International Journal of Economic Practices and Theories
International Journal of Economic Practices and Theories (IJEPT) (ISSN: 2247-7225) is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of economics through rigorous research and innovative thinking. Since its inception, IJEPT has provided a global platform for economists, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights, challenge assumptions, and explore emerging trends in economic theory and practice. Our Mission At IJEPT, our mission is to foster scholarly exchange and promote high-quality research that bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and real-world economic applications. We aim to contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on economics by publishing work that is both academically sound and practically relevant. Scope The International Journal of Economic Practices and Theories (IJEPT) welcomes original research, theoretical developments, case studies, and empirical analyses in the following thematic areas: Tourism Economic impact of tourism on regional and national economies Sustainable tourism development and policy Tourism economics and forecasting Hospitality industry trends and practices Cultural, eco-, and heritage tourism management Tourism marketing and consumer preferences European Union Economic integration and convergence within the EU EU trade policies and international relations Monetary policy and the Eurozone Regional development and cohesion policies Labour mobility and migration within the EU EU regulatory frameworks and their economic implications Marketing Management Strategic marketing planning and execution Brand management and corporate reputation Digital and social media marketing strategies International and cross-cultural marketing practices Innovation in marketing and customer value creation Marketing performance measurement and analytics Consumer Behaviour Psychological and sociological drivers of consumer decision-making Cultural influences on consumer preferences Consumer trends and market segmentation Customer satisfaction and loyalty models Post-purchase behaviour and brand attachment Impact of digital environments on consumer behaviour Marketing Research Quantitative and qualitative marketing research methods Consumer insights and market intelligence Experimental and survey-based marketing studies Big data analytics in marketing Marketing metrics and modeling techniques Ethics and challenges in contemporary marketing research Why Publish with IJEPT? Global Reach – Access a diverse and international readership. Rigorous Peer Review – Ensure the quality and credibility of your work. Timely Publication – Benefit from efficient and transparent editorial processes. Open Access – Maximize the visibility and impact of your research. Audience IJEPT is intended for academics, researchers, graduate students, policymakers, and industry professionals who are interested in the development and application of economic knowledge across diverse contexts and regions. Editorial Board Our editorial board comprises distinguished economists and scholars from leading institutions worldwide, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the journal. Their commitment ensures that IJEPT maintains high standards of scholarship and editorial integrity.
Examining the Relationship between Student Engagement and Academic Performance: An Empirical Study of Management Students
Student engagement is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing academic success in higher education. This study investigates the relationship between student engagement and academic performance among management students. Student engagement is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising behavioral, emotional, and cognitive involvement in learning activities. Engaged students are more likely to actively participate in classroom discussions, complete assignments on time, collaborate with peers, and demonstrate intrinsic motivation toward learning. The research adopts an empirical approach, collecting primary data from undergraduate and postgraduate management students through a structured questionnaire. Academic performance is measured using students’ cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) and self-reported performance indicators. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to examine the strength and direction of the relationship between engagement dimensions and academic outcomes. The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between student engagement and academic performance. Cognitive engagement emerged as the strongest predictor of academic success, followed by behavioral and emotional engagement. The study highlights the importance of fostering interactive and motivating learning environments in management education to enhance student engagement and academic achievement. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers aiming to improve student learning outcomes in higher education.
A Sustainable Approach Towards Fostering Brand Loyalty among Mobile Phone Handset Users
In the current highly competitive market, where products and services are subject to intense rivalry based on quality, features, pricing, and performance; consumer demands and expectations are continually evolving. This dynamic landscape creates a critical necessity for companies to prioritize the pursuit of customer satisfaction in order to maintain a competitive edge. Acquiring new customers is generally costlier and resource-intensive than retaining existing ones. Therefore, fostering customer loyalty has become a critical strategic priority for businesses aiming to ensure long-term survival and competitive advantage in today's marketplace. Loyal customers not only contribute to sustained revenue but also enhance brand reputation and stability, making customer retention a key factor in organizational success. This study reveals the importance of brand loyalty for companies, with a focus on identifying the factors that influence customer loyalty, utilizing customer satisfaction as a mediating variable. The study also aims to contribute to the strategic development of companies within the mobile phone handset sector. To achieve this objective, a sample of 604 mobile phone users was randomly selected from various regions of the Patiala district. The findings of the study indicate that all factors considered positively influence the attainment of customer loyalty, primarily through the achievement of customer satisfaction.
