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The main fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) retail formats that customers engage with in India are Kirana stores, neighborhood convenience stores (NCS), supermarkets and online retailers. However, there has been less research done on the variables or antecedents that could favorably affect consumers' engagement with these FMCG retail formats. To improve retail practices, this study looks at how female consumers perceive the performance of FMCG retail formats on different antecedents of consumer engagement. The status of consumer engagement with FMCG retail formats was also analyzed.

The present study used exploratory as well as descriptive research design. Previous studies were analyzed to identify the antecedents of consumer engagement. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data from 400 female respondents of two major urban cities in north-western India. The descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA test were performed to analyze the data.

Kirana stores’ performance on most of the antecedents was not satisfactory. Supermarkets and online retailers performed better on all antecedents. Customer marketing orientation and experiential marketing were the antecedents that required more attention from Kirana stores, NCS and supermarkets. Consumer engagement with online retailers was highest, whereas consumer engagement with Kirana stores was least.

This study offers a comprehensive examination of the antecedents of consumer engagement and consumer engagement with FMCG retail, which no prior research has studied in the context of FMCG retail businesses.

As more and more cities adopt resilient, inclusive and sustainable principles, circular economy (CE) emerges as a critical ally in developing smart cities. The technology-driven environment of smart cities and CE's resource-efficient principles are perfectly compatible, overcoming challenges and highlighting benefits like increased resource efficiency. The integration of CE in smart cities is thoroughly analyzed in this chapter using VOSviewer and RStudio, tracing its history and pointing urban innovators towards a circular future. The categorization of obstacles to CE implementation in smart cities, the provision of knowledge about barriers and the facilitation of methodical solutions constitute a critical focus of research. Additionally, by analyzing pertinent literature, this investigation highlights the importance of integrating the concepts of the CE and the smart cities, illuminating the interdisciplinary nature of this field. This synthesis provides policymakers and planners with the knowledge they can use to advance sustainable urbanization effectively.

Referral marketing can be identified as the commercial form used to encourage word-of-mouth (WOM) communication. It has become popular in recent times, supporting organisations to attract new customers towards making strides in how customers are pursued to purchase certain types of products/industries. However, some factors impact the success of referral marketing programmes. This study focuses on analysing the impact of such factors as brand, rewards and celebrity endorsement on user engagement in social media referral marketing programmes.

Further, this study discusses the moderating impact of social ties on this relationship mainly focusing on the cosmetic industry. The data were collected from respondents with exposure to referral marketing programmes through the social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Instagram. The structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data collected.

The results of the study revealed that brand, reward and celebrity endorsement significantly impact the participation willingness of customers in social media referral marketing programmemes. Moreover, it showed that the social tie moderates only the brand impact on the participation willingness of customers, whereas it does not moderate the impact of rewards and celebrity endorsement on the participation willingness of customers. In doing so, the study looks extensively into the elements that drive or shape customer behaviour within this specific market niche by investigating the effect of brand, incentives and endorsements by celebrities on customer engagement.

Accordingly, this study sheds light on the complex relationship among brands, rewards and celebrity endorsements, while also considering social ties within the context of social media referral marketing initiatives. It also delivers useful information for academics as well as practitioners. Limited studies have been conducted in this field, and therefore, this study adds some knowledge, also highlighting the moderation effect of social ties.

As per the vision of promoting agricultural collectives, the government of India promoted the farmer producer organization (FPO). However, with the fast growth of FPOs, there is an issue with performance measurement. This study is aimed at the development of performance metrics for the FPOs.

In the first stage, we selected the measures from a secondary literature review and identified 11 parameters. Further, the Delphi round was conducted in the second stage with 26 experts working with FPOs and they were asked to rank these parameters. Based on the weightage of each parameter, the most important parameters were decided. The mean ranks and deviations of the performance parameters were analyzed. The hypothesis test and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance have been further used to validate the performance parameters. In the third stage, based on the inputs from the experts, a questionnaire was designed, and the data was collected from chief executive officers (CEOs) of the FPOs to identify the most important performance parameters.

