Journal of African Development

Human Resource Development (HRD) is considered to be one of the most important strategic instruments that has been applied by organizations to ensure a competitive edge and ensure longer-term prosperity. The paper provides a comprehensive, systematic examination and analytical synthesis of the relationship between the HRD interventions and the outcome of organizational performance in different industries and areas. This paper uses the evidence of over 85 articles published in the last ten years (2000-2024) and the experience of the World Economic Forum, SHRM, Deloitte, McKinsey Global Institute, and the International Labour Organization to examine how essential components of the HRD, training and development, career development, organizational learning, mentoring, performance management system and leadership development can affect their outcomes, such as employee productivity, organiz The literature finds that organizations with these high investment strategies of HRD outperform their counterparts with low-investment strategies in numerous measures: productivity increases by 20-25 percent, voluntary turnover reduces by up to 34 percent, and the output of innovations rises by 15 to 22 percent, and they are made more profitable through an average of 8.6 percentage points. A detailed HRD-Performance Framework founded on Human Capital Theory, Resource-Based View, and Social Learning Theory is also provided in the document. It identifies institutional barriers like scarcity of resources, organizational resistance, and measurement gaps, and provides evidence-based strategic suggestions to HR practitioners and decision-makers. The study also adds to the body of current knowledge by bridging the theoretical gap between HRD investment and measurable organizational outcomes by providing a robust academic and practical tool to the researcher, leaders, and decision-makers

Aim:The main purpose of this paper is to examine the use of social media on the leading social media platforms and to investigate the role of age in the choice of media and patterns of interaction. Some of the main factors that contribute to user engagement that the study aims to determine include the quality of the content, personalization, and interactivity..

Methodology:The study uses quantitative approach with the use of primary data gathered by means of a structured questionnaire. There were 105 valid responses of five age groups. To test the relationships in demographic variables and preferences to the platform, SPSS and Excel were used to perform statistical analysis, including descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and chi-square test.

Results:The results have shown that there is significant correlation between age and preference of social media platform (p < 0.05). Instagram was the most popular with the younger users (1625 years old) and YouTube was more popular among users between 2135 years. Facebook was also shown to have relatively less preference in most groups. Also, the quality of the content, personalization, and interactivity were also found to be strongly positively related to user engagement.

Implications:The paper offers valuable advice to marketers, content creators, and managers of digital platforms because of the need to focus on platform strategies. The ability to adjust the content according to demographic factors and increase interaction should help to boost the user engagement and retention rates.

Originality/Value:The study is relevant to the current body of literature in that it combines the demographic analysis with platform-specific elements of engagement to provide a more in-depth insight into the role of age in social media behavior and engagement patterns

Environmental issues have grown critical in many industries. Government expectations for environmental and social performance are significantly higher than they were previously. Countries in the developing phase have numerous environmental difficulties, including contamination of the water and air, widespread manufacturing waste disposal, and so on, all of which are caused by corporate operations. As a result of becoming aware of the danger that could jeopardise their very survival, numerous industries have begun to adapt and work on green management. The goal of this study is to explore the relationship between green management and firm performance,as well as to discuss the many types of green management practises used by firms in India

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises play a crucial role in economic development by generating employment, promoting innovation, and supporting inclusive growth. Despite their economic importance, MSMEs often face various challenges such as limited financial resources, restricted access to markets, and technological constraints. Governments across the world have introduced several support mechanisms, including financial subsidies and market facilitation programs, to strengthen the MSME sector and enhance its competitiveness. This study aims to examine the impact of government subsidies and market access on MSME performance. The study adopts a quantitative research approach and uses primary data collected from 300 MSME owners and managers. A structured questionnaire consisting of 15 items was used to measure the variables of government subsidies, market access, and MSME performance. Responses were collected using a five-point Likert scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Reliability analysis, factor analysis, and correlation analysis were conducted to examine the relationships among the variables. The reliability analysis produced a Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.884, indicating strong internal consistency of the measurement items. Factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed the presence of three distinct factors representing government subsidies, market access, and MSME performance. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value of 0.918 and significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The extracted factors explained 74.428% of the total variance, demonstrating strong construct validity. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between market access and MSME performance (r = 0.435, p < 0.01) and between government subsidies and MSME performance (r = 0.410, p < 0.01). However, no significant relationship was found between market access and government subsidies. The findings indicate that both government subsidies and improved market access independently contribute to enhancing MSME performance. The study highlights the importance of effective government support policies and improved market connectivity in strengthening MSME growth and sustainability

Employee performance has been found to be significantly impacted by an ethical corporate culture. This study looks at the connections between employee outcomes like skill development, perceived recognition, and performance improvement and important ethical dimensions like recognition and rewards, ethical training, integration of ethical considerations in decision-making, and open ethical communication.

Data was gathered from 303 employees in a variety of organizational settings using a cross-sectional correlational design. The results of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that while ethical recognition and training did not exhibit significant positive associations with skill enhancement, decision-making guided by ethical principles and leaders' transparent communication were positively and significantly linked to employees' sense of being valued and their perceived performance growth.

