of Gamification in Enhancing Customer Engagement: Insights from the E-Commerce Sector
Gamification has drawn a lot of academic and management interest as one of the creative engagement tactics required by the increasingly competitive e-commerce industry. This study examines how gamification might improve consumer engagement on e-commerce platforms. It is based on Self-Determination Theory and Engagement Theory. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from 114 active gamified e-commerce application users using a quantitative study approach. According to the suggested model, customer engagement is a multifaceted term that includes customer lifetime value, customer influence value, customer referral value, and customer feedback value. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the data. The findings suggest that gamification significantly improves all aspects of customer engagement, with the impacts being more pronounced for customer influence and feedback value. By extending engagement theory in digital commerce contexts and providing empirical validation of the multifaceted impact of gamification, the study adds to the body of literature. E-commerce companies should proactively develop gamified elements to encourage interactive engagement, co-creation, and long-term relational value, according to managerial implications.
Transformation of India’s Retail Sector through Digitalization and the Rise of Self-Checkout Systems
This study examines consumer awareness, usage, perception, and acceptance of self-checkout systems in organized retail stores in urban India. It focuses on factors such as ease of use, usefulness, payment security, technology anxiety, customer satisfaction, and future willingness to adopt these systems. The research is limited to consumer behavior and excludes technical or cost-related aspects. Its significance lies in contributing to academic understanding of technology adoption, offering practical insights for retailers to improve customer experience, and highlighting the social role of self-checkout systems in promoting digital familiarity and modernizing India’s retail sector.
“Retirement Preparedness in Selected Urban Cities: A Behavioural Analysis of Risk Perception, Financial Literacy, and Portfolio Diversification.”
Purpose: The study is an exploration of the retirement planning behaviour exhibited by urban professionals of India, specifically examining the interplay between financial devices, demographic factors, and risk perceptions in individuals. The research seeks to investigate how social economic attributes, financial awareness, and behavioral traits influence retirement preparedness. Methodology: The research adopts a descriptive and analytical design based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms. A total of 50 respondents from urban areas, primarily Mumbai and Pune, were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Statistical tools such as the Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were applied to examine relationships between occupation, age, financial awareness, and retirement planning behaviour. Findings: The study finds that Occupation is found to have a great impact on the selection of retirement vehicles, whereby salaried employees utilize debt-based investment tools, whereas self-employed persons opt for equity-based investment vehicles. There was a significant difference in longevity risk perceptions by various generations, where older respondents were found to be concerned about their longevity risk compared to younger ones. Moreover, a very high positive correlation coefficient (r=0.68) is found between financial literacy and diversification intentions, implying that knowledge is an essential element for integrating portfolios. Originality: This research provides a behavioural perspective by integrating demographic segmentation, financial literacy, and psychological risk factors using primary data. It contributes to understanding how real-world constraints shape retirement planning in urban India.
ESG Norms and Sustainable Corporate Governance: Contemporary Challenges in Accountability and Compliance
The notion of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has shifted from its edges into the very heart of today's governance debate. The norms which were once regarded primarily as a voluntary add-on to business models are increasingly emerging as binding business standards to be observed, and finding their way into an expanding network of nationally and trans-nationally enacted regulatory measures. But this development has not been an easy one. Enforcement is continuing to be patchy, and companies' responses are varied from heartfelt transformation to 'impression management'. This paper explores the theoretical framework of ESG in corporate governance, reviews the history of the international and domestic regulatory landscape, and discusses the key issues which impede proper accountability and compliance. It explores the structural shortcomings of existing ESG reporting and disclosure frameworks, the legal nature of any enforcement left to the church, greenwashing, social washing, shareholder primacy and stakeholder-hearing governance frameworks, and the specific vulnerabilities of emerging markets like India in facing this fast changing landscape. The paper proposes a concept of meaningful ESG integration, which would require greater disclosure, a change in how corporate purpose is defined with a view to truly value or interests-based integration, and a more effective judiciary and regulatory framework. Based on a combination of doctrinal analysis, comparative regulatory study and empirical research, the paper suggests that additional disclosure is not sufficient to achieve meaningful integration and that meaningful integration calls for a fundamental reorientation of the corporate purpose, reinforced by robust judicial and regulatory frameworks and independent verification infrastructures. The paper ends with a series of reform suggestions addressed at the regulators, corporate boards, and international standard setters.
Coachability and Decision-Making Behaviour among Financial Investors: An Empirical Analysis
As the financial sector becomes more complex, understanding the behavioural determinants of investor decision making is more important than ever. In this paper we explore the effect of coachability in strategic decision-making of financial investors and in particular on the willingness to experiment. The study is based on primary data collected from 278 experienced investors of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by means of a standard Likert scale questionnaire. The correlation analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Results show a significant relationship between coachability and adaptive decision making indicating that higher receptivity towards feedback and learning helps to follow growth-oriented investment approaches. But coachability is a trait that is overlooked and underutilized by investors in the regions we studied. The study adds to the field of behavioural finance by introducing coachability.
The Influence of Instagram and YouTube Content on College Students' Consumption Patterns, Opinion Formation, and Decision-Making Behaviour Evidence from Mumbai
Social media algorithms significantly shape how urban Indian college students consume content, form opinions, and make decisions. Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube function not merely as entertainment but as drivers of opinion and purchasing behaviour. Yet algorithmic influence on this demographic remains underexplored in the Indian urban context. Grounded in three theoretical frameworks - Uses and Gratifications Theory, Elaboration Likelihood Model, and Pariser's Filter Bubble Theory - this study examines content consumption patterns, opinion formation across social, cultural, consumer, lifestyle and political domains, and behavioural outcomes including purchasing decisions. Findings indicate that students rely predominantly on algorithmic content discovery, exercise selective scepticism toward influencer credibility, and show stronger pre-purchase research behaviour (WM = 3.46) than direct influencer-driven purchasing (WM = 3.14). Content format emerges as a stronger influence driver than influencer endorsement. Across all usage contexts, algorithmic recommendations consistently extend platform engagement beyond users' original intent.
The Illusion of Competence: The Study of Cognitive Offloading in AI-Augmented Management Education
There is a prominent shift in how management education students approach analytical tasks of solving complex business problems, market research interpretations, evaluating operational efficiency or case study analysis due to the rapid integration of generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen Ai) in higher education. However, this convenience has given rise to a new phenomenon called “market–ready atrophy” which shows the widening gap between students' perceived competence and their actual ability to solve problems without the help of algorithms. The study investigates “illusion of competence” by anchoring cognitive load theory and UTAUT2 (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology). Using a multi-phase research design, including a survey of 100 MBA students and a controlled experiment, the research explores how AI impacts critical thinking capabilities. And the study builds up a framework that ensures AI integration without the replacement of human judgment capabilities.
The Role of Neuromarketing in Understanding Customers’ Value Perception in Digital Marketing
This paper seeks to address the relevance of neuromarketing in appreciating the value perceptions of customers in online marketing settings, with a special case of branded integrated resorts in Southeast Asia, with specific references to Malaysia. This research seeks to apply the basic concepts of neuromarketing as a tool for appreciating the effects of emotional triggers, sensory responses, and subconscious cognitive influences on the values of customers. A combination of research methods was undertaken in carrying out this research. This included the laddering interview session of twenty Malaysian consumers aimed at appreciating emotionally and psychologically influencing values through the means-end theory approach. An online survey was also conducted with the objective of determining the effects of emotional values, as well as altruistic values, in influencing online integrated resort brands. This research manuscript demonstrated that emotional values, as well as altruistic values for brand tourism development in emerging economies, accounted for a significant influence on customer loyalty; conversely, economic values accounted for a secondary influence. Neuromarketing provided a valuable framework for visualizing the impact of emotional stimuli on values as it pertained to online settings.
Examining the Influence of Education 6Cs on Secondary Level ESL Students’ Employability Skills, and Long-Term Economic Stability in the Contemporary Educational Context
This paper examines how the Education 6Cs model BT Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Citizenship and Character reflect on the employability competencies and long-term financial sustainability among the students of English also known as Second Language (ESL) within the secondary level. Through the examination of how 6Cs are integrated into the modern-day education, the study discusses how these factors influence learners in terms of readiness to work, progress in a globalized economy, and future success in terms of sustainable economic development. Based on the mixed-method strategy with the surveys and interviews of both ESL students and teachers, the study points at the presence of the positive correlation of 6Cs competency with the outcomes of employability. The results can inform policy-makers, educators and curriculum developers to improve the skills-based education among ESL students.