Contribution of Self-Help Groups in Rural Economic Development
Since the 19th-century cooperative societies to the 21st-century self-help groups (SHGs), the concept of self-reliance and mutual-help has continued to be a rather common strategy in the development-intervention. The current research is a serious attempt to analyze the many-sided association between the doctrine of self-help and social capital formation as a development driver of the underdeveloped areas. The study, in particular, aims at evaluating the role of SHG participation and the pre-membership socio-economic status in the amassing of social capital among the members of the SHGs in three representative development blocks, i.e. Ratlam, Jaora, and Sailana. The paper, further, examines the two-way connection between the creation of social capital and the efficacy of SHGs in the realization of economic and social empowerment of their members. The research finds that increased involvement in SHG activity and positive pre-membership socio-economic status are important determinants of increased social capital formation in the members of SHG..
Social Capital, Self-Help Group, Economic Development, Income Generation Activities, Non-Governmental Organizations, Effectiveness.
Algorithmic Accountability and Corporate Governance: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Digital Democracy and the Rule of Law in Accounting Information Systems
In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern finance, the integration of algorithmic tools into accounting practices represents a significant shift toward digital democracy, characterized by increased transparency and stakeholder engagement. This paper presents a systematic literature review of 25 studies to explore how corporate governance and the rule of law influence the quality of accounting information across different cultural settings. By employing the Gioia methodology for thematic analysis, the research identifies critical linkages between digital transformation, internal control mechanisms, and financial reporting standards. The findings indicate that while technology serves as a powerful enabler of transparency, its potential is fully realized only when supported by strong governance frameworks and strict regulatory compliance. Consequently, the study highlights the imperative for organizations to harmonize digital innovations with robust ethical standards to combat creative accounting and fraud, providing a roadmap for future governance practices in a globalized economy.
Corporate governance, Digital democracy, Algorithmic accountability, Cross-cultural accounting, Rule of law, Financial transparency, Artificial intelligence.
Marketing continues to evolve in harmony with a constantly changing environment. New marketing approaches have emerged in the business world, reflecting the strategies adopted by companies. Gender marketing is one such strategy, designed to target both male and female consumers through differentiated products, while enabling companies to increase their revenues through mass sales. However, the principle that “the ends justify the means” raises ethical concerns, as the methods used in gender marketing are not always morally justifiable. Ethical marketing therefore seeks to regulate questionable practices, particularly those related to gender marketing, by encouraging companies to respect ethical standards in order to achieve their objectives responsibly and create value for both the firm and the consumer. This literature review aims to define gender marketing and ethical marketing and to present examples of unethical practices in gender-based marketing.
Gender marketing, Ethics, Ethical marketing, Gender-based marketing.
Collective Dominance Under Indian Competition Law: A Comparative Legal and Policy Analysis with the United States, Canada and the European Union
Collective dominance, also called joint dominance, occurs when two or more independent companies, without necessarily forming a cartel, have enough combined market power to control market conditions, limit competition, or impose unfair terms on consumers, suppliers, or rivals (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD],2012,pp 15-18). This concept is well-recognised under European Union competition law, especially through Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Treaty on the Functioning of European Union [TEFU],2012, Art.102). However, Indian competition law has not explicitly included collective dominance as part of abuse of dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 (Competition Act,2002, S.4). Section 4 of the Competition Act bans the abuse of a dominant position by an “enterprise or group”(Competition act, 2002, S.4) Nonetheless, the legal definition of “group” mainly relates to ownership, control, management, or shareholding ties, rather than to independent companies operating in an oligopolistic market. Consequently, Indian competition law currently recognises dominance only when exercised by a single enterprise or a legally recognised group, not when multiple independent firms collectively hold market power. Indian case law has consistently emphasised this restriction, including in rulings involving cab aggregators, e-commerce platforms, and the refined copper industry (Fast Track Call Pvt. Ltd.,2017, para.19-23; Samir Agarwal v. Competition Commission of India, 2021, para. 12-16). In 2025, the Competition Commission of India reaffirmed in the Hindalco–Vedanta copper supply case that collective dominance is not acknowledged under the current law (Airen Metals Private Limited v. Hindalco Industries Ltd.,2025, para.28-34) , and parallel conduct by two independent companies cannot be scrutinised under Section 4 unless one is individually dominant. (CCI dismisses abuse of dominance claims against Hindalco, Vedanta in copper supply market, 2025) This paper studies the foundations of collective dominance in Indian competition law from conceptual, legal, and economic perspectives. It compares India’s approach to those of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. The U.S. generally dismisses liability based solely on oligopolistic interdependence or conscious parallelism unless there is clear evidence of agreement, conspiracy, monopolisation, or attempted monopolisation. Canada, however, uses a more adaptable statutory framework under Section 79 of the Competition Act, which considers whether “one or more persons” significantly or entirely control a market(Canada Competition Law, S.79). The European Union has developed a more sophisticated doctrine of collective dominance, recognising that two or more entities can jointly maintain a dominant position if structural links, economic interconnectedness, transparency, and retaliation mechanisms facilitate coordinated market behaviour. The paper contends that India’s current legal framework leaves a gap in enforcement within oligopolistic markets, where firms are able to collectively change market conditions without explicitly colluding under Section 3 or being individually dominant under Section 4. It concludes with a suggestion for a nuanced statutory amendment, sector-specific enforcement guidelines, evidentiary safeguards, and an effects-based approach to addressing collective dominance in India.