These results imply that rather than directly affecting performance, ethical leadership predominantly influences employee outcomes through relational and psychological mechanisms. By highlighting the varying effects of ethical practices on performance outcomes and stressing the necessity of integrating ethics into organizational decision-making and communication processes, the study advances Ethical Leadership Theory. In practice, companies should encourage open communication and collaborative decision-making to enable long-term staff growth. Future studies should look at cross-cultural differences in ethical organizational culture, mediating factors, and long term effects

This study seeks to investigate the determinants influencing customer involvement with brand sites on social media in the Indian setting. Primary data were gathered from 272 respondents living in Prayagraj via a standardized questionnaire. The study utilizes statistical methods, including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and multiple regression analysis, to ascertain and assess the principal factors influencing participation.

The results show that Indian consumers mostly interact with brand content to get knowledge, rewards, and a sense of belonging to a community. Moreover, Social Media Dependency (SMD), Parasocial Interaction (PSI), and Community Identification (CI) are identified as having a substantial favourable impact on engagement behaviour. The research enhances the current literature by situating global consumer engagement theories inside a developing economy and offers practical recommendations for digital marketers aiming to improve engagement methods. 

The concern for the work-life balance of employees has increased due to the increasing demands made by the banking industry, as reflected by increased work hours, performance, and customer-centric business operations. The current study aims to investigate the influence of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) on work-life balance, job satisfaction, and well-being in the banking industry, as predicted by Social Exchange Theory. A quantitative, theory-driven research method will be employed to obtain data from approximately 350 banking industry professionals using probability sampling techniques. Perceived Organizational Support and work-life balance will be measured using standardized scales. For robustness, the current study will utilize the bootstrapping method, hierarchical regression, mediation, moderation, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The findings are expected to reveal that Perceived Organizational Support significantly contributes to well-being and work-life balance, and job satisfaction will be the mediating factor. Additionally, the findings are expected to reveal that sector types, i.e., public and private, will moderate the relationships. The current study will contribute to the body of knowledge on work-life balance, as it extends Perceived Organizational Support theory to work-life balance in the banking industry, and it will provide practical implications for HR professionals in the banking industry 

This study presents an integrated bibliometric review examining the evolution of research on artificial intelligence, sustainability and Industry 4.0 within the domain of human resource management and organizational behaviour. Drawing on bibliographic data retrieved from the Scopus database, the analysis covers peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2010 and 2024 and employs established bibliometric techniques, including performance analysis and science mapping. The study systematically explores annual publication trends, influential journals, authors, institutions and countries, as well as citation structures and thematic patterns. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic evolution analyses reveal a substantial acceleration of scholarly output in recent years, reflecting growing academic attention to digital transformation and sustainable workforce management. The findings indicate that early research primarily focused on human-centric and occupational issues, which gradually evolved toward technology-enabled HRM under Industry 4.0, and more recently converged into integrated frameworks emphasizing artificial intelligence, sustainability and employee well-being. The results further highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the field, with impactful contributions spanning management, sustainability, engineering and applied technology journals. By mapping the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of this rapidly expanding literature, the study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of digital and sustainable HRM research and offers valuable insights for scholars, practitioners and policymakers seeking to understand and shape the future of human resource management in the digital era

Corporate finance positions have been significantly changed in the past ten years. Previously, financial decisions were made based on periodic reports, manual models and the collective brainpower of upper leadership. Today, many companies have relied on Artificial Intelligence (AI) all sorts of forecasting, information in actual time streams and automated dangers administration methods for the important skilled with their decision making systems. Whether this evolution increases the quality of financial decisions made - or simply increases their speed - is still debated in both academic and professional circles. This paper examines the effects of digital transformation on corporate financial decision making on three fronts: capital budgeting, risk evaluation and financial forecasting. Using a mixed-methods research approach, the research analyzes financial data from 140 companies in the manufacturing, banking, and retail industries, along with structured interviews with 28 senior executives in the field of finance. The theoretical framework is based on the Dynamic Capabilities View and Information Processing Theory. The results suggest that the companies that had been more digitally mature were able to make capital allocation decisions 34% faster, and produced forecasts with much lower error margins. However, the quality of such outcomes had more to do with organizational culture and leadership preparation than technology adoption itself. This paper detailing the scheme introduces an integrated approach to link digital maturity with the quality of financial decisions and provides specific insights for CFOs, boards, and financial regulators who are struggling through this transition phase..

In recent decades, scholars and policymakers have become increasingly concerned with global patterns of democratic erosion. While political economy literature provides substantial insight into structural determinants of institutional stability, it offers limited tools for identifying when institutional systems approach critical transitions. This paper develops a quantitative framework for detecting early warning signals of institutional phase transitions in democratic regimes. Drawing on complexity science, the study conceptualizes democratic institutions as complex adaptive systems capable of undergoing nonlinear shifts once systemic stress exceeds critical thresholds. Using cross-national panel data covering approximately 120 countries between 1990 and 2025, the study constructs an Institutional Stability Index (ISI) based on governance indicators. The empirical strategy integrates panel econometric models with time-series early warning signal detection techniques. Results indicate that democracies approaching institutional transitions exhibit statistical patterns consistent with critical slowing down. Case studies of Hungary, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States illustrate how these statistical signals appear prior to episodes of democratic backsliding. The findings suggest that democratic erosion follows identifiable dynamic patterns detectable years before institutional breakdown becomes visible

