EPH-International Journal of Business & Management Science
EPH – International Journal of Business and Management Science is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal that publishes original research and review articles in the fields of business, management, and related disciplines, with a focus on advancing academic research and professional practice. Journal Information Journal Title: EPH – International Journal of Business and Management Online ISSN: 2208-2190 Published Since: 2015 Language: English Publication Frequency: From 2015-2025:- Quarterly From 2026:- Monthly Publication Format: Online Publisher: Southern Cross Academic Press
FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT UNDER KVIC: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MSMES, RURAL ENTERPRISES, AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises play a vital role in India’s economic development by generating employment, supporting rural enterprises, and promoting inclusive growth. Within this sector, Khadi and Village Industries represent a distinct segment supported by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission through financial and institutional initiatives. Despite extensive policy support, existing literature remains fragmented and largely descriptive, with limited focus on how financial assistance contributes to enterprise development and women’s empowerment. This study presents a systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2025 to examine the role of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission in supporting rural enterprises. The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework and applies the Weight of Evidence approach to ensure methodological rigour. The findings show that major schemes have significantly enhanced financial inclusion, enterprise creation, self-employment, and income generation. Women’s participation is notably high, highlighting the sector’s contribution to empowerment. However, challenges such as regional disparities, limited awareness, administrative inefficiencies, and weak market linkages continue to affect enterprise performance. The study provides policy insights by emphasising improved financial access, market integration, and gender-sensitive strategies for sustainable growth.
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REGULATORY GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF RERA IN INDIA
The real estate sector plays a crucial role in economic development, urban expansion, and investment generation in emerging economies such as India. However, the sector has historically faced challenges related to project delays, information asymmetry, and weak regulatory governance. The enactment of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) was intended to address these challenges by improving transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the real estate market. This study examines the role of regulatory governance in shaping sustainable real estate entrepreneurship in India and evaluates the impact of RERA on entrepreneurial practices and institutional development within the sector. The research adopts a qualitative doctrinal research design based on the analysis of statutory provisions, regulatory frameworks, judicial decisions, policy reports, and academic literature. Guided by institutional governance theory and the sustainable entrepreneurship framework, the study explores how regulatory reforms influence entrepreneurial behaviour, market transparency, and responsible business practices in the real estate industry. The findings suggest that RERA has strengthened regulatory oversight, improved market transparency, enhanced investor confidence, and encouraged more professional and ethical entrepreneurial practices among real estate developers. The regulatory mechanisms introduced under RERA contribute to the development of a more structured and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem by reducing market uncertainty and promoting responsible project management. The study highlights the importance of effective institutional governance in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and strengthening long-term stability in the real estate sector.
RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act)
Copyright (c) 2026 EPH-International Journal of Business & Management Science
DIGITIZING THE 'IDEAL WOMAN': THE RISE OF THE KULASTREE INFLUENCER AND ITS SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT IN KERALA
This study investigates the digital resurgence of the "Kulastree" (the virtuous, traditional woman) archetype within Kerala’s vlogging ecosystem. By examining the "aesthetic of domesticity," the research explores how traditional gender roles are re-packaged as modern aspirational labor. Using a mixed-methods approach with 520 female respondents, the paper employs parametric tests (Pearson’s Correlation, Independent Samples T-test, and Linear Regression) to analyze the psychological impact of "perfect domesticity" on the Malayali female psyche. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation ($r = 0.68$) between vlog consumption and "Domestic Guilt." The study concludes that while these digital spaces offer community, they simultaneously reinforce patriarchal structures through the commercialization of traditionalism.
INSTITUTIONAL INEFFICIENCIES AND THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BNS DOWRY LITIGATION IN DELHI NCT
The implementation of dowry harassment provisions under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Delhi National Capital Territory reveals a critical gap between legislative intent and judicial practice. The analysis focuses on institutional functioning, procedural efficiency, and the broader socio-economic implications of judicial delays in matrimonial cruelty trials. An ethnographic mixed-methods approach was employed over eight months (August 2024–March 2025), combining participant observation in district courts (Rohini, Saket, and Ghaziabad), semi-structured interviews with judicial actors, litigants, and legal professionals, and analysis of case records and trial data. An institutional performance framework was applied using process efficiency indicators such as case duration, adjournment frequency, and conviction rates, situating the research within operations and decision sciences. Persistent procedural delays, high pendency rates, and low conviction outcomes indicate systemic inefficiencies in judicial and investigative processes. Variations in judicial interpretation, frequent adjournments, evidentiary rigidity, and police shortcomings contribute to the divergence between law-in-text and law-in-practice. These inefficiencies operate as institutional bottlenecks, reducing system throughput and overall effectiveness, while also generating indirect economic costs that affect workforce productivity and organizational stability. The findings highlight the need for judicial reforms, improved case management practices, and the integration of data-driven tools such as business intelligence and decision support systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and decision-making within courts. By integrating ethnographic insights with operational and management perspectives, the analysis demonstrates that judicial inefficiency extends beyond legal concerns to influence organizational performance, workforce productivity, governance outcomes, and broader economic stability, contributing to business law, institutional performance, and policy-relevant decision-making frameworks.