Collective dominance, joint dominance, abuse of dominance, Competition Act 2002, Section 4, oligopoly, tacit coordination, Indian competition law, comparative competition law, antitrust law.
Exporters’ Perception towards Export Policies, Incentives, and Market Conditions Related to Engineering Goods
This paper addresses the attitude of exporters to the export policy, incentive and the environment in the foreign market and in this case engineering goods exports in India. The instrument of collecting the primary data based on the size and intensity of the exports used was the structured questionnaire to be applied to the exporters. The statistical procedures, the tests mean and ANOVA among the changes in the perception regard, were used as the tests in testing. The result is that the exporters are expected to feel that export incentives and policy frames are favourable, but still there are serious issues concerning the time lag on implementation, the complexity of the process, international competition and also transportation costs. The difference in perception is also observed in the size and intensity of export of the firms, through which small and medium firms find it harder to enjoy the benefits of the policy. The study also states there is a need to enhance the execution of the policies and develop specific support that would contribute to strengthening the belief of the exporters and competitiveness.
Exporters’ Perception, Export Policy, Export Incentives, Market Conditions, Engineering Goods, India
Working Capital Pressures and Input Tax Credit Delays Under Gst: Evidence from Small and Medium Enterprises in Bengaluru's Industrial Clusters
Purpose: This study examines the magnitude and determinants of Input Tax Credit (ITC) refund delays under India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime and analyses their impact on the working capital dynamics of manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bengaluru’s major industrial clusters. Design: A mixed-methods approach was adopted using primary survey data from 328 manufacturing SMEs across Peenya Industrial Estate, Electronic City Phase II, Bommanahalli–Hebbagodi manufacturing belt and Doddaballapur Industrial Area. The study combines structured questionnaires and qualitative interviews and applies panel-corrected ordinary least squares (OLS), instrumental variable two-stage least squares (IV-2SLS), quantile regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis to evaluate the relationship between ITC delays and firm-level financial outcomes. Findings: Blocked ITC accounts for an average of 21.4% of total current assets among sampled SMEs, extending the cash conversion cycle by about 38 days (p < 0.001). Micro-enterprises experience higher blockage ratios (25.8%), while export-oriented garment and electronics firms face additional delays due to zero-rated supply refund processes. ITC delays significantly increase reliance on informal finance (3.44 percentage points per month of delay) and reduce capital expenditure by 0.41 percentage points per month, with informal credit substitution partially mediating the investment decline. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to manufacturing SMEs within selected Bengaluru clusters; however, the findings contribute to the literature on tax administration efficiency and SME finance in emerging economies. Practical implications: Strengthening refund timelines, digital compliance infrastructure and ITC guarantee mechanisms can reduce working capital constraints faced by SMEs. Originality: The study provides firm-level empirical evidence linking ITC refund delays to working capital stress, financing behaviour and investment decisions among manufacturing SMEs under India’s GST framework.
Impact of Ai Adoption on Productivity Performance in It Smes in Gurugram
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept for small and medium enterprises — it has become a real, practical tool shaping how businesses operate and compete. This study takes a close look at how IT-based SMEs in Gurugram, one of India’s most vibrant technology hubs, are adopting AI and what that means for their day-to-day productivity. Drawing on survey data collected from 126 respondents across 50 IT SMEs, the research uses the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework to understand what drives AI adoption and what gets in the way. Rather than treating adoption as a binary yes-or-no decision, we examine the nuances — how much AI is being used, in what forms, and with what outcomes for efficiency, revenue, and cost management. The findings reveal that AI adoption has a significant positive influence on productivity performance, reflected in improvements in operational efficiency, decision-making quality, and cost management. Importantly, the results highlight that organizational support and technological readiness play a critical role in enabling firms to effectively leverage AI, while external competitive pressures act as an additional driver of performance outcomes. The study demonstrates that the benefits of AI are not automatic but are contingent upon the firm’s internal capabilities and readiness to integrate new technologies into existing workflows. By providing empirical evidence from a regionally focused SME context, this research contributes to the growing literature on AI adoption in emerging markets and extends the application of the TOE framework beyond technology adoption to productivity outcomes. The study offers practical implications for SME managers, emphasizing the need to align technological investments with organizational preparedness and workforce capabilities to fully realize the productivity potential of AI.
