The study investigates determinants of interest in fintech careers and the role of fintech-specific education in entrepreneurial intention. Using a cross-sectional survey (n=325), the study models relationships among technological proficiency, innovativeness, risk-taking and career interest. Reliability and convergent validity were satisfactory (CR=0.77-0.87; AVE=0.60-0.70). Structural paths were significant (e.g. technological proficiency -> career interest beta=0.25; innovativeness beta=0.30; risk-taking beta=0.20; all p<0.01). Participation in fintech-specific education/training strongly predicted fintech entrepreneurial intention (beta=0.82, p<0.001), with the model explaining R2=0.58 of variance in career interest and R2=0.67 in entrepreneurial intention. The study discusses implications for curriculum design and talent pipelines in the fintech sector.

Introduction: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) have long been viable in the Indian economy. In the case of post-COVID-19, 20–40% of MSMEs in government can be permanently closed. The state should pay special attention to MSMEs for survival (Min, 2023).Purpose: This chapter provides a framework for MSMEs to study industry challenges in Punjab and to discuss the conceptual framework and road map for future MSMEs in Punjab.Need for This Study: The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the variable economic activities within the world. This study is responsible for explaining the different vulnerable sectors related to small- and medium-sized enterprises. On the other hand, this study is an analytical and descriptive research in nature.Methodology: A mixed method of data collection has been used in this chapter. The data have been collected by floating a questionnaire to the various entrepreneurs of MSMEs. Secondary data have been collected through the Internet.Findings: Through this research, we could analyse the MSMEs' conceptual framework, the challenges they face, and the industrial units' future roadmap.Practical Implications: This research is mainly considered a clear explanation of current competition and market access challenges that small- and medium-sized enterprises face. This situation is derived due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so many enterprises are trying to find their exit ways. On the other hand, some MSMEs are trying to focus on the online business market to make some profit and to overcome the loss.

The 21st century has entered the phase in which progressive development in technology is taking over every nook and corner of society. It is also known as the tech-oriented phase where technology is boundaryless. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., are used by almost everyone. We are witnessing a daily increase in online learning platforms, in which immense learning opportunities can be received through various learning apps and websites. Learners are gearing up to exercise these unlimited options to ensure that they will receive a quality education. Therefore, there is a need to determine the various technological products that will help learners receive a quality education via online learning methods. To do this, various technological products helpful to the education sector are discussed in this chapter; and thereafter PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental) analysis will be discussed. This chapter also highlights the benefits of technology in the education sector.

This research explores the increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) with relation to smart cities. It discusses the AI and ML's ability to revolutionize various aspects of urban environments, including infrastructure, governance, public safety, and sustainability. The research presents the definition and characteristics of smart cities, highlighting the key components and technologies driving initiatives for smart cities. The methodology employed in this study involved a comprehensive review of relevant literature, research papers, and reports on the subject of AI and ML in smart cities. Various sources were consulted to gather information on the integration of AI and ML technologies in various aspects of smart cities, including infrastructure optimization, public safety enhancement, and citizen services improvement. The findings suggest that AI and ML technologies enable data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and optimization in smart city development. They are vital to the development of transport infrastructure, optimizing energy distribution, improving public safety, streamlining governance, and transforming healthcare services. However, ethical and privacy considerations, as well as technical challenges, need to be solved to guarantee the ethical and responsible usage of AI and ML in smart cities. The study concludes by discussing the challenges and future directions of AI and ML in shaping urban environments, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts and responsible implementation. The findings highlight the transformative potential of AI and ML in optimizing resource utilization, enhancing citizen services, and creating more sustainable and resilient smart cities. Future studies should concentrate on addressing technical limitations, creating robust policy frameworks, and fostering fairness, accountability, and openness in the use of AI and ML technologies in smart cities.

Insurance can be considered as a societal scheme to minimise the threat of damage of life and non-life items. Many emerging technologies like blockchains, big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Insurtech have created industrial revolution in the insurance sector. The existing insurance companies face a dilemma due to mismatch between the rates of digital transformation and rates of scientific advancements in the insurance trade. This study analyses the impact of emerging technologies on the existing insurance sector. Many databases like Ebscohost, Emeraldinsight, and Jstor were explored for the relevant literature using keywords. This study identified that the emerging technologies directly impact the insurance sector based upon the factors like competency of their processes, focus on customers, and advantages over competitors, whereas there are many factors that are creating many challenges for the insurance companies. These challenges can be handled with the help of human capital, better leadership, and corporate innovations. The insurance companies can understand the impact of emerging technologies on the existing insurance sector and can tailor strategies to enhance the overall insurance penetration.