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT ON CULTURAL PARTICIPATION AND BEHAVIOURAL OUTCOMES AMONG TRIBAL ADOLESCENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR DIGITAL COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
This study looks at the effects of using social media. on cultural participation and behavioural outcomes among tribal adolescents in Sanakaliapada, Machhua, and Jumabani villages of the Nilagiri block in Balasore district, Odisha. A sample of 100 adolescents aged 15–19 years was surveyed using a structured survey to assess patterns of utilisation of social media, cultural engagement, and perceived impacts of digital interaction. The study employed statistical decision science techniques, including ordinal logistic regression, binary logistic regression, and Spearman’s correlation, to generate behavioural analytics on adolescents’ digital engagement behaviour. Results indicate that education and gender significantly influence social media usage, while age showed no significant effect. Increased social media engagement was associated with reduced participation in community gatherings and lower adherence to Adivasi Sampradaya (tribal community) decisions, as well as a higher likelihood of adolescents ignoring traditional festivals. A statistically significant but weak inverse relationship was observed between festival participation and daily social media usage. Additionally, greater social media usage was linked to higher perceived usefulness and improved access to health-related information, although digital platforms did not significantly enhance cultural knowledge. Adolescents also demonstrated awareness of negative outcomes such as cultural dilution and mental health concerns, yet continued engagement suggests possible peer influence and emerging patterns of digital dependence. The findings highlight social media as a critical component of emerging digital communication ecosystems in rural regions and offer behavioural insights for policymakers, communication strategists, and digital engagement managers. These insights support the development of culturally sensitive policy and communication strategies that balance digital inclusion, responsible social media engagement, and preservation of indigenous cultural practices.
“ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AS DRIVERS OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN MSMES AND STARTUPS: EVIDENCE FROM EMERGING ECONOMIES”
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are increasingly transforming how micro, small, and medium-sized businesses and startups pursue resilient growth in emerging economies. These enterprises play a crucial part in inclusive economic development but often face constraints related to resources, technology, and sustainability implementation. The rapid adoption of Intelligent systems–driven tools and electronic technology such as cloud computing, data analytics, digital platforms, and automation offers new opportunities to overcome these limitations and improve sustainable business performance. The relationship between the adoption of digital technology and sustainability results was examined using primary data gathered from business owners, founders, and senior managers. The findings demonstrate that artificial intelligence driven digital technologies significantly enhance operational efficiency, innovation capability, and sustainable business performance, thereby supporting strategic managerial decision making and long-term competitiveness. Improvements were also observed in resource optimization, waste reduction, workforce engagement, and market expansion. Furthermore, digital capabilities emerge as a key organizational factor that strengthens the relationship between technology adoption and sustainability outcomes. From a business management perspective, integrating business intelligence and digital transformation strategies strengthens operational performance and organizational capabilities. The results add to the expanding body of literature on digital sustainability while providing useful insights for entrepreneurs, managers and legislators looking to use artificial intelligence-enabled transformation for sustainable development in emerging economies.
Copyright (c) 2026 EPH-International Journal of Business & Management Science https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRY 5.0 TECHNOLOGIES ON WORKFORCE PLANNING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN THE IT SECTOR
Industry 5.0 is a shift in how IT firms use technology to create creative, sustainable, and people-focused workforces. From the standpoint of skill development and forecasting, this study looks at the key technologies of industry 5.0, such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. In the context of skill gap analysis, succession planning, demand forecasting, learning personalization, and upskilling and reskilling initiatives, the study investigates potential applications of these technologies. This study examines the impact of them on IT training and career development. The organizational challenges to incorporating these technologies into HR systems are also discussed. Insights for policy makers and HR managers. This study is giving insights to policy makers and HR directors, how they can combine strategic personnel development with technology in order to create versatile IT workforces of the future.
ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR OF GROCERY RETAILERS IN THE UNORGANISED SECTOR TOWARDS THE UNIFIED PAYMENT INTERFACE (UPI)
In the previous decade, India has seen a revolutionized advancement in FinTech industry and has become global leader in number of digital transactions. The main force behind this has been the amazing UPI (Unified Payment Interface) tool, which has enabled digital transactions for all Indians. UPI adoption has been very significant among consumers but few studies has developed their focus on retailers’ side. The unorganized grocery sellers in Delhi were the focus of this study. The study is performed on primary data collected through questionnaire from 253 valid respondents. Regression analysis was performed in this study to test relationship between attitude and behaviour intention and between behaviour intention and actual usage of UPI. The study interpreted that there is no significance relationship between the stated variables and both the hypotheses was rejected. Thus, the study concluded that although theoretical model like TAM and UTAUT has stated a strong relationship among these constructs but these constructs alone are insufficient to explain the relationship among attitude, behavioural intention and actual usage, they required external factors also to validate the results.
THE SHIFTING BIPOLARITY: ANALYSING THE EURO'S ASCENSION AND THE EROSION OF US DOLLAR SUPREMACY
The longstanding hegemony of US dollar (USD) is now facing an unrelenting challenge owing to external geopolitical weaponization and internal fiscal pressures. Although the use of the currency network inertia is central in the traditional theories, they do not sufficiently incorporate the two current forces: the supply side effect on institutional breakthroughs (Eurozone unified debt) and the accelerating demand side pressure to de-dollarize through sanctions. The hypothesis of this paper is that the international monetary order is in a controlled shift to stable bi-polar in USD-Euro, and that the development of a deep, liquid safe asset pool by the Eurozone plus the rising cost of the USD as a strategic tool had triggered the shift. In testing this, a panel data regression model will be used to determine central bank reserve diversification (COFER data) in relation to the indicators of EU unified debt volume. This is supplemented by the quantitative study of trade invoicing and the use of cross border payment systems (SWIFT vs. CIPS/INSTEX) to approximate the geopolitical risk aversion. The results indicate that institutional supply-side maturity is a prerequisite, but the geopolitical risk premium is the possible catalyst to the observed diversification and provides important implications about the future of world finance.
ASYMMETRIC ASSET PRICING AND DOWNSIDE RISK SENSITIVITY IN INDIAN MUTUAL FUNDS: EVIDENCE FROM D-CAPM AND LOWER PARTIAL MOMENTS
A growing body of financial literatures support asymmetric and downside-oriented asset pricing frameworks as investors are considerably more sensitive to market downturns. This asymmetry is highly relevant in the mutual fund context where downside protection is the primary concern of risk-averse investors. The applicability of D-CAPM and Lower Partial Moment in the Indian mutual funds, particularly in the post reclassification period, has yet to be systematically examined which constitute a significant research gap. This research empirically evaluates downside risk sensitivity and asymmetric asset pricing of Indian equity mutual funds by employing D-CAPM and LPM2. Downside beta estimates are obtained by regressing fund excess returns on market excess returns conditional on negative market movements, while downside risk sensitivity is measured by employing LPM2 with a target return of zero. Using monthly return data for four years, the study examines whether downside risk explains cross-sectional variations in downside risk exposure across funds. Results indicate the existence of substantial variations in downside risk exposure with statistically significant βD. However, cross-sectional regression reveals that LPM2 does not significantly explain variations in βD, suggesting that downside risk and market sensitivity capture distinct risk dimensions. It signifies the importance of asymmetric risk evaluation of mutual funds as these measures yield incremental information.
