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Purpose: The study analyzes the relationship between homeownership and financial investment of households in the context of emerging markets like India. It also examines how homeownership affects the portfolio decisions of Indian households. Design/methodology/approach: Using the nationally representative All-India Debt and Investment Survey of 2019 and employing an instrumental variable approach, the authors analyze the relationship between homeownership and the share of financial assets held by Indian households. The study also employs several sensitivity checks, including alternate estimation techniques and alternative definitions of the housing variables, and accounts for additional factors to ensure that the authors are able to capture the effect of homeownership on the outcome variable. Findings: The analysis suggests homeownership crowds out financial investment in India due to high repair and maintenance costs. The negative effect is mainly observed in urban households. Further, the findings imply that homeownership leads households to reallocate their asset portfolio. Homeowners have a lower share in liquid short term deposits, indicating the high liquidity risk of their portfolios. On the other hand, homeownership increases the share of long term retirement funds along with no effect on risky asset share. The authors observe that the crowding out effect is more striking for younger households and poorer households with low income, and the effect is lower for indebted households. Practical implications: The findings underscore the need for financial awareness programs so that housing does not crowd out liquid investments of households. Additionally, the results highlight that policies should first focus on young and poor households as the negative effect is more prominent for these groups. Finally, there is scope for policies to support repair and maintenance costs incurred by vulnerable households to reduce the negative effect of housing on liquid financial investments. Originality/value: This paper is among the few studies that provide insights into how homeownership relates to financial investment and portfolio decisions in the context of an emerging economy. Furthermore, the heterogeneous effects based on poor economic status and age underscore the need for complementary policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of the paper is to examine the asymmetric Cointegration and asymmetric causality between financial development and poverty alleviation on annual data in Indian context over the period from 1980 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach: First nonlinearity test by Brooks et al. (1999) is applied to ascertain the nonlinear behavior of the variables used. Once the nonlinear behavior of variables is confirmed, asymmetric and nonlinear unit root tests by Kapetanios and Shin (2008) are applied to check for the order of integration of selected variables. Next, nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL) is employed to analyze the asymmetric Cointegration. Finally, Hatemi-j- asymmetric causality tests is applied to work out the direction of asymmetric causality. Findings: The empirical findings document the existence of asymmetries in the short-run as well as long-run between poverty and financial development. The asymmetry reveals that negative financial development shocks leave a more profound impact on poverty alleviation than their positive equivalents. The findings of Wald's test also confirm the presence of asymmetric Cointegration. The asymmetric cumulative dynamic multipliers used to examine the behavior of asymmetries and adjustments with respect to time lend credence to the results calculated using NARDL estimator. This result exhibits the robustness of the model. Furthermore, the result emanating from recently introduced asymmetric causality test reveals a unidirectional asymmetric causality between negative shocks in financial development and poverty. The findings of the present study necessitate the need for investigating asymmetric and nonlinear effects in finance–poverty nexus, which existent literature has completely neglected, in order to have relevant policy conclusions. Research limitations/implications: The study used "Per capita consumption expenditure" as a measure for poverty due to lack of continuous time series data on headcount ratio. In future, researchers can extend this study by incorporating headcount ratio as a measure of poverty in their respective works. There is further scope of research on this issue by finding out the impact of formal and informal sources of credit on poverty separately. A panel data study for developing countries over a period of time could further confirm/negate the findings of the present study. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge none of the studies in Indian context has scrutinized asymmetric and nonlinear impact of financial development on poverty. To dredge up asymmetric structures at work, the authors have used the highly celebrated NARDL estimator. To enrich the existent body of knowledge along the lines of asymmetric (nonlinear) linkages, the authors have also used recently introduced asymmetric causality test by Hatemi-j-(2012) to find out the direction asymmetric causality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Given the dominant share of India in global production of fruits and vegetables, this paper intends to analyze the export competitiveness of India and other major food exporters in the world trade. The purpose of this study is to examine export structure, substitutability and complementarity of selected fresh and processed fruits and vegetables of top ten food exporters for the period 2010-20. Design/methodology/approach: Balassa's (1965) revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index was used to measure RCA indices of selected fruits and vegetables under study. Also, revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) and normalized RCA (NRCA) indices have been calculated. Further, Spearman rank correlation coefficients were computed to analyze changes over the study period for India and other competing countries. The export data have been sourced from UN Comtrade, an electronic database of United Nations, as well as World Trade Statistical Review, a database of World Trade Organization. The analysis was undertaken at Harmonized System (HS) four-digit classification for the period 2010-20. Findings: The results disclosed an improvement in India's comparative advantage over the period of 2010-20 in HS 07 product category, whereas the advantage ceded to other competitive nations in HS 08 product category. Further, Spearman rank correlation coefficients revealed that India faces competition from countries like China, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, Argentina and European Union for HS 07 product category, while countries like Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil and Thailandare the major competitors of India in HS 08 product category. Originality/value: The paper expands the existing agricultural trade literature in three ways. First, it is one of the very few studies that have analyzed RCA for Indian fresh and processed fruits and vegetables using three different types of indices, namely, Balassa's RCA, RSCA and NRCA. Second, the authors provide a number of comparisons related to RCA for Indian fruits and vegetables with other top food exporters in the world for a period of 10 years (2010-20). Third, the authors contribute to agricultural trade literature by assessing the substitutability or complementarity of India in the export of fruits and vegetables with other competing nations by using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the impact of remittance inflows on sustained economic growth in India. Design/methodology/approach: This study has taken a time series dataset for the period of 1976–2021, and a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model technique (NARDL) has been applied to check the impact of remittance inflows along with other control variables, including broad money and service sector performance, on the sustained economic growth of India. Findings: The results of the study indicated that in both the short and long runs, any positive shock in remittance inflows has a positive impact on the economic growth of India, while negative shocks do not affect economic growth. Practical implications: The economic policymakers of India can use the findings of the study by implementing remittance-friendly policies. Moreover, NITI Aayog, the body working toward achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in India, can also use this study as a reference while making strategies to achieve SDG. Originality/value: Economic growth has always been an area of interest among economists, researchers and policymakers. However, achieving sustained economic growth requires an analysis of those factors that themselves have sustained performance over a long period of time and have the potential to sustain it over the upcoming years. This study has taken remittance inflows as one such factor and investigated its impact on the sustained economic growth of India. At present, there is an evident gap in the literature that very little attention has been given to sustained Indian economic growth. Moreover, there is no study available in which the nonlinear impact of different variables has been tested on the economic growth of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to establish and empirically investigate a research model examining the effect of four dimensions of the technology readiness index – optimism, innovativeness, discomfort and insecurity – on customer engagement that further influences purchase intention in the context of online shopping through artificial intelligence voice assistants (AI VAs). Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected in India from 429 customers in a self-administered online survey. Data analysis uses the structural equation modelling technique. Findings: Technology readiness dimensions, e.g. optimism, innovativeness, discomfort and insecurity, are critical factors driving customer engagement. Customer engagement further results in purchase intention in online shopping through AI VAs. Research limitations/implications: This study adds to the literature by understanding how customers' technology readiness levels drive engagement and purchase intention. However, this study includes customer engagement as a unidimensional construct. Further research can consist of customer engagement as a multidimensional construct. Practical implications: The findings offer guidelines for e-retailers to enhance customer engagement that matches their personality traits, thereby strengthening their purchase intention through AI VAs. Originality/value: The research contributes to the literature by empirically investigating a research model, revealing optimism, innovativeness, discomfort and insecurity as crucial parameters for customer engagement and purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article attempts to highlight the defining role that community media engagements play during times of the pandemic. It is argued that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic forced community news media houses to reinvent their news reporting practices to cover issues pertaining to the marginalized and underprivileged sections of the society. It explores the role of community media in engaging and empowering the citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Central to our study is the analysis of the news model of "Video Volunteers" (henceforth VV), an independent community-based online news platform based in India. To understand the level of citizen participation and engagement in the making and dissemination of news during the pandemic, the authors conducted 13 interviews with different stakeholders of VV, including founders and news audiences. Findings: It seeks to reveal that when the mainstream media have failed to represent the issues of a local community, it is the independent media platforms like VV which function as a veritable source of information and sharing of knowledge. Most importantly, this paper emphasizes that the communicative model of independent community-based online platforms has been most