Flipping the classroom serves as a foundation to foster self-learning in the student. This study aims to explore the benefits and challenges of implementing the flipped classroom method in Indian HEIs. Different HEIs in India reveal student comfort, expanded learning, further developed execution and criticism, customized consideration and upgraded cooperation, better survey, and ideal use of class time as the major benefits of this method. This method also faces certain challenges like shortfall of requirements, weakening of educator impact, food of model, and particular flipping. It can possibly adjust the conveyance and absorption of HEI instruction. Nonetheless, while examining a flip of the HEI classroom, there is a necessity to tread carefully. The obstructions in the method of the successful execution of this method should be battled before the method can convey the ideal outcomes.

The topic of artificial intelligence known as computational intelligence focuses on the research of adaptive processes that facilitate rational behaviour in complicated and ever-changing environments. These processes include the Artificial Intelligence archetypes that can generalise, abstract, discover, and associate as well as learn or adapt to novel contexts. In recent decades, a lot of academics have concentrated on Computational Intelligence, demonstrating that the field has expanded greatly. However, in the last two years, the trend has changed, as evidenced by the decline in number of publications published annually. Computational intelligence, one of artificial intelligence’s dimensions, has recently lost some of its prominence in the modern world as artificial intelligence gains substantial appeal. This is why, it is more important than ever to discover the most prominent and active scholars in the subject, as well as the top journals and academic institutions that are still working on this dimension. In order to undertake this study, bibliometric analysis was undertaken highlighting the main authors, institutions, nations, and journals actively publishing articles on computational intelligence. It was also observed that due to its classification as a subset of artificial intelligence and the increasing amount of study being done in that subject alone, computational intelligence has recently lost ground in terms of research interest and that explains the reason for the declining trend in the study of computational intelligence.

Metaverse is opening new avenues of opportunities for product manufacturers, as well as service providers, and with this focus in mind, the present research proposes the scope and challenges that the application of Neuromarketing in virtual worlds faces across different disciplines and business segments. The immense growth potential that is currently untapped in the metaverse domain can be taken to a different level altogether with the help of neuromarketing applications. This study will analyze the impact of augmented and virtual reality on customer purchase behavior in the virtual world. The stress has been provided to understand customer purchase behavior through a framework model of consumer behavior in augmented shopping reality. The study also discusses the various challenges for customer purchase behavior in the virtual world along with the future direction for research to fill the knowledge gaps in the area under study.

Entrepreneurs are significantly playing an important role in economic development of any country. The present study investigated the role of entrepreneurship educational programmes in building startup skills among Indian women. It identified new variables that are significant contributors in building startup skills among women. 215 women from IIMB NCW course have been considered as respondents on the basis of random sampling method. Reliability and Validity of the developed scale has been tested. Linear Regression Model has been applied to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship educational programme on selected constructs. With the literature and empirical support, the study concluded that entrepreneurial persistence, entrepreneurial attitude and economic benefits are the better predictors of entrepreneurship educational programme and it really helped them to build start up skills. This research brings out an original and novel contribution to the entrepreneurship theory.

The paper presents the Indian scene as regards collectivism. It was observed that Indians describe themselves as allocentric and perceive the Indian system as more or less collectivistic. However, regional similarities and differences were also observed. The dominant themes of Indian collectivism appear to be relationship orientation, familialism, and belief in hierarchy. Some other themes were harmony and tolerance, inquisitiveness about others, support, concern for others’ evaluation, and utilization of social contacts. Networking for mutual gain and Other-orientation were found to be important dimensions of allocentrism. Furthermore, it was contended that Indians look upon norms as accommodative rules for meeting the demands of the situation. The concept of a happy life for young students meant a good small family, nice social and physical environment, peace contentment, wealth and education. Their self-referents mirrored their immediate context and concerns but still could be placed under the category of social identity. Indian collectivism was positively related to psychological well-being but only in a socially supportive environment.

There is a relationship between development of financial markets and economic growth. Thus the development of financial market and the reduction of poverty on a larger scale also contribute towards economic growth. With a population of over 125 crore, 40% of families do not have access to banking and other financial services and such households have to rely on entrusted credit lenders who charge heavy interest from the m an thus pushes them to an inescapable cycle of poverty. So the basic objective was to provide account to every family along with banking services. Finally, financial inclusion comes as a sign for better future and seamless social inclusion because a population that identifies itself best with the rest of the society contributes more positively towards economic progress. Many initiatives taken by the government specially targeted towards rural people in India. But unfortunately, financial systems in India till date have not seen enough in uplifting the lives of the bottom of the pyramid masses because providing basic financial services such as bank accounts, credit, and insurance have a higher cost for those people.Theproposed paper attempts to address uponchallenges and strategies of the Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana and its impact on the people and financial institutions and how all this has shaped the present degree of inclusion in India. Key Words: Financial Inclusion;No frill account; Inclusive Growth; Financial services.