ShodhPrabandhan: Journal of Management Studies
ShodhPrabandhan: Journal of Management Studies, is a quarterly journal of studies focused on Management studies, in which research papers are published in Hindi and English language. This journal combines all topics related to Management studies. Management studies is an academic discipline that focuses on the theory and practice of managing organizations and businesses. It encompasses a wide range of topics related to managing people, resources, and processes to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively. Editor-in-chief: Dr. Praveen Kumar S. (Professor and Dean, Department of Commerce, School of Commerce and Management, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) Managing Editor: Dr. Tina Porwal (Ph.D., Maharani Laxmibai Girls P.G. College, Indore, India)
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author. It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board. This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION STYLES AND ITS RELATION TO COMMITMENT, SATISFACTION AND WORK CULTURE IN INDIAN IT/ITES ORGANISATIONS - EMPLOYEE PREFERENCES FOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION STYLES
It is now well accepted that leadership communication is vital in shaping employee attitudes and organisational effectiveness. Despite a large amount of work investigating leadership styles, little attention has been paid to employees’ preferences for the leadership communication behaviours described. The present study is an attempt to study the employees’ choice of leadership communication styles and its relation with the employees’ organisational commitment-related factors such as organisational commitment, job satisfaction, work culture, and their performance in Indian IT/ITES organisations. The present study is based on data collected from 161 people working in the Indian IT/ITES industry. Different forms of leadership communication behaviours were ranked according to four employee outcome dimensions: task accomplishment; organisational pride; job satisfaction; and work culture. They were classified in 6 sub-dimensions of communication styles: Expressiveness, Preciseness, Questioningness, Verbal Aggressiveness, Emotionality and Impression Manipulativeness. Our results show clear preference for expressive, inclusive and precise modes of communication. Communication habits that demonstrated hostility, a tendency to blame, emotional volatility and an authoritarian style consistently scored lower. Performance was ranked highest in the research. Employees related expressive communication with a positive atmosphere at work and precise communication with job accomplishment. The study emphasises the significance of the quality of communication in influencing employees' perspectives and is of practical relevance for leadership development in knowledge-intensive organizations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shumita Mahajan, Dr. Radheshyam Jadhav (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION (RTE) ACT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE GWALIOR DIVISION
This study provides an empirical assessment of the implementation status of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in secondary schools, specifically within the Gwalior division. The RTE Act is a significant policy initiative in India aimed at ensuring the universalization of education and educational equity by providing free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years. While the implementation of this Act has been widely observed at the primary level, there is a lack of sufficient research regarding its effectiveness and compliance status at the secondary level. Primary data for this study were collected from selected government and private secondary schools in the Gwalior division using questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques (such as mean, t-test, and ANOVA) were employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that several challenges—including infrastructure, teacher availability, resource distribution, and administrative monitoring—persist in the implementation of the RTE Act. Additionally, significant disparities in implementation levels were observed between government and private schools. The study concludes that effective implementation of the RTE Act requires policy-level reforms, equitable distribution of resources, and a regular monitoring system. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, educational administrators, and researchers. Right to Education (RTE) Act, Secondary Education, Implementation Assessment, Educational Equity, Gwalior Division.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mamta Kailashiya, Alka Gupta (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TALENT ACQUISITION AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES
Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most important technological forces reshaping modern Human Resource Management. Among different HR functions, talent acquisition and employee performance management are two areas where AI-based tools are being used widely for screening applications, shortlisting candidates, scheduling interviews, analysing skill gaps, predicting employee potential, monitoring performance indicators, and supporting managerial decision-making. The present paper examines the role of Artificial Intelligence in talent acquisition and employee performance management with special reference to emerging opportunities and organizational challenges. A descriptive cum analytical survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 120 HR professionals and managers working in selected private-sector organizations was taken through purposive sampling. Data were collected with the help of a self-constructed structured questionnaire covering three areas: AI adoption in recruitment, AI use in performance management, and organizational challenges related to AI implementation. The reliability of the tool was found to be 0.84 through Cronbach’s alpha. Frequency, percentage, mean, and chi-square test were used for analysis. The findings revealed that the major opportunities of AI in talent acquisition were faster resume screening, reduction in manual workload, better candidate matching, improved recruitment planning, and data-based hiring decisions. In the area of performance management, AI helped in continuous feedback, identification of training needs, performance prediction, and objective tracking of employee contribution. At the same time, the major challenges were algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, data privacy concerns, high implementation cost, limited technical knowledge among HR staff, and employee fear regarding surveillance. The chi-square test confirmed a significant association between AI adoption and perceived improvement in talent acquisition, and also between AI-based performance management and perceived decision-making effectiveness. The paper concludes that AI can strengthen HR practices only when it is used as a supportive tool with human judgment, ethical governance, transparency, and employee trust.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ms. Neetu Bhadoria, Dr. Rahul Kushwah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF BANK PROFITABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM RETURN ON EQUITY OF SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL BANKS IN INDIA
