With growing financial liberalization, the twin challenges of rising current account (CA) deficits and volatile capital flows have become a key concern for policymakers in recent years. This study empirically investigates the causal dynamics between the capital account (KA) and the CA in major emerging Asian economies over the period 1980–2024, employing a panel Granger causality framework. The overall findings reveal no significant causal relationship between the KA and the CA at the aggregate level. However, a deeper analysis disaggregating the KA into its key components, such as foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment, yields different results. By incorporating the real effective exchange rate as a transmission channel, the study uncovers evidence of unidirectional causality running from non-debt-creating capital flows to the CA. This suggests that disaggregating capital flows allows for clearer identification of which types exert the most influence on the CA. Furthermore, the findings indicate that capital flow volatility tends to deteriorate the CA balance, underscoring the need for policymakers to prioritize financial sector stability, particularly before transitioning toward full KA convertibility. JEL Classification: C32, C33, F21, F31, F32
Plastic waste mismanagement in India presents significant environmental and social challenges, with striking differences in collection and disposal between urban and rural areas. Here, we apply a two-phase, mixed-methods framework to quantify household plastics waste (HPW) generation and trace its end-of-life (EOL) pathways. In Phase I, we synthesized literature and government reports to establish baseline HPW generation rates and to identify the primary sectors contributing to waste production. Phase II combined Material Flow Analysis (MFA) with data from reported waste audits and ministry data to map estimate EOL pathways across urban and rural contexts. Our results show that urban India collects 96.8% of generated HPW, 75%–80% handled by formal municipal services and 20% by informal collectors, yet only 12% of all plastics is recycled; the remaining 68% ends up in landfills or dumpsites. Informal actors supply 42%–86% of feedstock to material recovery facilities, underscoring their critical, though often unrecognized role. In rural areas, informal recyclers achieve a 70% recycling rate for the plastics, but 60% of flexible plastics remains uncollected, with 20% openly burned and 40% openly dumped, resulting in environmental losses of plastics. We also document that synthetic textile waste, funneled through informal reuse networks, bolsters rural recycling practices. By identifying distinct waste-generation patterns and EOL dynamics, our study offers actionable insights for tailoring region‑specific interventions. Strengthening informal–formal sector linkages and improving rural collection infrastructure emerge as pivotal strategies for reducing plastics losses into the environment. JEL Classification: Q53, Q56, R11
This article delves into the factors determining the overall electricity demand in India, employing an autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) bounds cointegration approach from 1991 to 2021. Investigating the level relationship reveals that gross domestic product (GDP), industrial efficiency, urbanisation level, and economic structural changes could be the primary ‘long-run forcing’ variables that explain aggregate domestic electricity demand in India. The findings indicate a positive relationship between the explanatory variables and electricity consumption, aligning with earlier studies. The scenario analysis shows that the projected electricity demand for 2027 is in line with that of the projections of Central Electricity Authority. JEL Classification: Q40, Q43
The United Nations announced 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. Among these, two key goals, decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), are significant for a sustainable economy. Economic growth is inherently coupled with the production and consumption of goods and services. The financial transactions associated with goods and services are often influenced by people’s decisions because of certain behavioral patterns and cognitive biases. In the contemporary landscape, credit cards are an integral part of the financial system, which account for a significant share of everyday transactions. This article examines specific behavioral patterns people often exhibit while using credit cards. These behavioral patterns also give rise to different concerns, which may negatively affect sustainable economic development. This article makes an attempt to comprehend and analyze the issues associated with credit card usage, which raise severe challenges for economic sustainability, by using specific insights derived from the field of psychology and behavioral economics. The literature on psychology and behavioral economics provides valuable insights into human behavior during economic decision-making process. This study aims to provide a set of policy recommendations by referring to certain nudging techniques which can effectively facilitate the prudent usage of credit cards in the Indian context so that sustainable economic growth can be promoted. JEL Classification: E70, E71, G41, H30
As the economy becomes more digitalized, it is critical to understand the determinants of digital entrepreneurship behavior (DEB) for entrepreneurial ecosystems and policy frameworks. In particular, this study examines the mediating effects of entrepreneurial intention (EINT) and entrepreneurial innovation (EINN), and the moderating effect of entrepreneurial education (EE) on the relationship between ecosystem support and DEB. Based on Institutional Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), the study conducted a structured survey on 343 digital entrepreneurs in India and used a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data. Findings show that ecosystem support has a significant direct and indirect (EINT and EINN) effect on DEB. Although EE has a significant direct impact on DEB, the moderating role is not significant, implying that informal and experiential learning could be more potent than traditional interventions. The results contribute to theoretical discussion by linking ecosystemic and behavioral levels of analysis of digital entrepreneurship, and provide practical implications for educators, incubators and policymakers in the context of supporting digital entrepreneurship ventures in emerging markets. JEL Classification: M
