Purpose: Retailing has become the backbone of economies worldwide, and is the employer of the majority. Today retailing has become a necessity for consumers for the seamless digital shopping experience it is providing today. This review focuses on technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and economic shifts that have shaped the growth of retailing from offline to online. Design/Methodology/Approach: The interpretivism approach is used to reach the research objective and derive conclusions without bias through content analysis. Finding/Result: Online retailing has undoubtedly become the consumer's first preference for shopping because of the various benefits and privileges offered to them by these platforms. It is not only the mere success in sales but also the e-retailing that has significantly focused on customer satisfaction by offering diversified products at an affordable range making them the most preferred option for the shopping experience by the customers. There is relatively scant evidence to support general assertions concerning the price discounts (cause) offered by online sellers/external brands (unit of analysis) on an online marketplace (E-retailers/Online retailers) and their financial performance (effect). Originality/Value: Various researchers have studied in the view of the success or growth pattern of offline and online retail. This research has tried to find out the research gap and make it an objective for further research. Paper Type: Content analysis

Purpose: Online shopping has become a piece of hot cake in the market today which is high in demand and currently trending. The benefits of online purchases have led to an economically beneficial shopping experience for customers. E-retailers have developed various strategies to retain their customer base and one such is the introduction of their private labels in the marketplace. This study aims to find out the importance of such private labels and their impact on the sales performance of e-retailers in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: The interpretivism approach is used to reach the research objective and derive conclusions without any bias through content analysis. Finding/Result: The competitive edge created by the private labels has been successful in grabbing the attention of customers for differentiated products and a range of prices against the other brands. Private labels have become major sales contributors for e-retailers. Originality/Value: Various researchers trying to find out the changes in the retailing sector and the economic growth of e-retailers, this paper focuses on identifying what are the factual contributors to success and their prominence. Paper Type: This paper is a content analysis of the data collected from various sources.

Purpose: The e-retail landscape, once dominated by monolithic brands, has undergone a vibrant transformation. At the heart of this shift lies a potent force: online sellers. These enterprising individuals and small businesses have become the lifeblood of online retail, injecting it with diversity, dynamism, and customer focus that traditional models often lack. This study aims to determine the importance of such online sellers concerning e-retailers in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: The interpretivism approach is used to reach the research objective and derive conclusions without bias through content analysis. Finding/Result: The significant growth of online sellers has contributed majority of sales for e-retailers. E-retailers have completely shifted over making their platform a marketplace with opportunities to grow wider. Originality/Value: Various researchers trying to find out the changes in the retailing sector and the economic growth of e-retailers, this paper focuses on identifying whether online sellers are genuinely important to online retailers. Paper Type: Content analysis.