The study using Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) examined the short- and long-term impact of macroeconomic variables on the profitability of scheduled commercial banks in India. For the study the annual data from 2005-2006 to 2022-23 were collected where return on equity (ROE) used as independent variable and FDI, GDP, IIP, inflation and unemployment rate as dependent variable. The outcome revealed that, in long term all macroeconomic variables exerted an insignificant impact on ROE. Inflation and FDI show a positive association, whereas GDP, IIP and unemployment was negatively correlated. In the short-run FDI, GDP, inflation and unemployment displayed significant negative effects on profitability, while IIP showed no significant impact. The findings suggested that macroeconomic shocks influenced banking performance differently depending on the time horizon. Thus, the study is useful for policymakers, regulators and bank managers in framing strategies to safeguard financial stability. By understanding both the short- and long-term effects of macroeconomic changes enable stakeholders to improve their capacity to withstand and recover from external shocks while developing effective adaptive strategies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shagufta Khatoon Sheikh, Dr. Arpan Parashar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DESIGNING A SMART MODEL FOR GRANTING BANK FACILITIES BASED ON BIG DATA
Granting bank facilities and identifying customers for facility provision has always been considered important, as it leads to greater assurance for banks in this regard. With the advent of the digital age and big data, the large volume of data helps banks gain better insights into decisions regarding facility provision and utilize Smart approaches. Therefore, in this research, a Smart model for granting bank facilities based on big data was designed. For this purpose, customers' financial and credit histories from internal bank systems were used, and machine learning, clustering, and regression analysis models were employed for data analysis. Using K-means clustering, customer groups were categorized into three risk levels: low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. Then, a random forest model was used to predict credit risk, which showed 96% accuracy. Subsequently, a combination of hierarchical analysis and particle swarm optimization algorithm was utilized to optimize the facility allocation process, and the results indicated a reduction in risk and an increase in bank productivity. Finally, the Smart model for granting bank facilities can help identify better customers for facility allocation and also reduce the risk of facility provision by banks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Taleghani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TRANSFORMING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the nature of Human Resource Management by making employee-related decisions more data-driven, timely, and analytical. Earlier HR practices mainly depended on manual records, supervisor judgment, employee surveys, and periodic review systems. In the present digital workplace, AI-supported tools are being used to understand employee engagement, predict dissatisfaction, analyse employee feedback, recommend learning opportunities, identify workplace concerns, and support managerial decision-making. The present paper examines the role of Artificial Intelligence in transforming employee engagement and decision-making in Human Resource Management. A descriptive cum analytical survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 120 HR professionals, team leaders, and employees working in selected private-sector organizations was selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected with the help of a self-constructed structured questionnaire covering three areas: AI-supported employee engagement, AI-based HR decision-making, and organizational challenges in AI implementation. The reliability of the tool was found to be 0.85 through Cronbach’s alpha. Frequency, percentage, mean, and chi-square test were used for analysis. The findings revealed that AI contributes to employee engagement through real-time feedback systems, personalized learning suggestions, employee sentiment analysis, digital communication platforms, recognition tools, and predictive identification of disengagement. In HR decision-making, AI supports workforce planning, employee retention decisions, learning and development decisions, internal mobility, grievance analysis, and policy planning. However, the study also found important challenges such as data privacy concerns, employee fear of monitoring, lack of emotional understanding in AI systems, algorithmic bias, low trust, and overdependence on technology. The chi-square test confirmed a significant association between AI-supported engagement practices and perceived improvement in employee engagement. It also confirmed a significant association between AI-based analytics and effectiveness of HR decision-making. The paper concludes that AI can transform employee engagement and HR decision-making only when it is implemented with transparency, ethical safeguards, human supervision, and employee trust.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIGITAL PAYMENT IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF GWALIOR DISTRICT (MP): AWARENESS AND ADOPTION
India has witnessed an extraordinary expansion of digital payment in the past decade, driven by rising smartphone penetration, the spread of the Unified Payments Interface, and policy initiatives such as Digital India. This growth, however, has not been uniform, and a persistent gap separates the adoption of digital payment in urban centres from that in rural areas. The present study undertook a comparative analysis of the awareness and adoption of digital payment systems between the rural and urban areas of Gwalior district in Madhya Pradesh, and examined the factors that influence adoption in each setting. A descriptive and comparative survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 400 respondents—200 from urban Gwalior and 200 from the rural blocks of the district—through a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that awareness and adoption of digital payment are significantly higher among urban respondents than among rural respondents, and that the dominant mode of digital payment in both areas is the mobile-based Unified Payments Interface. Adoption is shaped by smartphone and internet availability, education, income, and trust, and the relative weight of these factors differs between the two settings. The study concludes that bridging the rural-urban gap requires targeted attention to connectivity, digital literacy, and trust, and it offers recommendations for policy and practice.
Copyright (c) 2026 Disha Yadav, Dr. Rahul Kushwah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIGITAL PAYMENT IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF GWALIOR DISTRICT (MP): CHALLENGES, SATISFACTION AND IMPACT
While digital payment has spread rapidly across India, its users continue to encounter obstacles, and the experience of using digital payment differs considerably between rural and urban settings. This study undertook a comparative analysis of the challenges faced in using digital payment, the satisfaction users derive from it, and its impact on financial behaviour, between the rural and urban areas of Gwalior district in Madhya Pradesh. A descriptive and comparative survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 400 respondents—200 urban and 200 rural—through a structured questionnaire. The findings show that rural users face significantly greater challenges than urban users, chiefly poor internet connectivity, low digital literacy, and concerns about fraud and security, whereas urban users report relatively higher satisfaction with speed and convenience. Digital payment was found to influence financial behaviour in both settings—encouraging record-keeping, reducing dependence on cash, and supporting savings—though the effect was stronger among urban users. The study concludes that addressing rural-specific challenges is essential to translate access into satisfying and beneficial use, and it offers recommendations for providers and policy-makers.