This research paper will discuss the Bhikkharipuri husband, (migrant husband figure) Bhikhari Thakur, in his work Bidesiya in terms of the migration trauma with regards to the physical displacement to psychological exile. Although the play was based on the historical fact of labour migration between the areas with Bhojpuri speaking population, it prefigures the emotional effects of separation, namely nostalgia, abandonment, and fragmented subjectivity, that acculturation and immigration can impose especially upon those who remain. The theme of mental exile is used to examine the manner in which the characters exist in a state of permanent emotional detachment whereby home is a location of desire but not belonging. Using the theory of trauma and cultural memory, the research paper proposes that Bidesiya is an affective archive of migrant pain, whose mode of articulating loss is based on folk idioms, song, and performative lament. The dramaturgy by Bhikhari Thakur turns migration into a permanent psychic state and brings out the way social organization of movement creates silent emotional crises in the lives of subalterns

DNA profiling has transformed criminal justice by enabling precise identification of individuals from biological evidence, leading many jurisdictions to establish forensic DNA databases. The United States emerged as an early adopter through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), whereas India is at a nascent stage of developing a comparable framework and continues to confront significant legal and ethical concerns. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the use of DNA databases in criminal justice in the U.S. and India. It examines the governing legal frameworks, including constitutional protections, procedural safeguards, and statutory regimes such as CODIS-related laws in the U.S. and the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 in India. The paper further explores ethical and social dimensions, including consent, privacy, surveillance risks, proportionality, and data retention. By evaluating challenges and institutional capacities, the study identifies best practices offers recommendations for strengthening India’s emerging DNA database regime. in

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are important for encouraging innovation, finacial growth, and technological progress in today’s economies. In developing areas like Africa, having a strong intellectual property system can greatly affect industrial growth, foreign investment, and the sharing of knowledge. This paper looks at how protecting intellectual property relates to economic development in emerging economies, especially in African countries. The study reviews the international legal framework that governs intellectual property, including the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and assesses its impact on developing nations.

The paper takes a closer look at how fair IP laws can spur creativity and make sure important tech and meds are available to everyone Through comparative insights from other emerging economies, particularly India, the research highlights policy challenges faced by African states such as weak enforcement mechanisms, limited institutional capacity, and the prevalence of piracy and counterfeiting. The paper concludes by suggesting policy reforms aimed at strengthening intellectual property governance while maintaining developmental priorities. A well-rounded IP system can help African economies grow steadily, push tech forward, and make sure everyone benefits The study also emphasizes the need for balanced intellectual property policies that align with developmental priorities in African economies. By strengthening institutional frameworks and promoting innovation-driven growth, intellectual property systems can contribute significantly to sustainable development across the African continent

This study looks at how young people in India are starting to use digital payment systems like UPI. Over the last five years, India has seen a massive jump in online payments, with the total value growing from ₹40,03,653.58 Crore in 2021 to over ₹2,59,56,950.65 Crore in 2025. The research focuses on why young students and workers prefer using apps like Google Pay and PhonePe over traditional cash. By surveying 162 people, the study found that 100% of them have smartphones and internet access, which makes digital payments very easy for them. Most young people use these systems for online shopping and food delivery. While the growth is amazing, some problems like transaction failures and security worries still exist. The study concludes that while UPI is now the "backbone" of our economy, we need better internet and stronger security to make it perfect for everyone, including those in rural areas..

A democratic system is meaningful only when every individual, regardless of gender identity, is recognized and given equal opportunities to participate in social, political, and economic life. For many decades, the third gender community remained marginalized due to social stigma, lack of legal recognition, and systemic discrimination. In recent years, however, there has been growing attention toward the protection and promotion of transgender rights, reflecting an important shift toward inclusive democratic values. This study explores the socio-legal perspectives surrounding the rights of the third gender and examines how law can function as an instrument for social inclusion and equality.The recognition of transgender persons as a distinct gender identity by the Supreme Court in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India marked a turning point in the legal history of India. The judgment emphasized the constitutional principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, affirming that gender identity forms an integral part of personal autonomy. Subsequently, legislative measures such as the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 have sought to address discrimination and promote welfare measures for the transgender community. Adopting a socio-legal approach, the study analyzes the relationship between legal reforms and social attitudes toward the third gender. It highlights the gap that often exists between progressive legal recognition and the lived realities of transgender individuals, who continue to encounter barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and public participation. The study argues that building an inclusive democracy requires not only legal protection but also broader societal acceptance, policy support, and effective implementation of laws. Strengthening these mechanisms is essential for ensuring dignity, equality, and meaningful integration of the third gender into the democratic framework

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has emerged as an important legal mechanism for promoting social justice and ensuring the protection of constitutional rights, particularly for marginalized communities. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the development and functioning of PIL in India and South Africa. It examines the historical emergence of PIL, the evolution of locus standi, the nature of issues addressed, the procedures for initiating PIL, and the remedies granted by courts. The study highlights that while the Indian model evolved mainly through judicial activism and procedural flexibility, the South African model is constitutionally entrenched and operates within a more structured framework. The comparison demonstrates how different institutional approaches can shape the role of courts in advancing access to justice and governmental accountability..