Personalization vs Privacy: Examining the Paradox in AI-Driven Marketing and Its Impact on Consumer Trust
As artificial intelligence fundamentally transforms digital marketing, consumers are caught in a deepening tension — simultaneously seeking the convenience of personalized experiences while fearing the data exposure that enables them. This paper conceptualizes and examines the personalization-privacy paradox as it operates within AI-driven marketing ecosystems, with particular focus on its effects on consumer trust. Grounded in Privacy Calculus Theory (PCT), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Information Boundary Theory, the study develops a theoretically rigorous framework that maps the interplay among Perceived Personalization, Privacy Concerns, and Consumer Trust. To substantiate this framework, a systematic literature-based meta-analytic synthesis is conducted, drawing on quantitative effect sizes and directional findings reported across forty-two peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 1994 and 2023. The synthesized evidence consistently supports the hypothesized relationships: personalization exerts a positive effect on trust (mean weighted r ≈ 0.38), while privacy concerns exert a significant negative effect (mean weighted r ≈ −0.41). Critically, the analysis identifies a robust negative moderation effect whereby elevated privacy concern substantially attenuates — and in some conditions reverses — the trust-building function of personalization. Three boundary conditions (data sensitivity, platform transparency, and individual privacy orientation) are shown to shape this moderation. The paper advances theoretical understanding of the paradox, offers evidence-based managerial guidelines, and charts a detailed agenda for primary empirical research.
Role of Electronic Word of Mouth (eWoM) in Shaping Customer Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions in Hospitality Services: An Empirical Study
Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM) has surfaced as a convincing element impacting user experience and buying intention in the hospitality sector. With the rise in digital infrastructure and evaluation mechanisms, customers highly depend on user-driven content to assess services, minimize improbability and take judicious choices. This paper explores how several components of eWOM like review valence, authenticity, emotional prosody and visual prompts mold the mindset and purpose of the clients towards hospitality services. It also analyses the facilitating role of element like user experience, trust, ethnic contrasts and technical knowledge. The results identify that the praise and criticism notably impact on customer feedback with trust and perceived value functioning as key factor is decision-making. Additionally, factors like review depth, credibility and company awareness increase the impact of eWOM. The study points out that the calculated significance of handling virtual feedback and utilizing eWOM to improvise client experience, brand value and market edge in the hospitality industry. A sample of 297 was collected to find the result of the study. The factor studying the Role of Electronic Word of Mouth (eWoM) in Shaping Customer Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions in Hospitality Services are Source Credibility, Review Quality, Emotional Content and Visual Content. The study concludes that there is significant of Electronic Word of Mouth (eWoM) in Shaping Customer Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions
Organizational Readiness for Artificial Intelligence: Evidence from SME Adoption Patterns
This study examines how SMEs adopt Artificial Intelligence and the factors that enable, inhibit, and influence the adoption process's outcomes. Data collection utilized a mixed-method approach. The researcher surveyed 150 SMEs and subsequently interviewed 20 managers and owners. The selected SMEs operate in the manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. The quantitative results indicate that organizational leadership support, financial resources, and company size are strong predictors of AI adoption, while cost, skill shortages, and resistance to change remain significant barriers to adoption. Regression analyses reveal that leadership vision has the greatest impact on adoption. Correlation analyses between organizational readiness and the likelihood of adoption show positive relationships. The effects of adoption are further explained by employee resistance, the use of consultants, and government incentives. In summary, SMEs that implement AI experience notable benefits in efficiency, customer satisfaction, and decision-making. This study contributes by extending the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) models, highlighting the disproportionate influence of leadership support, and demonstrating that partnerships and agility can offset resource limitations. It provides practical advice to SME leaders, policymakers, and ecosystem stakeholders on encouraging adoption through financial incentives, training, and networks. Ultimately, this research provides a unique perspective on how SMEs can leverage AI to enhance their competitiveness and resilience by examining the enablers and barriers.
New Professions and Identities in Context of Future of Work Studies in the Age of AI
The study focussed on Future of work in the age of AI and its impact on the emerging skills and professions in the global workforce and creating professional identities irrespective of the educational degrees or conventional roles. Many of these new roles are driven by advances in digital technology, sustainability needs, and cultural shifts. Conventional career trajectories, in which workers advance through the ranks and retire at the height of their abilities, are becoming obsolete. Some workers choose to retire following a career change or pause, such as taking on alternative or less profitable work, or they choose to retire entirely. For instance, Mike Ulica from the National Geographic Society examines the significance of geographic and cultural diversity in today’s workplace. It’s evident that forming successful teams involves more than just having a variety of technical skills; it also requires diversity in backgrounds and perspectives, as well as an understanding of the distinct challenges involved in deploying a product across various regions. At some point in their careers, more workers are leaving the workforce in the middle of their careers, changing industries, or adopting contingent labor and other nontraditional employment arrangements. According to a 2022 LinkedIn study of 23,000 employees, 35% of respondents said they could take a professional break in the future, while 62% said they had already done so. Additionally, employees face involuntary disruptions due to demands of caregiving, economic changes, technological disruptions and natural disasters. Jonathan Grudin, principal researcher at Microsoft, commented, “People will create the jobs of the future, not simply train for them, and technology is already central. It will undoubtedly play a greater role in the years ahead
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the financial technology (fintech) industry, enhancing efficiency, security, and customer experience. AI-driven innovations such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and natural language processing have transformed traditional financial services, enabling automated decision-making, fraud detection, and risk assessment. This paper explores the impact of AI on fintech, analyzing its applications, benefits, challenges, and future prospects. A detailed case study illustrates real-world implementations of AI in financial services, followed by data analysis that highlights AI’s contribution to financial performance and risk mitigation.
Role of Price Bundling and Price Optimisation in Maximising Profits: An Empirical Study in the Context of FMCG Industry in India
Price bundling and Price optimisation has appeared as a significant strategic tool for improving profitability in the FMGC sector in India. In an increasingly competitive and price-sensitive market environment, Indian FMGC companies are adopting innovative price mechanisms to influence consumer purchase behavior, improve sales volume, and maximise overall revenue. Price bundling involves offering multiple products together at a combined discounted price, encourage higher consumption, enhance perceived value, and increase customer retention. Simultaneously, price optimization enables firms to determine the most profitable price points by analysing demand patterns, customer preferences, competition, and market dynamics. This empirical study examines the role of price bundling and price optimization in maximization of profit. The focus is on understanding consumer response towards bundled offers, promotional pricing, and value perceptions across different FMCG categories. It is concluded that integrating price bundling with effective price optimization strategies significantly enhances sales performance, customer satisfaction, and organizational profitability in FMGC industry. A sample of 337 was collected to find the result of the study. The factors studying the Role of Price Bundling and Price Optimisation in Maximising Profits are Price Bundling Effectiveness, Price Optimization Strategy, Profitability and Sales Growth and Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty. The study concludes that there is significant impact of price bundling and price optimisation on maximising profits.
Entrepreneurial Ideation, Creativity, and Innovation through Structured Brainstorming Techniques: An Empirical Study in the Context of Indian Startups
Entrepreneurship and innovation are the foremost factors that helps the development of economy and startups in India. Considering that, ideation, creativity and innovation serve a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurs produce rare products, services and business models. This paper focuses on comprehending the capacity of planned thinking processes in improvising entrepreneurial ideation and creativity amongst other startups of India. Thinking strategies motivate towards liberal thinking, teamwork, and spawning of distinct ideas that in a way aids innovation and problem-solving. The research emphasizes the several theories of brainstorming like delay in decision-making, fostering unique ideas, production quantity, teamwork and community involvement. This aims at the significance of streamlined ideation strategies within entrepreneurial education and real-world application. By examining the several methods i.e. innovation, ideation, and brainstorming, the study focuses on analysing how planned brainstorming helps towards innovative thinking and entrepreneurial success within the Indian startup landscape. A sample of 271 was collected. All the factors Entrepreneurial Ideation, Creativity Enhancement, Team Collaboration, and Innovation Capability are showing significant impact on Indian start-ups.
