The current corona virus pandemic had a major impact upon the health, economy and education worldwide. In India, the government as a part of the nationwide lockdown closed all…
Abstract
Purpose
The current corona virus pandemic had a major impact upon the health, economy and education worldwide. In India, the government as a part of the nationwide lockdown closed all educational institutions, as a consequence of which, the teaching-learning, examination and placement scenario of students were affected. UNESCO estimated that about 32 crore students have been affected in India. The adoption of an online e-learning approach tried to minimize the academic loss and stress on students. However, the online teaching transition moved on an untested and unprecedented scale in a very short span of period. The present study analyses the perception and level of acceptance of transition from offline to online learning amongst the students of higher education in Punjab.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis was carried out by surveying 200 students of higher education from Punjab belonging to different regions. An appropriate pre-tested questionnaire was framed on Google Forms. A five-point Likert scale was employed to determine the perception of students regarding quality of audio and video lectures, instructor's content, preparation, interactiveness, discussion regarding doubts and assessing likes and dislikes of students. The data were coded-decoded in SPSS by using descriptive statistics and factor analysis.
Findings
The study revealed the level of acceptance of online study among the students of higher education in Punjab. It is found that both online and offline modes of learning process have their own pros and cons. The sudden transition from regular mode to virtual mode was not an easy task for students either. The study revealed that both online and offline study modes have been accepted by students depending upon the availability of IT infrastructure as almost half of the respondents perceived online mode and the other half offline.
Originality/value
Punjab is a recognized state of northern India. In Punjab, the quality of higher education is good and students' satisfaction is always the priority of the educational institutions. At the time of the pandemic, this sudden transition from regular to virtual mode impacted education with students coming from diverse backgrounds like urban areas, rural areas, remote areas, rural-urban areas etc. So, in the light of this sudden transition, it is important to study the viewpoint of the students of Punjab. So, the present study was conducted to understand the perception of the students toward online learning during this ongoing pandemic. For this purpose, the study employed factor analysis. Application of factor analysis in this area is unique.
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Hardeep Singh Mundi, Parmjit Kaur and R.L.N. Murty
The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of the overconfidence of finance managers on the capital structure decisions of family-run businesses in the Indian scenario…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of the overconfidence of finance managers on the capital structure decisions of family-run businesses in the Indian scenario. Furthermore, this study aims to demonstrate that measurable managerial characteristics explain the capital structure decisions of managers.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative approach to research, which aims at understanding a given phenomenon among the experts, is followed. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 21 overconfident finance managers of family-owned businesses. Content analysis is used to analyse the collected data regarding capital structure decisions into several themes to fully explore the issue in the Indian scenario.
Findings
In terms of preference for cash or debt, most of the responding overconfident finance managers of family-run businesses agreed that cash is the preferred source of financing over debt financing. This is due to the biased behaviour of overconfident managers, who consider lower availability of debt as a reason to prefer cash over debt financing. The present study reports that overconfident finance managers prefer short- to long-term debt financing. These managers raise certain practical issues, such as stringent debt terms and inflexible repayment schedules, that arise in relation to the long-term debt market. The study also finds that overconfident finance managers do not fully use tax savings. Respondents reported a lack of access to the debt market and a lack of expertise in capital structure decisions as factors in these capital structure decisions. In addition, the study explores various factors, such as the role of government, the Central Bank of India and industry practices, in relation to capital structure decisions. The study finds that the capital structure decisions of these overconfident finance managers are suboptimal because of the presence of overconfidence bias.
Research limitations/implications
This study gathers information from respondents who are finance managers, not top-level managers, of family businesses; the decision not to interview the higher-ranking managers is a potential limitation of the present study. Another limitation is the small number of respondents in a specific firm size. Because of these factors, the generalisability of the findings of this study will obviously be restricted.
Practical implications
The present study has several practical implications. The first is the recognition of overconfidence bias as it affects the decision-making of finance managers. Executives, especially finance executives, will benefit from the recognition of overconfidence bias and will understand how the presence of such bias impacts corporate decision-making. Managers will understand that bias leads to faulty decision-making. The study will provide indirect feedback to policymakers and regulators in terms of understanding the role of macroeconomic variables in economic decisions. The qualitative approach followed in the present study may enhance the understanding of capital structure decisions from a psychological perspective. The majority of studies in the review of literature adopt quantitative approaches; so the qualitative approach adopted here represents a methodological innovation, and it may provide a deeper understanding of the matter.