IMPACT OF OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE INDIAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
The paper shall explore relationship between the operational efficiency as well as customer satisfaction within Indian automobile sector with particular emphasis on the showroom level operation. The aim was to get insights into the effect of different operational determinants on overall customer happiness and long-term customer loyalty in a competitive and dynamic automotive market. An organized customer satisfaction questionnaire consisting of 25 statements was made as per the insights gained through the literature review. The tool was given to 75 participants who recently dealt with the employees in the showroom, which gave the opportunity to record the real-time impressions about the operational performance and the quality of services. These were investigated on the dependence between independent variables of operations and the satisfaction of customers using the descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results showed that framework of proposed explanations (0.4429 percent) elucidated the variation in customer satisfaction, and the determinants (the selection) possess moderate explanatory strength. The operational aspects that were studied involved production lead time, quality of service after sales, efficiency of supply chain, inventory, reliability of the vehicle, its sustainability and green operations, and automation of technology and processes. Among these variables, production lead time has been found out to be the most significant factor in customer satisfaction. Although even post sales quality of service altered the customer loyalty and satisfaction only slightly and its contribution was insignificant as a statistical element, it is also a significant factor of customer loyalty and satisfaction. The results underline the significance of properly conveying the strengths of the operations to the customers. Better knowledge about efficiency-related programs will allow firms to achieve higher customer experience, enhance their competitive advantage, and develop a culture of operational excellence and long-term customer relationship in the automobile industry.
ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON FIRM VALUE – A CASE STUDY
This article studies the stimulus of Corporate Governance on Firm Value. Upright Corporate Governance enhances investor confidence, promotes financial stability, reduces risk of corporate scandals, and contributes to long-standing business sustainability and value construction. Recognizing the implication of corporate governance practices, an empirical study has been made in Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd as a first effort, casing the duration of seven years from 2017-18 to 2023-24. No earlier analysis has been done in this perspective. In the current study, Tobin’s Q formula has been applied for arriving at the value of the firm. Corporate Governance factors viz., Firm Size, Board Diversity Index and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI – shareholding pattern) have been considered as independent variables to evaluate their impression on the dependant variable – firm value. Multiple Regression model has been applied for evaluation.
From Banks To Apps : The New Dynamics Of Consumer Credit
The research analyses the impact of digital lending sites on credit-based consumer behaviour and forms ease of use, digital literacy, perceived trust, and financial literacy. It was decided to use the mixed method design and to collect the key data in form of structured questions in questionnaires that will be distributed to 180 active users of digital lending apps in the City of Chennai. The SPSS was used to conduct statistical studies, which included correlation, simple regression, and mediation analysis.. The findings revealed that usability significantly improved borrowing frequency, digital literacy emerged as a strong predictor of responsible credit behavior, and perceived trust had a positive effect on repayment discipline. Furthermore, there seems to be a partial correlation between responsible credit behavior and the features of the platform with financial literacy. The study's findings highlight that digital lending has positive impact on loan accessibility and user convenience compared to old traditional lending methods. There are mainly two components that contribute to the determination of the behavioral effects. The first is the extent to which users have faith in other individuals, and the second is the degree to which they have a comprehension of financial ideas. The objective of this research was to improve the safe use of electronic credit by providing policy based suggestions and numbers in this field. Their contributions have made a significant positive impact on the existing body of work about financial technology.
PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL AND PERCEIVED SUPERVISOR SUPPORT, FAIRNESS, AND REWARDS AS DRIVERS OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION: EVIDENCE FROM A PILOT STUDY OF MEDIUM-SIZED IT FIRMS IN SINGAPORE
Employee engagement is widely linked to performance and retention, yet the drivers of engagement in medium-sized IT firms remain under-examined in Singapore, where HR structures and supervisory practices may differ from larger organizations. Grounded in Social Exchange Theory, this pilot study explores how perceived organizational support (POS), perceived supervisor support (PSS), perceived fairness, and rewards relate to employee engagement and job satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional online questionnaire distributed via convenience sampling, data were collected from 62 employees in medium-sized IT firms in Singapore. Reliability testing and exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation) supported a six-factor structure, reducing the instrument from 40 to 31 items (KMO = .846; Bartlett’s test p < .001; Cronbach’s α = .80–.93). Correlations indicated strong positive associations among POS, PSS, fairness, rewards, and engagement. In multiple regression, PSS emerged as the only significant predictor of engagement (β = .53, p < .001; adjusted R² = .60), while engagement significantly predicted job satisfaction (β = .65, p < .001; adjusted R² = .42). These findings provide preliminary evidence that supervisor support may be particularly salient in medium-sized IT contexts and support further scale refinement. The main study will validate the measurement model using confirmatory techniques (e.g., CFA/SEM) and a larger, more representative sample.