This study examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance in the Indian energy sector from 2014–2015 to 2023–2024. The research uses a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate whether the financial investments made by firms in CSR activities yield financial gains. The research uses secondary data sourced from annual reports and the Prowess database of 23 energy firms that are part of the S&P BSE Energy index. Financial performance is measured using Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), and Return on Equity (ROE), with additional control variables including firm age, size, and risk. Panel regression techniques such as the Random Effects Model (REM) and the two-step System Generalized Method of Moments are applied for data analysis, with the Hausman test confirming the consistency of the REM. The results highlight a statistically significant negative impact of CSR spending on ROA, ROCE, and ROE, even when accounting for lagged effects, suggesting that CSR allocations may impose short-term financial costs before potential long-term benefits emerge. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers and corporate strategists in the energy sector, underscoring the need to design CSR implementation strategies that balance compliance with future value creation. JEL Classification: G30; L25; Q40
The main objective of this study was to determine how green governance can lead to sustainable development in Bangladesh. This study also includes factors that come into effect while ensuring green governance, such as policies and regulations regarding green governance, stakeholder engagement (SE), monitoring and reporting (MR), resource management (RM) and green technologies (GT). Data were collected through a survey questionnaire in which 330 respondents participated, and the data were analysed using SPSS software. The findings of this quantitative study support that policies and regulations, SE, MR, RM, GT, and so on, can lead Bangladesh to implement green governance as a pathway to sustainability. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of green governance, which may bring the country to the forefront of sustainable development and a growing market through sustainable products and services. Bangladeshi people and companies will become aware of environmental laws, regulations and guidelines; how to track environmental indicators, such as carbon emissions, water quality, biodiversity and sustainable development indicators; and how they can implement green governance. This study used a structured survey questionnaire to identify and quantify constraints on the practical implications of Green Governance in Bangladesh. JEL Classification: M14, M48, 038.
This study investigates the dynamic relationship between work-life balance (WLB), workplace policies (WPP), career management (CM), and job satisfaction (JS) among working women in both the government and private organizations. While prior research has examined WLB and JS separately, few have integrated the mediating influence of CM within the Indian context. This study addresses that gap by using structural equation modeling (SEM) on data from 171 working women across. The findings revealed that WPP have a significant influence on both CM and JS. CM also positively impacts JS, confirming its mediating role in the relationship between institutional support and employee satisfaction. While WLB showed no direct effect on JS, it exhibited a fully mediated effect through CM, emphasizing the need for organizations to integrate WLB strategies with structured career development initiatives. These insights contribute to the understanding of gendered workplace experiences and highlight the importance of institutional support in promoting sustainable careers and the well-being of working women. JEL Classification: J16, J24, M54, I31
Purpose: Retaining employees becomes challenging for employers, especially when experiencing a high turnover rate. Organisations put substantial effort into retaining their employees. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the contribution of high-performance human resource practices (HPHRP) in building employees’ intention to remain (IR) with the organisation for a longer period. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study samples 238 employees from the Indian construction sector to empirically test and conclude the research. The authors first validated the data collected through a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach and then performed structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the hypothesised relationship. Findings: The results suggest that employers implement the HPHRP, especially internal career opportunities, incentives and compensation, and participation and communication practices that stimulate a positive intention among the construction industry employees to stay with the current organisation for a longer period. Research Limitations/Implications: The study is limited to the Indian construction sector. The scholars are encouraged to study more dimensions of HPHRP and empirically test their relationship with other employee performance and organisational performance measures. Practical Implications: To reduce the unwanted cost generated due to employee turnover, it is necessary that employers understand the role of HPHRP and implement it in a manner that signals a positive feeling within the employee, and thus, they wish to keep working with their current organisation. Originality/Value: The article provides empirical evidence of the relationship between HPRHP and IR. Earlier studies were conducted in other geographical regions and organisational settings. Thus, this study is the first to empirically test the direct relationship of HPRHP and IR on construction industry employees in India. JEL Classification: M31, L81, C78, M50, J63, L74