successful in the coverage of the pandemic and the level of engagement with the citizenry. Originality/value: The study contributes to the aspects of reciprocity and collaborative journalism in community news media and its potential impacts on news creation and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Indian government initiated several skill development policies and different types of vocational education and training (VET). Yet the participation in skill education is low because of poor labour market outcomes. This paper aims to calculate returns to skill education to understand the type of training that will have better labour market outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper nationally representative data from the periodic labour force survey (PLFS), collected by the national sample survey office for 2017–2018, are used to estimate the returns to formal and non-formal VET obtained (after different levels of general education) with the help of Heckman's two-stage method. Findings: Nearly 8% of the working-age population has received some form of VET (mostly non-formal), generating poor returns. For the overall population, formal on-job training (OJT) and full-time VET influence wage positively and significantly. Full-time VET obtained after secondary and below levels of education generates positive returns, whereas part-time VET is profitable only to those without formal education. At the graduate level, technical education obtained along with VET is associated with better wages. Originality/value: In India where a considerable proportion of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, different types of skill training like full-time, part-time and OJT influence labour market outcomes. This finding has policy implication for countries with large informal sector and calls for further research in such countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prisoners are at a higher risk of HIV infection compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among inmates of the Central Prisons in four states of North India. Design/methodology/approach: The HIV sentinel surveillance was conducted in seven Central Prisons in four states of North India from February to April 2019. Four hundred inmates were included from each prison. The interviews were conducted at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre located within the prison premises. The Ethics Committee of the National AIDS Control Organization, New Delhi, granted ethical approval before the start of the surveillance. Findings: Overall, 2,721 inmates were enrolled in this study. The mean (SD) age was 38.9 (13.9) years. One-third of prison inmates had comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The proportion of convict (54%) and undertrial (46%) inmates was almost equal. The overall prevalence of HIV infection among inmates was 0.96% (95% CI 0.65–1.40). The odds of being HIV positive were significantly higher in never married inmates, undertrials, inmates who were in the prison for more than three months to one year, inmates incarcerated for multiple times, inmates with history of injecting drug use and inmates with history of intercourse with a commercial sex worker. Originality/value: The findings from the very first HIV sentinel surveillance in central prisons in North India have been presented in this paper. This has huge implications for future policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to find out the digital services of management libraries provided during the library closure and the challenges and initiatives the libraries have taken up to fulfill the need of their user community during the pandemic crisis. Design/methodology/approach: To meet the purpose of the study, the investigators have used a survey method. An online questionnaire was devised and administered among the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) librarians using Microsoft Forms. Findings: The study's findings suggested that all the libraries under investigation must avail of various digital library services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Further, the investigators recommend that libraries formulate a disaster preparedness and management plan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic so that libraries can prepare themselves for the future. Originality/value: The pandemic has affected every aspect of life and changed the digital library services scenario. Thus, it is essential to examine the role libraries have played during the COVID-19 pandemic and distinguish the challenges and initiatives libraries have taken to tackle the problems they faced. This study has been conducted on the digital library services that were provided by the libraries of IIMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global phenomenon. IPV is a public health, social policy and human rights concern across the globe. It remains a serious issue in Indian context as well. This paper aims to identify the factors associated with IPV using India's nationally representative National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data. Design/methodology/approach: To identify the factors associated with IPV in India, the authors have used binary logistic regression to estimate two models. The outcome variables are women facing physical violence in the first model and sexual violence in the second. The explanatory variables are broadly socio-economic indicators related to the women and a few other indicators related to the characteristics of the household. Findings: The authors found that urban and working women face higher odds of violence. Alcohol consumption by the husband increases the risks of IPV, whereas risk decreases with women's autonomy. Even though the prevalence of physical and sexual violence has decreased by 6.8% and 3.9% from 2005–2006 to 2019–2021, the data shows that women across social, economic and regions still face violence from their partners. However, the physical violence increased from 2015–2016 to 2019–2021. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is a distinct attempt to use pooled data of the nationally representative sets NFHS-3 (2005–2006), NFHS-4 (2015–2016) and NFHS-5 (2019–2021) to study the factors associated with IPV in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the association between productivity growth and job reallocation in terms of job creation and job destruction. It also finds this productivity employment relationship for heterogeneous labor market institutions of the Indian states. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses longitudinal data of the Annual Survey of Industries of Indian manufacturing from 2009–2010 to 2015–2016 and employs fixed-effect multinomial logistic regression. Findings: The paper finds a mixed result of total factor productivity (TFP) increase on employment. An increase in TFP is positively associated with employment by reducing the probability of destroying jobs, while adversely associated with employment by reducing the probability of creating jobs. The negative association of the increase in TFP on employment is more in the Indian states with strict labor regulations. Research limitations/implications: The relationship between TFP and employment can be endogenous. TFP is calculated as output changes that are not explained by inputs, capital and labor. So, job creation/destruction may affect TFP by changing the composition of employment and/or returns on labor/capital. In addition, this study is only restricted to Indian organized manufacturing. Practical implications: The results from this study help deeply understand the Indian labor market. In particular, it provides valuable insights into the "jobless growth" in Indian manufacturing and the recent changes in labor laws. Social implications: The findings from this study provide useful information to enhance the robust growth of productive jobs and efficient reallocation of labor. Originality/value: Unlike most papers, which analyzed the relationship between productivity growth and net employment changes, the present paper finds the relationship between improvement in productivity and job reallocation in terms of simultaneous creation of new jobs and destruction of existing jobs. In addition, the paper links this relationship with the existing heterogeneous labor laws of the Indian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the dark side of instant messaging from the technological and societal perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: With the help of literature review and different theories, a model has been developed conceptually. Later the model has been validated using statistical method. The authors have used 304 responses from the survey method, and this sample has been used to statistically validate the conceptual model. Findings: This paper has been able to explicitly investigate and identify how different instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat in the form of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) are contributing toward increase of mob lynching cases. The paper also highlights the important to have effective and enforceable regulation to regulate instant messaging services to the citizens. Research limitations/implications: The findings cannot be generalized as the data is collected from India only. Moreover, the study is cross-sectional in nature. To get the comprehensive results, a longitudinal study needs to be conducted. This study considered seven constructs with one moderator. Having more predictors with other boundary conditions might have increased the explanative power of the model. Practical implications: Instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat and so on are disseminating quick unverified information to the common people. This information sometimes is disseminated in inappropriate and exaggerated forms. This makes the instant messaging (WhatsApp) users' sentiment readily heated in some cases. They take such an action as mob lynching. This study determines the predictors of mob lynching along with the moderator impact of instant messaging in the society. Originality/value: There are only a few studies those have explored the dark side of instant messaging. The proposed theoretical model is a unique model, which shows the predictors of mob lynching along with the negative consequences of the instant messaging (WhatsApp) in the society. From this perspective, this study can be considered as a unique study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of board gender diversity (BGD) on the firm's intellectual capital (IC) performance of 272 Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange during 2007–2019. Considering the recent regulatory amendment by the Indian regulatory system (Security Exchange Board of India, 2018) which mandates at least one female independent directors on boards of all listed companies. Design/methodology/approach: Based on theories and literature reviews, hypotheses were developed. This paper uses the proportion of female director on board and proportion of female independent directors to measure BGD and modified value-added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) methodology to measure firms' IC performance. Two-step system-generalised method of moment panel data regression analysis has been employed to identify the variables that significantly affect IC performance. Findings: This paper finds female representation on boards has a significant impact on MVAIC; capital employed efficiency shows the strongest association with female directors on board, followed by structural capital efficiency and human capital efficiency, while relational capital efficiency shows no significant effect. The results further demonstrate that female independent director has a significant but negative impact on IC. Research limitations/implications: As the study is limited to the listed firms of an emerging economy with a mandatory female quota for boards. Thus to increase the generalizability of findings, future research can be extended to include all listed and non-listed firms from another emerging economy with a mandatory female quota. Practical implications: From the practical perspective, this study bridges the gap between theory and practice in terms of providing a deeper understanding to the policymakers and Indian regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Securities Exchange Board on the importance of including female members on board as a vital contributing factor for leveraging firm's intangible performance. Originality/value: Using resource dependency theory and agency, this study extends the literature on IC efficiency and female representation on boards by presenting the research outcome for Indian listed firms. This paper, addressing the recent changes introduced by Indian regulators and using the female independent directors on board, is amongst the first attempts to assess the relevance of BGD and IC performance. This issue has still not been discussed and analysed by researchers in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the effect of parent–adolescent conflict in step versus biological families on family communication patterns (FCPs) and the conflict resolution strategy adopted by adolescents during family destinations or holiday planning (where to visit?). Design/methodology/approach: The literature on family conflict (i.e. parent–adolescent conflict) and the different types of families (step vs nuclear) supported the proposed framework. The survey was conducted in the Indian subcontinent with a sample size of 437 adolescents. SPSS 22.0 was used for factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis) and structural equation modelling was used through AMOS 26.0 for data analysis. Findings: Significant relationship was observed between the types of families (step and biological), FCP and the resolution strategy chosen by Indian adolescents. Adopting a resolution strategy by adolescents in both families depends on the type of FCP in the family. Adolescents in stepfamilies have socio-oriented FCP and use "positive problem-solving" and "conflict withdrawal" as a resolution strategy. In contrast, adolescents in biological families have concept-oriented families and use "conflict enhancement" as a resolution strategy. It has also been found that adolescents who fall into high-stress categories used conflict enhancement strategies. In contrast, those who fall under low-stress categories used positive problem-solving and withdrawal strategies. Practical implications: This study will add a new chapter to adolescents' decision-making literature in line with the previous research. It has practical implications for tourism marketers, academicians/researchers and policymakers. Marketers can segment adolescents into step versus biological families, and the choice of resolution strategies may introduce efficient and competent marketing strategies and promotional campaigns. Originality/value: This study favours that family type is a robust construct to predict adolescents' choice of resolution strategy. So, it is one of the most influential variables in adolescents' resolution strategy adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper is joint reflection on the role of research assistants (RAs) in fieldwork for disaster risk research, particularly at the doctoral level. The paper has been co-authored by Gurung, who worked as a RA with the other author McGowran during his doctoral field research in Kalimpong from May 2019 to January 2020. The piece allows Gurung to voice his ideas on the research in a published research output and allows both authors to reflect on how the collaborative approach taken helped to make the research more responsive to, and reflective of, the problems people affected by landslides in Kalimpong face. The paper aims to highlight the benefits of working with RAs on landslide prevention and management in areas that may be unfamiliar and to provide a space for the RAs to voice their opinion on the research. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is split into sections written by and in the voice of the authors. This reflects a compromise between wanting Gurung's voice to be clearly heard in the piece and the challenges of non-academically trained RAs contributing to academic outputs that require specific training. Brief outlines of Kalimpong district disaster research in the region are set out by McGowran initially. Gurung then outlines how he became involved in the research and how this affected the research methodology. He reflects on how the research played out and presents some brief reflections on the findings. McGowran then concludes the piece. Findings: The authors discuss how landslides in Kalimpong are related to locally specific political, economic, cultural and physical processes. It is only through discussing these processes with the people who live with and are affected by these landslides that this more holistic understanding can be gained, even though complete explanations are never usually found. Ideas for further research into landslides in Kalimpong and elsewhere are presented, centering on the involvement of people affected by disasters in this research. Originality/value: The authors hope the publication of the paper might set more of a precedent for the voice of RAs – and those who are affected by disasters – to be more clearly heard in disaster risk research and practice in future. More of this type of research could help to address some of the issues this special issue raises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to document the participation of intra-household decision-making activities by older adults in India. Design/methodology/approach: This study has used a nationally representative sample of 21,662 older adults (aged 60 and above) from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India data of 2017–2018. Intra-household decision-making participation is measured based on decision-making activities that includes marriage of daughter/son, buying and selling of property, giving a gift to the family, education of family member and arrangement of social/religious events. This paper used bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression model to examine the factors associated with the participation of older adults in the intra-household decision-making activities. Findings: The result has shown that older persons' participation declined with increased age. This study has also found a difference in the participation of intra-households decision-making activities between male and female, rural and urban older adults, poor and rich older adults. Older adults with good health status who maintain social engagement and a good lifestyle are more likely to participate in the household's decision-making activities. Practical implications: Older adults with better economic and social status are more likely to participate in intra-household decision-making activities that make their life happier than the counterpart. Therefore, emphasis should be given to those vulnerable older adults who do not have any social and economic security in the society. Originality/value: There are limited studies available on intra-household decision-making participation by older adults. This paper documents the intra-household decision-making participation by older adults in India with a nationally representative large sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the extent of grey literature (GL) cited in PhD theses submitted to two state universities of Haryana, India, during 2011-2018. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is the result of citations analysis of 14,547 citations appended in 126 PhD theses of Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra and Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India. The primary data was collected by downloading title pages and bibliographies of the theses from "Shodhganga", Indian National Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Repository. Findings: A total of 14,547 citations from 43 different forms of literature were cited by the researchers of all the departments in their PhD theses. Out of which, 4,606 citations (31.7%) were from 40 different forms of GL. Books/book chapters were the most preferred form of literature with 4,818 citations (33.12%), followed by 4,623 citations (31.77%) of journal articles and 1,344 citations (9.23%) of reports. The reports were the most preferred form of GL among the researchers in every field, followed by government publications, working papers and websites. Remaining forms of GL citations were less than 10%. Originality/value: During the study, enormous literature was available on citation analysis of PhD theses submitted in different subjects to various universities. Most of the studies on citation analysis were conducted to ascertain the authorship patterns, ranking of the journals by citations frequency and forms of the literature cited by researchers, etc. These studies did not highlight the use and importance of GL in research and academic activities. This paper is original, as it studies GL cited in PhD theses on the basis of primary data, collected from the Indian National ETD database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand the patterns and incidence of child labour in India and to examine the magnitude of child labour across different social groups. It analyses the impact of the socio-economic background of the children on their participation in the labour market. Design/methodology/approach: The paper primarily relies on the data collected from secondary sources. The census of India data and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) 66th round data (2009–2010) on employment and unemployment in India for the study. The dependent variable on child labour has been computed by the author for the analysis in the paper. Findings: The findings of the paper suggest that poverty is not the only determinant of child labour, but gender and caste of a person is also a significant factor for child labour. The study found that children from lower-caste backgrounds in India seem to participate more in the labour market. In terms of gender, the study found that boys are more likely to engage in economic activities or paid jobs while girls are more likely to engage in household activities. Originality/value: Data used in this paper has been extracted by the author from unit level data provided by NSSO. The variables used for the analysis in the presented paper has been constructed by the author and the figures provided are the result of the author's estimation on data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India is unique, having enshrined in law the teaching of sustainability education (SE) within all levels of formal education. This study aims to examine the integration and perceptions of SE within the higher education (HE) sector in India and identify any lessons that can be exported about the teaching of SE from the Indian HE environment. Design/methodology/approach: Focusing on a science-based teaching and research institute at a private university in India, a quantitative, cross-sectional study examined the extent to which SE was integrated into the university and how it was perceived by students and staff. Data were collected through two online questionnaires administered to lecturers and undergraduate students during the 2017 academic year. Findings: Most students reported that their university experiences had contributed significantly to their knowledge about sustainability. Results also showed there was a positive association between the teaching and learning about sustainability, although staff and students reported that this could be improved by including more active, student-centred teaching and learning approaches. However, students felt that they had learnt the most about sustainability from the informal "hidden" rather than the "formal" curriculum. This suggests that research is now required into ways to capitalise on this as a medium to further develop, not just Indian, but students' worldwide sustainability literacy. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first to present a detailed study of the perceptions of the contribution of the "formal" and the informal "hidden" curriculum to SE by students and staff at an Indian university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The alternative arrangements to traditional employment have become a promising area in the gig economy with the technological advancements dominating every work. The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers to the entry of gig workers in gig platforms pertaining to the food delivery sector. It proposes a framework using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) for which systematic literature review is done to extract the variables. This analysis helps to examine the relationship between the entry barriers to gig platforms. The study further proposes strategies to reduce the entry barriers in gig sector which would help to enhance productivity and generate employment opportunities. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses interpretive structural model (ISM) to ascertain the relationship between various entry barriers of the gig workers to the gig platforms. It also validates the relationship and understand the reasons of their association along with MICMAC analysis. The model was designed by consulting the gig workers and the experts allied to food delivery gig platforms namely Zomato and Swiggy. Findings: It was observed that high competition, longer login hours and late-night deliveries are the significant barriers with high driving power and low dependence power. Poor payment structures and strict terms and conditions for receiving the incentives are interdependent on each other and have moderate driving and dependence power. The expenses borne by the gig workers, such as Internet, fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses have high dependence power and low driving power. Hence, they are relatively less significant than other barriers. Research limitations/implications: The study is confined to food delivery sector of India, without considering other important sectors of gig economy for generalizing the framework. As the study is based on forming an ISM framework through literature review only, it does not consider other research methods for analysing the entry barriers to the gig platforms. Practical implications: The study attempts to dig out the low entry barriers for gig workers in food delivery platforms as there is a dearth of analysis of these factors. This study would weave them using ISM framework to help the gig platforms overcome these barriers at various levels, thus adding to the body of literature. Originality/value: The study discusses the need for understanding relationship between the entry barriers in the form of ISM model to identify the dependent and driving factors of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the interrelation between two important dimensions of gender segregation: education and occupation. It further investigates the gender wage gap. Design/methodology/approach: The author uses a three-way additive decomposition of the mutual information index – an index based on the concept of entropy. A non-parametric wage decomposition method that uses matching comparisons is used for measuring the wage gap. Findings: The results show that the extent of gender segregation in India is higher in urban areas than that in rural areas. Most of the observed segregation in rural labour markets originates from educational outcomes, whereas in urban markets it is due to occupational profile of individuals. The findings of the wage decomposition analysis suggest that education in rural areas also explains a sizeable part of the gender wage differential. Nevertheless, a large share of the wage gap remains unexplained in both rural and urban areas. Originality/value: While much research has looked at occupational segregation, less attention has been paid to educational segregation. The paper uses a unique approach to understand the joint effect of occupation and education in explaining gender segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinct reasons and more common reasons that reduce customer satisfaction and are antecedents to customer churn behavior in the telecommunication industry. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted the netnography approach to investigate churn behavior by utilizing online user-generated content in qualified social media communities. Findings: The investigation revealed that "data speed issue", "ineffective relationship building", "service area coverage issues" and "billing issues" are some of the most important attributes that influence a consumers' decision to churn. Further, the churn consequence influencers model summarizes the attributes that contribute to overall dissatisfaction and finally results in churn behavior. The study found out the application of the netnography approach in a quantitatively dominant research area and stands out with its insights from a rich qualitative data. Practical implications: Proper clarification of customer expectations and pain points can help reduce customer churn. The study will serve as the basis for developing future churn prediction models that will contribute to the informed decision-making process. Originality/value: Contributing to research on customer churn behavior, the study offers a novel attempt to study customer satisfaction and customer churn behavior jointly. The paper is the first attempt that contributes to the extant literature by adopting the unique qualitative approach to understand the reasons for telecommunication churn behavior in the emerging Indian market. Another contribution of this research is that the paper shifts the focus of the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) literature to the telecommunications industry, thus adding another block to ongoing research in eWOM communication. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ OIR-02-2020-0048 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The incidents of elder victimisation and cases of victimisation, in general, are increasing fast in the society. These incidents have had negative impact on the sense of well-being and way of life of the older people. Therefore, fear of crime is being considered as a most concerning psycho-social problem amongst the older people in contemporary time. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of crime rate on the well-being of the older people and examine the linkage between psychological factors and fear of crime amongst the older people. Design/methodology/approach: The present study is based on the mixed method approach and an exploratory research designed applied to conduct the study. The field survey has been done from October 2012 to January 2013 on a sample of 220 older people of rural and urban areas of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh through purposive sampling. For the study, researcher has interviewed 137 male older people and 83 female older people through interview schedules and case studies. The data have been analysed through descriptive and narrative analysis. Findings: The study finds that those older people have direct or indirect experience of victimisation, they have anxiety and feel insecurity that someone can victimise them. The study also finds that the happiness of older people is more affected due to anxiety and phobia and have higher level of feeling of fear of crime in their neighbourhood and home. The study also finds whenever anti-social elements are active in the neighbourhood and they commit crimes, fear of crime and anxiety grasp the older people to a large extent causing a fracture in their psychological well-being. Originality/value: This work is the original work of researcher. This paper is related to the researcher's PhD dissertation work. This paper talks about how the psychological well-being of older people affects due to nature of crime in neighbourhood, phobia of crime and anxiety due to criminal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Though an accumulating body of study has analysed monetary policy transmission in India, there are few studies examining the differential impact of monetary policy action. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyse the differential impact of monetary policy on aggregate demand, aggregate supply and their components along with the general price level in India. Design/methodology/approach - The study develops a structural macroeconometric model, which is primarily aggregate and eclectic in nature. The generalized method of movements is used for estimation of behavioural equations, while a Gauss-Seidel algorithm is used for model simulation purposes. Findings - The paper presents the results of two policy simulations from the estimated model that highlight the differential impact of monetary policy. The first one, hike in the policy rate by 5%and second is a reduction in bank credit to the commercial sector by 10%. The results from the first policy simulation experiment reveal that interest hike has a significant negative impact on aggregate demand, aggregate supply and general price level. However, the maximum impact is borne by investment demand and imports followed by private consumption. While as among the components of aggregate supply maximum impact is born by infrastructure output followed by the manufacturing and services sector with the agriculture sector found to be insensitive in nature. The results from the second policy simulation experiment revealed that pure monetary shocks have a significant negative impact on aggregate demand, aggregate supply and general price level. However, the maximum impact is born by private consumption and imports followed by investment demand. While as among components of aggregate supply maximum impact is borne by infrastructure followed by the manufacturing and services sector with the agriculture sector found to be insensitive in nature. From both policy simulation experiments, the study highlighted the relative importance of the income absorption approach as opposed to the expenditure switching effect. Practical implications - The results obtained in this study provides a strong framework for design the monetary policy framework. The results are in a view of the differential impact of monetary policy action among the components of both aggregate demand and aggregate supply. This reflection of differential impact has immense significance for the macroeconomic stabilization as the central bank will have to weigh the varying repercussion of its actions on different sectors. For instance, the decline in output after monetary tightening might be conceived as mild from an overall perspective, but it can be appreciable for some sectors. This differential influence will have an implication for policy design to care for distributional aspects, which otherwise could be neglected/disregarded. Similarly, the output decline may be as a result of either consumption postponement or a temporary slowdown in investment. However, the one emanating due to investment decline will have lasting growth implications compared to a decline in consumer demand. In addition, the relative strength of expenditure changing or expenditure switching policies of trade balance stabilization may have varying consequences in the aftermath of monetary policy shock. Accordingly information on the relative sensitiveness/insensitiveness of different sectors/components of aggregate demand towards monetary policy actions furnish valuable insights to monetary authorities in framing appropriate policy. Originality/value - The work carried out in the present paper is motivated by the fact that although a number of studies have examined the monetary transmission mechanism in India, a very few studies examining the differential impact of monetary policy action. However, to the best of the knowledge, there is no such studies, which have examined the differential impact of monetary policy in the structural macroeconometric framework. The paper will enrich the existing literature by providing a detailed account of the differential impact of monetary policy among the components of both aggregate demand and aggregate supply in response to an interest rate hike, as well as a decrease in the money supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the level of awareness and usage of open source digital repository software (DRS). The paper also studies the factors, which influence the level of awareness and usage of different open source DRS by academic librarians in India. Design/methodology/approach: The study administered an online questionnaire to academic librarians in India to know their level of awareness and usage of open source DRS. The questionnaire aimed to gather the awareness and usage of open source DSR. In total, 374 complete responses were collected from academic librarians in India and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Moreover, Fishers' exact