FACTORS CREATING JOB STRESS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN JHENAIDAH DISTRICT, BANGLADESH
The study aims to investigate the job stress experienced by primary school teachers in Bangladesh, highlighting its implications for educational effectiveness. A quantitative research approach was adopted, focusing on the Jhenaidah district's six upazilas: Jhenaidah Sadar, Kaliganj, Shailkupa, Kotchandpur, Maheshpur, and Harinakunda. Data was collected through structured interviews, surveys, and observations using a non-probability sampling technique. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, validity, reliability, confirmatory component analysis, F-test, and regression analysis. The study revealed that in primary schools Work Overload, Job Security, Co-Workers’ Relation and Supervision of Authority are the significant factors for job stress. The teachers of primary schools think that Salary and Use of Technology are not so significant factors for job stress. Excessive job stress among primary school teachers leads to an unhealthy societal impact, diminished productivity, and low teacher morale. The negative effects extend beyond the workplace, affecting teachers' psychological and physical health. The study's findings are confined to the Jhenaidah district and may not be generalizable to other regions or contexts within Bangladesh. This research underscores the critical need to address job stress among primary school teachers to enhance educational outcomes and promote a healthier teaching environment, ultimately benefiting student engagement and achievement.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sukanto Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AWARENESS AND CHOICE OF INVESTMENT AVENUES: EVIDENCE FROM JHARKHAND
Informed decision-making and investment awareness can enable an individual to choose an appropriate avenue of investing. An understanding of the difference in terms of investment awareness between different demographic groups is important in the context of financial inclusion and making investments through formal financial channels. This research seeks to identify the gender differences in the awareness of investment avenues of people in Jharkhand. The research is quantitative in nature, being descriptive and comparative in approach. Data were collected from 276 respondents in the form of primary data using a five-point Likert scale-based questionnaire. The respondents were selected using convenience sampling method. It can be observed from the results that awareness about investments among males is comparatively higher as compared to that of females. Through the Independent Samples t-test, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of awareness level and therefore, the null hypothesis had to be rejected. It can thus be said that gender continues to remain an essential demographic factor when it comes to investment awareness. Based on the results of the study, it can be inferred that there is a need for effective financial education programs for both males and females to encourage investment in Jharkhand.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Sudhanshu Priyadarshi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DETERMINANTS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION: A PRISMA-BASED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOURAL INTENTIONS IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
Purpose: Despite the bold EV penetration targets set in India and in the state of Punjab, and significant fiscal and infrastructural incentives provided for the adoption of EVs, the actual uptake of EVs does not match the policies. This study aims to integrate the existing, disparate findings from the empirical literature on the determinants affecting consumer perceptions, attitudes, behavioural intentions and actual EV adoption, and identify a research agenda, particularly in the Indian and Punjab context. Design/Methodology/Approach: 1,229 records were retrieved after performing a structured search in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (2009–2025) and supplemented by using reference chaining, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol. Following the removal of duplicates, title/abstract screening and assessment of full text for eligibility, 20 studies were selected for thematic synthesis of their qualitative results. The study context, design, determinant–outcome associations reported in the study, and sample were identified and extracted, and evidence was synthesized with the five behavioural theories (TPB, TAM, DOI, VBN and the S–O–R framework). Findings: Charging infrastructure, perceived/upfront cost and environmental concern were the most commonly reported determinants while social influence, technological convenience, and range anxiety were reported next. Government incentives and policy were a recurring moderator of the intention–adoption relationship and were not a direct cause. The synthesis verifies a long-standing finding of intention–action gaps (positive attitudes and intentions do not always lead to actual purchase), and most evidence from India is based on convenience, small, urban samples, that lack the heterogeneity found across regions and demographics. Originality/Value: The review combines determinant-level evidence in an attitude–intention–adoption relationship moderated by policy and provides a unified conceptualization and prioritized policy research agenda for EV markets in emerging economies based on theory, longitudinal, and regionally representative approaches.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rupinder Kaur, Dr. Tavneet K Reen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COLLECTIVE ACTION AND EMPOWERMENT: EVALUATING FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS IN THE RICE BOWL OF CENTRAL INDIA