Determinants of Consumer Car Purchase Decisions in India: The Role of Social Influence, Information Search, and Product Attributes
The Indian automobile sector has gone through major changes because of technological development, digitalization and altering customer lifestyle. Buyer car purchase decisions are highly affected by societal factors, social media platforms, digital feedback, product features and technological advances instead of just the cost and its performance. This research focuses on the key factors that affect buyer car purchase decisions in India, depending on societal impact, information seeking conduct, and product features. The research focuses on a literature review of buyer’s behaviour, automobile marketing and digital communication. Former research show that factors like peer pressure, family’s outlook, brand value, safety aspects, comfort, reselling profit, funding opportunities and web marketing notably impact buyers’ choices and the intent to buy. The rise in the usage of virtual sites has also revolutionized the purchasing journey of automobiles by allowing in-depth investigation prior to the final decision of buying. The research determines that automobile organizations should implement client- focused and digitally oriented approach that focuses mainly on individualization, online interaction, modernization and enriched customer journey to be part of the Indian automobile sector competition. A sample of 341 was collected to find the result of the study. The factors studying the Role of Social Influence, Information Search, and Product Attributes determining the consumer Car Purchase decisions in India are Social Influence, Information Search Behavior, Product Attributes and Environmental and Technological Concerns. The study concludes that there is significant impact of Social Influence, Information Search, and Product Attributes on consumer Car Purchase decisions
Barriers for e-Governance Implementation in Higher Education in Haryana – A Review
E-Governance has emerged as a crucial tool for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the higher education sector. However, its implementation in Haryana faces several challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and effectiveness. This study provides a comprehensive review of the various barriers impeding e-Governance in higher education institutions across Haryana. The barriers are categorized into technological, organizational, financial, social, and regulatory challenges. Key issues include inadequate digital infrastructure, lack of awareness and digital literacy, data security concerns, resistance to change, bureaucratic hurdles, and insufficient funding. The study highlights the interplay between these barriers and their impact on the successful execution of e-Governance initiatives. By identifying and analyzing these challenges, this review aims to provide insights for policymakers, educators, and administrators to formulate strategic solutions that can enhance e-Governance adoption in Haryana’s higher education sector.
A Business Law Perspective in Emerging Economies for Entrepreneurial Growth
Entrepreneurial growth in emerging economies is increasingly influenced by the effectiveness of business law frameworks, institutional quality, and regulatory adaptability. Rapid globalization, digital transformation, and financial integration have compelled developing nations to redesign legal systems that encourage innovation, protect investments, and support sustainable enterprise development. This study examines the relationship between business law and entrepreneurial growth from the perspective of emerging economies, emphasizing regulatory governance, taxation policies, intellectual property protection, contract enforcement, digital compliance, and foreign investment regulations. The paper evaluates how legal certainty and transparent institutional mechanisms contribute to startup creation, business formalization, and competitive market expansion. Furthermore, it explores the role of legal reforms in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems through financial accessibility, corporate governance, and sustainable business practices. The study also highlights persistent challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, weak judicial enforcement, policy instability, and regulatory fragmentation that continue to restrict entrepreneurial performance in many developing nations. By integrating recent scholarly findings and contemporary policy discussions, the paper proposes a multidimensional legal framework capable of fostering entrepreneurial resilience, innovation-driven growth, and long-term economic sustainability in emerging markets.
Content Creation as a New-Age Entrepreneurial Career: An Empirical Investigation of Digital Creators in Urban India
The creator economy has emerged as one of the most consequential structural transformations in contemporary labour markets, repositioning content creation from a peripheral digital activity into a formally contestable entrepreneurial career. This study presents findings from a comprehensive, mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey of n = 550 urban Indian digital content creators conducted between 2025 and 2026. Participants were recruited from YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp creator communities, and peer-referral networks across 18 Indian cities using purposive-plus-snowball sampling. The survey instrument comprised approximately 95 items across ten thematic sections (Parts A–J), deploying Likert 5-point scales, 7-point semantic differentials, Borda-count motivation rankings, ordinal income intervals, dichotomous screeners, and open-ended qualitative items. Key findings reveal a pronounced financial viability gap: 51.4% of creators earn below ₹15,000 per month, with only 14% achieving income above ₹75,000. A severe burnout epidemic is confirmed, with 52.7% of respondents reporting frequent creative exhaustion (E1 ≥ 4), significant across career types (one-way ANOVA: F = 3.279, p = 0.038). Algorithm anxiety (E8: mean = 3.39/5) and performance pressure (E2: mean = 3.48/5) emerge as the leading psychological stressors. Market saturation is acutely perceived, with discoverability loss scoring highest (F3: mean = 3.65/5) and AI disruption anxiety reaching 61.8% high-concern prevalence (F7). A critical institutional vacuum is evidenced by a 71.1% policy awareness deficit, alongside strong creator demand for MSME legal classification (I3: mean = 3.67/5) and a National Digital Creator Association (I6: mean = 3.55/5). Tenure significantly moderates saturation perception (r = −0.116, p = 0.006), while niche selection demonstrates measurable income differentiation, with Parenting (mean ordinal = 4.16) and Finance (3.84) outperforming Fitness (2.85). The study advances the concept of "Algorithmic Micro-Entrepreneurship" (AME) as a theoretical framework and offers six evidence-based policy recommendations for government, platforms, and civil society.
India’s Digital Trade Readiness: Evaluating Human Capital and Skilling Ecosystems in the Post-Pandemic Era
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated India’s digital transition, transforming trade processes, services delivery, and workforce competencies. As digital trade expands through e-commerce, fintech, digital public infrastructure, and cross-border digital services, human capital and skilling ecosystems play a decisive role in shaping India’s competitiveness. This study evaluates India’s digital trade readiness by examining workforce capabilities, digital literacy programs, skill development initiatives, and post-pandemic policy efforts. Using secondary data, government reports, and recent surveys, the analysis highlights progress in digital inclusion, online skill platforms, and youth participation in digital jobs. Findings suggest that while India demonstrates strong momentum through initiatives like Digital India, Skill India, and DigiSaksham, major gaps persist in advanced digital skills, cybersecurity talent, and rural-urban digital capabilities. The paper offers policy recommendations to strengthen digital skilling pipelines, foster industry-academia partnerships, and enhance global digital trade competitiveness in the post-pandemic era.
Strengthening Rural Water Sustainability through Integrated Management and Stewardship: Evidence from Selected Rural Areas of Tamil Nadu
The interplay of community participation, operational water management and stewardship behavior with local governance is a growing determinant of the sustainability of rural water.Groundwater recharge, maintenance, institutional accountability and responsible use are weak to ensure long-term water security, without infrastructure creation.In this article these interrelated aspects are analyzed with the primary data collected from 140 respondents across selected rural areas of Tamil Nadu which comprised rural households and farmers.Five constructs, that is, governance mechanisms, stakeholder participation, water management practices, stewardship practices and rural water sustainability were measured using a structured questionnaire.Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.The results reveal all constructs are perceived at a moderate to high level, meaning that they are functional but not mature.The internal consistency (reliability) of the scales ranged between 0.741 and 0.809, reflecting acceptable levels.Positive and significant relationships were observed between each of the four predictors and rural water sustainability using correlation analysis.The model of regression accounted for 58.6% of the variance in the sustainability outcomes.The most important factor was found to be water management practices, followed by stewardship practices, governance mechanisms, and stakeholder participation.Rural water systems must be considered in a whole-of-system context where governance gives institutional discipline, participation gives local ownership, water management gives operational performance and conservation behavior is sustained by stewardship, the study argues.This article provides an empirically supported methodology for enhancing the water sustainability of rural water supply systems by adopting coordinated, accountable and behaviorally informed water management.
Profiling Fast-Fashion Purchase Intentions Among Gen Z and Millennial Women through AI-Driven Consumer Analytics
The consumer purchasing behaviour among Gen Z and Millennial women has transformed significantly with the presence of affordable and trendy clothing available by the fast fashion businesses through rapid production cycles. This trend among the young buyers and the resulting growth comes with increased environmental concerns like excessive water consumption and pollution. While there is an increasing awareness of sustainability among young buyers, they continue to prioritize fast fashion and trend appeal over environmentally responsible purchasing. In this context, this study aims to examine the influence of fashion preference, fast fashion perception and purchase intention with an awareness on environmental issues among young women consumers. The study further attempts to profile consumers based on their purchase intentions. Primary data collected among Millennial and Gen Z women consumers, reveal that Gen Z consumers dominate the fast fashion market, with most respondents relying on pocket money and spending below Rs.5000 monthly on fashion products. The study also highlights that there is a significant difference in the spending behaviour observed among working women and those dependent on pocket money. The findings also reveal that there exists a weak relationship between environmental awareness and purchase intention initially. However, with an intervention using an environment-awareness video, the multiple regression shows that fast fashion perception being the dominant predictor of purchase intention. The cluster analysis further segmented the consumers based on behavioural and attitudinal aspects providing targeted marketing strategies for the fast fashion business.