Through this research, the development and the intellectual framework of research based on circular economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 technologies are explored concerning sustainability. Even though the digitally enabled circular transformation attracts great interest, the domain of research does not have any systematic synthesis of thematic development and research gaps. To address this, 506 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2017 and 2026 and indexed in the Scopus database were included in a bibliometric analysis. The document selection process was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA framework. Using the Biblioshiny (R package), the data were analysed to achieve the objective. The results indicate significant growth in the number of publications, with the themes of the CE, Industry 4.0, and sustainable development emerging as the leading and most closely related. Digital technologies are increasingly presented as means of enabling closed-loop supply chains, resource optimisation, and sustainable production systems. The research is valuable because it elucidates the intellectual context, outlines new research areas, and suggests a conceptual model of the connection among Industry 4.0 technologies, circular approaches, and sustainability implications, thereby providing theoretical and managerial implications for digitally enabled sustainability change. JEL Classification: 044
This article investigates the moderating role of board size (BS), board independence (BI) and board gender diversity (BGD) in the relationships among capital structure (CS), ownership structure (OS) and the performance of non-financial listed firms in Ghana. A quantitative approach, using a panel-data design with endogeneity correction via two-step system GMM dynamic modelling, was employed to analyse financial data from 25 non-financial listed firms spanning 2010–2019. Findings indicated that total-debt-to-equity-ratio (TDTER), total-debt-to-assets-ratio (TDTAR), long-term-debt-ratio (LTDR) and financial risk (FR) significantly and negatively impacted FP. Conversely, total-equity-to-assets-ratio (TETAR), short-term-debt-ratio (STDR), cash conversion cycle (CCC), total assets turnover (TAT), tangibility (TANG), sales growth (GROW), firm size (SZ) and firm age (AGE) significantly and positively influenced FP. Bulk-shareholding (BSH) had a significantly positive effect on FP, while individual-shareholding (ISH) did not. BS, BI and BGD moderated/strengthened the relationships among CS, OS and FP. Findings/Results underscore the risk of high borrowing costs for highly-geared firms, advocating for corporate deleveraging, optimal CS and OS and improved governance practices. This study’s framework, though specific to Ghana, can be applied to other emerging economies, as it integrates previously unexplored/uncharted CG metrics of BS, BI and BGD into Agency Theory (AT), extending the theory’s scope, making it more rigorous/robust and generalisable. This theory extension-driven approach offers novel theoretical/conceptual/methodological insights, along with detailed, context-specific, practical/managerial and policy implications. JEL Classification: G10, G32, G34, G38
Popular Kacchi Biryani restaurant, Sultan’s Dine in Bangladesh, faced a major obstacle when a false and damaging rumor spread on social media that they were using dog meat in their dishes. This case study focuses on how Sultan’s Dine experienced damage from the food rumor issue, specifically how the restaurant’s brand reputation and consumer trust were affected by the rumors, which went viral. To escape the rumor and win back the public’s trust, the restaurant used a smart strategy that included Internet marketing, arguments, and public relations. Sultan’s Dine somehow managed the situation by applying strategies to overcome negative word-of-mouth and used viral marketing because of regular engagements with customers, which transformed the problem into an opportunity for development through social media and consumer feedback. Media reports, corporate representative interviews, and social media evaluations were used to collect data for this study. This case highlights the importance of quick crisis management, the contribution of viral marketing to reputation management in the food industry, and the challenges businesses face in the modern age. This case study shows how careful use of digital channels can reduce the negative impacts of rumors while building strong brand loyalty. JEL Classification: M31, D83, L82, L83.
The poor and unorganized women artisans lack the physical collateral, and banks are wary to lend to them due to informational asymmetry regarding their creditworthiness. Social capital in a joint liability group enables the members to borrow from the banks. Due to the joint liability and dynamic incentive of higher credit limits, the members peer monitors each other to ensure access to finance. The research study aims to discuss the role of peer mechanisms in ensuring the success of lending to the poor and marginalized through self-help groups (SHGs) or joint liability groups. Since there is no study that discusses the impact of peer mechanisms on lending through SHGs, this study, for the first time, provides a conceptual framework for peer mechanism and their role in ensuring the sustainability of joint liability groups. This study uses the social constructivist paradigm and the grounded theory method to explain how the peer mechanism that comprises peer selection, peer monitoring and peer enforcement helps to improve the repayment rates under the SHGs linkage program. The data for the study are collected using 25 semi-structured interviews with the members of the SHGs and the heads of the self-help-promoting institutions. The analysis of data highlights that in a group social exchange, social control, social cohesion, sustainability, and social welfare, which emerged as categories after the open coding, are the main sources of peer mechanism. Further focused coding highlighted that mainly network relations, trust, and norms enable sustainability in the SHGs.