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have emerged as a pivotal institutional mechanism for agrarian transformation in India, enabling smallholder farmers to collectively access markets, credit, technology, and value-chain integration. Despite significant policy emphasis at the national level, empirical evidence on the functional status, perceived benefits, and structural challenges of FPOs in the tribal-agrarian landscape of Chhattisgarh remains sparse. This study investigates the status of FPOs in Chhattisgarh, identifies the opportunities available for member farmers, and delineates strategic interventions necessary for their empowerment. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was employed to survey 385 farmer-members across five purposively selected districts — Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bastar, and Surguja. Structured questionnaires incorporating five-point Likert-scale items were administered, and data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.26. Statistical tools included descriptive analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal component extraction, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post-hoc comparison, and multiple linear regression. Cronbach's alpha for composite scales ranged from 0.791 to 0.863, confirming adequate internal consistency. EFA yielded four latent constructs — Institutional Support, Market Linkage, Financial Inclusion, and Capacity Building — explaining 62.34% of cumulative variance. Regression analysis revealed that market linkage (β = 0.387, p < .001) and institutional support (β = 0.312, p < .001) were the strongest predictors of farmer empowerment. ANOVA indicated statistically significant income differentials across FPO membership tenure groups (F(3, 381) = 14.72, p < .001, η² = 0.104). Findings underscore systemic deficits in governance transparency, professional management, and last-mile digital infrastructure as barriers to optimal FPO performance. The study recommends a Chhattisgarh-specific FPO Acceleration Framework comprising cluster-based business planning, gender-inclusive governance mandates, digital market platform integration, and dedicated concessional financing windows.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Dipti Baghel, Dr. Archi Dubey (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NAVIGATING THE VIRTUAL CART: CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND COMMERCE IN THE METAVERSE
Purpose: The rapid evolution of spatial computing has initiated a paradigm shift from traditional, two-dimensional e-commerce to immersive, three-dimensional virtual commerce (v-commerce). This paper conceptualizes the foundational drivers, structural mechanics, and strategic implications of consumer behavior within the emerging metaverse marketplace. Methodology/Approach: Synthesizing Social Presence Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study provides a comprehensive conceptual framework analyzing how multi-sensory immersion, avatar-mediated identity expression, and decentralized economic frameworks alter consumer decision-making. Findings: The paper establishes that the metaverse fundamentally redefines digital consumer behavior by transforming standard transactions into identity-driven social expressions. It outlines how immersive experiential marketing stimuli (e.g., gamified storefronts, virtual try-ons) drive high emotional arousal and hedonic consumption patterns. Furthermore, the analysis maps the collapse of the traditional boundary between buyers and sellers via Play-to-Earn (P2E) and Create-to-Earn (C2E) models, re-contextualizing virtual consumers as active entrepreneurial producers within blockchain-secured economies. Research Implications: While presenting a robust conceptual blueprint for v-commerce engagement, the study highlights critical consumer inhibitors, including biometric data harvesting risks, infrastructural access barriers, and psychological virtual fatigue. Originality: This paper bridges the gap between conventional digital marketing theories and spatial mechanics. It provides actionable strategic imperatives for contemporary brands specifically detailing hybrid "phygital" retail systems, spatial analytics optimization, and community-centric governance via Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) to effectively future-proof enterprise models.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sanjana (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FROM CONCERN TO COMMITMENT: ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS OF GREEN PURCHASE INTENTION AMONG INDIAN CONSUMERS
Sustainable consumption has been brought from the periphery into the mainstream of public, commercial and academic debate as a result of increasing environmental degradation, but there has been a long-standing disconnect between consumer declared attitudes and actual consumption patterns. The theoretical and practical need to understand what converts convert into commitment is thus critical. The study examines the cognitive, attitudinal and economic factors influencing green purchase intention in one integrated framework by integrating the concepts of environmental studies and marketing and consumer psychology. The descriptive and analytical approach used in this research was cross-sectional type, where primary data was obtained by distributing a structured questionnaire with five scales Likert in the middle level, which used purposive-convenience sampling technique to the consumer number 312. Reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, hierarchical multiple regression and one-way ANOVA with post hoc comparisons were used to analyze the data. Attitude towards green products, perceived consumer effectiveness, environmental concern and willingness to pay a premium all had significant positive effects on green purchase intention, with attitude being the most important, and these four above variables accounted for 46% of the variance, in addition to the demographic baseline. The purchase intention for green products was also found to be significantly different according to monthly household income. The results suggest that intention is more influenced by positive product attitudes, beliefs about personal efficacy and the perceived ability to incur a cost than by abstract awareness, and highlight the potential for policy and/or marketing measures based on targeted messaging and credibility.