Geopolitical Shockwaves: Assessing the Economic, Energy Security, and Strategic Implications of the West Asia Crisis on India
The West Asia region containing more than 9 million members of the Indian diaspora as well as nearly half of the proven global crude reserves, forms a strategic focal point of the Indian economic and security structure. The resurgence of war after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-Israel war, coupled with Houthi maritime disruptions in the Red Sea, has produced multi-dimensional geopolitical shocks which have direct impacts on India. In this study, the transmission of oil prices has raised the inflation rate at CPI of 6.7% in 202223, increased current account deficit to 2.0% of GDP and further devalued the rupee to the 8485/USD range. The strategic petroleum reserves in India only have an import duration of 9-12 days against the IEA mark of 90 days which translates into a devastating weakness. At the same time that strategic autonomy has been put to test by conflicting demands between GCC states, Israel and Iran, India has demonstrated some resilience through diversification of suppliers, buying Russian crude oil at a discount, and an accelerated deployment of renewable energy. The paper ends with policy suggestions that are integrated in energy security, diplomatic realignment and crisis management.
Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Overall Productivity in Star Category Hotels of Delhi NCR: The Moderating Role of Perceived Organisational Support
This study investigates the impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices on Overall Productivity (OP) among employees working in star category hotels in the Delhi NCR region, with Perceived Organisational Support (POS) examined as a moderating mechanism. Using a quantitative and cross-sectional research design, data were collected from employees working in 3 to 5-star hotels through a structured questionnaire administered between 15 May 2025 and 15 October 2025. From the gathered data of 548 respondents, the study employed SEM to test the direct relationships between Employee Diversity (DIV), Equity in recruitment and employment practices (EQT), Inclusive workplace practices (INC), and OP. Moderation effects were tested using PROCESS Macro. The findings confirm that DIV, EQT, and INC exert significant positive effects on OP, establishing DEI practices as essential organisational drivers of workforce performance within hospitality settings. Furthermore, POS significantly moderates all three relationships, strengthening the positive influence of DEI practices on OP when employees perceive high organisational support. The study offers strong managerial implications for integrating DEI with supportive organisational systems to improve productivity and workforce stability in star category hotels.
Exploring Global Scholarly Contributions to AI-Driven Stock Prediction through Analytics: A Bibliometric Evaluation
The financial market plays a pivotal role in global economy and is a domineering field of research. It not only provides corporates a way to raise capital to fund their operations and expansion plans but additionally, provides investors with an opportunity to earn a return on their investments and grow their wealth over time. Although the massive usage of machine learning techniques in stock market field is up trending, there has been little focus on developing a framework that synthesizes the primary trends and research on the topic. This study is one of the attempts to thoroughly investigate the published literatures in few decades and focuses on addressing this gap by conducting further analysis of complementary bibliographic sources, evaluating 834 reputable bibliometric studies published in the Scopus database. A total of 2,037 authors contributed to publications, with 58 authors writing 68 documentsindividually and 19.78% of these authors have engaged in international collaborations. The average number of citations per document is 24.02. The leading nations with greatest number of publicationsare CHINA, INDIA and US ,i.e., with 238,210 and 82 articles respectively. The prominent journal is ‘Expert Systems with Applications’ (with 57 articles) and the most productive authors areLI X and WANG X (with 14 articles each) inthe Scopus database. This research reveals that as subset of AI (Artificial Intelligence), the ML (Machine Learning) and the DL(Deep Learning) application in stock market is evolving and expanding. This paper enhances the existing literature by offering a thorough overview of the articles that focuses on application of AI and ML in stock market prediction.
Interdependence of Global Stock Markets in the Era of Financial Globalization-A Statistical Analysis of International Market Integration
Globalization with regards to finance has really enhanced the level of integration and interconnection between the stock markets globally. As information technology continues to grow fast, the world has become increasingly interconnected with a liberalized financial system and with cross-border capital flows. Multinational corporations, institutional investors (global-based) and international financial institutions are very active in various markets thereby enabling the improvement of the conveyance of information, capital and economic shocks via national boundaries. As a result, a crisis that started in a single financial market is easily transferred to other markets and influences the prices of assets, investment activity and financial integrity. This inability to distinguish the stock markets has led to an increasing convergence across stock markets hence the appeal that cross-boundary or international financial markets seems to hold over researchers and consumers of financial economics and international finance. This paper explores interdependence of key stock markets in the world today in the era of finance globalization. The study aims at indicating benchmark indexes of stock markets of developed economies as well as developing ones such as the one of the US, UK, Japan, Germany, India and China. The markets are important in determining the world financial trends and can represent the overall dynamics of the international capital markets. The aim of the study is to trace the degree to which these markets are interrelated and to determine what is the character of short run and long-term links among them. In order to meet these objectives, a number of sophisticated statistical and econometric tools are taken as part of the study. The level of association between stock market returns is measured through the correlation analysis whereas the property of stationarity of the time series data are measured through the unit root tests. The analysis of the relationship between long-run equilibrium of the selected markets is done by use of cointegration. Also, Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models are considered to capture dynamic interactions between the markets and impulse response functions are also applied to determine the effect of market shocks in another market in the long-run. The empirical results indicate that there is a high degree of interdependence between the chosen stock markets in the world especially during financial turbulence and economic crisis of the world. It is also reflected in the findings that there are long-run relationship links among some markets, meaning that there exists increased levels of financial integration in the world economy. The implications of these findings on international investors, policymakers, and financial institutions are significant because they suggest that financial contagion can occur in the near future and that diversifying a portfolio faces difficulties in an ever-better global financial framework.
Access to Justice and Legal Aid Systems: Contemporary Challenges in Inclusive Governance
In the last few decades, Access to Justice has emerged as one of the fundamental principles of democratic rule of law and governance. But in both developed and developing countries millions are effectively barred from the legal system by financial, geographical, cultural and linguistic barriers and information. This paper, an overview, draws together empirical and theoretical research work on legal aid system and traces the profile of current challenges in the provision of inclusive law services. The paper will combine analysis of eight jurisdictions (Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa and Nigeria) for state-funded models, mixed public-private schemes and tech-enabled innovations. It specifies seven different categories of structural barriers and analyses their mitigation potential from regulatory, institutional and technological lines of action. The paper also examines current challenges arising from 4IR, such as artificial intelligence (AI) supported applications and online mediation and arbitration (ODR) and their impact on the provision of justice in an equitable manner.
Phygital Marketing in EdTech: Bridging Online Learning with Offline Engagement
The global EdTech sector has witnessed unprecedented growth, yet a persistent challenge remains: delivering meaningful, sticky learning experiences that transcend the screen. Phygital marketing which is a strategic convergence of physical and digital touchpoints, has emerged as a powerful paradigm to address this gap. This paper examines how EdTech companies can design and implement phygital marketing frameworks that drive enrollment, retention, and brand loyalty by creating seamless learner journeys across both online and offline channels. Drawing on secondary research, case studies from leading EdTech players, and established marketing frameworks, this study proposes a four-pillar Phygital Engagement Model (PEM) and analyses its application across diverse EdTech verticals including K-12, higher education, professional upskilling, and test preparation. Findings suggest that companies adopting integrated phygital strategies report measurably higher learner satisfaction scores, lower churn rates, and a 2.3x improvement in lifetime value (LTV) compared to digital-only approaches.
A quantitative and explanatory research design is adopted, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, graphical analysis, and simple and multiple regression techniques to analyse both the individual and combined effects of macroeconomic variables on gold prices. The analysis is based on secondary data sourced from reliable national and international databases, including the Reserve Bank of India, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the India Bullion and Jewellers Association. The empirical results reveal that global uncertainty and RBI gold reserves exert a strong and statistically significant positive influence on gold valuation in India. Exchange rate movements significantly affect gold prices in isolation, whereas inflation and interest rates exhibit weak, statistically insignificant relationships. The combined regression model confirms that the selected macroeconomic variables collectively explain a substantial proportion of variation in gold prices, indicating the relevance of macroeconomic conditions in shaping gold valuation trends.
Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Sentiment on Stock Investment Decisions Using Machine Learning Techniques
The study of social media analytics and financial market analysis has become one of the most important areas of current computational finance research. In this paper, we perform an extensive empirical analysis on the potential for machine learning (ML) approaches to capture and leverage sentiment information from social media to improve the process of investing in stocks. By using data over the course of several years, between 2021 and 2024, collected from more than 48 million social media posts, news articles, and financial analyst reports from social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Reddit (r/WallStreetBets and r/investing), StockTwits, and news feeds, we construct and validate an ensemble method based on transformer architectures for NLP tasks along with LSTM and gradient-boosted ML algorithms. In our approach, we consider sentiment polarity scores, topic modeling, named entity recognition, as well as time-based aggregation to create sentiment feature vectors combined with conventional financial data, such as price/volume metrics, measures of volatility, macroeconomic signals, and momentum features at a sector level. Empirical findings from applying ML models to portfolios of 200 S&P 500 stocks show that our sentiment-based approach is capable of delivering statistical significance in generating alpha of 8.3% annually, beating benchmarks by Sharpe ratio by 0.41 points relative to purely technical approaches. We explore underlying mechanisms, consider the differential informativeness of retail vs. institutional investors' discussion on social media, as well as study dynamics of cascades as a tool for intensifying impact of sentiment shocks. Our results have important practical applications in designing trading algorithms, understanding retail behavior, and regulating social media market manipulations. We discuss the limitations of our study carefully.
From Innovation to Intention: How Green Brand Innovativeness Influences Sustainable Buying Behaviour in Urban Markets
Purpose This study investigates how green brand innovativeness (GBI) influences sustainable buying behaviour among urban consumers by examining the mediating roles of green brand associations (GBA) and green brand attitude (GBATT). The study addresses an important gap in green marketing literature by explaining the psychological mechanisms through which eco-innovation translates into green purchase intention (GPI). Design/Methodology/Approach A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 365 urban consumers with prior experience purchasing green products. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS was employed to test the hypothesized relationships and mediation effects. Findings The findings reveal that green brand innovativeness does not directly influence green purchase intention. Instead, its impact is fully mediated through green brand associations and green brand attitude. Consumers are more likely to develop purchase intentions when eco-innovation strengthens favourable brand meanings and positive environmental evaluations. Research Limitations/Implications The study relies on self-reported cross-sectional data collected from urban consumers, which limits causal inference and generalizability. Future studies may adopt longitudinal designs, comparative rural–urban samples, and behavioural purchase data. Practical Implications Managers should focus not only on developing eco-innovative products but also on communicating sustainability initiatives in ways that build strong green associations and positive brand attitudes. Green innovation must be embedded into meaningful brand narratives to influence sustainable buying behaviour. Originality/Value The study contributes to green branding literature by positioning green brand innovativeness as an indirect behavioural driver operating through cognitive and affective mechanisms. It extends sustainable consumption research by integrating branding perspectives into the innovation–purchase intention relationship.
A Systematic Review of Income Tax Reforms in India: Trends, Challenges, and Economic Implications
This study provides a systematic review of income tax reforms in India, examining their evolving trends, key challenges, and broader economic implications. Drawing on secondary data from scholarly literature, policy reports, and government publications, the paper traces the transformation of the tax system from the framework established under the Income-tax Act, 1961 to contemporary reforms emphasizing simplification, digitization, and enhanced compliance. The review identifies major trends, including rationalization of tax rates, expansion of the tax base, and the adoption of technology-driven administration. It also highlights persistent challenges such as tax evasion, policy complexity, and administrative inefficiencies. Furthermore, the study evaluates the impact of these reforms on economic growth, investment patterns, and income distribution. The findings suggest that while reforms have improved efficiency and transparency, structural issues remain, necessitating continuous policy refinement and institutional strengthening for sustainable fiscal development.
The Human Rights of all persons are universal and indivisible. Everyone should enjoy the same fundamental Human Rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression. All people including LGBTQIA+ individuals, are entitled to enjoy the protection provided by international Human Rights law, which is based on equality and non-discrimination under Article-2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The struggle of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) people for equal rights has moved to centre stage. LGBTQIA+ people are battling for their civil rights in courtrooms and in streets. Discrimination against this community is commonplace, leaving them socially isolated, marginalized and denied their basic rights as citizens of India. Although LGBTQIA+ people continue to face real discrimination in all areas of life. The researcher would analyse the insufficient provisions to protect their rights, followed by their composition and the difficulties they face today. And to suggest some measures to improve rights. Recently, the rights of this community have been realized and judicial interventions have been realized and judicial interventions have been made to protect them also followed by the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring “Rights of the third sex.”
Maintenance Rights of Women in Live-in Relationships under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005: A Socio-Legal Analysis
Considering the urbanization, migration, education, economic independence and re-imagining of autonomy and intimacy, live-in relationships have been emerging as a prominent aspect of modern Indian society. Marriage-like domestic relationships are not legally defined as marriage, but Indian Courts and Welfare laws have acknowledged that women in such a relationship might need protection from abandonment, economic abuse and social vulnerability. The object of the Maintenance Rights provided by Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is to ensure monetary relief, dignity, shelter and economic protection for an aggrieved woman who has lived in a domestic relationship, whether or not the relationship is in the nature of marriage. The paper discusses socio-legal norms of maintenance rights of women in live-in relationships as provided under the Domestic Violence Act. It examines the statutory provisions, constitution, feminist jurisprudence, judicial decisions including D. Velusamy, IndraSarma and Chanmuniya. The paper argues that maintenance should not be taken as a mere financial dependence of a woman on her husband because the person from whom the maintenance is sought, in a live-in relationship case, may be either a male partner or a live-in partner. The study concludes that although evidence-based protections have been expanded in judicial interpretations, women continue to encounter clear burdens of proof, stigma in society, delays in receiving relief, and inconsistent standards for such relief. The paper calls for more concrete statutory provisions, more robust interim relief, greater legal aid, and judicial interpretation and greater social awareness that are sensitive to gender.
“Measuring and Valuing AI-Enabled Human Capital: Implications for Accounting and Investor Decisions”
The growing integration of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition and retention has introduced significant challenges for conventional accounting systems, particularly in recognizing and measuring intangible value derived from human capital. Although AI-enabled human capital increasingly influences firm performance and investor perceptions, it remains largely underrepresented in traditional financial reporting, creating a notable gap between economic value creation and its formal recognition in accounting records. This study examines the transformative role of AI in converting human capital into measurable intellectual capital and explores the resulting implications for accounting practices and investor decision-making, with the ultimate aim of developing a conceptual framework that captures the value relevance of AI-driven human capital practices. The research adopts a conceptual and qualitative approach, drawing on established theoretical foundations including value relevance theory, intangible asset measurement, and information asymmetry. Secondary literature and illustrative qualitative insights are employed to identify and analyze key dimensions such as operational efficiency, workforce quality, strategic innovation, ethical concerns, and implementation challenges. The findings reveal that AI-enabled human capital substantially strengthens firm-level indicators, with measurable improvements in operational efficiency ranging from approximately 15 to 25 percent, decision-making speed improving between 20 and 30 percent, and workforce productivity gains of 10 to 20 percent. These outcomes demonstrate a meaningful association with firm valuation metrics and investor confidence. Taken together, the findings suggest that AI-driven human capital can be systematically translated into quantifiable indicators of intellectual capital, thereby improving the explanatory power of financial information and reducing information asymmetry in capital markets. The study draws attention to a measurable disconnect between value creation and accounting recognition, underscoring the need for refined frameworks capable of capturing AI-enabled intangible assets with greater accuracy and relevance.
The Relative Influence of Digital versus Traditional Marketing on Smartphone Purchase Intentions: A Consumer Study in North Karnataka, India
This study compares the impact of traditional and digital marketing strategies on smartphone purchasing behaviour in North Karnataka's non-metropolitan areas. With a sample of 487 respondents from the ages of 18 and 45, this study is quantitative in nature. Hierarchical regression and and the further methods of inferential statistics were used to analyse the gathered data. The results shows that traditional marketing channels (β = 0.29) had lower purchase intentions (β = 0.51, p <. 001).The present study examines the effect of pre-purchase and post-purchase behaviour on smart phone purchasing decision of consumers in non-metro regions of North Karnataka through a quick online survey comprising participants residing out there. The study is quantitative, with a sample of 487 respondents aged between 18 and 45.the information gathered ws examined using techniques of inferential statistics such as hierarchical regression. The findings demonstrated that intensions to buy werehigher (β = 0.51, p <. 001).The finding indicate that consumers are largely motivated by digital interaction, yet they still depend on conventional sources for validation and trust. Designing integrated and demographically targeted marketing strategies in developing these insights can help regional marketplaces.
Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency in Financial AI: Addressing Bias through Responsible Regulation and Auditable Design
AI systems increasingly shape decision-making in financial services, particularly in credit scoring, insurance underwriting, and fraud detection. While these systems improve efficiency and predictive accuracy, they may also reproduce and amplify existing social and economic inequalities. This paper examines how fairness, accountability, and transparency (FAT) principles can be systematically integrated into financial AI systems. Using a conceptual and critical approach, the study synthesises literature on algorithmic bias, analyses the regulatory frameworks of the EU AI Act, GDPR, and US fair lending law, and incorporates fairness impossibility results from Chouldechova (2017) and Kleinberg et al. (2017). The analysis identifies key sources of bias, including data imbalance, proxy variables, measurement error, label contamination, and feedback loops. It further highlights that fairness metrics such as demographic parity, predictive parity, and equalised odds cannot be satisfied simultaneously in many contexts, creating unavoidable trade-offs for regulators and practitioners. To address these challenges, the paper proposes a FAT Lifecycle Framework covering six stages of AI development and governance. The framework offers practical guidance for organisations and regulators seeking to operationalise FAT principles across the full AI lifecycle while supporting equitable access to financial services.
Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Robo - Advisors in Transforming Investment Decisions in Viksit Bharat
This paper examines the role of Robo-Advisors in transforming investment decisions for wealth management of Indian investors in their path towards Viksit Bharat. It evaluates how agile technology tools such as Robo- Advisors guide the millennials and Generation-Z to manage their wealth management with use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain and predictive analysis to track the investment decisions. The paper uses the bibliometric analysis review technique with PRISMA methodology with 964-publication pattern derived from Scopus database. The research reviews the historical, present and trend of future publications, using citation analysis to review the contribution of publishers in this area of research. Thematic clusters depict investment patterns through use of automation, AI and ML as key principles. Co citation analysis plots the most trending research. The study addresses significant challenges such as data privacy concerns, trust, irrelevant or not deeply analyzed information, bias towards Robo–Advisors firm’s platform for a particular investment, lack of human intervention and ethical issues surrounding AI-driven decision-making models. It further promulgates the need for transformation in the field of Robo-advisors to build trust and confidence among investors, address anxiety and safety concerns, built assurance towards usage of Robo-Advisors and personal data confidentially. This can result in creation of digital wealth and overall economy wellbeing aiming to achieve Viksit Bharat milestone. The contributions by academic publishers, existing surveys and statistics provide a valuable trend to the policy makers for enhancement of Robo-Advisors tools and collaboration with Fin-tech firms in this field, thus building confidence and trust among investors, and achieving the goal of digital economy growth and Viksit Bharat.
Redefining Leadership Capabilities in AI-Augmented Work Environments
The increasing trend of the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the face of organizational leadership. This is requiring leaders to go beyond the traditional management concepts to be able to effectively function in a technology-driven environment. This study aims to explore the changing face of leadership concepts as a result of the increasing trend of AI. Additionally, the study aims to highlight the expectations of the current and emerging leaders. Based on the existing literature, industry practices, leadership concepts, and leadership theories, the study identified the following five leadership competencies as essential to leadership functions in an AI-driven environment. These are digital literacy, AI-driven decision-making, ethical leadership in AI, organizational agility, and human-AI collaboration. The study further aims to explore the impact of AI tools on the face of leadership development processes. Finally, the study identifies some of the challenges associated with the integration of AI tools into the organization. Some of the challenges identified are issues such as bias in AI tools, trust, workforce preparedness, and the generational gap. The study identifies the importance of ethical leadership, flexibility, and balanced decision-making between humans and AI tools to the success of an organization.
Virtuous Leadership and Performance: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance among IT Professionals in India
This exploration objects to scrutinize the cloak of “Virtuous leadership” (VL) on the IT sector “Employee performance” (EP). Besides, this swotting also core on the intervening influence of “Work life balance” (WLB) on the overhead relationship. The paper elected a quantifiable plot disbursing the convenience sampling proficiency by accruing the data via a structured questionnaire on 581 IT sector employees, currently professioned in various IT hubs of India. The data was poised from April 2025 until November 2025. The results of the current study provide empirical evidence that VL significantly increases EP in IT employees. Additionally, implications show that WLB strongly mediate the bond between VL and EP when taken in mileu. The conclusion of the current study effectively supported the favourable concerns of EP through VL, and WLB.
Navigating Uncertainty: A Framework-Based Review of Organizational Resilience and Sustainability
The purpose of this research is to consider the evolution of OR-sustainability relationship, taking into account the theoretical fragmentation and lack of empirical integration found in the current literature. The methodology consists of two components – bibliometric analysis of 216 works indexed in Scopus and systematic review of 77 scholarly articles on the subject. In order to conduct theoretical synthesis, the Theory–Context–Method model is employed, while ADO framework is used to analyze causality links between organizational capabilities and sustainable performance. The results suggest that the interest towards the topic is increasing, reaching its peak in 2025 andalso implies the change from reactive crisis management to adaptive processes that are based on technology use. Furthermore, Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capability theory andStakeholder theory are revealed to be major theoretical roots of the field. Finally, the findings demonstrate that capability-driven antecedents, leadership, organization context andenvironment determine strategic decision making, which positively impacts the sustainability results. Although the focus is narrowed only to English-language papers published in Scopus databases, this study offers an integral view of OR-sustainability connection and adds unique value through utilization of TCM and ADO models.
Sectoral Dynamics and Market Forecasting - An Apriority-Based Study of NSE Nifty
Predicting stock market performance and identifying the factors that influence stock prices is both intellectually engaging and financially rewarding. Accurate market direction forecasting enhances the decision-making capabilities of individual investors, institutional participants, and regulatory bodies. As a result, financial managers continually seek sophisticated tools to improve predictive accuracy. This study applies a machine learning approach - specifically, the Apriori algorithm - to analyze the trend (bullish or bearish) of the widely followed Indian stock index, NSE NIFTY. It aims to uncover the relationship between various sectoral indices - each representing the performance of specific industrial sectors - and the broader market index, NSE NIFTY. By mining association rules, the research identifies patterns within sectoral movements that may signal the subsequent day’s market direction, offering valuable insights for investors and financial decision-makers.
Exploring Theory, Design, and Impact in Gamified Financial Education Apps: A Bibliometric Study
This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of gamification in financial education applications, offering a systematic review of the existing academic literature. The analysis reveals a flourishing research domain with significant potential for enhancing user engagement and financial literacy. Key findings highlight the critical role of established theoretical frameworks, particularly Self-Determination Theory and Flow Theory, in explaining the psychological mechanisms through which gamification operates. The bibliometric trends indicate a rapid growth in publications, with a notable acceleration in recent years, reflecting increased academic and practical interest. Geographically, Asia leads in research output, while influential journals span education, technology, and human behaviour disciplines. Despite the promising landscape, the field faces challenges related to methodological rigor, the long-term sustainability of engagement, and the significant effects of reward systems. This analysis provides a robust evidence base, offering crucial context and strategic directions for future inquiry, thereby strengthening the understanding of how gamification can optimize user engagement in financial education apps.
Eco-Tourism Research Landscape: A Systematic Literature Review Perspective
Ecotourism is gaining ground day by day, as the concept of sustainable tourism has gained recognition. This paper investigates the ecotourism research landscape and its transformative phases by analysing its related studies, their underlying objectives, theoretical underpinnings, methodological approaches, future scopes, and implications through a systematic literature review perspective. This study selected 50 relevant articles on ecotourism from 2870 articles from the year 2000 to 2025 and reported a detailed account of all the dimensions of ecotourism. Also, this research narrated the existing research gaps and the future scope of ecotourism.