India needs to spend 7%–8% of her GDP on infrastructure, while the actual expenditures are much less. As a result, there is a large infrastructure financing gap. Canadian pension funds are helping to bridge this gap and are very active in the Indian infrastructure market. It has been estimated that the cumulative investment of Canadian pension funds into India is over US$75 billion. India courts pension fund investments into infrastructure, like the rest of the world, as they do not suffer from asset-liability mismatch associated with bank financing of infrastructure. Investment in Indian infrastructure also produces handsome returns for these investors. This mutual utility of Canadian pension fund investment into Indian infrastructure makes such investments durable and long term with little chance of change in strategy based on short-term events, like the recent diplomatic spat between the two countries.
India and Mauritius have important historical and cultural ties, and trade, investment and strategic exchanges between them. India is the sixth-largest investor in Mauritius, while Mauritius is the third-largest investor in India. However, because of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India and the concurrent lack of a capital gains tax in Mauritius, a sizeable amount of the capital flows from India to Mauritius were essentially round-tripping or fiscal evasion of taxes on Indian money. The majority of Indian businesses that do business in Mauritius do not have any manufacturing or trading facilities. In light of this, the current work makes an effort to conduct a qualitative case study utilising primary and secondary data to follow the development of the strategic investment ties between India and Mauritius through money migration, after the DTAA was amended in 2016. After 2018, China has surpassed India in terms of volume of capital investment into Mauritius, with Singapore emerging as the largest provider of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India. The study observes that this shift in trend is not the result of only the treaty being amended but also the tax morale of the respective countries as well as the invasive economic policy of China. Whatever legal changes are made, if human avarice is not restrained, dishonest people will always find clever ways to circumvent the law to further their agendas.
The visual phenomenon known as “foodporn” has become well-known at a time when social media’s ubiquitous reach and the digital environment have had a significant effect. It embodies an alluring fusion of culinary talent and aesthetic splendor. This abstract presents an investigation of the complex dynamics that underlie the deep interaction between the complex web of modern consumer behavior and the foodporn imagery that is shared on social media platforms. This research explores the psychological, social, and marketing facets of this phenomena via an interdisciplinary perspective. It provides a distinctive perspective for understanding how foodporn imagery has evolved into a potent force for influence that shapes consumer preferences and the fundamentals of decision-making processes. By means of a methodical comparison of factual data and theoretical frameworks, this study not only clarifies the compelling appeal of foodporn but also reveals its crucial function in molding the features of the contemporary market.
Purpose: The present study aims to determine the consumer buying intentions regarding cloud kitchens, including how attitudes will change in response to perceived innovativeness (PI), food variety, price, food safety and social influence. Also, the study examined the mediating role of consumer trust between attitude and buying intentions. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study undertakes a convenience sample approach to examine what influences consumer buying intentions towards cloud kitchens in India. Various social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. were used to collect the responses. Furthermore, PLS Structural Equation Modelling and mediation framework was applied to analyse the data. Findings: The study revealed that consumer attitudes are positively impacted by perceived innovativeness, food variety, price, food safety and social influence. Consumer attitudes and behavioural intentions are significantly influenced by a mediating variable, that is Trust. Research Limitations/Implications: The research is confined to the customers’ preferences towards cloud kitchen in India. Although the findings proposed a model for the operators by considering a few variables, further research can be carried out by considering other variables. Practical implications: The outcome of this research provides recommendations to the operators of cloud kitchens by proposing a research model which underlines the significant factors that govern trust among customers towards cloud kitchens. Originality/value: The study emphasises how crucial it is to comprehend consumer behaviour when choosing a cloud kitchen, particularly in emerging countries like India, where the COVID-19 epidemic has majorly affected the food industry. The study may advance our understanding of customer behaviour and help cloud kitchen businesses with their marketing and operational strategies.