Purpose: To develop a holistic and comprehensive model for scholars to systematically and scholarly identify research gaps and then formulate a research question during their Ph.D. program. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all six steps of the PHDRQ model and make mindful choices in each step they will be able to convert a complicated Ph.D. journey into an intellectually challenging and interesting journey thereby generating original and significant research outputs. A research question well formulated is half answered and most importantly the moment scholars mindfully formulate their research question 50% of their Ph.D. journey is complete. Originality/Value: Of course, we have not invented anything new in the PHDRQ model. But, for sure we have discovered a systematic way of arranging all the available steps of identifying research gaps and formulating a research question in a well-thought-through process flow that is appropriate and applicable for scholars admitted to Ph.D. programs across any discipline. Paper Type: Conceptual model.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain the key reasons for the existence of statistics in doctoral-level research, why and when statistical techniques are to be used, how to statistically describe the units of analysis/samples, how to statistically describe the data collected from units of analysis/samples; how to statistically discover the relationship between variables of the research question; a step-by-step process of statistical significance/hypothesis test, tricks for selecting an appropriate statistical significance test, and most importantly which is the most user-friendly and free software for carrying out statistical analyses. In turn, guiding Ph.D. scholars to choose appropriate statistical techniques across various stages of the doctoral-level research process to ensure a high-quality research output. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand i) they need NOT be an expert in Mathematics/Statistics and it is easy to learn statistics during Ph.D.; ii) the difference between measures of central tendency and dispersion; iii) the difference between association, correlation, and causation; iv) difference between null and research/alternate hypotheses; v) difference between Type I and Type II errors; vi) key drivers for choosing a statistical significance test; vi) which is the best software for carrying out statistical analyses. Scholars will be able to (on their own) choose appropriate statistical techniques across various steps of the doctoral-level research process and comfortably claim their research findings. Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about statistics, probability theory, measures of central tendency and dispersion, formulas for finding the relationship between variables, and statistical significance tests. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively which is conceivable to Ph.D. scholars. In this article, we have attempted to explain the reasons for the existence, objectives, purposes, and essence of ‘Statistics’ briefly and comprehensively with simple examples and tricks that would eradicate fear among Ph.D. scholars about ‘Statistics’. Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain standard formulas available for deriving sample size, the essence of every component of formulas, and available techniques for selecting samples from the research population in turn, guiding the Ph.D. scholars to finalize appropriate sample size and sampling technique. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand an appropriate sample size and available sampling techniques and make mindful choices of sample size and sampling technique across various stages/phases of the research to answer their research questions they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) data collection instrument and iii) data analysis techniques. Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about how to derive the sample size and how to select samples from the research population. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively which is conceivable to Ph.D. scholars. In this article, we have attempted to explain every component of sample size formulas and capture most of the sampling techniques briefly that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to glance through and make a scholarly choice of appropriate sample size and sample selection techniques. Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: To develop a concept for simplifying the complications of the Ph.D. journey of research scholars in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism research philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame. Findings/Result: It is evident that the key drivers that play an important and decisive role in simplifying the complications of the Ph.D. journey of research scholars in India are i) the level of focus on ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’; ii) level of interest in the ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’; iii) level of autonomy provided to choose the ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’. Originality/Value: The ‘8Fs’ concept is unique as no such concepts are being developed in India to date. We determinedly believe that a holistic adoption of the ‘8Fs’ concept by every stakeholder of the research education system would help increase the Ph.D. success rate in India. Paper Type: Conceptual Theory

Purpose: A purpose of this research article is to systematically synthesize the extant literature on the article Knowledge sharing (KS) and antecedents of knowledge sharing attitude and to contribute predictions with the emerging theme. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research paper adopted a systematic literature review using textual analysis for keywords and abstracts to identify the research hotspots. As well as the article analyzed and referred to several research articles from international and national journals on a random sampling basis. Findings/Result: This abstract map ensues from the review to reveal the antecedents of KS at the individual and organizational levels. The review showed the importance of further studies in knowledge sharing, especially in the retail sector of India. Though there are many pieces of research on the antecedents of KS behavior, there is further scope to study the role of the Big five personality traits in KS behavior among employees. Originality/Value: To the best of my knowledge, and provides a review of literature on the knowledge-sharing attitude of employees. This article is a systematic review of factors affecting KS behavior and proposes a concept map. The research augments the value of the growing literature on Knowledge sharing. Paper Type: Review Paper.