test was used to identify whether factors i.e. qualification and participation in workshop/seminar influence the level of awareness and usage of open source DRS. Findings: The results of the study reveal that the level of awareness and usage of open source DRS, namely, DSpace (Mean = 2.92, SD = 0.906) and Greenstone digital library software (GSDL) (Mean = 2.18, SD = 0.699) are high amongst the academic librarians in India. In total, 33.4%, 11.5% of the participants are using DSpace and GSDL, respectively, on regular basis. Fishers' exact test shows that factor(s) i.e. qualifications and participation in workshop/seminar affect the level of awareness and usage of open source DRS. The results show that there exits strong relation between participation in workshop/seminar and awareness and usage of DSpace (Fishers' exact test = 13.473, p < 0.05). Originality/value: This paper is the new type of study exploring level of awareness and usage of open source DRS by academic librarians in India. It identifies the factors that affect the awareness and usage of open source DRS. It is the first study to analyze the statistical significance between Indian librarians' participation in workshop/seminar and their level of awareness and usage of different open source DRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of "Interconnected Geoscience" to a disaster and risk reduction (DRR) case study at SECMOL College, near Leh, Ladakh, N. India. Interconnected geoscience is a model that advocates holistic approaches to geoscience for development. This paper reports research/practical work with Ladakhi students/staff, undertaking community-oriented DRR exercises in hazard awareness, DRR themed village/college mapping, vulnerability assessments and DRR management scenario development. The geoscientific hazard analysis work is published within a separate sister paper, with results feeding into this work. This work addresses aspects of, and contributes to, the DRR research(science)-policy-interface conversation. Design/methodology/approach: Interconnected geoscience methodologies for DRR here are: the application of geoscience for hazard causality, spatial distribution, frequency and impact assessment, for earthquakes, floods and landslides, within the SECMOL area; the generation of community-developed DRR products and services of use to a range of end-users; the development of a contextual geoscience approach, informed by social-developmental-issues; and the active participation of SECMOL students/teachers and consequent integration of local world-views and wisdom within DRR research. Initial DRR awareness levels of students were assessed with respect to earthquakes/floods/landslides/droughts. Following hazard teaching sessions, students engaged in a range of DRR exercises, and produced DRR themed maps, data, tables and documented conversations of relevance to DRR management. Findings: Students levels of hazard awareness were variable, generally low for low-frequency hazards (e.g. earthquakes) and higher for hazards such as floods/landslides which either are within recent memory, or have higher frequencies. The 2010 Ladakhi flood disaster has elevated aspects of flood-hazard knowledge. Landslides and drought hazards were moderately well understood. Spatial awareness was identified as a strength. The application of an interconnected geoscience approach immersed within a student+staff college community, proved to be effective, and can rapidly assess/build upon awareness levels and develop analytical tools for the further understanding of DRR management. This approach can assist Ladakhi regional DRR management in increasing the use of regional capability/resources, and reducing the need for external inputs. Practical implications: A series of recommendations for the DRR geoscience/research-policy-practice area include: adopting an "interconnected geoscience" approach to DRR research, involving scientific inputs to DRR; using and developing local capability and resources for Ladakhi DRR policy and practice; using/further-developing DRR exercises presented in this paper, to integrate science with communities, and further-empower communities; taking account of the findings that hazard awareness is variable, and weak, for potentially catastrophic hazards, such as earthquakes, when designing policy and practice for raising DRR community awareness; ensuring that local values/world views/wisdom inform all DRR research, and encouraging external "experts" to carefully consider these aspects within Ladakh-based DRR work; and further-developing DRR networks across Ladakh that include pockets of expertise such as SECMOL. Originality/value: The term "interconnected geoscience" is highly novel, further developing thinking within the research/science-policy-practice interface. This is the first time an exercise such as this has been undertaken in the Ladakh Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore perspectives of academicians in leadership positions in Indian business schools on the sustainability of management education institutions in India. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 respondents including directors, deans and vice-chancellors of private and public sector institutions offering management programmes across India. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Findings: All the respondents strongly supported the need for building sustainable management education institutions. Different factors affecting sustainability of institutions that emerged from the interviews included focus on local context and inter-disciplinarity, visionary leadership and culture, country specific curriculum and pedagogy, sustained industry-academia collaboration, faculty orientation, training, retention and growth. On the basis of the factors identified, a directional proposition with the perspective of blue ocean strategy is proposed. Originality/value: There is a vast scope for exploring issues, challenges and strategies for building sustainable management education institutions. Literature in this field in the Indian context is very limited. This paper is one of the few attempts to study perspectives and experiences of leaders in Indian business schools on the sustainability of their institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify key countries and their focal research fields on the information divide. Design/methodology/approach: Literature was retrieved to identify key countries and their primary focus. The literature research method was adopted to identify aspects of the primary focus in each key country. Findings: The key countries with literature on the information divide are the USA, China, the UK and India. The problem of health is prominent in the USA, and solutions include providing information, distinguishing users' profiles and improving eHealth literacy. Economic and political factors led to the urban–rural information divide in China, and policy is the most powerful solution. Under the influence of humanism, research on the information divide in the UK focuses on all age groups, and solutions differ according to age. Deep-rooted patriarchal concepts and traditional marriage customs make the gender information divide prominent in India, and increasing women's information consciousness is a feasible way to reduce this divide. Originality/value: This paper is an extensive review study on the information divide, which clarifies the key countries and their focal fields in research on this topic. More important, the paper innovatively analyzes and summarizes existing literature from a country perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence suggests that unorganized manufacturing units are extremely credit-starved. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of such credit unavailability for small firms, and to see if it has altered the erstwhile production organization in a way which has led to the withdrawal of the small firms from both input and output market, leading to increased production outsourcing between the formal and informal firms. Design/methodology/approach: Based on data collected from two textile clusters in Maharashtra, India, the study shows that credit unavailability has led small firms to increasingly work for bigger firms as outsourced units. The paper uses a measure of technology and productivity to undertake logistic regression and sub-sample regressions to confirm production reorganization resulting from credit unavailability. This would provide additional insights for standard measures of intra-country intra-industry trade Findings: The exclusion of the unorganized production units from the formal lending process has, over the years, led to a reorganization of the existing production structure, whereby the small firms are forced to work for bigger formal firms on piece-rate basis. To circumvent their credit issues, the small unorganized sector firms have increasingly started to work for bigger firms as outsourced units. Originality/value: This is an original research work. The paper fulfils the identified need of addressing how the plaguing social issue of financial exclusion of unorganized firms has led to production reorganization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the expectation and perception of the users of a library of reputed special academic institute in India on quality of library services. The paper is an effort to identify a service gap within five SERVQUAL dimensions rated by the library users. Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted through a survey methodology. The survey was implemented through a questionnaire based on five SERVQUAL dimensions. The data were collected by using 22 attributes of SERVQUAL for user expectations and perceptions of special academic institute library, and the gap score between expectation and perception of users was calculated. Based on the expectation mean score and gap score of each attributes, the researchers have identified the service shortfall in five SERVQUAL dimensions. Findings: The result of the study indicates that there is an overall service quality (SQ) gap in services provided by institute library. However, the library is providing relatively satisfactory services to the faculty, but it needs to enhance up to the expectation level of its services to their registered participants. From the study, the average expectation score is very high and it indicates that users expect more from the institute library, particularly in Reliability and Tangibles dimensions. Out of the total 22 SERVQUAL attributes, the result reflects that 10 SERVQUAL attributes have high expectation and high service gap. Originality/value: This paper will assist libraries to improve their library services, particularly in special academic training libraries. Determining SQ has been originated from marketing discipline that has progressively shown its value in the discipline of library and information science profession. This study contributes to the emergent body associated with SQ measures in libraries. Expectation-service gap chart and expectation-service gap grid are the major contribution and rarely found in SERVQUAL literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the status and application of automated acquisition in central university libraries in north India. North India is a loosely defined region consisting of northern parts of India. Significantly, all the libraries are having very rich collections of different types of documents. Design/methodology/approach: Data for the present study have been collected using questionnaire. Interview and observation techniques have also been used to bring more objectivity in the present study. MS-Excel has been used for analysis of the data. Results show that varying levels of progress has been made with respect to implementation of acquisition system in the surveyed libraries. Findings: Expectations of user community have been increased manifold in the wired world. Furthermore, suggest that the staff morale is boost up in the automated environment. Research limitations/implications: The study covers select academic libraries of north India. Application of various features of acquisition module is examined in this paper along with the staff perspective about automation. Automation process in these university libraries has been started with the selection of different library management