In this research, we focus on analysing regime-dependent cross-asset correlations as a ploy that influences portfolio diversification from the perspective of normal market scenarios in congruence with crisis market conditions for the years 2010–2023. The gap created by the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) on the supposedly static correlation regime in the presence of empirical evidence suggesting structural breaks during market stress. We propose a new Markov-Switching Machine Learning (MS-ML) framework that integrates Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC-GARCH) models with XGBoost regime prediction and Deep Q-Network reinforcement learning for dynamic portfolio optimisation. A daily dataset of seven asset classes, including equities, bonds, commodities, real estate, and cryptocurrencies, is applied to rolling window analysis and ANOVA for regime comparison, along with true out-of-sample performance evaluations. The MS-ML framework shows an increase in risk-adjusted return to 45.6% from 80%, against the static mean-variance optimisation, marked by a 42.1% decrease in drawdown in crisis times. Consistent with the results, correlations worsen just in a crisis period, a mitigating factor that expels any diversification advantages exactly when they are of utmost importance to avoid riskier behaviour; our cryptos are not in safe-haven status. We, therefore, suggest that institutional investors should consider adopting a dynamic-regime-based allocation strategy with automatic rebalancing triggers. Similarly, risk managers should consider having dynamic hedge ratios of their own that automatically adjust before any days when volatility calls for action. Also, this study concludes that further investigations should dig deeper into daily intraday frequencies and incorporate ESG factors in regime-dependent optimisation

The history of the constitutional march of India has been characterized with an incredible advancement in the interpretation of the fundamental rights where the federal courts make remarkable decisions. The 2017 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India declared privacy as a fundamental right that is present in the human dignity in the article 21 of the Constitution. This was later reversed by a 2018 decision of NavtejSinghJohar to decriminalize same-sex consensual sex by distinguishing constitutional morality, and the majoritarian social tastes/preferences by stating that dignity and equality were applicable to minorities in sexual and gender terms. These court gains also show significant constitutional progress. This pledge, however, remains a viable fantasy due to fragmented, pro-surveillance cyber legislations and digital regulations frameworks that present acute vulnerability to the LGBTs and the rest of the marginalised groups.

With the rapid formation of digital identity regimes (Aadhaar biometric, in particular) and the extensive governmental exceptions established by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, state surveillance can take place in ways it has never been able to perform without adequate restrictions. Within the framework of the LGBT community that conventionally became a victim of criminalisation and continues to become the subject of the threat of social stigma and discrimination, the widespread digital profiling presents its own threats. With the recognition of the same sex marriage being unrecognized, such weaknesses are enhanced by the realization that through the development of the fictions of law, same sex couples are subjected to privacy invasions using digital governance systems. Furthermore, there are not enough defenses against discriminatory outcomes in AI-based applications or algorithmic decision-making robots applied in law enforcement, benefits determination, and the delivery of online services.

This paper will examine an intricate crossroads of cyber laws, digital identity systems, privacy rights and constitutional values in India and specifically how the two systems affect LGBT people. It asserts that the promises that India has made to privacy, dignity, and equality, as detailed in its constitution, would entail far-reaching reforms in legislature and institutions: scrubbing broad governmental surveillance provisions, forming new regulatory organs, same-sex marriage bills, and fortifying legal strategies against the discrimination and abuse of the vulnerable. Devoid of these holistic reform measures, the idealess system of digital governance will still discriminate against the marginalised groups even after the courts have proclaimed constitutional equality

This study examines the relationship between capital structure decisions and firm performance in emerging markets, where financial constraints, market imperfections, and institutional factors significantly influence corporate financing behavior. Using panel data from selected non-financial firms operating in emerging economies, the study analyzes how leverage ratios—such as debt-equity ratio and long-term debt—affect firm performance measured through Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Tobin’s Q. Employing regression techniques, the findings reveal a significant association between capital structure and firm performance, supporting the trade-off and pecking order theories in the context of emerging markets. The results provide valuable insights for managers, investors, and policymakers in optimizing financing decisions to enhance firm value and financial sustainability....

The modern retail sector has experienced profound changes driven by rising consumer expectations and rapid technological innovation. This systematic literature review examines the impact of service experience on customer loyalty in modern retail settings, with particular attention to omnichannel environments. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database, covering peer-reviewed articles published between January 2022 and April 2025. Based on clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 relevant studies were selected for analysis. The review employs thematic synthesis alongside a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer to identify key research clusters, theoretical frameworks, and emerging trends. The findings demonstrate that service experience—encompassing dimensions such as reliability, empathy, personalization, and digital interface quality—plays a critical role in shaping both attitudinal and behavioral customer loyalty. Moreover, customer satisfaction and trust emerge as significant mediating variables that strengthen this relationship, particularly in hybrid and omnichannel retail formats. The review underscores the increasing importance of digital personalization and seamless omnichannel integration in fostering long-term customer loyalty. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent literature and offers valuable insights into the service design and technological factors influencing customer loyalty in the evolving modern retail landscape

The study examined consumers from Raipur City and Durg City who prioritize cash on delivery the most, despite the growing online payment options, still prefer cash on delivery.. Digital payments and fintech innovations are the new systems of today's era.  They are the Jockeys of  presenting financial transactions to people in a faster, safer and more convenient way. Digital payments have made their presence felt everywhere today. This means that payment and receiving of money happens electronically without using cash. In today's era, there is no need to carry cash in our pocket. If we have our mobile phone with us, we can easily make QR code payments using it. UPI, mobile wallet, debit and credit cards, internet and mobile banking, QR code payments, buy now pay later services play a big role in digital payment methods. When fintech innovations stand with digital payments, it completely develops the entire technologyFinancial services have also improved significantly in today's era through digital innovation, which includes UPI, instant payments, digital wallets and super apps, blockchain and cryptocurrency, AI-based fraud detection, robo-advisors for investment, peer-to-peer lending platforms, digital insurance platforms, etc. It has also been seen many times that people shop online and order goods and also make digital payments, due to which there is a growing sense that there is still no complete trust in digital payments, hence people prefer cash on delivery in response.Thus we may conclude that lower trust in digital payments significantly increase reliance on Cash on Delivery...