Originality/value
The existing literature includes quantitative research aimed at understanding the impact of CEO overconfidence on various corporate policies such as capital budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, dividend policy and capital structure decisions. Quantitative research into the presence of overconfidence bias among executives and its impact on corporate policies returns mixed results. To fulfil the need for studies of overconfidence bias among executives with practical implications, this study explores the presence of overconfidence bias among finance managers in family-run businesses and investigates the impact of overconfidence on capital structure decisions.
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Sandeep Kaur, Harpreet Singh, Devesh Roy and Hardeep Singh
Despite the susceptibility of cotton crops to pest attacks in the Malwa Region of Indian Punjab, no crop insurance policy has been implemented there– not even the Pradhan Mantri…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the susceptibility of cotton crops to pest attacks in the Malwa Region of Indian Punjab, no crop insurance policy has been implemented there– not even the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which is a central scheme. Therefore, this paper attempts to gauge the likely impact of the PMFBY on Punjab cotton farmers and assess the changes needed for greater uptake and effectiveness of PMFBY.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have conducted a primary survey to conduct this study. Initially, the authors compared the costs of cotton production with the returns in two scenarios (with and without insurance). Additionally, the authors have applied a logistic regression framework to examine the determinants of the willingness of farmers to participate in the crop insurance market.
Findings
The study finds that net returns of cotton crops are conventionally small and insufficient to cope with damages from crop failure. Yet, PMFBY will require some modifications in the premium rate and the level of indemnity for its greater uptake among Punjab cotton farmers. Additionally, using the logistic regression framework, the authors find that an increase in awareness about crop insurance and farmers' perceptions about their crop failure in the near future reduces the willingness of the farmers to participate in the crop insurance markets.
Research limitations/implications
The present study looks for the viability of PMFBY in Indian Punjab for the cotton crop, which can also be extended to other crops.
Social implications
Punjab could also use crop insurance to encourage diversification in agriculture. There is a need for special packages for diversified crops under any crop insurance policy. Crops susceptible to volatility due to climate-related factors should be identified and provided with a special insurance package.
Originality/value
There exist very scant studies that have discussed the viability of a central crop insurance scheme in the agricultural-rich state of India, i.e. Punjab. Moreover, they do not also focus on crop losses accruing due to pest and insect attacks.
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The paper aims to examine the effect of CEOs' social networks on capital structure complexity (CSC) and firm performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to examine the effect of CEOs' social networks on capital structure complexity (CSC) and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Ordinary Least Squares regression (OLS) and Generalized method of moments (GMM) regression results estimate the effect of CEOs' (Chief executive officer) social networks on capital structure complexity and firm performance. The number of sources of capital (NSC) and concentration ratio estimate the capital structure complexity for the sample firms.
Findings
The results show that CEOs' social networks significantly influence CSC. We suggest that the CEOs' social networks encourage them to make more complex capital structure decisions. This behavior deteriorates firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
There is a lack of systematic conceptual reason for measuring CEO social network. Future research should use other measures of the social network to estimate the relation of the CEO's social network with CSC and firm performance.
Practical implications
The findings support the managerial power approach and social network theory that the observable characteristics of CEOs influence CSC. The results are robust for an alternative explanation.
Originality/value
By investigating the impact of the influence of CEOs' social networks on CSC and performance, the authors extend research on strategic leadership and capital structure and firm performance.
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Hardeep Singh Mundi and Shailja Vashisht
This paper aims to review, systematize and integrate existing research on disposition effect and investments. This study conducts bibliometric analysis, including performance…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review, systematize and integrate existing research on disposition effect and investments. This study conducts bibliometric analysis, including performance analysis and science mapping and thematic analysis of studies on disposition effect.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a thematic and bibliometric analysis of the papers related to the disposition effect. A total of 231 papers published from 1971 to 2021 were retrieved from the Scopus database for the study, and bibliometric analysis and thematic analysis were performed.
