Search

Purpose: This paper aims to determine the implications of Covid-19 on the livelihood of marine fishermen. It gives a concrete picture of how vulnerable communities like marine fishermen are affected due to the lockdown policies. The paper examines these communities' present status and the extent of vulnerability during the post-Covid period. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses an exploratory research design to find the solution to the research problem. 298 samples were collected and analysed within a sustainable livelihood theoretical framework. The scope of the study is limited to marine fishermen in Kerala, residing in six districts out of the nine coastal districts. The impact of the lockdown on income was analysed using paired t-test and results linked with the theory. Findings: The study has done an empirical analysis for three periods: before lockdown, lockdown and after lockdown, to identify the impact of lockdown on marine fishermen. The study's significant findings are that these fishermen's livelihood is at risk during the post-lockdown period, and many families are moving into a "debt-trap". Research limitations/implications: Policymakers can develop appropriate policy strategies to enhance the livelihood assets of vulnerable communities to include them in a sustainable framework. Originality/value: Only a few studies are highlighting the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable communities in India. The effects of climate change on the marine ecosystem are already endangering marine fisher folks' livelihoods. In this light, it is vital to study the extent of the impact of income shock on the livelihood assets of marine fishermen due to the lockdown policy implemented in the State to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0192 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to propose and validate a process-based model to enhance managerial effectiveness among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It has been observed that business uncertainties and inadequate financial resources that MSME entrepreneurs and managers face require them to constantly engage in strong self-awareness and self-regulating behavior to enhance the efficacy in their roles and, henceforth, their role performance effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach: The approach for data collection was based on the clustering of MSMEs belonging to the clusters machine tool, pump manufacturing, foundry, textile and auto-component clusters in India. The respondents to the study were MSME entrepreneurs and managers who oversee and manage multiple functions like operations, quality, marketing, sales, supply chain management, procurement, personnel and administration and general administration. Findings: The self-efficacy of entrepreneurial managers of MSMEs is observed to play an integral role in enhancing the efficacy of their roles, thus highlighting the use of a process-based perspective while dealing with constant resource constraints and excessive dynamism in their business contexts. The ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and resilience to manage challenges enhances their role-making process, which is significant in achieving and sustaining goal-oriented behavior among MSME entrepreneurs and managers. Practical implications: This paper would serve as an effective model for entrepreneurs and managers to enhance their efficacy in the individual and interdependent role context, which would help achieve their individual and organizational goals. The model emphasizes a process-based perspective that thrusts the need to relate to the organizational context, enhancing individual confidence for goal-related behavior and fulfilling their role-related expectations. Originality/value: This paper presents a model of enhancing managerial effectiveness that discusses self-efficacy as antecedent behavior. Here, personal and environmental factors aid cognition to one's capability to construct reality, self-regulate, encode information and engage in effective managerial action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the role of institution in the combating crime in India. This study also assesses institutions for controlling property crime in India in the post-reform era. Design/methodology/approach: Crime and socio-economic data are taken from National Crime Record Bureau and the Reserve Bank of India, respectively. Twenty major Indian states are selected for the study purpose for the period of 1994–2019. Fixed effect panel data technique is used for analysis purpose. Findings: Property crime rate declines with economic growth, while it increases with financial development. Findings of fiscal policy instruments are different. Own tax is positively associated with property crime in India, while non-tax fiscal instruments such as fine, penalty, and so on, are inversely related to it. Property crime rate is inversely related to institutional factors like charge sheet and conviction rate. Research limitations/implications: Further research is needed for other crimes in India. State-level data are used here for analysis purpose; however, spatial or cluster analysis techniques might provide more insights for combating crimes in India. Practical implications: This study suggests that economic growth and fiscal instrument along with institutional development are essential to control property crime in India. Social implications: Government should take steps to improve the law-and-order system to control property crime across states. Originality/value: Impact of non-tax fiscal instrument reduces property crime while that of own tax is increases it in India. These findings are unique and added certain insight in the study. Institutional roles are captured its performances like charge sheet and convict rate, which are significantly reduce property crime in Indian states. Least square dummy variable model is applied to capture individual state effects. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2023-0063 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With changing employment conditions, technological advancement, frequent manpower reduction and global competition, the relevance of the protean and boundaryless career concepts is increasing. With this, the country's culture plays a pivotal role in career choice. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate protean and boundaryless career scales for college passing out students and in the Indian context. The protean career scale was measured by self-directed and values-driven dimensions, while the boundaryless career scale was measured by boundaryless mindset and organizational mobility preference. Design/methodology/approach: The first step involved defining construct and determining face validity. The data collected via questionnaire from India's final year engineering students were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis in the second and third steps, respectively. Finally, the nomological validity was tested by establishing the relationship between factors influencing career choice and newly developed protean and boundaryless career. Findings: The result suggested using a two-factor model with a protean career (combining self-directed and values-driven items) and a boundaryless career as a separate construct for college passing out students. Research limitations/implications: The developed scale has nine items that can be used to conduct surveys at the time of campus hiring by academic scholars, HR managers, and practitioners who are working on the identification, development and management of human talent as a part of any human resource management system. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first approach to developing the protean and boundaryless career scale for college passing out students and in the Indian context which can be replicable for South Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to investigate the impact of socially-responsible human resource (SR-HR) practices on organizational sustainability performance (OSP) in Indian business organizations that are mandated to publish business sustainability and responsibility reporting. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from 620 working professionals employed in the organizations listed on National Stock Exchange in India. The proposed hypotheses were tested by deploying the statistical technique of multiple regression analysis using SPSS Version-21. Findings: The results demonstrated that overall, SR-HR practices impact OSP. More precisely, all the dimensions of SR practices are positively associated with the organization's financial performance, environmental performance and social performance (SP). There was a relatively higher significant impact of legal-oriented human resource management (HRM) on organizational economic and ecological performance. However, in the case of SP, a substantial effect of employee-oriented HRM was found. Practical implications: Study findings encourage HR practitioners to invest in SR-HR practices to build and strengthen employees' abilities and contributing to sustainability goals. Originality/value: This study is one of the few studies conducted in the Indian context that highlights the relevance of the convergence of HRM, human resource development and corporate social responsibility to realize sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to validate the theoretical finding that digital MNEs avoid physical presence norms of permanent establishment and royalty characterization rules for business and royalty taxation, respectively, to escape tax incidence in the market economy, using information, communication and technology features and transfer pricing (TP) manipulations. Design/methodology/approach: Multiple case studies of MNEs from technology sector, based on judicial decisions in 141 cases, over taxability of profits earned from Indian economic activities. Additional in-depth case study of the Uber Group to study the tax avoidance structures under platform economy, by routing of Indian profits through The Netherlands, a tax haven. Findings: The study finds a significant number of digital MNEs earning profits from India and avoiding tax by defying physical presence and royalty characterization. In majority of the cases, demand-side business activities are discharged through incorporating and remunerating affiliates at cost plus low markup, thus avoiding tax incidence, using TP manipulations under the arm's length principle applied by governments for benchmarking the intragroup transactions of the MNEs. Research limitations/implications: The research findings validate the view that digital features promote tax avoidance in the market economy. Originality/value: The originality of the study lies in the validation of profit shifting through digital features from the developing market economy and portending that digital MNEs defy physical presence to avoid business taxation through TP manipulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Since the last decade, debates regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the forms of transfer, i.e. in the form of in-kind or cash transfers, have been gaining momentum. This paper aims to explore the preferences revealed by the beneficiaries, the role of contextual conditions in moulding these preferences, factors associated with the transfer scheme that defines the preferences and the rationale behind such responses. Design/methodology/approach: The study conducted involves primary data collected from an Indian state, Odisha. 308 beneficiaries of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) were interviewed concerning specific objectives in a rural district (Mayurbhanj) and another highly urbanised district (Khordha). Findings: The comparative results show that the strength of the contextual conditions significantly influences the preferences of the beneficiaries in the rural district as compared to the effect on the beneficiaries of the urban district. Education seems to have an insignificant impact in rural areas. However, income and standard of living have positive significant effects on shaping the preferences for cash or in-kind transfers. Originality/value: Examining the strength of the contextual conditions and emphasising beneficiaries' perspectives would stimulate a better understanding of the implementation of the proposed quasi-Universal Basic Income. The study would hence, be instrumental in dealing with the transition towards cash transfers in the Indian context where the co-responsibility of both stakeholders, the government and the beneficiaries, should be given equal weightage. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0158 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Microfinance programs across the countries are designed on the self-help and peer pressure model, aim at microentrepreneurship development. Despite of significant studies on microfinance-supported microentrepreneurship (MSM), not a single literature examines it from the systems thinking. In addition to that, the extant literature did not look MSM from the behavioral perspectives. To address the above gaps, the present study aims to examine self-help group (SHG)-based microfinance programs from the systems approach using the Stimulus-Organism-Behavior-Consequence (SOBC) model. Design/methodology/approach: Information gathered from 786 women SHG members from four states of India through a structured interview schedule. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted to process data. Additional statistical tests were performed to test the reliability and validity. Findings: It was found that the "positive stimulus" (social intermediation, financial intermediation and business development services) positively impacted; and "negative stimulus" (intermediation accountability, and intermediation assumption) negatively impact, to "motive" (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived control) for micro-entrepreneurship in the SHG-based microfinance. Further, "motive" positively predicted "behavioral intention"; the "behavioral intention" positively determined "consequences" of micro-entrepreneurship. Intermediation as stimuli acted as "input"; the motive and behavioral intention acted as the "process", and the consequence acted as the "output" in the SHG-based microentrepreneurship system. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this paper is the first one to examine the behavioral systems of microentrepreneurship programs through the Stimulus-Organism-Behavior-Consequence (SOBC) model. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2022-0801 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Online customer communities have become a strategic tool for business-to-business (B2B) firms to drive collaboration among customers around the company's products and services. This paper aims to argue that the three social capital dimensions, that is, structural, relational and cognitive, themselves driven by brand community trust, can affect brand loyalty for the organization. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use a survey to collect data and structural equation modeling to test the conceptual framework by collecting data from 214 participants across three online B2B communities operated by three technology firms in India. Findings: Brand community trust is found to have a strong association with social network ties, identification and norm of reciprocity and shared vision. These three have concomitant effects on the quality of customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions. Such communication generates functional, emotional and social benefits, which, in turn, curate brand loyalty. Practical implications: The authors' findings guide community managers in leveraging such conversations in shaping customer loyalty for the corporate brand. Originality/value: This work provides an integrated framework to explain the important role of C2C interactions in B2B online brand communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Consumers can spend their disposable income on hedonic consumption or save for the future. Their preferences were altered by the prolonged life and livelihood-threatening experiences of the pandemic. This paper aims to study the spillover effect of the pandemic experience on consumer savings attitudes and hedonic purchase preferences in the new normal. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted 35 in-depth interviews with consumers in India. The data were analysed thematically. Findings: The results showed that when fear of life and negative emotions of the pandemic persisted, consumers became short-term focused, moved towards materialism and increased hedonic spending. Alternatively, individuals who faced substantial financial hardships resorted to an increased preference for savings. The relationship between changes in savings orientation and hedonic consumption was found to be moderated by consumer's individual differences in financial vulnerability and life history strategies. Practical implications: As the trend towards increased hedonic consumption and preference for luxury products continues, the study findings can be used to devise effective marketing strategies to tap the emerging segment of mass luxury consumption. Originality/value: Despite ample work being conducted in the hedonic consumption domain, it has not been studied in conjunction with savings orientation, a significant determinant. This research links personal savings orientation with hedonic spending and substantiates that purchase decisions are cognitively weighted as a choice of discretionary spending against the opportunity to save. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore and expand the concept of a marketing system for developing a more dynamic and nuanced understanding of marketing. The purpose of the proposed framework is to extend this literature by making salient and explicit how context, market system and value creation are theoretically interrelated. To accomplish this objective, the authors use the framework proposed by Layton (2019) as the theoretical foundation to acquire insights into the market. Particularly, they investigate how four distinct marketing systems (i.e. anarchy, structured, emergent and purposeful market systems) operate in a developing economy. In addition, the study explores the market's effects of technological advancement, sociocultural influences, historical background and political institutions, as well as the responses of political entities, firms and consumers. Also, the positive and negative effects of the various marketing systems are analyzed. Finally, the authors investigate the changing marketplace in various industrial sectors (e.g. home appliances, food, apparel/fashion and transportation) to provide marketing researchers and practitioners with insights. In essence, the study focuses on the sectors related to everyday consumption. Design/methodology/approach: This analysis uses a theoretical approach to extend the understanding concept of marketing. To examine the numerous market systems in India, the authors use an approach developed by Layton (2007). This theoretical approach is intended to sensitize scholars to critical processes rather than a hypothetico-deductive analysis with a prediction goal (Turner, 1986). Epistemologically, this analysis can be classified as a form of discovery-oriented theory development (Wells, 1993). Findings: Although all four systems (e.g. autarchic, emergent, purposeful and structured) are ingrained in India, their functionality differs from the Western system and among industries. For example, the apparel sector appears more autarchic, but the food industry is more purposeful. How the home appliance market operates demonstrates the transition from an autarchic to an emergent system. The authors also uncover additional environmental factors that impact the four types of marketing systems and moderator roles of governate agencies and nonprofit organizations. The externality and positive outcomes also emerged throughout the analysis. Research limitations/implications: This study articulates the four types of marketing systems and illustrates the environmental factors/antecedents and outcomes for the exchange and value creation. Most importantly, it adds value to the literature by emphasizing the role of government agencies and unrestricted institutions in the mechanism. It also uncovers cultural elements such as spirituality as a catalyst for exchange and value creation. Practical implications: The analysis provides practitioners with insights into operating the firm in India by articulating the industrial differentiations and the exchange/value creation. Specifically, it provides a blueprint for strategic analysis that can be used prior to market entry to increase the likelihood of market entry success by understanding the nuanced differences that lead to significant operational difficulties if not properly prepared for and managed. Originality/value: This study adds to our existing knowledge of marketing from a systemic standpoint. It also broadens and explicates marketing system theory by assessing the uniqueness of developing markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted organizations, bringing in unforeseen situations and highlighting the need for organizational leaders to develop a capacity for resilience, i.e. the ability to recuperate, exhibit agility and rebound. Hence, this paper aims to explore leaders' views on what resilience capabilities are needed to manage themselves, the team and the organization. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative research study uses an in-depth interview tool and adopts a reflexive thematic analysis. The capabilities approach and resilience theory framework were applied to view resilience capabilities. The sample comprises 19 middle and senior leaders, both men and women, from the information technology Industry in India. Findings: This study unravelled different capabilities to manage individuals, teams and organizations. The three key themes of resilience capabilities observed were as follows: self-leadership capabilities – where leaders focussed on capabilities that developed themselves; people leadership capabilities – which focussed on leading people and the team; and organisation-focussed leadership capabilities – which focussed on the macro level. Originality/value: The findings of the study benefit organizations, leaders, human resource professionals, talent management strategists and academic leadership scholars to identify, train, conceive and deliver resilience capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Few empirical studies examined the relationship between life expectancy and income in India. This study aims to examine the impact of life expectancy on economic growth in India by incorporating all the major states of India. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on secondary data and includes 16 major states of India covering the periods 2000–2014. The author used panel fixed effect model (FEM) to examine the impact of life expectancy on economic growth. Findings: Empirical analysis revealed a positive trend in life expectancy in India. In association with life expectancy, the author found continuous growth in the elderly population. The result of the FEM shows that gains in life expectancy positively affect economic growth in India. The empirical findings do not support any negative impact of life expectancy gains on economic growth. Originality/value: This study is the outcome of the independent and original research work of the authors and contributes significantly to the literature on the demography–economic relationship. The findings of this study help the author to understand that life expectancy gain is in no way a constraint, rather the skill and experience of the workforce are crucial to determining economic growth. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2022-0422. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to test the market anomaly of herding behavior driven by the response to supply chain disruptions in extreme market conditions such as those observed during COVID-19. The authors empirically test the response of the capital market participants for B2B firms, resulting in herding behavior. Design/methodology/approach: Using the event study approach based on the market model, the authors test the impact of supply chain disruptions and resultant herding behavior across six sectors and among different B2B firms. The authors used cumulative average abnormal returns (CAAR) and cross-sectional absolute deviation (CSAD) to examine the significance of herding behavior across sectors. Findings: The event study results show a significant effect of COVID-19 due to supply chain disruptions across specific sectors. Herding was detected across the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors. The authors also provide evidence of sector-specific disruption impact and herding behavior based on the black swan event and social learning theory. Originality/value: The authors examine the impact of COVID-19 on herding in the stock market of an emerging economy due to extreme market conditions. This is one of the first studies analyzing lockdown-driven supply chain disruptions and subsequent sector-specific herding behavior. Investors and regulators should take sector-specific responses that are sophisticated during extreme market conditions, such as a pandemic, and update their responses as the situation unfolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to discern the primary obstacles confronted by the implementing agencies in their efforts to foster financial inclusion through the "Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana" (PMMY). Design/methodology/approach: To collect primary data, a semi-structured questionnaire was developed. Around 120 loan officers from the implementing agencies (Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro- Finance Institutions (MFIs)) of Haryana were randomly selected to fulfill the objectives. To categorize the perceived problems into discrete factors, the "factor analysis" technique was employed. The scales were then regressed on factors linked to the demographic characteristics of the loan officers to validate the hypotheses. Findings: The study highlighted the primary obstacles impeding the advancement of financial inclusion, which encompass a range of factors. These include challenges in management, infrastructure, politics, finance and technology. Furthermore, the study established the association of the explanatory variables, namely gender, age, educational qualification, location and experience of the officers, with the extracted constraints. Notably, the experience of loan officers emerged as the most influential variable contributing to the promotion of financial inclusion through the scheme. Originality/value: The current body of literature lacks any empirical investigation focusing on the perspectives of the implementing agencies regarding the challenges they encounter in advancing FI. Given the significance of FI in India, where access to formal financial services remains a critical issue, this research adds value by addressing the gaps in understanding the problems encountered. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0462 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) are considered as a strategy to improve the livelihoods of small farmers through economies of scale by providing collective strength to farmers for improved access to production technology, value-addition services, high-quality inputs and marketing services for improving their incomes. This study investigates the impact of FPO membership on organic farming household's income in Northeast India. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses field survey data collected from all four districts of Sikkim. Primary data were obtained from a survey of 560 organic farming households, 280 of which are FPO members and the rest 280 are non-members. Propensity score matching (PSM) is used to estimate the impact of FPO membership on net returns, return on investment (ROI) and profit margin. Findings: Results show that the FPO members had, on average, Rs. 7,254–8,133 higher annual net returns, 4.6–4.8% higher ROI and 8–8.4% higher profit margin than the non-members. The findings confirm that FPO membership has a positive and significant impact on net returns, return on investment and profit margin. Also, heterogeneity analysis indicates that FPO membership has larger positive impact on relatively bigger farmers and female-headed households. Research limitations/implications: As the study was based on a cross-sectional survey, the findings may be subjected to some limitations. Originality/value: This study is based on a novel data set, collected specifically to examine the economic impact of FPO membership on organic farming in India. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0451 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The existing hospitality and tourism literature indicates a discrepancy in the findings related to the socio-demographic variables' impact on hotel employees' socio-emotional factors and behavioral outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this topic. Design/methodology/approach: Using a questionnaire, primary data were gathered from hotel employees in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India from February to June 2022. A total of 416 valid responses collected through offline mode were used in the data analysis. Multiple linear regressions were done using SPSS V.29. Findings: The findings show that the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents significantly affect socio-emotional factors at work as well as interpersonal deviance and organizational deviance. Practical implications: Policymakers and hotel managers can implement training and development programs that assist hotel employees with diversified socio-demographic attributes in handling stress, developing their emotional intelligence and minimizing workplace deviance. The study also provides hotel managers with actional recommendations to reduce work–family conflict, social disparity among employees and their emotional exhaustion. Originality/value: The study adds to the literature with a comprehensive framework regarding the role of various socio-demographic traits in fostering interpersonal deviance, organizational deviance and socio-emotional factors at work. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0304 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify the critical factors contributing to India-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) capacity building and value creation for beneficiaries. Design/methodology/approach: A total interpretive structural modeling technique has been used to develop a hierarchical model of critical factors and understand their direct and indirect interrelationships. The driving force and dependence force of these factors were determined by using cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification analysis. Findings: This study identifies 12 critical factors influencing NGO capacity building in India's intellectual disability sector across four dimensions. Internal organizational capabilities include infrastructure, staff qualifications, fundraising, vocational activities and technical resources. Second, coordination and stakeholder engagement highlight government and agency collaboration, dedicated board members and stakeholder involvement. Third, adaptability and responsiveness emphasize adjusting to external trends and seizing opportunities. Finally, impact and value creation emphasis on improving value for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Practical implications: The findings of this study have practical implications for Indian NGOs working for PWDs. The study provides NGOs with a structural model for improving organizational capacity by identifying and categorizing critical factors into the strategic model. Originality/value: There is a scarcity of literature on capacity building for disability-focused NGOs in India. This study seeks to identify critical factors and develop a hierarchical model of those factors to assist policymakers in India in building the capacity of NGOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to demonstrate the importance of organizational networks in organizational performance is relatively rich; less understood are processes in organizational networking that entrepreneurs and organizations use in making sense of rapidly changing contexts for organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study conducts an exploratory organizational-level narrative analysis into firms' experiences in two major emerging markets (EMs), namely, Russia and India – to identify organizational networking processes in the midst of institutional upheavals. The study is based on in-depth case studies of firms in EMs sourced from interview data from senior management and consolidated with secondary data. Findings: The authors find that initially firms rely on informal networks (including blat/svyazi and jaan-pehchaan/jan-pehchan) and later formal (in the form of bureaucratic followed by proprietary) networks to make sense of the changes and uncertainties in turbulent environments. The authors also demonstrate the cyclical nature of strategic sensemaking in the process of developing organizational networks for performance. Originality: The study has a number of theoretical and practical contributions. First, it extends the well-established business networking construct to a more inclusive organizational networking construct. Second, it demonstrates that sensemaking is dependent on interorganizational networking from the outset and throughout the growth of an organization in turbulent markets – from informal to formal bureaucratic and proprietary networks. Finally, this study is unique in documenting the entire process of sensemaking from scanning to performance as well as successfully demonstrating the cyclical nature of sensemaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Financial satisfaction is a potential ambition of individuals' lives that requires well-strategized economic behaviors. The authors examine the impact of various factors on the financial behavior (FB) and financial satisfaction (FIS) of individuals in India's National Capital Region (NCR). Design/methodology/approach: Through a literature review, a survey questionnaire was formulated using existing scales on FIS. For more in-depth insights, data are obtained from 427 respondents in the NCR region using self-administered questionnaires. This article used "partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)" to inspect the hypothesized model of individuals' FIS. Findings: According to the study results, financial attitude (FA), financial self-efficacy (FSE), financial knowledge (FK) and demographic characteristics (DC) significantly influence FB. Conversely, financial stress (FS) negatively impacts FB. It also highlights that FA, FSE, FK and FB all significantly impact FIS. Nevertheless, FS and DC insignificantly influence FIS. Originality/value: To the best knowledge of the authors, this article is an initial attempt to offer a novel perspective of individuals' FB and FIS in India. It would help the government and stakeholders by providing various pioneering economic schemes and making policies that help increase individuals' FIS. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0239 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A woman's nutritional status significantly determines her overall well-being. The authors critically examine the trends — including socioeconomic disparities — in undernutrition among Muslim women in India, a notably socio-economically disadvantaged group. The authors also investigate trends and variations across the dimensions of caste, place of residence (rural/urban), education, economic status and geographic regions. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis leverages the nationally representative National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) of India conducted between 1998 and 2021. The authors examined poor–rich ratios, concentration indices, disparity ratios and predicted probabilities of being underweight (captured using Body Mass Index). Findings: From 1998 to 2021, there has been a decline in undernutrition prevalence among Muslim women. However, stark socioeconomic variations persist. While the prevalence has decreased over time across all socioeconomic groups, disparities — both within and between groups — remain significant and, in many cases, have expanded. For certain socioeconomic subgroups (e.g. Muslim women with no formal education or those in the Central and Northeast regions), the disparity doubled between 1998 and 2021. In regions like the South, where undernutrition prevalence is low or has reduced, disparities remain significant and generally have increased. Originality/value: To the authors' knowledge, the study is the first to provide a comprehensive examination of the prevalence, trends and socioeconomic disparities in undernutrition among Muslim women in India over the past two decades. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0320 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines how formal retail formats (FRFs), and informal retail formats (IRFs) may coexist as substitutes and complements in emerging markets because of store patronage driven by customers' chronic shopping orientations, and differences in salesperson consultation in the two retail formats. Design/methodology/approach: Using a shopping motivational orientation framework, we develop and test a moderated mediation model using survey data from 515 shoppers of formal and informal grocery retail outlets in India. Findings: While task-focused and experiential-focused shopping orientations influence both FRF and IRF patronage, store satisfaction mediates these relationships and crucially attenuates the negative impact of task-focused orientation on FRF patronage. Salesperson consultation moderates the mediating effects of satisfaction in the link between shopping orientation and patronage of both FRFs and IRFs. Research limitations/implications: The findings suggest that FRFs and IRFs could coexist as complements and substitutes when patronage is examined as repeated visits determined by shopping orientation, mediated by satisfaction and moderated by salesperson consultation. Practical implications: For FRFs and IRFs to be complements, both formats must prioritize their distinctive attributes that satisfy a consumer's chronic shopping orientation. Substitution depends