Influencer Marketing and Consumer Behavioural Response: A Bibliometric Review with VOS Viewer Analysis and Future Research Agenda
Influencer marketing has progressively expanded as a tactic used by digital marketers to broadcast product information to examine consumer buying patterns influenced by influencers through curated narrative content. This review paper analyses the influencer marketing literature to explore how psychological and social constructs impact behavioural responses by adopting a Bibliometric Analysis with Bibliometrix R-tool, and BiblioShiny application, followed by keyword analysis of the network with “Visualisation of Similarities” (VOS) viewer software to examine the studies on influencers from 2001 to 2025. This study utilised the Scopus database to identify the author contributions, keyword analysis, thematic trends, and methodological approaches, and subsequently employed delimiters for data analysis and visualisation. This review outlines the evolution and effectiveness of influencer marketing in consumer behavioural outcomes by analysing the performance of materials, regions, and key terms to focus on the conceptual framework. Overall, the findings from this study focus on the trends, methodologies, concepts, emerging topics, themes, theories, constructs, context, platforms, research streams, sources, and keywords. Therefore, the study identified research gaps in new emerging communication theories and empirical bias towards developed nations over developing and underdeveloped economies. Further study should focus on influencer new age characteristics, such as narrative creativity, content strategies, personal branding and self-congruence, which are the major research gaps in the study. Future research proposes integrating emerging communication theories, evolving influencer characteristics, and culturally diverse markets to enhance more effective marketing decisions.
AI-Driven Robo-Advisory Integration in Banking: A Machine Learning and Behavioral Analysis of Retail Investor Adoption
This study examines the adoption of bank-integrated robo-advisory services among retail investors in the context of increasing AI integration in banking. Using data from 182 respondents, the study analyzes the impact of perceived usefulness, ease of use, ethical transparency, operational efficiency, customer experience, perceived value, and customer trust on adoption intention. A combination of statistical and machine learning techniques including correlation, regression, decision trees, random forests, and cluster analysis was employed. The findings suggest that perceived value and customer trust are the strongest predictors of adoption intention. The results highlight that successful implementation of robo- advisory services depends not only on technological efficiency but also on psychological and value-based factors.
Modeling Employee Performance in AI-Enabled Hybrid Work Systems: A Statistical and Machine Learning Approach
This study examines the impact of work conditions and AI technical support on employee performance in hybrid work settings among Indian professionals. Data from 210 respondents were analyzed using regression, mediation, and machine learning techniques. Role clarity, psychological wellbeing, social cohesion, and hybrid adaptability emerged as the strongest predictors of performance. AI support showed an indirect, enabling influence. Mediation results confirmed the role of social cohesion between role clarity and performance. Non-linear models outperformed linear regression, indicating complex interaction effects. The findings highlight the importance of human and organizational factors in AI-enabled hybrid work systems.
Harini.M, M. Velavan, Sowmiya.R, C. Thirumal azhagan, Dhandayuthapani Paramasivam
An Empirical Analysis of Quantile-Based Volatility Spillovers and Macroeconomic Shocks: Evidence from US and Indian Financial Markets
This study examines volatility spillovers and interconnectedness among major financial markets, namely the stock, bond, gold, and crude oil markets, while considering the influence of macroeconomic shocks. To capture differences in market behaviour across various market conditions, the study employs a Quantile Vector Autoregression (QVAR) approach, which allows volatility transmission to be analysed under low, normal, and high volatility regimes. Volatility is derived from return series and Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) is used to measure the direction and intensity of spillovers among the markets. The findings show that volatility spillovers are stronger during periods of high market uncertainty. Stock and crude oil markets act as major transmitters of volatility, especially during extreme conditions, while bond and gold markets mainly serve as receivers, with gold displaying safe shaven characteristics during market stress. Macroeconomic shocks, particularly those related to policy uncertainty and geopolitical risk, significantly amplify volatility transmission across markets. These results highlight the importance of considering regime-dependent spillovers and macroeconomic factors in investment decisions and risk management.
Assessing the Impact of AI-Enabled Financial Technology Adoption across Banking Verticals: Evidence from HDFC Bank
The integration of Financial Technology (FinTech) has significantly transformed banking operations and service delivery in India. This study examines the impact of FinTech adoption across key banking verticals with special reference to HDFC Bank. Using a descriptive and analytical approach, the research evaluates how digital platforms such as mobile banking, internet banking, and UPI influence operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall banking experience. The findings indicate that FinTech adoption has enhanced service accessibility, transaction efficiency, and transparency across retail, wholesale, and priority sector banking, though the degree of impact varies among customer groups. Despite challenges related to digital awareness and security concerns, FinTech has emerged as a strategic driver of performance and competitiveness in the banking sector. The study underscores the importance of continuous digital innovation and inclusive banking strategies to sustain long-term value creation.