Findings
This study’s findings demonstrate that research on the disposition effect is interdisciplinary and influences the research in the domain of both corporate and behavioral finance. This review indicates limited research on cross-country data. This study indicates a strong presence of work on investor psychology and behavioral finance when it comes to the disposition effect. The findings of thematic analysis further highlight that most of the research has focused on prospect theory, trading strategies and a few cognitive and emotional biases.
Practical implications
The findings of this study can be used by investors to minimize their biases and losses. The study also highlights new techniques in machine learning and neurosciences, which can help investment firms better understand their clients’ behavior. Policymakers can use the study’s findings to nudge investors’ behavior, focusing on minimizing the effects of the disposition effect.
Originality/value
This study has performed the quantitative bibliometric and thematic analysis of existing studies on the disposition effect and identified areas of future research on the phenomenon of disposition effect in investments.
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Hardeep Chahal, Kamani Dutta and Asha Rani
The purpose of this paper are threefold paper are threefold; firstly, to validate and measure significant dimensions of customer experience in the health care sector; secondly, to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper are threefold paper are threefold; firstly, to validate and measure significant dimensions of customer experience in the health care sector; secondly, to evaluate the antecedents and dimensions of customer experience and its impact on customer outcomes in health care; and thirdly, to examine the role of customer involvement as a moderator between antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based upon primary data collection sources, particularly in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and survey methods. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out. This qualitative study was conducted to conceptualize customer experience in the health-care sector. Whereas the quantitative study was undertaken to collect data from randomly selected, experienced 181 respondents for testing the proposed model.
Findings
Affective, relational and physical have emerged as significant customer experience dimensions in the health-care sector. All three dimensions have a positive and significant impact on the important customer outcomes, that is, satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and brand equity. Service quality, supportive services and contextual services significantly affect customer experience. Customer involvement moderates the relationship between all the three antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.
Research limitations/implications
This study is primarily focused on customers' perceptions of the health-care sector. This study’s model could be implemented in different sectors such as lodging, food service, restaurant or other industries as well. Further, the role of moderators, namely, consumer attitudes, service quality, perceived risk, price and past experience, are also suggested to be explored for theorising the customer experience.
Originality/value
This study makes a maiden attempt to establish affective, relational and physical as three significant dimensions of customer experience in the health-care sector. Sensory and cognitive dimensions are found to be insignificant.
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This study aims to understand the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals compared to cisgender individuals. Furthermore, this study aims to demonstrate that…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals compared to cisgender individuals. Furthermore, this study aims to demonstrate that understanding the financial behavior of transgender people will help financial institutions, regulators and policymakers to include them in the formal financial sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative approach to research aims at understanding a given phenomenon among the participants. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 28 transgender and cisgender individuals each. Thematic analysis is used to understand the participants’ financial behavior and propose future research directions and implications to regulators and practitioners.
Findings
The transgender participants (TP) earn no stable income compared to cisgender participants. Due to a lack of regular income, TP faces hardships covering their spending. No fixed spending or financial planning pattern is found among the TP, and they are found to be highly uncertain of their income and spending. The TP is found wholly excluded from the financial system, and not even a single participant with an active bank account or insurance is found. TP has not visited a bank in their lifetime, and financial literacy is found completely missing among them. No TP has ever taken a bank loan or credit from a financial institution. A zeal among TP to be financially included is found, and such participation will undoubtedly help them live a financially independent life. Cisgender people (CP) are found to be earning a stable income, have full-time jobs, save money, transact through a formal financial system and are financially more independent than TPs. Gender is shown to play a role in the financial behavior of the participants.
Research limitations/implications
This study gathers information from transgender and CP and does not focus on the financial services providers; the decision not to interview the providers of financial services is a potential limitation of the present study. Another limitation is the small number of respondents who participated in the semi-structured interviews. Due to these limitations, the generalizability of the findings of this study regarding financial behavior will be restricted and require further evidence from future research.
Practical implications
The present study has several practical implications. First, the requirement of understanding the financial behavior of transgender people from their perspective is missing in the literature, and studies focusing on their behavior are required to help them be financially independent. The present study has implications for regulators, policymakers and practitioners to help transgender people improve their financial conditions.