on how both retail formats prioritize salesperson consultation and in-store characteristics that appeal to consumers' chronic orientation during specific shopping trips. Originality/value: Whilst FRFs must satisfy task-focused shoppers to compete with IRFs, salesperson consultation can inhibit such satisfaction. However, the extent of coexistence between FRFs and IRFs depends on how each format leverages salesperson consultation to enhance satisfaction of experiential-focused shoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Managers engage in marketing efforts to boost sales and in setting marketing budgets based on current or historical sales. Past studies have overlooked the reciprocal relationship between marketing spending and sales. This study aims to examine the nature of the relationship between sales and marketing expenses in the B2B market. Design/methodology/approach: Five hypotheses on the relationship between sales and marketing expenditures were framed. A total of 30 of India's dyeing firms provided data on revenues, sales (in units) and marketing expenditures over time. The structural vector auto-regressive model and the vector error correction model were fitted to the data. Findings: The results show that marketing expenses and sales are related bidirectionally in a sequential way. Furthermore, sales drive the long-term equilibrium relationship to a greater extent than marketing expenditures. Practical implications: The findings of this study should assist managers in predicting sales and marketing budgets simultaneously and devising precise marketing strategies and tactics. Originality/value: Using econometric models in data-driven research is not a frequent practice in marketing. This study adds value to the body of marketing literature by advancing the theory of the relationship between sales and marketing spending using real-world data and econometric models in the B2B sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study investigates the role of performance coaching (PC) and employee agility (EA) in training transfer (TT). Research reveals that initially 40% of trainees struggle to apply what they've learned, increasing to 70% after a year, resulting in just a 50% overall training success rate. Following Holton et al.'s learning transfer system (LTS) framework, much research explores the factors affecting TT in various contexts, emphasizing organizational contexts, individual factors and training design, mainly in large corporations. This research, however, delves into the influence of PC (as an organizational context) and EA (as an individual characteristic) on TT in medium- and small-scale Indian enterprises. Building on the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the study also examines how EA mediates the relationship between PC and TT. Design/methodology/approach: Following LTS framework and building on the RBV theory, the survey research has been designed. Using a validated instrument, data from 411 respondents of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) by SPSS-AMOS. Findings: The result proved that PC and EA exert a significant and positive influence on TT. Further, the result proved that EA mediates the relationship between PC and TT. Originality/value: The research is unique and original, as little research are available on the exploration of the interplay between PC and EA within the framework of MSMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration among women IT/ITeS professionals in South India, examining the mediating effects of work role salience and occupational self-efficacy, along with the moderating effect of achievement aspiration. Design/methodology/approach: The sample consists of 348 women professionals working in the IT/ITeS industry in South India. The study adopts a descriptive methodology and employs a cross-sectional research design. Findings: The result shows that work role salience mediates the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration and that this mediation is moderated by achievement aspiration. Additionally, occupational self-efficacy is found to have a supplementary effect on leadership aspiration, further contributing to the model. Research limitations/implications: Despite the limitations of online data collection, the study showcases adaptability, providing valuable insights into women's career aspirations. It acknowledges opportunities for future research improvements, such as implementing longitudinal frameworks and incorporating a more diverse sample, to enhance the robustness and applicability of findings. Practical implications: The study offers valuable insights for managers, researchers and academia, aiding in the identification of crucial competencies for women aspiring to leadership roles, and fostering the retention of top talent in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Individuals can leverage these insights for enhanced career development by recognizing and emphasizing strengths while addressing weaknesses through accurate self-assessments. Originality/value: This study offers a novel perspective by identifying the essential competencies that are crucial for women to achieve leadership positions, thus making a valuable contribution to the existing literature in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine the relationship between foreign ownership and stock return volatility and second, to explore how COVID-19 impacts such a relationship. Design/methodology/approach: This empirical research is based on the non-financial firms of the BSE-100 index over the 2013–2022 period. The ordinary least squares, fixed effects and system GMM (Generalized method of moment) techniques are used to analyze the effect of oversea investors on stock return volatility. Findings: Results indicate an inverse association between foreign ownership and stock return volatility. The outcomes of the pre-and during-COVID-19 period show a negative but insignificant relationship between foreign ownership and stock return volatility. These results reflect foreign investors sold their stocks pessimistically, which badly affected the Indian stock market. Originality/value: This study enriches the previous literature by exploring the impact of foreign investors on the stock return volatility of Indian firms. To date, no study has captured the impact of foreign ownership on stock return volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0179 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the possibility of asymmetric impact of inflation on the financial development (FD) in the case of Indian economy from 1980 to 2020. Moreover, the finance–growth hypothesis is also tested. Design/methodology/approach: The authors incorporated the "Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag" (NARDL) model due to Shin et al. (2014) to investigate the asymmetric impact of inflation on financial development. Asymmetric cumulative dynamic multipliers are also used to track the traverse of any short-run distortion towards the long-run cointegration. Findings: The results revealed that inflation impacts the financial development negatively whereas the economic growth (EG) and trade openness have a positive effect. However, the effect of inflation on financial development is not symmetric. Moreover, the findings support the demand-led growth hypothesis. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study examining the asymmetric effects of inflation on financial development in the Indian context. In addition, instead of using a single proxy to measure financial development, an index for financial development encompassing different aspects of the financial system has been incorporated. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0094 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of distributive justice on normative commitment, both directly and indirectly through job satisfaction. Instead of integrating all the components of justice and commitment, distributive justice and normative commitment have been given prominence. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected through standardised scales from the 305 executives working in the top eight cement organisations located in the central part of the Indian subcontinent. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with bootstrapping was employed to evaluate the hypotheses. Findings: The results proved that distributive justice helps increase normative commitment and affects job satisfaction positively. Additionally, job satisfaction acts as a mediator between distributive justice and normative commitment. Research limitations/implications: Due to the adaptation of self-reported questionnaires, the chances of method bias cannot be completely denied. However, the Harman's single-factor analysis was conducted to handle it. Moreover, the data were obtained from a single source, i.e. the cement industry. Practical implications: HR practitioners may use the outcomes of this study to promote distributive justice while allocating their sources. It also helps in implementing specific strategies to improve job satisfaction and commitment. Originality/value: The study proposed a more complex linear model that included job satisfaction as a mediator. Moreover, the study is conducted in emerging economies, which addresses the research gaps in the existing body of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the association between risk tolerance and risky investment intention with financial literacy as a moderating variable. The proposed relationship was explored specifically for millennials. Design/methodology/approach: The questionnaire was divided into three segments to assess millennials' financial literacy, risk tolerance and risky investment intention. This study uses survey data from 402 millennial investors residing in Delhi-NCR region. The authors exploited PLS-SEM for the analysis because the model involved higher-order constructs. Findings: The findings revealed that financial literacy has a negative impact on risky investment intention. Further, risk tolerance had a positive and significant influence on risky investment intention; however, when financial literacy was added as a moderating variable in this relationship, it had a negative impact on risky investment intention. Originality/value: Every generation has its quirks, and millennials are no exception. Given their age and sheer number, leading to their dominance in the global workforce, millennials will bring about a generational shift. Awareness of Gen Y's financial literacy and risk behavior enhances their ability to make informed financial decisions, thus proving beneficial not only to them, but also to the whole economy. This will also help policymakers and institutions to introduce financial literacy programs and financial products in alignment with their needs and preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cause-related B2B marketing programs involve sponsoring organisations working with B2B suppliers with the help of non-profit organisations (NPOs) on practises relating to environmental friendliness, workforce diversity, human rights, safety, philanthropy and business ethics. The study aims to identify the combinatory factors driving the adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts an innovative approach of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data collated from top corporations in India supporting cause-related B2B marketing programs. Sponsoring organisations and NPO dyads (i.e. survey both) filled out an email survey on 264 cause-related B2B marketing programs. Findings: The study establishes that the combination of technological, organisational and environmental factors would lead to the adoption of Digital B2B platforms in managing cause-related B2B marketing programs. The study identifies six combinations of these factors for adopting Digital B2B platforms within and across sponsoring organisations and NPOs. Practical implications: The study findings would aid cause-related B2B marketers in developing Digital B2B platforms' capabilities by understanding the different combinations of factors driving adoption. Digital B2B platforms' capabilities can improve market performance if developed as core competencies. Social implications: The study findings would enable improvements in the implementation and performance of cause-related B2B marketing programs. Better management of cause-related B2B marketing programs would help increase beneficiary coverage and the realisation of societal goals. Originality/value: To the author's knowledge, this is the first study to apply the TOE framework in conjunction with complexity theory to explain the diffusion of adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate purchasing manager's core competencies during supplier collaboration and explain the mechanism through which these competencies can affect purchasing firm's innovative performance. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted 22 semidirective interviews with managers in diverse functions such as purchasing, supply-chain management and product development across industries and across nations (mostly India and France), which allow to formulate the propositions. Findings: Through open coding, the authors identify three path-dependent, causally ambiguous and socially complex core competencies of purchasing managers: relational and emotional, communicational and creative and cognitive competencies; and through axial coding, the authors explain how these intangible core competencies support implementation of market orientation. To provide supporting arguments for the propositions, the authors use the resource-based view of the firm and dynamic capability theory. Research limitations/implications: The first theoretical contribution of this study is focusing on the impact of competency–capability dyad in terms of performance. The second theoretical contribution of this study is to identify market orientation as a flexible and dynamic managerial capability. Practical implications: The first managerial contribution is that the authors have identified and described three sets of a purchasing manager's core competencies during supplier collaboration that affect the firm's performance: relational and emotional, communicational and creative and cognitive competencies. The second managerial contribution relates to the mechanism through which purchasing managers' core competencies during supplier collaboration affect firms' outcomes. Originality/value: The value of the results is in the explanation of the mechanism, i.e. market orientation dynamic capability, through which the competencies of purchasing managers can affect purchasing firm's innovative performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Inclusive Leadership (IL) and Organizational Justice (OJ) on employees' Happiness at Work (HAW). Utilizing a mediation mechanism, the study additionally uncovers the mediating impact of Workplace Inclusion (WI). Design/methodology/approach: The research involved a cross-sectional study with a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 311 employees working in IT sector firms in India by administering standardized questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS4.0, were conducted to examine the relationship between constructs. Findings: The hypothesized mediation model was supported. WI mediated the relationship partially between OJ and HAW, whereas there is a full mediating effect of WI on the IL–HAW relationship. Overall, the study shows that by