O.P. Jindal Global (Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University), is a private university located at Sonipat, Haryana, India. It was established in 2009 as a philanthropic initiative of its founding chancellor, Naveen Jindal in memory of his father, O.P. Jindal. In 2019, UGC named JGU as an Institute of Eminence, making it one of the ten private universities in India to have received the distinction.P.
PurposeThis paper aims to identify the key determinants driving the growth of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in India, addressing a significant gap in the literature on digital payment ecosystem dynamics in emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachUsing monthly data on UPI transaction volume from July 2016 to May 2022 obtained from the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) database, this study uses the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Error Correction Model approach to examine the determinants of long-term UPI payment growth.FindingsThis study found that the UPI ecosystem, including internet penetration, payment applications on the UPI interface, particularly BHIM app transaction volumes and the COVID-19 pandemic structural break, significantly influences UPI payment volume growth. Alternative payment channels, including POS terminals and cash circulation, demonstrate negative relationships with UPI growth, confirming substitution effects. Although UPI and other digital payment systems provide substantial benefits, cash remains preferable for certain transaction categories and regional contexts.Practical implicationsThe findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, regulators and practitioners on the factors driving UPI growth, enabling the development of targeted policies that promote financial inclusion, digital infrastructure investment and payment system innovation in emerging economies.Originality/valueThis study provides the first comprehensive econometric analysis of UPI growth determinants, addressing a literature gap where previous research focused primarily on forecasting. The authors uniquely examine the impact of alternative payment channels and quantify COVID-19's structural impact on digital payment adoption, areas that have received limited empirical attention.
Policies across countries are striving to support the mental health needs of young adults and promote inclusive higher education. There is a lack of evidence on the challenges faced by Students with Mental Health Conditions (SwMHC) and the available support at Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by SwMHC in higher education, available support, and the utilization of institutional support services. A qualitative phenomenological approach and purposeful sampling were used to understand the experiences of SwMHC. Ten participants were interviewed online, by telephone, or face-to-face, based on their preference. Most participants were diagnosed with a mental illness, and three participants were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition. Data were collected between August 2024 and June 2025 and transcribed and coded simultaneously. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti version 25. Qualitative data analysis gave rise to 435 codes,10 categories, and three themes: (a) sailing through a sea of challenges; (b) supports to stay afloat; and (c) portrait of an inclusive and supportive institution. SwMHC face multiple academic and social challenges in HEIs. Institutional support services play a major role in creating an enabling and supportive environment for SwMHC. The study findings can inform institutional practices and educational policies.
Purpose As information providers, libraries select, acquire, process, store, preserve and distribute information resources to customers. Innovative technologies like the blockchain have posed major challenges to education and library services. The main goal of the application of blockchain technology (BT) in libraries and information centers is to give all possible users in participating library systems unrestricted access to digital content and print collections while minimizing risk to protect each user’s privacy and identification. A fresh and dependable technology called blockchain aids in the security, reliability and preservation of information. The 21st century’s change agents’ libraries are implementing new technologies to deliver the most knowledge possible in the shortest amount of time. It cannot be overstated how this technology has the potential to transform library services, operations and functions. Design/methodology/approach An extensive review of literature on “smart libraries” was carried to ascertain the emerging technologies in the smart library domain. Literature was searched against various keywords like smart libraries, smart technologies, Internet of Things, electronic resource management, data mining, artificial intelligence, ambient intelligence, BT and augmented reality. Later on, the works citing the literature on smart libraries were also explored to visualize a broad spectrum of emerging concepts about this growing trend in libraries. Findings Blockchain is one of the rapidly expanding and evolving technology. Librarians and library need to understand the opportunities, benefits and risks of blockchain. Perhaps in libraries, BT will become a useful tool for storing, storing and sharing information. This technology also aids in the acquisition of library materials that can improve collection maintenance. Blockchain can protect user and patron records and enhance the privacy of user and research data. This technology also improves collaboration among library patrons and staff. BT is increasingly being adopted by libraries in various ways. It creates an improved metadata system to protect digital-first selling rights, peer-to-peer sharing and more. Apart from what have been already discussed, this technology is perfect for academia and perfect for achieving potential pace in libraries. It can be used to safeguard library user records, retrieve libraries document and improve collection management. A special bulk request enables identification and discovery of unique holdings. Scientific writing is another good use case for blockchain, where researchers can record and time-stamp ideas and spread information. BT presents a significant opportunity for libraries to enhance user privacy, enhance collaboration and transform the manner in which libraries and communities collaborate. The University of San Jose in Toronto, the Reference Library, the Suffolk Collaborative Library System and many other libraries are exploring this technology, and various other libraries are set to follow suit. Originality/value The paper tries to highlight the usage of blockchain technologies in the libraries and information center setups for the efficient working of library setups. Blockchain is one of the emerging technologies that have the potential to bring the technology revolution.
Purpose This paper aims to explore the role teachers can play in supporting youth mental health and well-being through ordinary day-to-day interactions in higher education classrooms. It considers how the relational dimensions of teaching shape students' experiences of safety, curiosity and connection and their ability to engage meaningfully with learning. Design/methodology/approach Using a dialogic approach, the paper is built around a conversation between two teachers reflecting on their experiences of teaching students in higher education. These reflections are situated within ideas from attachment theory, epistemic trust, neurodiversity-affirming and culturally responsive perspectives to understand how these concepts appear in real classroom life. Findings The reflections highlight how relational aspects of teaching such as listening, navigating uncertainty, attending to misattunements and managing boundaries shape the everyday classroom environment. They also shed light on the responsibility teachers hold to negotiate the needs of many students while also being aware of their own limits, and how these ongoing processes influence students' sense of safety and participation. The paper also highlights the complexity and emotional effort involved in this work, and the contexts that make such relational teaching possible. Practical implications The paper invites teachers to reflect on the relational dimensions of their teaching practice and how these shape student well-being. It also underscores the need for institutional structures and support systems that make such relational work sustainable and feasible for teachers. Originality/value The paper provides an experiential, dialogic lens to an often-overlooked aspect of youth mental health: the relational work of teachers. It offers a grounded account of how wellbeing can be supported through the ordinary and imperfect nature of classroom interactions.
PurposeThere is a lack of studies exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) enables operational excellence, which justifies the successful integration of AI and how it can be connected to circular economy (CE). This study aims to examine how AI-driven operational excellence enables resource utilization to facilitate the CE transition.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 12 enablers were identified through literature, and using the Fuzzy-DEMATEL technique, their cause-effect analysis and prominence rating are conducted.Findings"Improved transparency, coordination and trust", "improved forecast of demand and other uncertain supply chain (SC) parameters", "accurate real-time information flow", "decision support for specialized CE-based business models" and "improved eco-accounting of SC impacts" are identified as the most prominent enablers.Originality/valueThese enablers will help enterprises identify specific use cases of AI in CE-based business models, thereby accelerating adoption and improving resource utilization and circularity. The study's findings will assist managers and practitioners in understanding the operational aspects of how AI contributes to enhanced resource circularity.