Inflation and monetary policy are fundamental elements of macroeconomic management that significantly influence national economic performance. Understanding the dynamics of inflation and the mechanisms through which monetary policy is transmitted across the economy is essential for ensuring economic stability and sustainable growth. This study examines the relationship between inflation dynamics, monetary policy transmission, and national economic performance using a quantitative research approach. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed to academicians, economists, banking professionals, and postgraduate students with knowledge of economic policy. A total of 200 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study employed reliability analysis, factor analysis, and correlation analysis to evaluate the relationships among the variables. The reliability results indicated strong internal consistency with a Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.845. Factor analysis confirmed the validity of the constructs, with three factors explaining approximately 70% of the total variance. The correlation analysis revealed statistically significant positive relationships between inflation dynamics and national economic performance (r = 0.179), monetary policy and national economic performance (r = 0.151), and monetary policy and inflation dynamics (r = 0.199). These findings suggest that both inflation dynamics and monetary policy transmission play important roles in shaping economic performance. The study concludes that effective monetary policy frameworks and stable inflation management are essential for promoting economic stability and growth. Policymakers should adopt integrated macroeconomic strategies that combine monetary and fiscal policies to address inflationary pressures and improve economic performance. The findings of this research contribute to the understanding of macroeconomic policy dynamics and provide insights for policymakers, economists, and researchers interested in economic stability and policy effectiveness

The interface of Environmental Governance and Artificial Intelligence has resulted in the development of new discourse pertaining to the legislatures, policies, and the judiciary. Recently, over Digital Surveillance, Predictive Analytics, and Remote Sensing tools integrated in India’s Forest Conservation, 1980, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Auxiliary Laws. The discourse and the potential legal framework concerning AI-Driven Conservation, however, are very nascent. The author investigates the intersection of Environmental Governance in India and some Artificial Intelligence-based technologies to bring out the very first Integrated Legal Linguistics Study. The essay shows that India lacks a standardised legal vocabulary for AI-enabled conservation technology by comparison with the EU AI Act, U.S. conservation statutes, and Australian environmental monitoring programs. The exsitance of AI is being used for prevent forest encroachment and improve forest cover. The use AI is showed the positive results in the area of forest protection and management. However, there are certain challenges one may have overcome while using AI for forest protection. This maybe in the form of lack of funds, lack of techinical know & how, and lack of willpower of government and individuals for using AI  etc.  Recommendations for legislation changes, definitional harmonisation, and the creation of a conservation regulatory lexicon tailored to AI that is in line with global best practices are included in the paper's conclusion

This paper involves an in-depth empirical investigation of IT expenditure behaviour, technological adoption, and expansion patterns of 590 Indian startups in 22 states and 33 industry categories. Based on multi-dimensional data set including IT spending, number of active technology stacks, patent portfolio, investor portfolio, and venture capitalization patterns, the study uses descriptive statistics, Spearman rank-order correlation, and one-way ANOVA to identify structural patterns in digital investment. The main results show that IT spend is highly right-skewed (mean: USD 3.51 million; median: USD 430,502), with a very high heterogeneity among the sectors: Hardware (mean: USD 22.06 million) and Clothing & Apparel (USD 15.60 million) have become the most IT-heavy sectors, yet Commerce and Shopping has a relatively low average, although it occupies 37.3% of the sample. Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka constitute 44.2 percent of all startups, with Haryana registering the most avenues on IT expenditure per firm (USD 7.21 million), on average. Active technology count ( rho = 0.186, p < 0.001) and total active products (rho = 0.248, p < 0.001) are statistically significantly positively correlated with IT spend, but the number of investors is moderately positively correlated ( rho = 0.277, p < 0.05). The article is also part of the growing research on the issue of startup resource allocation in emerging markets and has practical implications to policymakers, venture capitalists, and the organizers of startup ecosystems

Banks constitute the foundation of any nation, they ought to make the biggest possible contribution to the growth of the economy. Indian banking sector which is undergoing tremendous economic and technological innovations. The largest industry in India is banking, which is essential to the country's economy. Like many other industries, the banking sector relies a lot on the performance of its employees. However, employee performance is not just a matter of skills and abilities; it is also influenced by their level of career happiness. Strategic growth of any organisation determines the capabilities of its personnel, which in turn determines the organization's ability to advance strategically. The banking services' most valuable resource is its people, so management must invest heavily to maintain their satisfaction. Employee satisfaction increases productivity and reduces stress at work, which helps the company become more effective.

Employees are the main drivers of banking services' productivity and profitability in the current competitive environment brought about by technological advancements. Both work satisfaction and job satisfaction are indicated by the degree of happiness that employees experience at work. 

The constructs of work, job, and happiness were identified in this study using statistical methods. Through work, job, and happiness components for banking services, the study sought to ascertain how banks may foster workplace happiness that raises levels of satisfaction..

There is a lot of promise for addressing issues and enhancing sustainable education in India through the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational frameworks. This essay examines the crucial role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in education, emphasising how it may improve accessibility, expedite administrative procedures, and boost personalised learning. However, there are significant obstacles to the practical use of AI, including issues like a lack of digital infrastructure, worries about data privacy, and the requirement for qualified educators. This study offers methods for successfully integrating AI in education by analysing its present uses and constraints. It also talks about the potential for using AI to promote accessible, sustainable, and inclusive education in India. The study aims to contribute to a roadmap for policymakers and educators to overcome challenges and build a resilient educational system that supports India’s growth towards a digitally inclusive society.