A STUDY OF CREDIT RISK MONITORING SYSTEM OF STRESSED SMES ACCOUNTS FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF YES BANK
This present study aims to investigate the Credit Risk Monitoring system for stressed SME accounts for Yes Bank, particularly the RRR initiative. Through the use of secondary data from the previous quarter, the relevance and outcomes of the initiative can be analyzed, revealing the success of the program out of the total 970 stressed accounts, of which almost 76% were recoveries, reductions, and resolutions. Through this study, the significance of monitoring, interventions, legal proceedings, and technology can be highlighted, together with the problems encountered in legal recoveries, and how the system can be further developed for the betterment of the overall financial condition of the bank through the improvement of the way the SME portfolios are managed.
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN JOB SATISFACTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MILLENNIALS AND GENERATION Z IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY
The Millennial and Generation Z employees in the Indian retail sector are compared regarding job satisfaction in this paper based on a sample of 914 employees in the Delhi-NCR area. Three dimensions of satisfaction, namely work environment, compensation benefits and work-life balance were measured using a structured questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. A stratified non-probability method was used in the study to make the two generations equally represented. The independent samples t-tests gave statistically significant difference between generations in the three domains of satisfaction that include work environment (t = 5.129, p < .001), compensation and benefits (t = 4.782, p < .001) and work-life balance (t = 5.647, p = .001). Millennials were found to be more satisfied in all the cases than Generation Z. A one-way ANOVA also showed that job role has a significant effect on job satisfaction (F(3, 910) = 6.921, p <.001). The post hoc Tukey HSD tests revealed that store managers were the most satisfied group of participants, supervisors were the next followed by sales representatives and cashiers with no significant difference between the latter two positions. To further elaborate the analysis, correlation and multiple regression equations were used to evaluate the associations between the dimensions of satisfaction and their combination to determine the overall job satisfaction. The findings showed the existence of strong positive correlations between work environment, compensation, and work-life balance (r =.59- .78, p <.01). The regression results revealed significant correlation of these three predictors in explaining the overall job satisfaction (R2 =.67, F = 612.53, p =.001), with work environment (β=.46) being the strongest predictor than compensation and benefits (β=.32) and work life balance (β=.29). Overall, the findings indicate that both generation and job role significantly shape job satisfaction in retail workplaces. Retail organizations should therefore implement cohort-specific and role-based interventions—for instance, offering greater flexibility, digital empowerment, and psychological safety for Generation Z, alongside career development and recognition opportunities for Millennials. Such targeted HR strategies can enhance employee satisfaction and retention in India’s competitive retail labour market.
DIGITAL INVESTMENT: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON INVESTORS' BEHAVIOUR IN THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET.
This systematic literature review, utilising the TCCM (Theory, Context, Characteristics, Methodology) framework, examines the behaviour of individual stock market investors. For the study, the researcher has a refined set of 50 articles published between 2005 and 2025, primarily selected from Scopus and EBSCO databases. Four research questions focus on theoretical foundations, contextual factors, contents, and methodologies. The findings confirm that investor decisions are not solely rational but are heavily influenced by a range of behavioural and psychological factors, including cognitive biases, personality traits and financial literacy. Theories like Prospect Theory and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) Model are frequently applied. The review highlights a predominant use of quantitative research methods, with a strong emphasis on statistical models such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and regression analysis. The analysis reveals significant research gaps and suggests future directions. Future studies should also adopt mixed-methods approaches and a cross-cultural perspective to gain a more holistic and globally generalizable understanding. The study concludes that while substantial progress has been made in identifying behavioural patterns, further research is required to understand the complex "how" and "why" behind these phenomena is evolving.
FINTECH AS A STRATEGIC DRIVER OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: BUSINESS MODELS, MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS, AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
FinTech has not only emerged as a means for financial inclusion but also as a strategic enabler of digital transformation and competitiveness for financial institutions and companies operating in developing countries. This paper examines the effects of FinTech adoption on the efficiency of transactions, optimization of costs, accessibility of credits, and value addition, particularly examining managerial and business implications. This paper uses primary data collected from 100 respondents in the Palghar district of the Mumbai region, using Paired t-tests and ANOVA to examine the effect of FinTech adoption on the number of transactions and the effect of digital literacy on FinTech adoption. The findings indicate that FinTech adoption has a significant effect on enhancing the efficiency of transactions, reducing operational costs, and enhancing the scalability of financial services, particularly among digitally literate individuals. Cybersecurity risks and infrastructure constraints are still challenges for strategic adoption. Through the application of global best practices such as the India Jan Dhan-UPI model, the Kenya M-Pesa model, and the Brazil Caixa Tem model, this paper illustrates how FinTech-enabled business models support performance enhancement and inclusive growth. This paper provides a contribution to management literature by conceptualizing FinTech as a strategic tool for operational efficiency.