Purpose: To develop a holistic and comprehensive model of the research process which would help Ph.D. scholars in designing a robust and realizable research methodology during their Ph.D. program. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: We determinedly believe that the DDLR model of the research process would cease all the predispositions, misconceptions, and misunderstandings about doctoral-level research and research methodology/design. As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the sixteen steps of the DDLR model and make mindful choices in each step they will be able to convert a complicated Ph.D. journey into an intellectually challenging and interesting journey thereby generating original and significant research outputs. Originality/Value: Of course, we have not invented anything new in the DDLR model. But, for sure we have discovered a systematic way of arranging all the available steps of doing research in a well-thought-through process flow that is appropriate and applicable for scholars admitted to Ph.D. programs across disciplines. In addition, the DDLR model would enable Ph.D. scholars in designing a robust and realizable research methodology. There are several books, materials, blogs, articles, etc that are produced by many authors about research methodology. However, they have attempted to focus on a specific step of the research process. Developing the DDLR model is an attempt to collate all the existing knowledge about research methodology that is useful for Ph.D. scholars (to-be-doctorates). Paper Type: Conceptual model.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain various research data collection time frames, their merits, and demerits, and most importantly the suitability of each data collection time frame concerning the stage/phase of research to enable Ph.D. scholars in India to understand the key difference between research methodology/design and research data collection time frames, in turn, guiding them to choose an appropriate data collection time frame. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research data collection time frames and make mindful choices of data collection frames at various stages/phases of their research journey to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) sample size; ii) sampling technique; iii) data collection instrument; iv) data analysis techniques. In addition, scholars will also be able to differentiate between research methodology/design and research data collection frames. Originality/Value: There are a vast literature about each one of the research data collection time frames viz., Cross-Sectional, and Longitudinal (Panel; Cohort; Retrospective) time frames. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively. In this article, we have attempted to capture most of the research data collection time frames briefly that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to glance through and make scholarly data collection time frame choices. Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: To build an applied strategic model which is suitable for brick-and-mortar (B&M) retailing in India to achieve sustainable and organic profit. Design/Methodology/Approach: Pragmatism research philosophical paradigm; Abductive research approach; Multi-method choice and longitudinal time horizon for data collection; qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. Findings/Result: The SOPR-b model has established a statistically significant positive relationship between the share of organic profit; organic growth in customers’ repeat visit/purchase intention; organic customer orientation in the marketing mix and margin of safety; ownership and accountability held by the employees of sales & store operations; sales and stores operation orientation in the organizational structure; organic customer retention orientation in the performance measures and rewards. Originality/Value: The new strategic model developed draws on insights from over 9 empirical studies, 26 qualitative studies, 35 field experiments, evaluation of over 20 million customer-level transactions, and important existing theories, models, and frameworks from multiple disciplines that are pertinent to the Indian context in the accessible literature. Paper Type: Applied Research

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain the characteristics of data (qualitative and quantitative), secondary data, primary data, various primary data collection methods, data collection method choices, and most importantly the suitability of data collection method choices to enable Ph.D. scholars in India to understand the key difference between research methodology/design and research data collection methods/method choices, in turn, guiding them to choose an appropriate data collection method choice. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research data collection methods and make mindful method choices of data collection to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) data collection time frame; ii) sample size; iii) sampling technique; iv) data collection instrument; v) data analysis techniques. In addition, scholars will also be able to differentiate between research methodology/design and research data collection methods/method choices. Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about each one of the research data collection methods. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively. In this article, we have attempted to capture most of the research data collection methods and method choices briefly that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to glance through and make scholarly data collection method choices. Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain various types of data collection instruments, and available techniques for checking the calibration, validity, and reliability of the data collection instrument, in turn, guiding Ph.D. scholars to use a well-calibrated, valid, and reliable data collection instrument to ensure high-quality of research output. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand the existing research data collection instruments and realize the need for the development of a new instrument and make mindful choices of instruments in addition to checking their calibration, validity, and reliability before collecting the research data to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) data analysis techniques and appropriate statistical techniques in subsequent stages of the doctoral-level research process to comfortably claim their research findings. Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about research data collection instruments and procedures to check their calibration, validity, and reliability. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively which is conceivable to Ph.D. scholars. In this article, we have attempted to briefly explain various types of data collection instruments, and available techniques for checking the calibration, validity, and reliability of the data collection instrument. Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: A good description, explanation, and claim about the fact/reality/truth/dependent variable/effect and a piece of complete knowledge about reality are only possible if such a reality is explained using many possible research approaches/reasoning. Owing to such importance the key purpose of this article is to explain the essence of ‘research approach/reasoning’ and various available research approaches/reasoning in doctoral-level research and recommend an ideal model that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to carry out doctoral-level research that is aimed at improving knowledge about a reality using different research approaches/reasoning.Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research approaches and make mindful choices of approaches to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) data collection method; ii) data collection time frame; iii) sample size; iv) sampling technique; v) data collection instrument; vi) data analysis techniques.Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about reasoning in research. However, there are only a few stakeholders in the research education system who encourage Ph.D. scholars to choose a research approach/reasoning that is uncommon in a discipline. Through this article, we have attempted to explain the purpose of reasoning in doctoral-level research in addition to recommending a decision framework that enables Ph.D. scholars to choose an appropriate research approach during Ph.D.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to i) explain every step of the Ph.D. journey along with their importance, priority, and weightage, ii) provide a Ph.D. planner template, iii) introduce a self-evaluation calculator to understand scholars’ Ph.D. progress, iv) throw some light on career opportunities for the Ph.D. holders, and v) Ph.D. holder’s responsibilities.Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand i) which step of the Ph.D. journey is important?; ii) which step needs scholars’ efforts?; iii) which steps require external support?; iv) what are the career prospects of a Ph.D. holder; v) what are the responsibilities of a Ph.D. scholar? They will be able to complete their Ph.D. journey in time and without complications.Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about research methodology and other aspects of the research. However, only a few have explained the step-by-step process of the Ph.D. journey. In this article, we have attempted to explain every step of the Ph.D. journey; importance, weightage, and priority of each step; career options for Ph.D. holders; responsibilities of Ph.D. scholars/holders.Paper Type: Conceptual.