Originality/value
The existing literature does not include studies focusing on understanding the financial behavior of transgender people or drawing a comparison of the financial behavior of transgender or CP. The present study explores the financial behavior of transgender people and highlights the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals.
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Hardeep Chahal and Jagmeet Kaur
– The purpose of the study is to develop, measure and empirically validate marketing capabilities (MARKCAPB) scale in banking sector.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to develop, measure and empirically validate marketing capabilities (MARKCAPB) scale in banking sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from a branch manager and three next senior managers of 144 branches of 21 public and 7 private banks operating in Jammu city, North India.
Findings
The study finds that marketing capabilities are of multi-dimensional scale, comprising three dimensions – outside-in, inside-out and spanning. Further, the study results demonstrate that all three dimensions are significantly related to marketing capabilities; with outside-in capabilities to be most strongly associated with marketing capabilities development followed by inside-out and spanning dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused on only operational perspective of marketing capabilities to develop a reliable and valid measurement scale. Hence, developing marketing capabilities scale from remaining three perspectives – intellectual capital, marketing mix and competition would prove to be an interesting line of future research. Second, as marketing capabilities scale is developed and tested in banks, that too, in a single city of a country (India), it becomes important to examine whether the same scale can be applied to different sectors and countries. Moreover, future research could be carried on at identifying various antecedents that facilitate the development of marketing capabilities.
Originality/value
This is the first study of this type that contributes to the development of multi-dimensional scale of marketing capabilities in banking sector in Indian context. The study provides banks’ managers with the deeper understanding of how to develop and establish marketing capabilities in an organisation. Besides, it also put light on the significant role of outside-in, inside-out and spanning capabilities that facilitate the managers in enhancing financial performance by focusing on varied sub dimensions such as relationship, regularity, communication (outside-in), Web technology and employee bonding (inside-out), advertising, pricing and product/service skills (spanning).
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Hardeep Chahal, Gurjeet Kaur Sahi and Anu Rani
The purpose of this paper is to present the exploratory research into the moderating influence of perceived risk on credit card usage and experience link and to know, among…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the exploratory research into the moderating influence of perceived risk on credit card usage and experience link and to know, among various types of risks, which risk is mostly perceived by credit card users. The study also investigates the dimensions of usage and service experience and their relative significance in credit card industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 220 credit cardholders working in the various business and service units operating in Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu city.
Findings
The study captures a clear and strong moderating effect of perceived risk on usage and service experience link. Time risk appeared to be the strongest moderator. Further, sense of security and confidence benefits emerged as the strongest predictors of usage and service experience, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on single financial service only, i.e. credit card. To generalise the results in financial and allied sectors, such as banking, retail or travel, where credit card usage is highly prevalent, this study need to be extended in future research. Further, influence of customer income, occupation and education on credit card use can also be seen in the future. Finally, focus can also be given to the identification and testing of risk-reducing strategies in future research.
Originality/value
There is no previous research on Indian credit card industry which examined the influence of perceived risk on its use among Indian customers and subsequently on their experience.
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Anubha Anubha and Daviender Narang
This chapter aims to comprehend the challenges of urban mobility in smart cities and the measures to mitigate these challenges. This chapter also tries to study how sustainable…
Abstract
This chapter aims to comprehend the challenges of urban mobility in smart cities and the measures to mitigate these challenges. This chapter also tries to study how sustainable mobility can be achieved to improve the quality of life in smart cities. In this direction, this chapter reviews various newspapers, academic reports, travel reports, government portals, government websites and research papers. Results and discussions are then carried out based on such data. So, the sources of data are secondary in nature. This chapter presented an overall comprehensive discussion on urban mobility, its challenges and the measures to combat these challenges. Further, this chapter confirmed that sustainable mobility helps in improving the quality of life. Practically, this chapter offers many implications to urban transport companies, providers, government and policymakers. Urban transport companies, providers, government and policymakers may be able to understand that the path to leading a quality life in today's smart cities lies in sustainable mobility. This chapter is original in the sense that the researchers, to their limited knowledge, could not find a chapter that discusses the challenges posed by smart cities in the form of urban mobility, and that sustainable mobility is the only path to enhance the quality of life by making the environment sustainable.