providing fair treatment, inclusive leaders promote inclusivity among employees, further enhancing HAW. Research limitations/implications: The study's implications suggest that leaders, with their inclusive behaviour and fair practices, can have a significant positive impact on employees' workplace happiness when accompanied by a sense of inclusivity among employees. Practical implications: Organizations and leaders can utilize this study's findings to promote inclusiveness and HAW, which can be a key to organizational growth and development in a post-pandemic era. Originality/value: This study contributes to the research literature by addressing the unexplored relationship between IL, OJ and HAW. The exclusive as well as inclusive focus on the mediating role of WI adds new insights and enriches the understanding of the intricate conceptualization of the variables under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In highly competitive environments, sustainability positioning is crucial for firms, as they are evaluated based on their sustainable practices. This study aims to draw on the legitimacy and information asymmetry theories to explore attributes that impact business-to-business (B2B) sustainability positioning in emerging economies, such as India, within the service industry. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a mixed-methods exploratory research design to examine the attributes affecting sustainability positioning. In the first phase of the study, a qualitative research method was used to explore the attributes influencing B2B sustainability positioning. In the second phase, this study used these factors to develop a structural model. Findings: A variety of attributes was critical in assessing the sustainability positioning of B2B firms. This study identified a number of factors that explain the attributes affecting sustainability positioning in B2B markets. Some of them included environmental consciousness and external assurance. Originality/value: This study significantly contributes to the theoretical discourse on sustainable practices in B2B businesses in multiple ways. First, it provides empirical data on the relationship between firms' environmental consciousness and sustainability positioning in the B2B context, thereby adding to and expanding the current literature on this topic. Second, this study investigates the impact of external assurance on B2B firms' sustainability positioning and shows how it can enhance credibility, transparency and accountability. Finally, it analyzes sustainable positioning in the service sector, specifically in India, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify the key enablers for the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the automobile industry of India, which has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Adopting I4.0 will provide organizations greater flexibility and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the literature review and experts' opinions, 21 enablers were identified. Further, contextual relationships among the identified factors and a hierarchical digraph was developed by using the total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) technique. Finally, fuzzy cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was conducted to classify the enablers into different categories based on their dependence and driving power. Findings: The results indicate that top management support, clarity on government policy, strategic vision on I4.0 and development of new industrial policy are the most influential factors, with the highest driving power placed at the bottom of the TISM hierarchical model. Furthermore, agile workforce, smart HR practices and IT standardization and security are identified as linkage enablers with the most driving and dependency power. Practical implications: The hierarchical TISM model and fuzzy MICMAC approach provide a comprehensive understanding of the I4.0 implementation process through a visual, logical structure to the managers. It will help the researchers and practitioners understand the contextual relationship among various enablers in fostering the I4.0 adoption process and digital reorganization in the automobile industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: This study provides a holistic TISM hierarchical framework on I4.0 adoption that will elevate the next maturity level of innovation adoption and may act as a blueprint for automobile industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Phygital emerges as a promising phenomenon, as it uses innovative technologies to connect digital spaces and physical places that provide customers with an interactive and unique experience. Drawing the stimuli–organism–response (S-O-R) framework, the study aims to examine the phygital customer experience by using key drivers and their effect on customer engagement (CE), trust (TRU) and patronage intentions (PI). Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained by using convenience sampling from 389 respondents from northern parts of India between December 2022 and February 2023. After checking reliability and validity, "variance-based structural equation modeling" has been applied to obtain results. Findings: The outcomes reported that stimuli constructs such as customer brand experience (CBE), service quality (SQ) and emotions during the service (EDS) significantly influence organism (CE). However, pain points (PP) have a statistically insignificant impact on CE. Further, the outcomes also reveal a positive relation between organism and response variables (i.e. CE, TRU and PI). Practical implications: This study's results offer strategic insights to enhance CE and PI, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the retail banking industry. The financial service provider must prudently interrelate digital and physical platforms to make the customer journey fruitful. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to look at the effect of key drivers on the PI of active retail banking customers in national capital region, India by using the S-O-R framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to empirically examine the effect of employee commitment (EC) (affective, normative and continuance) and emotional intelligence (EI) on work engagement (WE) (vigor, dedication and absorption). Furthermore, the moderating effects of psychological capital (PsyCap) and EI on strengthening WE are investigated. Design/methodology/approach: A carefully crafted survey instrument was developed, and data were collected from 511 employees working in the banking sector in southern India. First, the psychometric properties of the measures were checked. Second, the results were analyzed using Hayes' PROCESS macros. Findings: The results indicate EC and EI positively predict WE; EI moderates the relationship between EC and WE; and PsyCap (second moderator) moderates the relationship between EI (first moderator) and EC influencing WE. Research limitations/implications: This study's limitations include the common method and social desirability biases inherent in any social science research based on surveys. However, the authors have taken adequate care to minimize these limitations. In addition, this study has several implications for practicing managers interested in enhancing WE. Originality/value: The three-way interaction between EC, EI and PsyCap, which is investigated in this study, represents an original and unique contribution to this study. To the best of the authors' knowledge, previous researchers have not done the moderated-moderation, especially in the context of a developing country such as India. This research advances the growing literature on EC and WE. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]