Intelligent Automation Using Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing Operational Efficiency in Manufacturing Startups
The research study delves into the ways in which entrepreneurs are utilizing the manufacturing processes using Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategically. Modern manufacturing is challenged by unpredictable downtime, quality deviations and resource inefficiencies. This is due to rising global competition, the demand for mass customization and the inherent complexities of Industry 4.0. Moreover, the sheer volume of operational data generated in ever more complex production environments challenges modern manufacturing startups. Traditional optimization approaches are generally static and reactive, and thus inadequate in such dynamic environments, and a paradigm shift towards intelligent and data-driven solutions is needed. This research was carried out with a qualitative and descriptive research design, which was based on an extensive secondary literature review that systematically analysed and included academic journals, conference papers, industry reports and specialized books. The key findings show that AI is a disruptive technology that drives the advent of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 in manufacturing startups and enables the creation of smart factories and highly agile production systems. AI has a holistic impact, optimizing processes along the entire manufacturing value chain, from predictive maintenance and smart quality control to flexible production planning, resilient supply chain management, energy efficiency and advanced robotics. This widespread adoption of AI brings tangible benefits such as a significant improvement in OEE, a substantial reduction in operating costs, enhancement of product quality, shortening of lead times, improvement in safety and sustainability. The research highlights the importance of data-driven decision making by entrepreneurs and the strategic shift to edge computing for real-time insights. Despite these advances, the research identifies persistent technical challenges for manufacturing startups (e.g., data quality, legacy integration, lack of AI certification, need for Explainable AI), organizational hurdles (e.g., talent gap, resistance to change, unclear ROI), and ethical/social considerations (e.g., job displacement fears, algorithmic bias, trustworthiness). Managing these complexities successfully relies heavily on a range of enablers, such as technological advances, proactive organizational strategies, and a supportive external ecosystem, guided by a proposed phased implementation framework. The research ultimately points to an increasing human-AI symbiosis in manufacturing startups, where AI enhances human capabilities.
Impact of Digitalisation on Employee Efficiency in the Banking Sector: A Study with Reference to Saurashtra and Gujarat Region
The digital revolution will transform banking activities through the incorporation of digital channels such as online services, mobile apps, analytics tools, and automation software. Not only will it improve the customer experience, but it will also change how bank staff works and collaborates. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of digitalization on the efficiency of the employees in the banking industry in relation to the Saurashtra and Gujarat region. This research used quantitative approach by collecting primary data with the use of structured Likert scale questionnaires distributed among 251 employees in the banking organizations ranging from the clerical to the managerial positions. The variables that were studied include digitalization, utilization of digital tools, organizational support, efficiency of the employees and employee productivity. The analysis of data involved structural equation modelling and tests such as reliability and validity using Cronbach’s alpha, AVE, CR, KMO, and Bartlett. The findings reveal that digitalisation has a strong positive effect on employee efficiency (β=0.710, p<0.001). The utilization of digital tools increases employee productivity (β=0.395, p<0.001), thus partly mediating the effect of digitalization on efficiency. Organizational support also significantly moderates the effect, making its positive effect more evident with the higher presence of the latter. This research shows that an effective digitalization process, assisted by proper digital tools and organization, increases employees' efficiency.
AI Adoption in Retail: Social Influences, Trust, and Technological Readiness Across Emerging and Developed Economies A Literature Review and the STAR-AI Framework
Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming the retail sector through personalised recommendations, conversational agents, and autonomous decision-making systems. Adoption patterns, however, differ markedly between emerging and developed economies due to variations in cultural values, trust dynamics, and technological infrastructure. This literature review synthesises empirical evidence from 31 peer-reviewed studies, selected from 630 records across five major databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (2020–2024), to examine how social influence, trust, and technological readiness shape consumer AI adoption. Through a comparative analysis of India, representing an emerging economy, and Australia, representing a developed economy, the study introduces the STAR-AI (Social, Trust, Adoption, and Readiness for AI) Framework as an integrative theoretical contribution. The findings indicate that social influence operates through informational, normative, and identification mechanisms, exerting a stronger impact on consumer attitudes in collectivist cultures, such as India, than in individualistic cultures, such as Australia. Trust emerges as a dynamic construct, ranging from initial transparency to performance-based calibration. Technological readiness, which includes digital infrastructure, AI literacy, and generational disposition, significantly moderates adoption intentions. High uncertainty avoidance is found to reduce the impact of performance and effort expectancies, while Generation Z exhibits distinct adoption behaviours driven by digital fluency and heightened personalisation expectations. The STAR-AI Framework integrates macro-level contexts, meso-level antecedents, individual-level constructs, and specific AI touchpoints to predict adoption outcomes. The study offers actionable managerial and policy implications, recommending culturally tailored strategies such as leveraging community endorsements in collectivist markets and prioritising algorithmic transparency in high-uncertainty-avoidance cultures, alongside robust data privacy and AI literacy initiatives
Redefining Power Dynamics: A Holistic Analysis of Micro-Business Impact on Women’s Autonomy
This study presents a systematic analysis to assess the impact of micro-enterprises on women’s empowerment. A comprehensive analysis of the literature on women's empowerment, self-help organisations, and microenterprises has been conducted. The study employed empirical methods and a cross-sectional design. A self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The researchers employed a multi-stage sampling methodology to collect the requisite data from participants with a minimum of three years of experience in micro-enterprise activities. The proposed conceptual framework for assessing women's empowerment incorporates six commonly employed variables in this field of study. Through EFA and CFA, all of these variables have been identified and validated. A path analysis was performed to evaluate the importance of the hypothesized relationship between the variables under consideration. The analysis revealed that antecedents directly contribute to a growth in business performance, which in turn leads to a rise in the empowerment of members in group micro-enterprises. Evidence shows that microenterprises serve as potent catalysts for women's empowerment, particularly when supported by financial resources, skills development, and substantial social networks. Their impact extends beyond financial gain to encompass community engagement, family decision-making, and social welfare and development.
Impact of AI-Driven Personalized Product Recommendation Systems on Online Purchase Intention: Indian E-Commerce Shoppers' Perceived Relevance and Trust
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in e-commerce has altered how customers look for, evaluate, and purchase goods online. AI-powered tailored recommendation systems are essential in influencing shopping decisions. This study examines how Indian e-commerce customers' intents to make online purchases are impacted by these AI-driven recommendation systems, with a particular emphasis on the roles of perceived relevance and consumer trust. We used a structured questionnaire to gather data from 160 Indian online shoppers using a quantitative research design. The investigation used SPSS and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate both the measurement and structural models. The findings demonstrate that customer trust is significantly increased by the degree of recommendation customisation and the transparency of AI recommendations. In the meantime, perceived relevance is mostly impacted by suggestion accuracy. Online purchase intentions are positively impacted by both perceived relevance and customer trust, with perceived relevance being a stronger predictor. Mediation study demonstrates that trust and perceived relevance are major psychological elements via which the features of AI recommendation systems affect purchase intentions. The results show that without clear and tailored recommendations, algorithmic accuracy alone is insufficient to influence consumer behaviour. By offering data from the Indian e-commerce scene, a new digital sector that has not yet received much attention, this study contributes to the expanding corpus of research on AI in marketing. The results provide useful information for e-commerce platforms, highlighting the significance of developing AI recommendation systems that prioritize relevance, transparency, and customisation in order to foster customer confidence and boost purchase intentions.
Consumer trust is a credible factor in advertising and brand promotion on the digital platform. With more organisations automating their content using AI, the factor of AI-related disclosure and AI labelling is gaining ground. The present study seeks to evaluate the landscape of AI-labelled content by comparing quantitative results with an article of interest. Based on the literature review, a research gap has been identified, which has been filled using a precise questionnaire. The methodology of the present research paper is based on a quantitative exploration based on a survey. Given the contemporary suspicion about the credibility of the “Made with AI” mark, the present research has found that AI disclosure related to content builds trust, and users perceive AI-generated content as highly credible and useful.
Digital Fasting as a Luxury Status Symbol
Digital fasting refers to cutting back on or giving up the use of digital gadgets. People are experiencing mental exhaustion and a constant sense of connection. The idea has evolved beyond a simple wellness practice. Not all, however, can keep on unplugging on equal terms. The ability to cut down on digital time also represents resource and time management. This paper explores digital fasting as a sign of status. It has employed a quantitative design that has involved 150 respondents. The findings suggest that affluent individuals are more likely to adopt it. Therefore, digital fasting is a sign of status and exclusivity as well as inequality in access and reliance on digital.