Copyright (c) 2026 Meenu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
VALUE PERCEPTION AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR IN FREEMIUM MOBILE GAMING: EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF ENJOYMENT, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VALUE ON CONTINUED USAGE AND PURCHASE INTENTIONS AMONG INDIAN YOUTH GAMERS
The proliferation of digital game applications has resulted in the transformation of the entertainment industry in terms of usage of the freemium business model. Unlike paid game models where consumers have to pay to use an application, in case of freemium models, gamers get access to games for free, and make payment within the game through in-app purchases, virtual goods, subscription, ads and premium functionalities. While allowing companies to gain wide customer base, the main problem with such a model is the difficulty in converting free users into paying customers. Therefore, it has become crucial to comprehend the factors that determine users' intentions for continued use and purchase of games. The proposed study aims at exploring the impact of the three aspects of perceived value on continued use intention and purchase intention in freemium gaming application among youth gamers in India. According to the consumer value theory and technology adoption perspective, it is believed that youth gamers' perceptions related to entertainment, social and economic values play a major role in shaping their behavior towards freemium gaming applications. A quantitative approach will be used in the research, and data collected from youth gamers will be analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results can have great significance for gaming companies and marketers in creating effective strategies for enhancing user engagement, fostering customer relationship, and making premium buys.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gourav Bareja, Shabnam Gulati (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
WOMEN-LED SELF-HELP GROUPS AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KARNATAKA: A COMPOSITE-INDEX AND SECONDARY-DATA ANALYSIS
Women-led self-help groups (SHGs) are widely used to advance financial inclusion and community development in rural India, but programme assessment still relies heavily on outreach, savings and credit indicators. This study introduces a transparent Women’s Empowerment and Rural Development Index (WERDI) for Karnataka that integrates five domains: economic agency, household decision-making, social mobility, digital-financial access and collective leadership. The index is developed from secondary evidence and explicitly identified analytical benchmark values rather than from a new household survey. Under equal domain weights, the baseline WERDI is 62.8. Household decision-making records the highest domain score, whereas collective leadership records the lowest. A coordinated scenario that improves digital access, market-linked economic agency and collective leadership raises WERDI to 68.0, a gain of 5.2 points (8.28%). Sensitivity analysis shows that the overall result remains within a narrow range under alternative policy weights, while a leadership-centred specification reveals the principal institutional constraint. The contribution of the study lies in an auditable index structure, reproducible equations and a policy-oriented decomposition of marginal gains. The framework shifts evaluation from counting groups and loans toward measuring control over income, enterprise continuity, digital capability, institutional voice and convergence with cooperatives and local governance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nagendra N (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY OF POOL MECHANISM FOR MITIGATING RISKS FOR SMES IN PANDEMIC SCENARIO
The pandemic COVID-19 was the worst catastrophic event which mankind had in last 100 years. It well started as health crisis, but the spread of the disease led to mass lockdown making it even an economic crisis of worst kind. The worst hit were the people from the informal and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Because of poor financial standing & dependence in industry & global supply chain, they experienced substantial setbacks in terms of business and revenue, leading to unemployment and financial hardship. The standard risk mitigation techniques such as insurance failed because of definition of scope but it also raised a valid question about the financing mechanism of such mega risk, even if a suitable product is designed for. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of having a pandemic pool to arrange finance for such coverage. The methodology used is basically qualitative in nature. A detailed literature review helped in understanding emerging risks in pandemic situation & the working of a "pool" mechanism. The research finding suggests that there is a theoretical potential however the practicality and effectiveness of implementing this concept in real-world scenarios remains a subject of concern and debate. It is evident that further evaluation, research, and exploration are necessary to address the lingering doubts and questions surrounding its feasibility in practical applications. This research provides a way out for insurance industry to think of getting a pandemic specific solution for SMEs seeking effective strategies to mitigate risks related with pandemic & pandemic kind situation. The research work contributes valuable insights into the feasibility and potential benefits of pool mechanisms, potentially aiding the resilience and survival of SMEs in an uncertain business environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Manoj K Pandey, Dr. Yogesh C. Joshi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE: CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Contemporary organizations operate in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven environment characterized by rapid digital transformation, global competition, workforce evolution, sustainability requirements, and rising stakeholder expectations. Traditional management approaches, primarily designed for stable business environments, often struggle to address emerging challenges related to organizational agility, innovation, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Consequently, achieving organizational excellence has become a strategic priority for organizations seeking to enhance performance, maintain competitive advantage, and create sustainable stakeholder value. This study investigates contemporary management practices and their contribution to organizational excellence by examining key dimensions including strategic leadership, digital transformation, agile management, knowledge management, employee engagement, innovation capability, organizational resilience, and sustainability. A comprehensive review of existing excellence frameworks and management models is conducted to identify current challenges and limitations in organizational performance management. Based on the identified research gaps, an Integrated Strategic Framework for Organizational Excellence is proposed, incorporating leadership excellence, technology integration, innovation and continuous improvement, human capital development, risk management, and sustainability-oriented governance. Furthermore, a quantitative Organizational Excellence Index (OEI) is developed to evaluate organizational performance through multiple dimensions using weighted assessment criteria. The proposed model integrates performance metrics, employee engagement indicators, innovation capability measures, sustainability performance indicators, and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques such as AHP and TOPSIS to support objective excellence assessment and organizational benchmarking. The framework enables organizations to improve strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, adaptability, and stakeholder satisfaction while fostering long-term sustainability and resilience. The findings highlight that organizations adopting integrated, technology-enabled, and human-centric management practices are better positioned to achieve superior performance, innovation leadership, sustainable growth, and organizational excellence in an increasingly complex and uncertain business environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Jetal J. Panchal, Dr. Abhijit Chandratreya, Pramendra Kumar Meena, Dr. Vaibhav Sharma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN MODERN ORGANIZATIONS PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, AND MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS
Ethical leadership has emerged as a critical organizational capability in response to increasing concerns regarding corporate governance, stakeholder trust, sustainability, and responsible decision-making in modern business environments. Rapid technological advancements, globalization, evolving workforce expectations, and growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices have created complex ethical challenges that traditional leadership approaches often fail to address comprehensively. Existing leadership models primarily focus on operational performance and compliance requirements while providing limited integration of ethical values, stakeholder engagement, governance mechanisms, and sustainability objectives. This study aims to examine the theoretical foundations, core principles, contemporary practices, managerial implications, and organizational impacts of ethical leadership while proposing a comprehensive Ethical Leadership Framework for Modern Organizations. The research adopts a qualitative and conceptual methodology based on an extensive review of recent literature, comparative analysis of existing leadership approaches, and synthesis of ethical leadership theories and organizational practices. The proposed framework integrates five interconnected dimensions: leadership values, ethical decision-making, stakeholder engagement, organizational culture and governance, and sustainability and social responsibility. A comparative evaluation was conducted using six organizational performance indicators, including employee engagement, stakeholder trust, governance effectiveness, ethical compliance, sustainability alignment, and organizational reputation. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms traditional leadership and compliance-based leadership approaches, achieving scores of 90% in employee engagement, 92% in stakeholder trust, 91% in governance effectiveness, 95% in ethical compliance, 89% in sustainability alignment, and 93% in organizational reputation. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating ethical values with governance, stakeholder management, and sustainability practices. The study concludes that ethical leadership serves as a strategic driver of organizational excellence, resilience, responsible innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage in contemporary organizations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Arpit Sharma, Dr. Vaibhav Sharma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BEYOND GREEN CLAIMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF GREEN MARKETING STRATEGIES AND CONSUMER PURCHASE BEHAVIOUR IN THE FMCG SECTOR
The global push towards environmental sustainability has led FMCG companies to leverage green marketing strategies in an attempt to promote environmentally friendly products and influence consumers' purchase behavior. However, rising concerns surrounding green claims’ credibility and an increase in greenwashing practices have presented obstacles for organizations looking to win consumer trust. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a systematic literature review of existing research on green marketing strategies and consumer purchase behavior within the FMCG industry. By utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method for study selection, this review gathered literature from Scopus and Google Scholar databases ranging from 2015 to 2025. In total, 50 studies were chosen based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent thematic analysis. Six themes were generated: green marketing strategies, sustainable packaging, eco-labels and certifications, green trust and brand credibility, greenwashing and consumer skepticism, and consumer purchase behavior. Results show that sustainable packaging, eco-labels, and environmental certifications help facilitate consumer purchase intentions by legitimizing green marketing claims. Green trust was identified as a mediating factor between green marketing and consumer behavior, while greenwashing and consumer skepticism act as barriers to sustainability-based marketing. Lastly, the theme of consumer purchase behavior showed that there is still an attitude–behavior gap between consumers and their actual consumption due to factors such as price, convenience, and value. This review allows researchers to further their understanding of green marketing by providing integration on the factors that affect consumer purchase behavior. Additionally, it can help other researchers and practitioners identify ways to properly execute credible sustainability-based marketing strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Diksha Lalwani, Dr. Harish Sudhir Kulkarni (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY, INTRINSIC MOTIVATION, AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore the interrelationship between workplace spirituality (WPS), intrinsic motivation (IM) and employee engagement (EE) in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. In order to propose a mediation model between the constructs of the paper, the paper incorporates the three theories of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, and the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model. In high-pressure, compliance-driven environments like the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, meaning-centred, purpose-driven work cultures could have a significant impact. Drawing on the existing theoretical and empirical literature, the paper concludes that the spiritually enriched environment (SWE), as a construct, is defined by the presence of meaningful work, sense of community, personal and organizational values, and compassionate ethical practices; and that these factors are linked to the development of intrinsic motivation which consequently leads to increased levels of engagement. Five testable hypotheses and a conceptual framework are proposed to help in the future empirical research in this field.
Copyright (c) 2026 Narinder Kaur (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CONSUMER RESPONSES TO SHRINKFLATION IN THE FMCG SECTOR: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Purpose: Shrinkflation, defined as the stealth reduction in product volume at a constant or increased price, has become a common price adjustment strategy for companies to combat inflation in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market, but the evidence of its impact on consumers is scattered by methods, contexts and constructs. This study provides a systematic review of the empirical and conceptual works on the consumer responses to shrinkflation and package downsizing, putting special emphasis on perceived value, ethics, brand trust and brand switching. Design/methodology/approach: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines were chosen to conduct a systematic review. Peer-reviewed and reputable studies were selected based on the use of major databases, followed by screening of studies based on pre-defined eligibility criteria and then the results were synthesized narratively and thematically. A total of 23 studies were found from 2004 to 2025 that met the inclusion criteria and were charted on context, method, focal constructs and findings. Findings: The synthesis resulted in six themes: awareness and detection of shrinkflation, perceived value and price (un)fairness, ethical assessment of shrinkflating, loss of brand trust, consequences of brand loyalty and brand switching, and transparency and communication as a remedy. Even though some of the studies focus on some of these other areas, the findings regarding covert downsizing are consistently reported as unfair and deceptive, a decrease in perceived value, a decrease in trust, an increase in switching intention, and how disclosed downsizing and transparency can counteract these effects. Cross-sectional surveys are used extensively in the literature and there is limited use of trust as a mediation mechanism and detection capability as a construct. Originality/value: The review brings together a disjointed space, uses an experience map of the methods and gaps, and recommends an agenda that is integrative and focuses on brand trust as the primary driver that relates shrinkflation perception to switching behaviour for emerging markets like India.