Purpose: A scholarly description, explanation, and claim about reality and a piece of complete knowledge about reality are only possible if such a reality is explained using many possible philosophical paradigms and perspectives. Owing to such importance of ‘philosophy’ the purpose of this article is to explain the essence of ‘philosophy’, briefly describe various available research philosophical paradigms in doctoral-level research, and recommend an ideal model that would encourage Ph.D. scholars in India to carry out doctoral-level research that is aimed at improving knowledge about a reality using different research philosophical paradigms and perspectives.Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: The word ‘philosophy’ exists in the Ph.D. degree ‘by choice’ and it is indispensable in doctoral-level of scientific and scholarly research. As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research philosophical paradigms and make mindful choices of paradigms to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) research approach; ii) data collection method; iii) data collection time frame; iv) sample size; v) sampling technique; vi) data collection instrument; vii) data analysis techniques; so on.Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about research philosophy. However, there are only a few explanations about the essence and existence of the word ‘philosophy’ in the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program. In addition, there are only a few stakeholders in the research education system who encourage Ph.D. scholars to choose a research philosophical paradigm that is uncommon in a discipline. Through this article, we have attempted to explain the purpose of the existence of the word ‘philosophy’ in addition to recommending the CRPhP model that encourages scholars to involve all perspectives and paradigms of a reality/phenomenon leading to complete and final knowledge about that reality/phenomenon.

India is one of the largest countries with consumers belonging to widest range of Religions, Regions, Languages, Sub-Cultures, Ethnicities, and Economic backgrounds which makes it difficult for just few organized lifestyle retailers to service divergent needs of such consumers. This makes it furthermore beneficial for unorganized lifestyle retailers spread across India in humongous numbers which are predominantly owned and operated by the store owner and their family members to take such divergent consumer needs to their advantage as far as their survival is concerned. Unless they attempt to adopt certain modifications and changes to their existing retailing model and store image this benefit will no longer be available to them in the long run. Organized lifestyle retailing in India is steadily growing its penetration into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and this is putting unorganized lifestyle retailers in these cities in quandary. In this study, we have analysed twelve months actual data across, a) unit economics; b) returns on investment; c) 94 business deployment factors; d) 192 critical effective factors; and, e) qualitative factors of few select organized and unorganized lifestyle retailers in India thereby drawing inferences / insights to design and propose an integrated framework which is, a) simple to understand; b) easy to execute; and most importantly c) demanding minimal additional capital investment and would possibly help unorganized lifestyle retailers in India to get organized.