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES IN INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM DIKSHA AND UDISE+ INITIATIVES
This paper examines how digital infrastructure and platform-based learning have shaped educational outcomes across Indian states between 2016 and 2023. Using a balanced panel dataset combining UDISE+, DIKSHA, and ASER/NAS indicators, the study applies fixed-effects and difference-in-difference models to measure both structural and policy impacts. The results show that states with a higher share of ICT-enabled schools, stronger teacher digital training, and active DIKSHA engagement achieved better learning outcomes, higher enrollment, and smoother transition rates. The effect of teacher training is found to be almost as strong as that of infrastructure, confirming that human capacity complements technology. Early DIKSHA adopters experienced learning gains of around three percentage points after 2018, demonstrating clear policy effectiveness. However, digital progress remains uneven across regions, with rural areas facing access and connectivity gaps. The study concludes that sustained teacher capacity building, local-language content, and rural digital infrastructure are essential for inclusive and effective digital learning under the National Education Policy (2020).
EXPLORING THE SHIFT FROM CONVENTIONAL TO ORGANIC FOOD CONSUMPTION IN MUMBAI DISTRICT
Organic food consumption has increased globally due to rising awareness of health, environmental safety, and food authenticity. However, in India—especially in metropolitan cities like Mumbai—the shift remains comparatively slow. This study investigates the changing consumer behavior toward organic food in the Mumbai District, focusing on awareness, perceived health benefits, environmental consciousness, price sensitivity, trust concerns, and purchase intention. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to residents across the district. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed high awareness but low regular purchase levels, primarily due to price barriers and limited trust in organic certification. Attitude towards health and environment strongly influences occasional purchases. The study highlights a clear gap between awareness and active consumption. It concludes with recommendations for policymakers, retailers, and certification agencies to strengthen consumer confidence and promote organic food adoption in Mumbai.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS
The fact that business is increasingly becoming competitive requires businesses to be under continuous pressure to enhance their performance along with the adaptability to the cloudiness of the markets and its more sophisticated strategies. The ways of strategic management have therefore emerged as critical to enable the organisations to harmonise strategic intent and viable performance outcomes with actual implementation. The proposed research targets at exploring the impacts of the strategic management practices on the organizational performance within a competitive environment and how environmental pressures can be used in improving the strategic management practices. It is a qualitative multiple-case study synthesis research design, which in itself makes use of the available information given in the published open-source case studies in different industries, including banking, healthcare, manufacturing, regulatory bodies, and small and medium-sized businesses. Data analysis was conducted using within case and cross case thematic analysis in order to identify some general trends of strategic management practices and their performance results. The findings indicate that performance of organizations is improved by making strategic management practices cut across planning, implementation, evaluation and adaptation processes. Strategic implementation, management sensitivity to competition pressures and capability was found to be the determinants of financial and non-financial performance. The study finds that strategic management practices are dynamic processes through which organizations will work in competitive environment to sustain performance. The findings are valuable to managers and policy makers who may be keen on improving strategic capability within competitive business settings.
Corporate Governance and IPO Subscription Levels: Evidence from Indian Startups
The modernization of corporate governance has become a cornerstone for ensuring transparency, investor confidence, and sustainable growth in capital markets. In India’s evolving startup ecosystem, the role of governance practices has gained heightened importance as young, innovation-driven firms increasingly access public markets through initial public offerings (IPOs). This study examines how modern corporate governance mechanisms such as board independence, disclosure quality, venture capital and underwriter certification, and intellectual capital reporting shape the subscription levels of startup IPOs in India. Drawing on signaling theory, asymmetric information models, and behavioral finance perspectives, the research develops an integrated framework to assess both financial and non-financial determinants of investor participation. Using a mixed-method approach that combines empirical analysis of post-2016 startup IPOs with qualitative insights from market practitioners, the study provides evidence on how governance modernization influences demand across investor categories (retail, institutional, and high-net-worth individuals). The findings are expected to contribute theoretically by extending IPO and governance literature into the startup financing context of an emerging economy, while also offering practical guidance for entrepreneurs, underwriters, and regulators. The study seeks to align corporate governance modernization with the broader agenda of sustainable capital market development in India.