K.Bharath, Rutuja Jadhav, Divya Khond, Naman Pahade, Aaryan Ghodake
From Lundi to Somvaar: A Linguistic and Cultural Examination of Day Names in French and Hindi
This study investigates the historic genesis, cultural meanings and linguistic forms of the 'names of the seven days of the week' in two distinct but comparable traditions, i.e. French and Hindi. It also highlights the linguistic similarities between these two languages, which are different from each other otherwise. The names of days of the week are taken, even though they appear very different and are rarely compared directly to analyse the similarities. Further, the study also highlights the conjunctions in how two languages use names of days of the week. By joining etymological examination, comparative structure, phonetics, and sociocultural interpretation, it shows that while both systems map weekdays onto planetary deities or celestial bodies, they do so through different historical pathways (Latin–Roman Christianization for French; Sanskrit–Hindu astronomical/astrological tradition for Hindi).
Ritu Yadav, Saloni Bhardwaj, Atul Upadhyay
Campaign Discourses in Cyberspace: Thematic Patterns in Online News Coverage of 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections
The current era is witnessing a transformation in elections and election campaigns due to online media. The role of the online media in election campaigning has increased significantly. The use and influence of the internet have grown over time. This research conducts a thematic analysis of news related to the Bihar elections on two online news platforms: The Indian Express and The Print. This research is entirely based on secondary data. For this purpose, news articles related to the Bihar elections published on both platforms between October 1 and November 31, 2025, were collected as data. The research found that both platforms gave prominence to news related to electoral reforms. The difference between the two was that while The Indian Express presented it in terms of credibility and reforms, The Print highlighted allegations of vote rigging and the challenges of judicial inquiry. Following this, news related to development, schemes, and youth received significant coverage.
Banjara Community Seizing Opportunity to Escalate Their Business: A Study of Banjara Market at Gurugram, Haryana
Gurugram is known well for its thriving IT sector and corporate presence, it’s another special highlight is the local flea market that sells a wide variety of home decorative items at reasonable prices. Named after the nomadic tribe “Banjara”, the market stands as a center of attraction for both the locals as well as tourists. Banjaras are the largest ethnic group in India with a population accounted to nearby 10 crores in year 2013. These artisan sells their handmade products and have seen customers coming to them from different parts of India purchasing in bulk. But apart from their brighter side, they have to face a lot of challenges the local governing body from time to time comes and asks them to shift to another area because of this constant shifting these artisan faces huge losses. Lack of permanent address proofs even deprive their children from getting admission in the local schools and they can’t take benefits out of many government policies. Further, there are no proper sanitation facilities, permanent homes and health facilities for them.
Ritika Bora, Sumedha Dhasmana, Iram Rizvi
The Role of Corporate Policies in Mitigation of Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace
Gender-based violence (GBV) in the workplace extends beyond physical spaces, with online harassment, cyberstalking, and digital abuse becoming growing concerns. This study adopts a secondary data approach to analyse corporate policies, industry reports, legal frameworks, and case studies from leading tech firms, including Google, Meta, and Microsoft. A comparative analysis of corporate initiatives, such as internal reporting mechanisms, AI-driven monitoring, and employee training, will help assess their effectiveness in protecting employees of all genders—male, female, and non-binary. The study has evaluated the extent of tech companies’ accountability in fostering safer work environments and studying gaps in existing approaches. Suggestions include insights into the strengths and limitations of current workplace safety policies and recommendations for more inclusive and proactive measures. By highlighting corporate practices, this research contributes to discussions on corporate responsibility in addressing workplace GBV, urging tech companies to strengthen their policies to create safer, more equitable professional environments for all gender identities.