Copyright (c) 2026 Monika Bansal, Dr. Nameeta Garg (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE EMOTIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF FASHION: A LITERATURE REVIEW OF NEUROMARKETING AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
Fashion consumption is no longer only motivated by functional needs but is also influenced by feelings, identity, aspirations and unconscious psychological reactions. In the new millennium, neuromarketing is becoming a significant area of research that enables marketers to gain insights about how consumers emotionally and cognitively react to fashion-based stimuli. This review systematically analyses the emerging research on neuromarketing and the psychology of fashion consumption in the areas of emotional decision making, impulse buying behavior, symbolic consumption, consumer identity and subconscious behavioural influence in the fashion retail environment. The research derives from systematic literature review of the extant literature from academic databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Peer reviewed articles relevant to the topic, review papers and conceptual works published within the last 20 years were thematically analysed. The review also outlines key psychological factors affecting fashion consumerism and discusses the way in which neuromarketing tools (eye-tracking, EEG, Facial Coding and Biometric Analysis) have been utilized to investigate consumers’ reactions in the fashion industry. The results indicate that the consumption of fashion is driven more by emotional and hedonistic motives than by cognitive ones. Neuromarketing research indicates that self-expression, social identity, aspirational appeal, emotional branding, and subconscious sensory stimulation play a pivotal role in shaping consumers attitudes and purchasing decisions. The review also draws attention to ever-increasing ethical concerns with the psychological manipulation of consumers, consumer privacy and the growing use of subconscious persuasion techniques in the marketing of fashion. The study advances the body of knowledge by combining consumer psychology, fashion marketing, and neuromarketing perspectives into one review framework. Furthermore, the paper highlights significant gaps in the literature and provides direction for future research in the areas of consumer behaviour, emotional consumption and neuromarketing applications within fashion retail.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kiran Panjwani, Dr. Harish Sudhir Kulkarni (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF CSR INITIATIVES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERCEPTION: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING APPROACH ACROSS INDIAN SMES AND MNCS
This study investigates how stakeholder perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) quality—encompassing dimensions of transparency, community impact, and environmental focus—influence sustainable development outcomes in the Indian corporate landscape, and how these relationships differ between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Multinational Corporations (MNCs). Drawing on stakeholder theory, signaling theory, and the legitimacy framework, this research proposes and tests a comprehensive structural model in which stakeholder trust mediates the relationship between perceived CSR quality and sustainability outcome perception. A stratified random sample of 524 respondents—comprising employees, investors, and community members—was surveyed across four Indian states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and West Bengal) using a validated 38-item Likert-scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the measurement model and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the structural relationships. Multi-group analysis was employed to examine whether the proposed model differs significantly across SME and MNC contexts. Results confirm that CSR quality perception significantly and positively influences both stakeholder trust (β = 0.67, p < 0.001) and sustainability outcome perception (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), with stakeholder trust serving as a significant partial mediator (indirect effect = 0.31, 95% CI [0.22, 0.41]). Multi-group analysis reveals significant structural differences between SME and MNC respondents, with trust playing a stronger mediating role in SME contexts. Environmental focus emerges as the most influential dimension of CSR quality perception in MNCs, while community impact dominates in SME contexts. The paper concludes with managerial implications for enhancing CSR communication strategies and policy recommendations for differentiating CSR frameworks by firm size.
Copyright (c) 2024 Surilee Saraf Jain, Dr. Ruchi Maheshwari Bangur (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AMONG NEPALESE YOUTHS: INFLUENCE OF TRAINING, FINANCE, AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
The factors influencing the sustainable youth entrepreneurship development in Nepal in growing unemployment, underemployment and labour migration have been explored in the paper. Youth entrepreneurship is identified as one of the important strategies for job creation, innovation, poverty reduction and overall sustainable development among the youth population of Nepal. The objective of the paper was to examine the influence of entrepreneurship training, access to finance, business development services and their relationship on youth entrepreneurship development sustainably. The quantitative research approach followed by descriptive and analytical research designs were employed in the study. The primary data of the study were collected from 300 youth entrepreneurs of Bagmati Province of Nepal using structured questionnaire and convenience sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and analytical interpretation methods. The study revealed that entrepreneurship training had a significant impact in enhancing entrepreneurial knowledge, managerial skills and business sustainability among the youth entrepreneurs. Similarly, access to finance had remained one of the major hindering barriers for entrepreneurial growth because of poor collateral availability, loan procedure complexity. On the other hand, business development services like mentorship, consultancy, marketing support and advisory services had been able to contribute to the entrepreneurs' sustainability and improve business outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Youbaraj Poudel (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS OF UNDER GRADUATION STUDENTS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENT FIRST GRADE COLLEGES OF KARNATAKA
Gender has emerged as an important dimension in entrepreneurship research influencing access to opportunities, resources and skill development. But, the level of women participation in entrepreneurship in India remains comparatively low as reflected by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report (2022) NITI Aayog Report(2023). The study, in this backdrop intends to examine whether entrepreneurial skills differ significantly based on gender among under graduation students, focusing on risk-taking ability, leadership skills, creativity and innovation. Primary data have been collected using a structured questionnaire with 14 Likert-scale items from final-year BA, BCom and BSc students in selected Government First Grade Colleges across Tumakuru, Davanagere and Chikkaballapura districts for a sample size of 140. The study employed an independent samples Welch’s t-test to analyse gender differences, while Hedges’ g was used to measure effect sizes and Holm’s correction was applied to adjust p-values for more robust statistical inference. The study findings reveal significant gender differences across all three mentioned dimensions, with large effect sizes indicating a substantial gap in entrepreneurial competencies. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to enhance women’s entrepreneurial skills and promote balanced as well as inclusive entrepreneurial development among female students in particular.