Though consumer communication and orientation is a collective responsibility of all the departments/functions across the organization, a majority of lifestyle brands and retailers in India believe that the consumer communication is the deliverable of a single department/function that is widely and erroneously tagged as Marketing Department. This belief is distracting them from understanding the long-term positive impact on consumer patronage and they continue to use high-cost advertisements as one of the major tactics for consumer communication. A single theory, model and framework of consumer behavior from the existing literature available across perspectives, paradigms, and areas of study (Economics, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, Social Psychology, Anthropology, Marketing and so on) is not entirely applicable that could be adopted to suit lifestyle brands/retailers in India and designing a framework without empirical pieces of evidence is also not appropriate. In this study, i) we have studied over 28 consumer behavior theories, models and frameworks; ii) analyzed 24 months’ of actual data of a few select organized lifestyle brands and retailers in India; iii) borrowed experimental findings and insights from previous studies relevant in this context, to identify 50 factors influencing the outcomes of each stage of the consumer decision-making process and selected a few of them that have indicated the high scope of influencing capability by a lifestyle brand/retailer to design an economical and effective framework that is useful in designing consumer communication deployment tactics by a lifestyle brand or retailer in India. The framework is named as CCF-LS.

A majority of brick-and-mortar lifestyle retailers in India have adapted firm-level and output-driven measures to evaluate their overall retailing performance in addition to not apportioning the central office expenses incurred merely to run stores on to store’s profit and loss account. This output-driven approach is distracting them from focussing on input variables and efficiency that is inevitably imperative if sustainable retail profit and returns on investment are expected. In this exhaustive empirical study, we have studied a few select organized brick-and-mortar lifestyle retailers to identify 64 variables that directly or indirectly determine the returns on investment of a lifestyle retailer, of which we have chosen 16 input-driven variables to design the LSRS-b instrument in addition to ensuring integration of variables that have a significantly positive association and determination with consumer repeat visit rate, sales personnel consumer orientation, cash flow efficiency, revenue generation, profitability, returns on investment, and consumer-level performance evaluation. Based on 24 months of data evaluated, we have found that these 16 input-driven variables have a significant determination of about 86.90 percent concerning the final output i.e., returns on investment (ROI) which is a strong indicator of the reliability of LSRS-b instrument in evaluating the overall retailing performance of organized brick-and-mortar lifestyle retailers in India.

Though EBOs’ (Exclusive Brand Outlet) risk-mitigation is a collective responsibility of lifestyle brand and the expansion partner (franchisee), a majority of lifestyle brands in India believe that the risk of capital investment/recurring expenses of EBOs and profit generated by EBOs has to be owned by the expansion partner. This belief and unbalanced business strategy of lifestyle brands though attract franchisees in the early stages of EBO expansion due to the brand’s reputation in the market or initial lucrative contract terms, it seriously fails to bring any long-term strategic and competitive advantages to the lifestyle brand as the drop-out rate of expansion partners increase significantly after one year of operation. This belief is also distracting lifestyle brands from understanding the long-term positive impact of EBO expansion frameworks that could balance the risk-mitigation and profits between the brand and the expansion partner. A single theory, model and framework of ‘Firm-Contracts’ and ‘Distribution Systems’ from the existing literature available across perspectives, paradigms, and areas of study (Economics, Business Law, Market Penetration, Business Strategy, Marketing and so on) is not entirely applicable that could be adopted to suit lifestyle brand’s EBO expansion plan in India and designing a framework without empirical pieces of evidence is also not appropriate. In this study, (i) we have studied existing theories, models and frameworks relevant to market penetration and expansion; (ii) analyzed 24 months’ of actual EBO data of a few select organized lifestyle brands in India across their existing expansion models; (iii) borrowed experimental findings and insights from previous studies relevant in this context, to identify key decision and investment-making areas that could result in a balanced business contract between a lifestyle brand and the expansion partner thereby designing an economical/effective framework that would be useful in deployment of appropriate tactics of deciding a right EBO type for every City Type and the Store Location by a lifestyle brand in India. The framework is named as EBOE-LS.