From Financial Access to Financial Well-Being: The Role of AI-Enabled Digital Finance among Smart Phone using Below Poverty Line Women Workers in Bengaluru
Financial inclusion has emerged as an important policy measure for promoting inclusive growth and reducing socio-economic inequalities in developing economies. Even though financial access has significantly increased in India thanks to programs like digital banking, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and mobile payment platforms, it is still difficult to translate financial access into meaningful financial well-being, especially for Below Poverty Line (BPL) women who work in the unorganized sector. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled digital financial services are revolutionizing the delivery and accessibility of financial products due to the quick development of financial technologies. In relation to AI-enabled digital finance, this study looks at the relationship between financial access, financial literacy, and financial well-being among BPL women workers in Bengaluru. The relationship between financial access, financial literacy, and financial well-being among BPL women workers in Bengaluru is examined in this study in relation to AI-enabled digital finance. The study is made with primary data obtained from 100 BPL women respondents through a structured questionnaire. It aims to analyse the impact of digital financial technologies, including mobile banking, automated banking services and digital payment platforms, on financial inclusion and financial potentiality. To evaluate the relationships among the variables, in this study several statistical techniques such as reliability testing, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and factor analysis using the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity is applied. The study proposes that digital financial services enabled by AI have the potential to contribute to the women’s financial inclusion. Financial inclusion can further contribute to the financial well-being of individuals by enhancing their financial literacy and involvement in financial activities. The study contributes to the literature on digital financial governance and women’s financial empowerment by presenting micro-level evidence from an urban low-income group. The study’s findings have policy implications that suggest that financial literacy interventions should be promoted along with AI-enabled financial services in order to achieve financial empowerment for marginalized BPL urban working women.
Human Roles in an AI-Driven Workplace: Evidence from Logistics Operations and Corporate Functions
This paper will discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting the human role in the workplace and will also compare the logistics and corporate industries. With the growing use of AI technologies in organisations, it has become important to understand the impact of these systems on employee performance, trust, cognitive load, and job security. The study seeks to examine the impact of the nature of work on the uptake and the experience of AI in various organisational settings. A mixed-method research design was used; it is a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The primary data gathering was done using a structured questionnaire of 100 employees (50 in logistics and 50 in corporate sectors) and 25 semi-structured interviews. The mean comparison and hypothesis testing were used to analyse the quantitative data. In contrast, the qualitative data were analysed through the thematic analysis to reveal more in-depth details about the experiences of the employees. The results indicate that there is a big variation between the two industries. The perspective on AI in logistics is that it is a supportive and efficiency-enhancing device that results in increased performance expectancy and trust, reduced cognitive load, and less concern with job security. Conversely, corporate workers have increased cognitive load, reduced trust in AI systems, additional AI rework, and more job security concerns because of the necessity to constantly verify and make decisions. The paper concludes that the effect of AI is not universal and considerably depends on the type of work. More apt in structured, rule-based settings, AI is currently challenged in the application of complex, cognitive tasks in terms of trust, workload, and human-AI engagement. The study offers a set of practical recommendations to organisations that should be able to take a human-centred and situation-specific approach to the implementation of AI, which guarantees not only the efficiency of technologies but also the well-being of the employees.
Psychological and Social Drivers of Well-being in Faith-Based Contexts: Insights from Destitute Women in Vrindavan
This article explores the psychological and social drivers that shape well-being outcomes in faith-based community settings, with a focus on how these drivers influence participation decisions among vulnerable populations. Drawing on a case study of destitute women (predominantly widows) in Vrindavan, India, which is a major Hindu pilgrimage center. This research applies consumer behaviour frameworks from marketing research to non-traditional service contexts. It examines how religious engagement (e.g., bhajan chanting and ashram participation) and social support networks interact to foster self-acceptance, resilience, and psychological flourishing, while also highlighting barriers such as stigma and isolation. Using qualitative and mixed-methods insights from in-depth narratives, participatory discussions, and program observations, the study reveals that faith-based practices act as both psychological anchors and social connectors, yet their effectiveness depends on complementary structured support from NGOs. Psychological drivers such as the need for meaning, emotional resilience, and self-concept reconstruction interact dynamically with sociological drivers, including community belonging, familial abandonment, and societal stigma. These drivers collectively shape “service consumption” decisions i.e., the choice, intensity, and sustained engagement with faith-based well-being programs leading to measurable improvements in psychological well-being. The findings offer actionable implications for social marketing practitioners and marketing researchers seeking to design, evaluate, and optimize well-being enhancement programs in faith-based and community-service environments. By extending established consumer decision-making models to low-resource, non-monetary contexts, this work advances marketing research practice and contributes to the growing literature on faith-based social impact evaluation.
Signs of Resistance and Control: A Semiotic Exploration of Dystopian Themes in Veronica Roth's Divergent Series
This paper examines the semiotic dimensions of resistance and control in Veronica Roth's Divergent series, exploring how signs and symbols function within its dystopian framework. Through a semiotic analysis of the faction system, tattoos, and rituals, the study highlights the narrative's critique of authoritarian structures and its emphasis on individuality and rebellion. By decoding these symbolic elements, the research sheds light on the series' reflection of societal tensions between autonomy and authority, revealing its relevance to contemporary discourse on identity and power.