ANALYSING THE ROLE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN IMPROVING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF INDIAN COMPANIES
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on firm’s financial performance (FP) of Indian companies. This study is based on annual data of 115 companies listed on Bombay stock exchange for the period 2014-2025. The authors have used GLS random effects and fixed effects models to estimate the impact of corporate governance mechanism on firm’s financial performance in India. Also, we have used return on assets, return on equity, earning per share and Tobin’s Q (TQ) to measure firm performance. This research uses a descriptive research design. The results show that board size and independence are unable improve firm performance. Gender diversity show positive impact on firm’s performance and CEO duality showed negative relations with the dependent variables.
PARTICIPATORY COMMUNICATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND SME GROWTH IN RESOURCE-BASED ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIES: INSIGHTS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Purpose: This study examines how participatory communication shapes small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development in post-mining communities of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Drawing on empowerment theory, diffusion of innovations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives, it investigates how socio-demographic factors condition perceptions of participatory communication. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 382 respondents in Porgera District with qualitative insights from focus group discussions. Quantitative analysis used chi-square tests and binary logistic regression, while qualitative narratives were thematically analyzed. Findings: Education, income, and age significantly predict positive perceptions of participatory communication, while gender differences were not statistically significant. Community voice emerged as the strongest participatory principle, although inclusiveness and gender equity remained weak. Focus groups revealed that education-built confidence, youth valued dialogue, low-income households felt excluded, and women’s participation was often constrained. The results highlight a participatory paradox: communities value communication, yet systemic inequalities restrict equitable engagement. Practical implications: Policymakers and development agencies should embed participatory communication into SME programs by prioritizing education-based training, financial inclusion, youth engagement, and gender-sensitive participation. Social implications: Participatory communication can strengthen social cohesion by amplifying community voice, empowering marginalized groups, and building trust between communities, institutions, and development actors. Originality/value: This paper contributes to entrepreneurship scholarship by positioning participatory communication as a strategic resource in resource-rich Asia-Pacific economies. It extends empowerment and ecosystem theories while providing rare empirical evidence from PNG, a setting underrepresented in entrepreneurship research.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
INDIA’S BRSR–IFRS SUSTAINABILITY ALIGNMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON ESG REPORTING INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL FLOWS
The shift towards sustainable finance has been accelerating globally. This has increased the pressure on financial institutions and countries, especially in emerging economies, to align operational and disclosure practices with international standards on ESG. This research investigates India’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework for its alignment with International Financial Reporting Standards for Sustainability (IFRS S1 and S2) along with what drives and what is the outcome of better harmonization of ESG disclosures. Data were collected through a three-pronged analytical framework consisting of gap analysis, investor philosophy analysis and regulatory landscape analysis covering 15 sectors. The research shows that the present BRSR is around 35% aligned to the IFRS S1 and S2 metrics presently. The degree of alignment varies considerably across sectors, ranging from 16% in oil, gas and consumable fuels, to 55% in chemicals. With sector specific tweaks and nine cross sectoral recommendations, 60% alignment potential. The study shows improved ESG disclosures significantly enhance investor confidence, reduces information asymmetry and helps in the flow of capital to sustainable firms. The establishment of regulatory cooperation, capacity-building of institutions, and periodic updating of the framework. The findings help to learn how emerging economies can strategically align domestic ESG frameworks with global standards to generate sustainable finance while remaining contextually relevant.
PERSONALIZED NUTRITION AND DNA-BASED DIETS
This dissertation examines the effectiveness of personalized nutrition interventions informed by DNA-based diets in enhancing health outcomes across diverse populations, addressing a critical gap in understanding how genetic variations influence individual responses to dietary modifications. The research involves the collection and analysis of genetic, dietary, and health data from participants, revealing significant correlations between specific genetic markers and variations in metabolic responses to dietary changes. Notably, the findings indicate that individuals with certain genetic profiles experienced marked improvements in health metrics, such as weight management and metabolic markers, when adhering to tailored dietary recommendations based on their DNA. These results underscore the importance of integrating genetic insights into nutritional interventions, suggesting that personalized dietary approaches could lead to more effective and sustained health outcomes compared to conventional one-size-fits-all dieting strategies. The implications of this study extend to the healthcare sector, advocating for a paradigm shift towards personalized nutrition as a viable solution for managing chronic diseases and promoting overall health. By enhancing understanding of the interplay between genetics and nutrition, this research has the potential to inform clinical practice, empower healthcare providers, and guide public health policies aimed at improving the dietary habits and health of populations worldwide.