This research investigates the impact of Inventory Management Practices on Financial Performance by assessing how the value of stock held and the I nventory policies implemented influence the cost of products sold and profitability within the organization. The survey design method was employed for this study, utilizing annual audited financial reports. Field design in conjunction with descriptive statistics was also employed. The results of the study for hypothesis 1 indicated a substantial correlation between the value of stock held and the cost of goods sold from 2016 to 2024, with a p-value of 0.005 and an F-statistic of 23.96. Hypothesis 2 demonstrated a p-value of 0.001 and an F-statistic of 46.26. This indicated a positive correlation between inventory management and control policies and profitability. Cement manufacturing companies are advised to establish a policy framework to expedite the adoption of optimal inventory management methods, including Just-In-Time (JIT), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ). The company should enhance supplier relations to the level of partnerships. This will enable the execution of programs such as Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI). The organization ought to diversify its inventory system to accommodate the specific requirements of manufacturing

The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the methods of learning and knowledge acquisition in higher education institutions. Management students are using various AI tools such as intelligent tutoring systems, content creation platforms, grammar assistance tools, and personalized learning platforms, to grasp concepts, enhance learning efficiency, and manage their academic responsibilities. However, empirical research on the institutional-level effects of AI on student learning behavior and performance in management education remains limited. A comparative study of artificial intelligence on learning behavior of management students examined how AI tools affect the study habits of management students in colleges in Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh. Descriptive and analytical approaches were used in this research. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to management students of Sagar Institute of Research and Technology (SIRT), Vidhik Institute of Management (VIM), People's Institute of Management and Research (PIMR) and Mittal Institute of Technology, Bhopal (MITB). We examined the data using percentage analysis, average scores, and various correlation techniques. It appears that many management students are well acquainted with AI-based learning tools and use them effectively in their studies. The findings show that these AI tools enhance students' efficiency to a great extent, improve their time management and increase their confidence in academic activities. However, some problems still remain, such as students' excessive reliance on these devices, their misuse, or the ethical dilemmas they face. Taking all this into account, the findings suggest that AI tools positively impact the learning experiences of management students....

This study examines the role of Management Accounting Control Systems (MACS) in mitigating fraud risk and strengthening organizational resilience within financial institutions. The primary objective is to empirically investigate how key fraud risk management mechanisms risk assessment practices, internal controls and continuous monitoring, fraud investigation and response strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks contribute to organizational resilience, while assessing the moderating influence of organizational culture. Although prior research has extensively addressed internal controls, corporate governance, and forensic accounting as post-fraud detection mechanisms, limited empirical evidence exists on the preventive governance function of integrated MACS in reducing fraud risk before occurrence. This study addresses this research gap by positioning MACS as a proactive and strategic framework for fraud risk mitigation.

A quantitative, survey-based research design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 320 employees (91% response rate) of a Nigerian microfinance bank using a structured questionnaire. Reliability testing yielded a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.882, confirming strong internal consistency. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis (OLS) via SPSS version 27. Diagnostic tests confirmed the absence of multicollinearity (VIF < 1.01) and autocorrelation (Durbin–Watson ≈ 2).

The findings reveal that all fraud risk management components significantly and positively influence organizational resilience: risk assessment (β = 0.229, p < 0.001), internal controls and monitoring (β = 0.219, p < 0.001), fraud investigation and response strategies (β = 0.174, p < 0.001), and regulatory compliance (β = 0.123, p < 0.001). The regression model explains 46% of the variance in organizational resilience (R² = 0.460). When organizational culture was introduced as a control variable, the explanatory power substantially increased to 82.7% (R² = 0.827), with culture emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.326, p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that a strong ethical culture enhances the effectiveness of MACS in fraud mitigation.

The novelty of this study lies in its integrated empirical model linking management accounting control systems, fraud risk management strategies, and organizational resilience within a unified governance framework. Unlike prior studies focusing primarily on detection mechanisms, this research advances management accounting theory by demonstrating the preventive and resilience-building capacity of MACS.The study concludes that effective integration of MACS components significantly strengthens fraud risk mitigation and enhances organizational resilience, particularly when supported by a strong ethical culture. However, the findings are limited by the single-institution sample, cross-sectional design, and reliance on self-reported data, which may restrict generalizability and causal inference. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, multi-sector comparative studies, and mixed-method approaches to validate and extend these findings. Further investigation into the role of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced forensic analytics in enhancing management accounting controls would provide valuable insights into strengthening fraud prevention frameworks in increasingly complex financial environments.