The experts identified governance, financial support and professional management as important measures for FPOs. In the second round of the study, finance and governance were identified as the most important factors. It is important to note that finance and governance were the two most important factors in making an FPO successful. Finally, a 100-point metric was developed in seven major heads.

This study will be advantageous for all the stakeholders involved in the promotion of FPOs, including FPOs themselves, funding agencies providing funds to FPOs, skill-building organizations, etc.

This paper is one of its kind to develop a 100 points metrics for performance evaluation of FPOs.

This study aims to examine the behavioral intention and the usage of Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) in external auditing by extending the original Unified Theory of the Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Model.

A quantitative research approach is used in this study and 474 responses were secured from external auditors through a self-administered questionnaire, which was analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings reveal that lower Perceived Risk (PR) and Anxiety (AN) of external auditors, which were two constructs that we additionally introduced, contributed as the highest impact factors to the increased intention to use CAATs in external audits. In addition, all other determinants that were introduced [i.e. Self-efficacy (SE), Attitude toward Technology (AT), Perceived Credibility (PC) and Trust (TR)] had a positive impact on the intentions to use CAATs. However, social influence surprisingly negatively influenced the intentions to use CAATs and was positively moderated by Voluntariness (VO). Furthermore, Performance Expectancy (PE) and Effort Expectancy (EE) were also observed to have a positive impact on intentions to use CAATs in external auditing. Moreover, Facilitating Conditions (FC) and Intentions to Use (IU) CAATs were noted to have positive influences on the Actual Use (AU) of CAATs.

The present study extended the UTAUT model by introducing relevant additional constructs: SE, PR, AT, AN, PC and TR, and examined the impact of these on the intention to use CAATs, and subsequently such intentions on the actual use of CAATs in external auditing, with several implications.

This paper examines the impact of the Covid-19 induced lockdown on selected vegetables to confirm if the vegetable supply chain was disrupted during that period. It attempts to see if direct marketing via FPOs/FPCs helped Indian farmers to cope with adverse situations aroused in vegetable marketing.

This study opted for mixed methods research. First, a granular data set comprising daily observation on wholesale price and the market arrival of vegetables were analysed. Descriptive statistics and Kalmogorov-Smirnov test were used to understand the severity of disruptions in the vegetable supply chain in India during the lockdown. Then, qualitative information from different stakeholders engaged in the vegetable marketing was collected through a phone survey and assessed using content analysis to comprehend how FPOs have helped farmer’s during this crisis.

This paper confirms disruptions in the vegetable supply chain. Quantities of chosen vegetables arriving in the mandis were significantly lower than in the previous year for all phases of lockdown. Consequently, prices were much higher than in 2019–2020 for both the lockdown and subsequent phases unlock. Results further suggest that those farmers who are already in networks of FPOs/FPCs are able to get benefited. It was also observed that direct marketing through institutional supports is being more explored in the regions where FPOs/FPCs already exist.

Since it is an exploratory study involving a small sample, the research results may lack generalisability.

This study provides scope for direct marketing through FPOs/FPCs in improving the food supply chain.

Introduction: In the modern period, environmental degradation has had negative effects on people’s health as well as the regular business environment. As a result, embracing a ‘Go Green’ philosophy has gained widespread acceptance among individuals and corporations worldwide. Going green is referred to as promoting eco-friendly ways and banks are essential in protecting the environment to improve our quality of life.

Purpose: This study will focus on the correlation between green banking practices (GBP), employee green behaviour (EGB), and banks’ sustainability performance and how this relationship will give a competitive edge in terms of sustainability to the banks adopting these GBP.

Methodology: EGB between GBP and bank sustainability occurrence is clarified by this study. The current study is descriptive and finds the relationship through previous literature reviews.

Findings: Employees are expected to be crucial in this transformation as the modern banking system adopts green banking initiatives and updates traditional banking processes. Employees help banks perform more sustainably by encouraging environmentally friendly banking practices.

Practical Implications: By understanding the mechanism, between GBP and bank sustainability, banks can adopt more effective strategies to enhance their sustainability performance while promoting environmentally friendly practices.