Copyright (c) 2026 Girisha K. R, Sarala K. S (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AI-POWERED FINANCIAL PLANNING TOOLS AND RETIREMENT READINESS AMONG IT SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN INDIA:A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING APPROACH
The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in personal finance has created new avenues for improving retirement readiness among India's growing IT workforce. This cross-sectional empirical study investigates the influence of AI-powered financial planning tools — including robo-advisors, AI-based budgeting assistants, and algorithm-driven investment platforms — on the retirement readiness of IT sector employees in India. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Financial Capability Framework, this study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on data collected from 412 IT professionals across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai during the calendar year 2024. The results reveal that perceived usefulness of AI financial tools (β = 0.421, p < .001) significantly mediates the relationship between digital financial literacy and retirement readiness. Trust in AI recommendations (β = 0.318, p < .01) emerges as a significant moderator. The model explains 64.3% of the variance in retirement readiness (R² = 0.643). The study contributes original empirical evidence on the role of AI-driven financial awareness in shaping long-term financial security among India's IT sector workforce and offers practical implications for employers, financial institutions, and policymakers.
Copyright (c) 2024 Khushboo Shah, Dr. Arpan Parashar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON MARKETING STRATEGIES IN FAST-PACED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important factor in shaping the marketing strategies of businesses operating in competitive and rapidly changing environments. This paper examines how AI influences marketing strategy effectiveness by focusing on five key dimensions: data-driven decision-making, personalization, customer engagement, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. We used a quantitative research approach, as part of a broader mixed-methods doctoral study, and collected primary data from 410 marketing professionals through a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to assess the strength and significance of relationships between AI factors and marketing strategy effectiveness. The results show that AI has a strong positive effect on marketing outcomes (R² = 0.551, F = 31.89, p < 0.001). Data-driven strategy and personalization emerged as the strongest predictors, followed by competitive advantage and customer retention. The findings confirm that AI not only improves operational efficiency but also acts as a strategic tool that helps organizations improve their agility, responsiveness, and value creation in dynamic markets. This study contributes to the growing literature on AI in marketing and offers practical guidance for organizations looking to use AI for competitive advantage in changing markets.
Copyright (c) 2026 Akshay Goel, Dr. Anil Kanwa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ROLE OF ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCIES IN SHAPING REVENUE DYNAMICS OF BUDGET HOTELS: A REVIEW PAPER
OTAs (online travel agents) are the dominant intermediaries of hotels‚ particularly for chain-affiliated budget hotels which require strong online presence‚ rapid conversion for booking‚ and a competitive price․ The OTA economy is complex․ On the positive side‚ OTAs create a market‚ making more hotels discoverable and increasing their occupancy rates․ On the negative side‚ OTAs create commission costs to hotels and drive price competition‚ reducing the hotelier's ability to drive customers to book direct․ This review paper uses findings from the literature and industry to examine the role of OTAs in budget hotel revenue management․ It discusses the concepts of hotel revenue management‚ OTA intermediation‚ channel conflict‚ consumer booking behavior‚ as well as OTA pricing pressure and profitability in the context of the budget hotel sector․ The review concluded that OTAs are effective at driving customer acquisition for hotels with little brand presence and poor marketing capabilities․ However‚ the review found that overreliance on the OTAs can lead to hotel net revenue declines due to commission leakage‚ discounting pressure‚ and a lack of direct customer relationships․ From this the paper concludes that distribution should not be seen in isolation from the overall revenue management strategy of budget hotels․ It suggests that budget hotels should adopt a balanced channel strategy in which OTAs are used to ease market access and demand stimulation‚ but which is supported by direct booking‚ online review management and guest retention to deliver long term profitability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Surbhi, Pankaj (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A STUDY ON TIME MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS AMONG STUDENTS
The objective of the present study is to analyze the relationship between time management and academic success among students. In this research, data was collected through a questionnaire-based survey utilizing a quantitative research methodology. The study assessed various dimensions of time management—such as time planning, prioritization, effective time utilization, and procrastination—and correlated them with the students' academic performance. Statistical analysis involved the application of descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression techniques. The results clearly indicated the existence of a positive and significant relationship between time management and academic success. Students who demonstrated superior time management skills also exhibited a relatively higher level of academic performance. Furthermore, time management was identified as a significant predictor of academic success. The study also suggests that effective time management not only enhances academic achievement but also reinforces self-discipline, goal-oriented behavior, and stress management among students. Therefore, it is essential for educational institutions to organize training programs and workshops aimed at developing time management skills among students. This study offers valuable guidance for education policymakers, educators, and students.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rajendra Kumar Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0