The paper will analyze the law abiding on the Public-Private Partnership and its success in the infrastructure development by comparing it to India and other African states. It directly examines the effects of a variety of regulatory methods, including codified laws and guiding frameworks on the effectiveness, transparency, and sustainability of the PPP projects in these areas. Moreover, the paper examines the impacts of these legal and regulatory environments on the attraction of the private investment, especially given the prevailing issues of corruption and political instability, and how such environments enhance the realization of the sustainable development goals. One of the main arguments is that a solid legal framework is essential to provide a favorable environment in which the private sector can play its role in the development of infrastructure, minimizing risk, and improving fairness of results across the board. This comparative study will analyze the best practices and key areas of reform of PPP legislation with the capacity to address the management of stakeholders and environmental protection in infrastructure projects. The discussion also explores the situation on the one hand (developing economies) that tends to have weak regulatory frameworks, market volatility, and poor institutional capacity compared to developed nations (stable legal framework, the use of a sophisticated financial instruments to determine PPPs). This disparity often necessitates tailored legal and regulatory approaches in developing countries to attract and secure private sector involvement in critical infrastructure projects, especially given the global infrastructure deficit estimated at US$800 billion to US$1 trillion annually

In the context of accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing household-level socioeconomic outcomes in a financial environment that is changing quickly, financial literacy has grown in significance. Today's households and individuals must make difficult financial decisions about debt, savings, investments, and income management, which makes financial literacy a crucial factor in determining general well-being. This study looks at how financial literacy affects households' social and economic well-being in the Delhi NCR area of India.The research design used in the study is cross-sectional and descriptive. In addition to measures of economic well-being (income stability, savings, debt management, and financial security) and social well-being (education, health, and living standards), a structured questionnaire measuring financial knowledge, financial skills, and financial behavior was used to gather primary data from 489 household heads. To verify the measurement model and assess the suggested correlations, the data were examined using frequency distribution, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings show that financial literacy significantly and favorably affects social and economic well-being. Higher financial literacy households make better financial decisions, allocate resources more wisely, handle risk better, and are better equipped to meet long-term socioeconomic demands. The results demonstrate how important financial literacy is for improving household resilience and quality of life.For governments, academic institutions, and development organizations, the study offers important policy implications. Financial inclusion, prudent financial conduct, and equitable and sustainable socioeconomic development can all be strengthened by focused financial literacy programs

The rapid growth of the Information Technology (IT) sector has significantly influenced investment patterns in the Indian mutual fund industry, leading to increased investor interest in IT sector mutual funds. However, sectoral funds are often associated with higher volatility, making risk-adjusted performance evaluation essential for informed investment decisions. This study aims to analyze the risk-adjusted performance of selected IT sector mutual funds in India over a ten-year period. The study is based on secondary data collected from AMFI, official websites of asset management companies and stock exchange databases. The statistical measures such as average returns, standard deviation and beta are used to assess return and risk, while Sharpe Ratio, Treynor Ratio, and Jensen’s Alpha are employed to evaluate risk-adjusted performance. The performance of selected IT mutual funds is compared with the benchmark IT index to determine their relative efficiency. The findings reveal that IT sector mutual funds offer attractive return potential, their performance varies significantly after adjusting for risk. The study provides valuable insights for investors, fund managers, and researchers in understanding the performance dynamics of IT sector mutual funds in India..

The paper will compare the legal approaches of constitutionalism, the rule of law and development governance in India and various African nations and their ways of converging and diverging of these two concepts. It delves into interplay between the aspects of past colonial sources, aboriginal law, and contemporary global forces in the evolution of these paradigms that are critical. The analysis of these nations in the paper is done based on the challenge of how they manage the complexities of sorting out good constitutional democracies and models of development that are fair as they tend to have common issues in institutionalizing the idea of good governance and in protecting the basic rights. In addition, it discusses law and judicial interpretations effectiveness as a means of implementing constitution and sustainable development in different socio-political circumstances. Still not sure and with suspicions still plenty over the real meaning of the Rule of Law, and the institutional form in which it occurs, this paper proposes that the legal pluralist approach represents a more conscious standpoint as it is one which allows space to be given to fully varied conceptions and to practice in contexts. This methodology recognizes that legal systems are embedded in the different cultural norms and in different socio-economic discourses and leaves behind one singular, Universalist conception of constitutional values. Such a point of view is especially pertinent in the case of swamping multiplicity of legal systems, more often a create of colonialism, the operation of law generally requires a very fine tune so that it can be useful to sustainable development rather than a noxious obstacle to it

Platform based workforces have expanded rapidly in both India and Australia, creating new economic opportunities while deepening long standing concerns around precarity, classification, and access to social security. This article examines how the two jurisdictions are attempting to regulate platform labour within their broader social protection frameworks. Using a doctrinal and comparative approach, the paper contrasts India’s Social Security Code, 2020 which formally recognizes gig and platform workers but leaves key entitlements discretionary; with recent Australian reforms that strengthen minimum standards, define “employee-like” work, and address algorithmic control.  Through case law, legislative analysis, and policy review, the article evaluates whether these reforms meaningfully reduce vulnerability or merely repackage traditional employment tests. The comparison highlights regulatory gaps that persist in both systems, particularly around income security, occupational protections, and collective rights. The paper argues for a more integrated approach to social security that reflects the real condition of platform labour and offers insights for jurisdictions grappling with similar challenges globally

The pervasive use of social media and instant messaging applications has significantly reshaped employee behaviour in contemporary workplaces, particularly in private sector organisations. While digital connectivity facilitates communication and collaboration, it has also intensified social cyberloafing behaviour, wherein employees engage in non-work-related social media activities during working hours. The present study examines the influence of selected social cyberloafing behaviours among employees working in private sector organisations in Kerala. Using structured questionnaire data and regression-based analysis, the study evaluates key dimensions of social cyberloafing, including personal social media use, messaging behaviour, task switching, and online social interaction during work time. The findings reveal that all selected social cyberloafing indicators are statistically significant, with distraction from work responsibilities due to social media use emerging as the strongest predictor. The study contributes to the cyberloafing literature by empirically identifying dominant social cyberloafing behaviours and offers practical implications for managing digital distractions in organizational settings

Financial inclusion has become a key policy objective in India, aiming to ensure access to affordable and reliable financial services for all sections of society, particularly the unbanked and underbanked population. In recent years, mobile payment applications have emerged as a powerful instrument in achieving this goal by leveraging widespread smartphone adoption, expanding internet connectivity, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure. Mobile payment apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, and BHIM have simplified digital transactions by offering secure, low-cost, and user-friendly platforms for payments, fund transfers, bill payments, and merchant transactions.