Workplace Transformation in the Post-Pandemic Era: Impact of Remote Work on Productivity
In this study, an analysis of the effects of remote working on productivity is conducted through a well-structured questionnaire using a Likert scale among 50 individuals to understand how the transition is made in post-pandemic times. It is found that those who are remote workers are more productive compared to those who are office workers since they have better Productivity Level (4.38 versus 3.00) and Efficiency Rating (3.97 versus 2.94). While there can be no cause-and-effect relationship owing to the cross-sectional nature of the research, consistent and highly reliable data with minimal variation (~0.7) and similar demographics suggest the work mode to be the influencing variable. Work-Life Balance comes out to be the major negative aspect with respect to those individuals who have opted for the distant mode (r = -0.300). Other aspects, such as communication, diversions, and internet quality, have very little significance, and this implies flexibility. The research suggests that a flexible approach to work with an emphasis on work-life balance should be adopted, especially in metropolitan cities such as Delhi.
Revolutionizing Human Resource Management: An Empirical Assessment of Smart HR Practices in India
As such, it is expected that the recommended research project will help explore the impact of innovations in HRM using advanced analytical methods, information technologies, and artificial intelligence on the present-day HRM practices in India. The SEM and regression analysis will be used as techniques for gathering and processing data in order to determine the correlation between the efficiency of HRM, performance of employees, and efficiency of organizational activities through conducting interviews with 400-600 HR managers working in different organizations in India. Statistics shows that today up to 72% of all organizations in India employ HRM technologies with the application of artificial intelligence, whereas in other organizations around the world the corresponding figure stands at 55%. Therefore, one may say that digital HRM has developed fairly quickly in India. It should be noted that according to the results of the empirical research, it became apparent that innovations in HRM improve organizational efficiency (β = 0.45), lower the turnover rates of workers (β ≈ 0.32), and motivate staff (β ≈ 0.40). Besides, the connection between technology and organizational efficiency is partially determined by the expertise of HR managers.
The Role of Masstige in Redefining Brand Equity, Consumer Perception and Market Positioning for Healthcare Industry: A Systematic Literature review
A literature survey serves as a foundational tool for comprehensively exploring and framing complex, multidimensional constructs such as brand equity and masstige, especially within sectors like healthcare (Webster & Watson, 2002). Traditionally applied in consumer and luxury product contexts, these constructs are increasingly relevant in healthcare branding due to growing consumer expectations for value-driven, emotionally resonant, and accessible services. In Australia, public investments in initiatives like the Acacia digital health system and the Long COVID task force demonstrate a strategic shift toward branding healthcare services as high-value and high-trust offerings - core traits of masstige positioning (Australian Government Department of Health, 2023). Similarly, India’s hospital networks reveal how leadership, internal branding, and patient satisfaction collectively contribute to perceived brand value, highlighting the cross-sectoral applicability of masstige branding frameworks (Sengupta et al., 2021).
The Impact of Instagram Addiction on Academic Performance: The Mediating Role of Procrastination among University Students
The increasing integration of Instagram into students’ daily lives has raised concerns regarding its impact on academic behavior and performance. This study examines the relationships among Instagram addiction, Instagram entertainment, procrastination, and academic performance among management students in Gujarat. Data from 285 respondents were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that Instagram addiction significantly increases procrastination, whereas Instagram entertainment does not have a significant effect. Procrastination does not mediate the relationship between Instagram use and academic performance. However, Instagram addiction shows a direct negative association with academic performance. The study highlights the importance of digital self-regulation and balanced social media use to protect students’ academic productivity.
Role of Community Radio in Empowering Local Voices
Community Radio, in recent times, has cropped up one of the most potent tools for empowering the local communities such as rural populations, women, minorities, and indigenous groups. It allows them to share their lived experiences, concerns, and aspirations in their own languages and dialects. The basic tenets of Community Radio are local community participation, inclusivity and local flavour. Over the years the Community Radio has proved to be a vastly successful platform for grassroots expression. This ensures that local communities are able to raise their issues, conserve their unique identities while at the same time functioning as a catalyst of social change and development. Community Radio has emerged as a vital force to sustain oral traditions, folk music, local histories, and indigenous knowledge systems. It strengthens cultural identity and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Sangham Radio empowers marginalized women by giving them control over content production and broadcasting. Radio Bundelkhand focuses on issues such as water conservation, rural livelihoods, and local governance, encouraging community-driven solutions. The future of community radio lies in hybrid models that combine traditional broadcasting with digital innovation. Community radio stands as a cornerstone of participatory communication and grassroots democracy. By empowering local voices, it challenges dominant narratives and fosters inclusive development. Strengthening community radio through supportive policies, funding, and technological integration is essential for ensuring that marginalized communities continue to have a platform for expression.