software package in different universities. Notably, all the prominent central universities are located in north India. Practical implications: The evaluation shed light on the current automation scenario in prominent academic libraries of India. Social implications: All the surveyed libraries must explore the fullest potentials of all the features available in the software to provide better services. This will help in heading toward and information rich society. Originality/value: There have been a couple of studies in the past on library automation in academic libraries, but none have intended to cover collection building or acquisition activities in central university libraries of north India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study on spatial analysis of child labour in India is a macro level analysis on child labour using the census data, 2011 of Government of India. The population census which is conducted once in 10 years only provides district level data on work-force distribution. The study has spatial analysis of child labour in the age group of 5–14 years in India. To assess the magnitude of the children in the labour force, district level data of Census 2011 has been used in the study. The study has made an attempt to identify the districts where there is high level of children in the labour force. This paper aims to estimate the magnitude and trends of children's workforce participation using the census data as it is the only data base, which is available at the district level since 1961 onwards. The study has made an attempt to identify the clustering of child labour across districts in India and how child labour is clustered by different background characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The study has used ArcGIS software package, GeoDa software and local indicator of spatial association test. Findings: The findings of study reveal that the proportion of rural, total fertility rate (TFR) and poverty headcount ratio is positively associated, whereas female literacy and the pupil-teacher ratio are negatively associated with child labour. It suggests that in the hot-spot areas and areas where there is a high prevalence of child labour, there is need to increase the teacher's number at the school level to improve the teacher-pupil ratio and also suggested to promote the female education, promote family planning practices to reduce TFR in those areas for reducing the incidences of child labour. Research limitations/implications: The study also recommends that the incidences of child labour can be controlled by a comprehensive holistic action plan with the active participation of social workers. Practical implications: The promulgation of effective legislation, active involvement of judiciary and police, political will, effective poverty alleviation and income generation programmes, sensitisation of parents, corporates and media can play effective role in mitigating the incidences of child labour in India. To achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015 to eradicate child labour in all its forms by 2025. Social implications: The study aims to achieve the SDGs adopted by world leaders in 2015 to eradicate child labour in all its forms by 2025. Originality/value: The study is purely original and there are no such studies in Indian context by using the latest software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India has the second highest percentage of mobile wallet adoption driven by availability of affordable smartphones and Internet. Despite a general interest, studies on its adoption have been scarce. This research assumes that user segments exist, each with their own level of maturity, and addresses the question "Are there segments which can be profiled?" Thus, the objectives of the study are to propose a model that explains the attitude of user segments towards its adoption; identify probable user segments and profile them; examine the importance and performance of constructs which influence attitude within each cluster and recommend ways to improve performance. Design/methodology/approach: This paper employs the constructs from two popular theories on technology adoption, i.e. technology acceptance model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A synthesis of review of literature on these models, besides two focus group discussions (FGDs), was used to design a pilot instrument. A nationwide survey was conducted, and 744 responses were obtained. Convenience sampling was used to select the respondents. The average scores of various constructs were computed and subjected to hierarchical clustering. Further, k-means clustering was carried out. The demographic profiling of each cluster was done through cross-tabulation and differences related to attitude and intention between clusters were tracked by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). To determine the relative importance and performance of constructs within each cluster, Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) using Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) was carried out. Findings: The hierarchical clustering resulted in three clusters. The result of k-means clustering was used to label the clusters as Technology Enthusiasts (TE), Technology Sceptics (TS) and Technology Pragmatists (TP). The obtained clusters were found to differ in terms of perception, attitude, intention, behavior, marital status, education, occupation and income levels. With respect to each cluster, it was seen that the top three important constructs are Perceived Usefulness (PU), Security (SEC) and Lifestyle Compatibility (LC) as indicated by the IPMA. The findings indicate that mobile wallet providers should focus on all six constructs, with special focus on PU, SEC and LC. The findings of this study will help mobile wallet providers in customizing their offerings to enhance adoption attitude in all three clusters. Research limitations/implications: This study examines the perception of students and working professional towards mobile wallet adoption and uses this data for segmentation. However, there could be underlying differences between these two groups, as the motive behind adopting a technology may be different. Thus, treating them as homogenous user segments could be a limitation. Therefore, exploring segments and profiles for each type of user may be an area for future research. Mobile wallet providers should also give utmost importance to perceived usefulness, security and lifestyle compatibility while designing their services. This will not only enhance user trust and compatibility with mobile wallet but also improve the outcomes associated with its usage. Practical implications: This study will help mobile wallet providers understand the user segments and customize their service offerings. Originality/value: This study provides a comparison of the respondent profiles of three obtained segments of mobile wallet users. While prior studies have identified segments associated with adoption of technologies like ATM banking, SMS banking, online banking, Internet banking, mobile banking etc., not much has been reported on mobile wallet adoption. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is a novel study in India, aimed at identifying user clusters among adopters of mobile wallets and developing cluster profiles based on demographic, attitude and intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the components of entrepreneurship education and training (EET) in India. The paper proposes a framework for an effective EET regime for amalgamating entrepreneurship education as fundamental to mainstream higher education in India. Design/methodology/approach: The current study utilises a qualitative research technique, that is, the narrative inquiry methodology based on in-depth interviews. The study respondents included sixteen educators who are actively engaged in EET and related activities for a minimum of ten years. Findings: The study identified five broad "meaning units" or "themes," that is, "incremental pedagogical efficiency and flexible evaluation systems," "entrepreneurial experience of the faculty," "extended support," "holistic mentoring" and "experiential learning" as components of an effective EET regime. Originality/value: The study will help the policymakers and higher education institutions (HEIs) revisit their policy frameworks and practices to promote entrepreneurial capacity and entrepreneurial intentions among students. The study will also help to gain deeper insights into EET components and will propose a framework for an effective EET regime based on its findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led education institutions to move all face-to-face (F2F) courses online. The situation is unique in that teachers and students can make a direct comparison of their courses before (F2F) and after COVID-19 (online). This study aims to analyze teachers' viewpoints for this unprecedented change. Design/methodology/approach: The study followed a mixed-method approach within an ex post facto survey research design. Research tools were distributed among 200 Indian secondary school teachers following a heterogeneous purposive sampling technique. As the study was conducted during the pandemic backdrop researchers used Google forms and telephonic interviews to collect data. Findings: Teachers viewed positively to this shift from F2F to online teaching-learning (OTL). They were found to have an overall moderate level of online teaching efficacy and where good efficacy prevails there found minimal concern for infrastructure, an attitude showing least concern for "what is not" and more concerned with "what they can do with what is having." A statistically significant effect of teacher efficacy was found on their perception of OTL infrastructure that supports this strong conviction among few teachers. Statistical analysis revealed for every 1 standard unit increase in self-efficacy, the perceived OTL infrastructure was to be increased by 0.997 standard units which support the strong correlation between the two chosen cognitive variables (r = 0.8). Besides, teachers were not found as a homogeneous group concerning their reported readiness for online teaching yet, different subgroups of teachers exist which may require different approaches for support and counseling. Originality/value: The paper reports an original empirical survey conducted in India and the write-up is based strictly on the survey findings only. An exclusive analysis of teachers' views of their efficacy and perceived OTL infrastructure. At the same time, path-breaking in analyzing the chemistry between the two variables which will help improving apposite culture, practice and understanding of the digital pedagogy securing quality OTL in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to advance a total quality management (TQM) model for the open government data (OGD) initiatives undertaken by the governments. As an example, the paper investigates the national OGD portal of India (www.data.gov.in) and provides implications of the proposed TQM model for the Indian case. Design/methodology/approach: The TQM model for the OGD initiatives (16 dimensions in terms of drivers, enablers and results) is derived from the extant literature on the principles of TQM and OGD. The proposed model is used for drawing implications for the Indian OGD initiative. Findings: The application of TQM model for the OGD initiative in India would help in quality maintenance and sustainability. The quality of the OGD portal should be improved by taking the TQM model as a point of reference. Practical implications: Ensuring quality of the datasets is important for any OGD initiative. The proposed TQM model leaves insights for the practitioners (policymakers and administrators) to implement the TQM model in the OGD policy initiatives. This would lead to increased trust, transparency and accountability. Social implications: Through the integration of the TQM model in the OGD initiative of the country, a wider section of the stakeholders may tap the qualitatively advanced datasets for value creation. Citizen participation and engagement would increase with the integration of the TQM model in the OGD initiative. Originality/value: While management of quality in the OGD initiatives has been underlined in the extant OGD-focused literature, the utility of applying TQM principles in OGD initiatives has not been conceived so far. The present study seeks to contribute towards the extant literature on TQM and OGD with the identification of the TQM model for the OGD initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Though Indian economy since 1980s has expanded very rapidly, yet the benefits of growth remain very unequally distributed. The purpose of this paper is to provide new evidence about the shape, intensity and decomposition of inequality change between 2005 and 2012. The authors find that Gini, as a measure of income inequality, has increased irrespective of geographic regions. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a recent distribution analysis tool, "ABG," the paper focuses on local inequality, and summarizes the shape of inequality in terms of three inequality parameters (α, β and γ) to examine how the income distributions have changed over time. Here, the central coefficient (α) measures inequality at the median level, with adjustment parameters at the top (β) and bottom (γ). Findings: The results reveal that at the middle of distribution (α), there is almost the same inequality in both the periods, but the coefficients on the curvature parameters β and γ show that there is increasing inequality in the subsequent period. Finally, an analysis of decomposition of inequality change suggests that though income growth was progressive, however, this equalizing effect was more than offset by the disequalizing effect of income reranking. Research limitations/implications: This paper shows how it can be possible both for "the poor" to fare badly relatively to "the rich" and for income growth to be pro-poor. Practical implications: This paper stresses the significance of inequality reduction. Social implications: Inequality reduction is very much imperative in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Originality/value: Perhaps, this research work is first of its kind to examine the shape and decomposition of change in income inequality in India in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of exchange rate exposure and its relationship with currency derivatives usage in the dynamic environment of the global financial crisis of 2008.Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 624 Indian firms over the period of April 2001–March 2016, this paper investigates the linear and asymmetric exposure by dividing the full sample period into different sub-periods around the crisis.Findings The evidence presented in the paper suggests that the firms are more exposed to the exchange rate changes since the onset of the financial crisis. However, there is a lack of evidence that the usage of currency derivatives is more effective in reducing exposure during the crisis/post-crisis period as opposed to the pre-crisis period.Practical implications The findings are important to investors and managers for a better understanding of firm behaviours in relation to their risk management policies during the period of external shocks like crisis.Originality/value There is a paucity of research to explore whether the effect of currency derivatives usage on exchange rate exposure varies during external shocks such as crisis periods. The paper provides novel evidence that the effectiveness of derivatives usage in alleviating exposure becomes less during the dynamic environment of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the correlates of crop insurance adoption and estimate the impact on debt and farm income. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used nationally representative data from National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which consisted of 35,200 farming households. Logit and propensity score matching (PSM) (nearest neighbor, caliper and kernel matching) techniques were used. Findings: With only around 5% of households insuring their crops and 87% of them not receiving claims, crop insurance in India has failed. Logit model estimates of correlates of adoption indicated that households with larger family size, lower social group, less education, lower standard of living and poor were more likely to be left out of the ambit of crop insurance. Further, propensity score estimates suggested that households with access to crop insurance had significantly lesser outstanding debt with positive effect on input costs and crop income. The authors' results were in contrast to the risk balancing theory. Practical implications: Results of our work encourage us to rethink and restructure the crop insurance policy design in India. With credit and insurance markets interlinked by design and as the risk balancing in the farm business found absent, policies to strengthen both the markets are the need of the hour. To encourage more farmers to take up crop insurance, revenue-based indemnity calculation could be tried in India. Originality/value: Impact estimates from three different algorithms of matching were compared and tested for robustness. Consistent average treatment effect on treated (ATT) was considered for interpretation and policy implications. Since the data are from a nationally representative survey, results are believed to be of extreme value to policy makers and insurance providers as it can be generalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to explore the scholarly literature published on “Terrorism” by India and Pakistan and has an in-depth bibliometric analysis of its various facets.Design/methodology/approach Data for the study were harvested from the “Web of Science” one of the widely used and trusted indexing and abstracting source used by research scholars all over the world. The search was confined to the literature published on “Terrorism” by India and Pakistan. A total of 125 results were retrieved and out of them 105 were found relevant. The data were later analyzed on different parameters.Findings India and Pakistan have started to conduct and publish research on “Terrorism” since 1990. However, only five articles were published till 2000. Presently, out of total 105 publications, India contributed 57 (54 per cent) and Pakistan contributed 48 (46 per cent) articles on Terrorism. Majority of the articles (93 per cent) were contributed by the individual researchers without any financial support from the funding agencies. The authorship pattern of the articles revealed that 40.95 per cent (43) articles were contributed by single author, whereas 59.05 per cent (62) were authored in collaboration. In terms of research collaboration, Pakistani authors collaborated with authors of six nations of the world, whereas Indian authors collaborated only with researchers of three countries. Most of the research articles were published from the authors affiliated with universities and other higher educational institutions (64.76 per cent), followed by colleges (12.38 per cent) and other government departments. Most of the articles were published during last five years from 2011-2015 (52.38 per cent), followed by 2006-2010 (28.57 per cent). These articles were published in more than 80 journals and the majority were published from England (36, 34.29 per cent) followed by United States of America (26, 24.76 per cent) and Netherlands (13, 12.38 per cent) simultaneously.Research limitations/implications The findings of the study need to be cautioned as the data were harvested from “Web of Science” only.Practical implications The paper is useful for politicians, defense ministries, academicians, researchers and many other interested agencies such as human rights organizations or activists.Originality/value This is the first paper providing information on research output of India and Pakistan on Terrorism and will serve as bed rock for future research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the experience of Centre for Management Studies, NALSAR University of Law in developing the new MBA programme in Court Administration and Management.Design/methodology/approach This paper describes the urgent need of skilled managers for court management and administration in an Indian context. The identification of the gap in skilled manpower and the availability of a structured learning platform at a master’s level is also discussed in the paper. In addition, the detailed process that the university adopted in developing the programme objectives, structure and curriculum is also explained.Findings Educational innovations are rare. This programme is one-of-its-kind in India. NALSAR University of Law introduced this programme after a rigorous screening and evaluation process. This paper highlights the importance of proper planning and execution in introducing innovative programmes. The paper also highlights the acceptance that the programme received from all stakeholders due to its relevance and diligent planning.Practical implications This paper makes an attempt to provide the detailed workflow that any university should undertake prior to launching any programme. The importance of identifying relevant stakeholders, the process of developing a programme, curating and conducting the process for best outcomes, with an emphasis on the contribution that a university can make is discussed in detail.Originality/value MBA in Court Administration and Management offered by NALSAR University of Law is unique as similar programmes are not offered by any other university in India. Thus, this paper is a novel contribution in highlighting the development and launch of the programme in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors which influence mobile government (m-government) services adoption in India.Design/methodology/approach Adoption behavior of m-government services by 311 respondents is probed by using a multiple set of constructs drawn from technology acceptance model (TAM), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), theory of planned behavior (TPB) and hierarchical regression analysis. Specifically, eight hypotheses were tested around constructs like Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (EOU), Compatibility (COM), Trust (T), Influence (I), Self-Efficacy (SE), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Attitude (ATT) and Behavioral Intention to Adopt m-government services (BI).Findings Results show that PU, EOU, T and ATT were found to have significant influence on the adoption of m-government services. Furthermore, demographic variables (age, marital status, occupation, educational qualification and frequency of using m-government services) were not found to be significant predictors for the adoption of m-government services in India.Originality/value While most of the technology adoption studies are focused on commercial activities, studies on internet interfaces vis-à-vis the public services are limited to investigation of e-government services. Besides, there are more studies contextualized in the developed countries as compared to developing countries. Academic research on m-government adoption is scant and the present paper is a significant contribution in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research on caregiving has been considering the positive effects experienced by the mothers of children with disabilities. This paper aims to examine whether positive perceptions mediate the relationships between coping strategies used and psychological well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The study opted for a quantitative approach that includes a correlation research design to examine the relationships between the variables of coping, positive perceptions and well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities attending special schools in the metropolitan city Bengaluru, India. The four-factor structure of Brief COPE examined were active avoidance coping, problem-focussed coping, positive coping and religious-denial coping. "Positive perceptions" refer to the positive contributions for the mother from the experiences of raising a child with intellectual disability. Mediation analysis explored the relationship between the variables. Findings: Problem-focussed coping was the most commonly reported coping factor and was associated with higher levels of well-being. Active-avoidance coping was the least commonly reported coping strategy. Positive perceptions partially mediated the relationship between the four coping factors and maternal well-being. These findings indicate that positive maternal perceptions have important implications for the employment of effective coping strategies that are associated with enhancement of psychological well-being. Originality/value: The focus on positive perceptions would help in understanding the use of coping strategies and planning of support services or interventions. The positive mental health of mothers paves the way for positive developments in the child's physical and psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Self-efficacy is one's belief in one's ability. In this context, information and communication technology (ICT) self-efficacy is the judgment of one's capability to use ICT – the familiar and effective teaching tools for the 21st century classrooms. The purpose of this empirical study was to investigate the correlation between teachers' ICT self-efficacy and perceived ICT infrastructure in school. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a descriptive survey method within ex post facto research design by taking 100 purposively selected Indian government run secondary schools and 400 teachers as participants. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. A correlation analysis was conducted between teachers' ICT self-efficacy and their perception of ICT infrastructure to determine the relationship between the two. Findings: Findings revealed that the participant teachers' overall ICT self-efficacy along with its three domains – technological efficacy, pedagogical efficacy, integration efficacy – was moderately low and their perception of ICT infrastructure in their respective schools was also far below the expected level. The investigation finally found a moderately high and positive correlation between teachers' ICT self-efficacy and their overall perception of ICT infrastructure. All three domains of efficacy also found positively correlated with the three selected domains of ICT infrastructure. Originality/value: This paper reports an original empirical survey conducted in India and the write-up is based strictly on the survey findings only. The authors believe this is a new approach to view ICT integration in school pedagogy and recommendations that enhanced teacher efficacy accelerates strengthening ICT infrastructure, improving apposite culture and understanding of the pedagogical value of ICT integrated teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence the attitude and behavioral intention towards mobile wallet adoption and to examine the moderating effect of gender and age between antecedents of mobile wallet adoption and user attitude and intention. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the literature review, certain themes around mobile wallet adoption were generated around which inputs were sought through two focus group discussions, first of which comprised working executives and second comprised students. A sample of 744 users of mobile wallet provided their awareness on mobile wallets, various mobile wallet services used and perception on ease of use, usefulness, trust, security, facilitating conditions and lifestyle compatibility (LC). To examine the moderating effect of gender and age, two methods, namely, Henseler's partial least squares-multi group analysis (PLS-MGA), a non-parametric approach, and PLS-MGA, parametric approach, are used. The data was analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling. Findings: The ease of use, usefulness, trust, security, facilitating conditions and LC significantly influence user attitude and intention. The results show that both gender and age moderate the relationship between select antecedents and attitude and intention and the influence is seen more for males and young users. Research limitations/implications: The sample comprises students and professionals from metros and large cities; hence, the generalizability of the results to the population at large may be limited. This study only examines the moderating role of age and gender. Future studies may include other demographic variables such as education, income, occupation, experience and household size. Practical implications: The findings help mobile wallet service providers understand the relevance and influence of various antecedent variables on the attitude and intention to adopt technology. This will help to plan and prioritize attributes for marketing purposes to increase the adoption and usage rates. Moreover, managers should plan strategies to enhance confidence among females and old age customers. Originality/value: The proposed model both investigates the impact of antecedents on user attitude and intention and examines the moderating effect of select demographic variables. There are few empirical studies on the moderating effect of gender and age in the context of mobile wallets in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the economic (namely cost, revenue and profit) efficiency and its association with intellectual capital of 37 BSE-listed Indian banks over the period 2005–2018. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs truncated Tobit regression to compute the relationship between intellectual capital and estimated cost, revenue and profit efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the 37 BSE-listed Indian banks within the panel data framework. Findings: Estimates suggest that banks' overall annual average cost, revenue and profit efficiency are 0.4466–0.7519, 0.4825–0.8773 and 0.4905–0.8803, respectively, during the sample period. Further, Tobit regression results indicate that the aggregate intellectual capital (value-added intellectual coefficient or Modified Value-added Intellectual Capital) has a positive but minimal impact on these efficiency parameters at 1 percent significance level for the overall sample as well as public sector banks. Among all the sub-components of intellectual capital, human capital, structural capital and relational capital have a positive and moderate impact on these efficiency measures for the overall sample. Control variables, particularly bank size, are significant drivers of the estimated efficiency of banks. Research limitations/implications: Findings suggest that banks should invest adequately to enhance their overall intellectual capital to further augment these economic efficiency measures in the long run. Originality/value: This study computes cost, revenue and profit efficiency of 37 BSE-listed banks based on DEA followed by intellectual capital using the Pulic approach (1998 and 2000) and the Bontis (1998) approach in the first stage. Later, it examines the dynamics between the computed efficiency parameters and intellectual capital using Tobit regression within the panel data framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Inflation Expectations Survey of Households, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), indicates that there is considerable disparity in inflation expectations across cities in India. The purpose of this paper is to investigate why different cities exhibit heterogeneous inflation expectations despite coming under a central monetary policy umbrella. Design/methodology/approach: First, the correspondence between city-level inflation expectations and city-specific economic characteristics is mapped. Second, how the disagreement in inflation expectations across cities, measured by dispersion, behaves over the business cycle is investigated. Finally, using seemingly unrelated regression technique, the economic factors that play a role in explaining inflation expectations heterogeneity across cities are estimated. Findings: Cities with higher economic activity and cost of living have higher inflation expectations. Disagreement across cities regarding inflation expectations rise with an increase in output gap and inflation. Information friction plays an important role in explaining the disparity in inflation expectations across cities, and the effects of macro-level factors vary across cities, thereby accentuating expectations dispersion. Research limitations/implications: Monetary policy-related communication by the RBI (toward the general public) should increase in order to address information friction, which, in turn, would temper down the extent of inflation expectations heterogeneity across cities in India. Originality/value: This is a novel application of the data from the monetary policy perspective. Heterogeneity in inflation expectations across cities or regions is an unexplored area. The use of nightlights as a proxy for city-level economic activity in India (in absence of data on city-level income) is another original contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to examine the use and acceptance of open government data (OGD) of different stakeholder groups in India.Design/methodology/approach Following an empirical investigation among 244 respondents in India, the paper deploys path analysis via LISREL. The conceptual construction of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework is used to assess the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD. Multiple regression analysis informs the relationship of demographic variables with the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD.Findings Path analysis showed that there is an increased use and acceptance of OGD among the respondents. Multiple regression analysis shows that men are more likely to use open data sets than women. Individual differences are found among the respondents with regard to OGD usage. Thus, while men may tap open data sets in line with their purposes and professional backgrounds, women are likely to tap the data sets even for non-professional purposes. Furthermore, the respondents who are younger in age are more behaviorally inclined to accepting and using OGD than their older counterparts.Practical implications The Indian government needs to popularize and familiarize OGD initiatives among the people to a greater extent. The utilitarian value of OGD may be provided when data sets are more user-friendly, frequently updated and accurate. This would facilitate in better provision of public services besides appreciating the public sentiment. Further, with increased interaction between citizens and the government, public accountability and transparency may be better realized.Social implications The study shows that different groups of people are engaging in tapping information through government websites and related portals. Societal influence was found to be an important factor which predicts the acceptance and usage of OGD. An infrastructure can help to enable the use of OGD.Originality/value Hitherto, studies have focused on OGD initiatives in the developed countries, but extant literature is scarce on developing countries. Therefore, this study seeks to fill the literature gap by probing OGD use and acceptance among different stakeholder groups in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential non-linear relationship between family ownership as a governance mechanism and exchange rate exposure of firms that use financial hedging. Design/methodology/approach: The exchange rate exposure is estimated using two-factor Jorion (1990) model for a sample of 312 Indian firms over the period from 2001 to 2016. The cross-sectional regression model is used at the second stage to investigate the effects of family ownership on exposure for the firms that use currency derivatives. Findings: The results suggest a significant non-linear cubic relationship between family ownership and exchange rate exposure. Exchange rate exposure increases with family ownership at low and high levels (as a result of improper hedging) and decreases with family ownership at intermediate levels (as a consequence of value-enhancing hedging). Practical implications: The study has practical significance for firms to understand the circumstances in which currency derivatives usage is ineffective in alleviating exposure. Firms that have high or low family ownership should integrate operational hedges with financial hedges and should incorporate other firm-level governance mechanisms to avoid the misuse of derivatives. Originality/value: This study provides new evidence that the relationship between family ownership and exchange rate exposure is non-linear for firms that use financial hedging which has not been investigated before in the prior literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]