This study examines the role of mobile payment apps in promoting financial inclusion in India by enhancing accessibility to formal financial services, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The research highlights how these applications reduce dependency on traditional banking channels, minimize transaction costs, and encourage participation in the digital financial ecosystem. Mobile payment apps also support government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and Digital India by facilitating seamless fund transfers and improving transparency.

The study is based on secondary data collected from reports published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), government publications, and existing research literature. The findings indicate that mobile payment apps have significantly increased digital payment adoption, empowered small merchants and self-employed individuals, and contributed to financial awareness and economic inclusion. However, challenges such as digital illiteracy, cybersecurity risks, and uneven internet access remain barriers to universal adoption. The paper concludes that with continued policy support, technological innovation, and digital literacy initiatives, mobile payment apps can play a transformative role in achieving sustainable and inclusive financial growth in India

The digital age has brought about high-speed changes in the field of higher education, thus pushing institutions to reconsider traditional forms of pedagogical activity. The micro-structured blended learning (MSBL) is one of the most promising innovations as it integrates the power of the blended learning with the micro-structured, modular design of instruction. The article investigates how micro-structured blended learning methodologies have influenced higher education achievement in terms of student engagement, academic performance, development of skills, learner autonomy as well as institutional effectiveness. The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of micro-structured blended learning approaches on higher education outcomes across different educational qualifications. The study adopted a quantitative research design to analyze the impact of micro-structured blended learning approaches on higher education outcomes. The population of the study comprised students enrolled in higher education institutions. A sample of 100 respondents was selected using the simple random sampling technique, ensuring that each participant had an equal chance of being included in the studyUsing the current theoretical basis of pedagogical theory and new empirical data, the article posits that MSBL is a scalable, flexible and learner-centered model that is highly applicable in a variety of student groups and to the changing needs of the labor market. The implementation difficulties, faculty and policy implications and future research directions are also addressed in the article

This paper reviews the analysis of operational application and strategic implications of duty drawback regimes in the export oriented companies in Santa Catarina, Brazil, with an objective of gaining a better understanding of how the mechanisms increases the competitiveness of exports. The research design adopted was descriptive and exploratory, combining the documentary analysis of the government reports, trade policies and industry statistics with the primary data obtained using structured electronic questionnaires served in the sampled 44 exporting firms. Quantitative/qualitative data were collected covering the participation in sectors, preference of drawback modalities, the logistical practices and the perceived obstacle to adoption. The results reveal that the main beneficiaries of the duty drawback mechanisms are the medium and large enterprises; moreover, the most popular modality of the suspension is the most frequently used because of the simplicity of the procedure and its economic benefits. Smaller companies show little activity due to both regulatory complexity, shortage of qualified staff, and administrative overhead. The research concludes that capacity-building, streamlined processes, and reaching out to the policy are the only required measures to expand the participation so that duty drawback programs become effective tools of regional industrialization and global market integration

This study constructs a novel theoretical framework by synthesizing performative epistemology with decolonial feminist theory to analyze African women’s leadership through the metaphorical lens of Odissi. Building upon Lugones’ (2010) concept of decolonial feminism and Nnaemeka’s (2005) theory of nego-feminism, we argue that Odissi’s artistic principles – particularly its dialectical tension between fluidity and structural precision – offer a powerful heuristic for understanding how African women leaders negotiate postcolonial power structures.

Employing a critical qualitative methodology that combines discourse analysis of leadership narratives with performance theory (Foster, 2011), this research makes three key contributions: First, it develops a transcontinental analytical model that challenges the Eurocentric bias in leadership studies. Second, it demonstrates how performative traditions provide alternative epistemologies for conceptualizing power, extending Mohanty’s (2003) work on transnational feminisms. Third, it articulates a theory of embodied resistance that bridges the somatic and political dimensions of leadership (Sinclair, 2013).

The analysis reveals how African women leaders employ what we term “choreographic leadership” – a dynamic practice that combines strategic adaptability with cultural rootedness, mirroring Odissi’s interplay of lasya (grace) and tandava (power). This conceptualization advances current debates in postcolonial feminism (Oyěwùmí, 1997) by providing a culturally-nuanced framework for understanding leadership as simultaneously performative and transformative.

The study’s theoretical innovation lies in its methodological synthesis of performance studies and feminist political theory, offering new tools for analyzing how marginalized leaders subvert institutional constraints through embodied praxis. We conclude with implications for developing leadership paradigms that center Global South epistemologies and challenge dominant Western models.

This study investigates how administrative practices under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) shape the functioning and sustainability of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural India. Using secondary data from NRLM dashboards, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) reports, and NIRDPR evaluations, it demonstrates that variations in SHG outcomes are strongly linked to district-level administrative behavior. States where District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) consistently monitor SHGs, maintain digital reporting, and conduct regular training display stronger financial discipline and higher SHG grading outcomes. The study contributes to debates on rural governance by showing that policy success depends not simply on program design but on administrative execution capacity.