Financial Requirements, Credit Utilisation, and Factory-Level Issues in Sugarcane Farming: An Analytical Study of Farmer Challenges
Sugarcane cultivation is one of the most economically significant yet capital-intensive agricultural activities in India. Farmers engaged in sugarcane farming face multidimensional challenges linked to financial requirements, credit utilisation, and structural constraints imposed by sugar factories. The present study examines the interconnected nature of these challenges with a focus on the financial burden of input-intensive farming, dependence on credit institutions, and factory-level issues such as delayed payments, supply-chain inefficiencies, and procurement policies. The research adopts an analytical framework integrating primary observations, secondary data, and conceptual economic models. The study finds that financial requirements for sugarcane farming have increased sharply due to rising labour costs, expanding irrigation needs, mechanisation, and higher fertilizer prices. As a result, farmers rely heavily on institutional credit from banks, cooperatives, and sugar factories. However, the utilisation of credit is often suboptimal due to non-agricultural diversions, high-interest rates from informal sources, and crop-cycle mismanagement. Factory-level issues further aggravate these challenges. Delayed payment of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), harvesting and transportation bottlenecks, inadequate communication systems, and factory indebtedness create financial stress for cultivators who depend on timely cash flows for reinvestment. The study also highlights significant differences between small, marginal, and large farmers in terms of access to credit, production efficiency, and resilience. Cooperative sugar factories, though foundational to the regional economy, struggle with cash liquidity, policy uncertainty, and fluctuating sugar prices. These problems directly impact farmers’ financial planning. Findings indicate that sustainable solutions must focus on improved credit delivery mechanisms, timely factory payments, enhanced technological support, mechanisation of harvesting, and financial literacy among farmers. The study contributes to the existing literature by offering an integrated analysis of farm-level economics and factory-level constraints, providing policy insights to strengthen sugarcane farming systems in India.
The Multi-Dimensional Economic Impact of the Chief Minister’s Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme on Farmers in Nanded District
The transition toward renewable-energy-based irrigation has emerged as a critical strategy for achieving sustainable agricultural development in India, particularly in drought-prone regions such as Nanded district. The Chief Minister’s Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme (Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Pump Yojana) has been implemented to provide farmers with reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable irrigation alternatives to diesel- and electricity-based pumping systems. The present study examines the multi-dimensional economic impact of the scheme using an exclusively secondary-data-based approach. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research framework and is based on secondary data collected from official government reports, district statistical abstracts, scheme implementation records, renewable energy agency publications, and policy documents. The analysis focuses on key economic and implementation indicators such as physical and financial progress, taluka-wise and category-wise coverage, pump-type distribution, subsidy utilization, and achievement of scheme targets. These indicators are used to assess changes in irrigation infrastructure, cost efficiency, agricultural practices, and resource utilization at the district level. Secondary data analysis reveals that the expansion of solar-powered irrigation systems has significantly reduced farmers’ dependence on diesel and irregular grid electricity, leading to lower recurring energy costs and improved economic efficiency in agricultural operations. The availability of reliable daytime irrigation has supported better water management, increased cropping intensity, and more effective utilization of cultivable land. Financial records indicate complete disbursement of sanctioned subsidies, reflecting administrative efficiency and strong institutional support for the scheme. Category-wise data further suggest inclusive access to solar pump installations across different social groups. From an environmental perspective, the replacement of fossil-fuel-based irrigation with solar energy has contributed to reduced fuel consumption and alignment with clean-energy and sustainability goals. The study concludes that the Chief Minister’s Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme has played a constructive role in strengthening irrigation infrastructure, enhancing agricultural sustainability, and supporting rural economic stability in Nanded district. Strengthening awareness, technical support, and maintenance mechanisms is recommended to maximize the long-term impact of solar irrigation initiatives.
Impact of Government Schemes on the Economic Development of Dairy Business: A Study of Hingoli District
The dairy sector plays a significant role in strengthening rural livelihoods and supporting agricultural economies in India, particularly in regions where farming alone does not ensure stable income. Government-sponsored dairy development schemes aimed at improving cattle productivity, infrastructure, institutional support, and financial accessibility have emerged as important policy instruments for rural economic development. The present study examines the impact of such government schemes on the economic development of the dairy business in Hingoli district, based exclusively on secondary data sources. Hingoli district, characterized by an agrarian economy and a growing dependence on allied activities such as dairying, provides a suitable context for assessing the effectiveness of dairy-related government interventions. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design and relies on secondary data collected from government reports, livestock census records, district statistical abstracts, NABARD and NDDB publications, policy documents, and published research studies. Major dairy development schemes such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS), Maharashtra State Dairy Development Programme, and cattle purchase subsidy schemes form the analytical framework of the study.