Corporate Governance and Legal Risk Management in Entrepreneurial Firms
Corporate governance in entrepreneurial firms represents a distinctive domain within organizational management, characterized by the intersection of founding vision, investor expectations, regulatory compliance, and the dynamic risk environments that accompany rapid growth and market disruption. Unlike established corporations, entrepreneurial firms operate under conditions of resource scarcity, informational asymmetry, and institutional uncertainty that fundamentally shape their governance structures and legal risk exposure. This paper examines the theoretical and practical dimensions of corporate governance and legal risk management as they apply to entrepreneurial organizations across various stages of their lifecycle, from early-stage startups through growth-phase companies approaching public markets. Drawing on agency theory, stewardship theory, institutional theory, and stakeholder theory, the study analyzes how governance mechanisms including board composition, ownership structures, executive incentive systems, internal audit functions, and contractual risk allocation contribute to or detract from entrepreneurial performance, compliance, and long-term sustainability. The paper further investigates the specific legal risks encountered by entrepreneurial firms in areas including intellectual property protection, employment law, securities regulation, contract enforcement, and liability management, proposing structured frameworks for proactive legal risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. Comparative analysis across jurisdictions highlights how legal system characteristics influence the governance choices available to entrepreneurs and the risks they are most likely to encounter. The study concludes that entrepreneurial firms adopting formalized yet adaptive governance structures demonstrate superior legal risk management outcomes, reduced regulatory violations, and stronger investor relations, without necessarily sacrificing the agility and innovation capacity that define entrepreneurial competitive advantage.
Legal Frameworks Supporting Entrepreneurial Growth: A Business Law Perspective in Emerging Economies
Entrepreneurial growth in emerging economies is significantly influenced by the strength, clarity, and adaptability of legal frameworks governing business formation, financing, innovation, and market participation. In rapidly developing economic environments, legal systems play a critical role in facilitating entrepreneurship by providing institutional support, protecting property rights, ensuring contract enforcement, and reducing regulatory uncertainty. This study examines the effectiveness of legal frameworks in supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems within emerging economies from a business law perspective. The research integrates legal analysis, institutional theory, and economic development frameworks to evaluate how regulatory policies, corporate governance structures, intellectual property laws, and financial regulations influence entrepreneurial activity. A comparative analytical approach is adopted to assess legal systems across selected emerging economies, focusing on regulatory efficiency, ease of doing business, access to finance, and innovation protection. The study further explores the impact of digital transformation on legal frameworks, particularly in areas such as fintech regulation, e-commerce law, and startup governance. The findings reveal that adaptive, transparent, and innovation-oriented legal systems significantly enhance entrepreneurial growth, while regulatory complexity and institutional inefficiencies act as major barriers. The study contributes to business law and economic development literature by providing a comprehensive framework linking legal infrastructure with entrepreneurial performance and policy effectiveness in emerging markets.
Education Law and Institutional Policies Influencing Entrepreneurship and Business Development
Education systems represent foundational institutional environments that shape the cognitive frameworks, skills, attitudes, regulatory literacy, and social networks that individuals bring to entrepreneurial activity. The legal frameworks governing educational institutions, curriculum design, intellectual property generated in academic settings, technology transfer mechanisms, and student enterprise development significantly influence the pipeline of entrepreneurially capable individuals entering business environments as well as the institutional resources available to support nascent and growth-stage enterprises. This paper examines the intersection of education law and institutional policy with entrepreneurship and business development through three primary lenses: the legal frameworks governing entrepreneurship education within formal educational institutions; the intellectual property and technology transfer legal regimes that determine how university-generated innovations reach commercial markets; and the institutional policies that structure entrepreneurial support ecosystems within higher education settings including incubators, accelerators, student venture programs, and industry partnership arrangements. Drawing on comparative analysis across multiple national education systems and legal regimes, the study demonstrates that legal frameworks enabling flexible IP sharing, supporting academic spin-out formation, protecting student entrepreneurship activities, and facilitating industry-academic collaboration significantly enhance the entrepreneurial output and business development capacity of educational institutions. The paper further examines how education law shapes equality of entrepreneurial opportunity by analyzing how legal frameworks interact with socio-economic barriers to entrepreneurship education. Findings demonstrate the critical importance of adaptive, enabling legal frameworks for education institutions that wish to meaningfully contribute to entrepreneurship and business development, and the significant opportunity costs imposed by overly restrictive or inflexible institutional policies. Recommendations address regulatory reform, institutional policy design, and international benchmarking for education systems seeking to enhance their entrepreneurial impact.
Financial Regulation and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Innovation and Business Sustainability
Financial regulation constitutes one of the most consequential dimensions of the external environment confronting entrepreneurial firms, shaping not only their access to capital and cost of compliance but also their capacity for innovation, growth, and long-term sustainability. While financial regulation is fundamentally designed to protect market integrity, investor interests, and systemic stability, its application to entrepreneurial ecosystems raises important questions about the trade-offs between regulatory protection and innovation facilitation. This paper examines the multi-dimensional impact of financial regulation on entrepreneurial innovation and business sustainability through theoretical analysis, comparative regulatory assessment, and empirical evidence from multiple jurisdictions. Key regulatory domains analyzed include securities law and equity crowdfunding regulation, banking and credit regulation affecting entrepreneurial debt financing, fintech regulation, anti-money laundering compliance, and the regulatory treatment of emerging financing instruments including initial coin offerings and revenue-based financing. The study explores the concept of regulatory burden as experienced by entrepreneurial firms, distinguishing between compliance costs, opportunity costs, and systemic effects, and examines how regulatory sandboxes, proportionality principles, and innovation-friendly regulatory designs can mitigate adverse impacts on entrepreneurial activity. Findings indicate that poorly calibrated financial regulation significantly impedes capital formation, increases financing costs, and disproportionately disadvantages young and small firms relative to established incumbents. Conversely, well-designed regulatory frameworks that incorporate proportionality, clear safe harbours, and adaptive oversight mechanisms are shown to support entrepreneurial financing, investor confidence, and market development. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for financial regulatory reform that can better balance protection and innovation imperatives in diverse national contexts.
Internship Satisfaction in Hospitality: Organisational Factors and the Impact of Work Stress
This study examines the factors influencing overall internship satisfaction among hotel management interns undergoing training in star-category hotels across the Delhi NCR. Drawing on a structured conceptual framework, the study investigates the direct effects of workplace culture, student perception of the internship experience, and learning satisfaction on overall internship satisfaction. In addition, the study evaluates the moderating role of WS in shaping these relationships, recognising the demanding operational nature of hotel internship environments. Data were collected from 510 hotel management interns using a questionnaire-based approach. The measurement model was validated through EFA and CFA. Hypotheses were tested using SEM for direct relationships, while moderation effects were assessed through Hayes’ PROCESS Macro. The findings confirm that workplace culture, student perception, and learning satisfaction significantly and positively influence overall internship satisfaction. Further, Work Sstress (WS) significantly moderates each relationship, indicating that stress weakens the strength of these positive effects under high-pressure internship conditions. Practically, the findings provide actionable guidance for hotel HR departments and training managers to strengthen internship structures through supportive workplace environments, learning-focused training designs, and stress-sensitive internship management practices.
"Connecting with Customers: The Impact of Social Media on Customer Experience in the Telecom Sector"
In the rapidly developing landscape of the telecommunications industry, customer experience has emerged as a critical differentiator in a highly competitive market. This paper explores the profound impact of social media on shaping customer experience and feedback within the telecom sector. By analysing various social media platforms, we examine how telecom companies leverage these channels to engage with customers, address concerns, and foster loyalty. The study of 150 respondents from the Saurashtra region, selected cities mainly Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Junagadh city highlights key metrics for measuring social media effectiveness, including engagement rates, sentiment analysis, and response times, while also discussing the limitations of current analytics tools. Furthermore, we investigate the role of user-generated content and real-time feedback in enhancing customer satisfaction. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies, this research underscores the necessity for telecom companies to adopt innovative social media strategies to improve customer interactions and drive business success. Ultimately, the findings suggest that a proactive and responsive social media presence is essential for telecom companies aiming to enhance customer experience and maintain a competitive edge in the digital age.
Impact of Digital India on the Performance of Women-Driven Micro-Enterprises in Sikkim: An Empirical Exploration
The study evaluates the impact of the Digital India program on women-run micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sikkim, using primary survey data from 2000 respondents. Digital India aims to enhance internet access, digital literacy, and e-governance, particularly benefiting women entrepreneurs in remote regions. The analysis employs descriptive statistics and econometric methods, revealing that around 60% of surveyed businesses used Digital India tools, leading to significantly higher revenue, profits, and employment for adopters than for non-adopters. The findings highlight the potential of Digital India to empower women-led MSMEs, while also identifying challenges such as digital literacy gaps and infrastructure limitations. Recommendations include targeted training and financial support to enhance digital tool adoption, thereby contributing to understanding digital transformation in developing contexts and its differential effects on genders.