Dark Fantasy, Cadbury celebration, Kurkure(etc.) or Sweets: A comparative study
Marketing is convincing and convincing comes through positioning. How do you position your product will establish it in the market. A well positioned product is a guarantee of success of it. Taking the help of creativity one can set up a road for the customer advocacy and helps beating the competition.
IMPACT OF CULTURAL DEXTERITY ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE: STUDY OF INDIAN COMPANIES IN GLOBAL MARKETS
Cultural dexterity—defined as an organization’s ability to understand, adapt to, and localize across diverse national cultures—has emerged from sidelines to critical determinant of international business success. Such a premise of direct co-relation of Cultural Dexterity competence to Business performance has to be tested by a primary research, along with a proposed Cross cultural difference measuring scale using Culture Dexterity model proposed in this journal. While global literature documents the relationship between cultural adaptation and performance for Western multinational corporations (MNCs), empirical evidence from Indian MNCs remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the impact of cultural dexterity on business performance among Indian companies operating in foreign markets, with specific reference to India (domestic market) and Saudi Arabia (foreign market). Using primary data collected 417 respondents across India & Saudi Arabia, through the Culture Wizard (CW) Model dashboard and secondary performance data sourced from AC Nielsen reports (2018–2023), the study measures consumer cultural differences, employee cultural differences, and corresponding cultural adaptation scores. The findings reveal statistically significant cultural differences between domestic and foreign markets and a strong positive correlation between cultural adaptation and business performance. The results empirically establish that Indian MNCs demonstrating higher levels of consumer and employee cultural adaptation achieve superior financial outcomes in foreign markets. The study contributes a structured cultural localization theoritical framework that can serve as a strategic template for Indian MNCs and globalizing startups.
STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF WORKPLACE ETHICS IN TOURISM & HOTEL MANAGEMENT COLLEGE
Ethics are a critical concern in the tourism and hospitality industry, where practitioners are faced daily with ethical dilemmas pertaining to customer handling, managerial decisions, and organizational practices. This paper presents an investigation into workplace ethics among third-year Bachelor of Tourism and Hotel Management students at different University in terms of perceptions, ethical challenges encountered, and decision-making patterns. A total of 120 students who completed the second-year industry internship were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising 31 items-20 that assessed perceptions about workplace ethics, 6 that identified major ethical challenges, and 5 that measured ethical decision-making-rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The instrument showed good internal reliability as assessed by Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.70.These results indicated that the majority of students (60.83%) had positive perceptions, 29.16% neutral, and 10.01% negative perceptions of workplace ethics. Specific ethical challenges mentioned most included unclear workplace ethical guidelines (26.7%), unethical practices in handling guests (23.3%), and pressure from the supervisor to act unethically (18.3%). The established patterns in ethical decision-making showed that 26.7% of the students abide by ethical standards even in situations where pressure to act otherwise is high, and 16.7% reported feeling confused when faced with an actual ethical decision. The Chi-square test of independence demonstrated no significant relationship between gender and workplace ethical perception, χ²(2, N = 120) = 0.69, p = .708, thus there were no differences in ethical viewpoints among male and female students. Overall, results show disparate levels of ethical awareness in the students and that academic preparation, as well as internship experiences, both play an important role in shaping their ethical attitudes. The findings of this study provide useful input for educators and industry practitioners interested in enhancing ethics training and making internship environments more supportive within the hospitality industry.
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF WEAVER WELL-BEING: MODELLING THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND CRISIS FACTORS IN THE TAMIL NADU HANDLOOM SECTOR
The handloom industry in Tamil Nadu is a very important economic and cultural support, but it has serious sustainability problems caused by structural inefficiencies and modernization. This paper uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the multifaceted relationships among demographic profiles, Socio-Economic Factors (SEF), Elements Causing Crisis (ECC), and Social Well-being (SW). The study uses a recursive model to test the direct and indirect channels of influence based on a survey of 1,000 weavers in seven major handloom centres. The findings suggest that demographic factors, in particular age and marital status, are strong predictors of socio-economic status and crisis perception, but gender does not have any statistically significant structural impact. In line with the Resource-Constraint framework, the model indicates that positive socio-economic conditions are very useful in promoting social well-being (β =0.368), which is a buffer to the adverse effects of industry crisis factors (β= -0.098). These results indicate that specific policy interventions are required, which focus on structural asset-building and collaborative modernization to reduce the elements of crisis and guarantee the long-term sustainability of this traditional craft.