Richa Agrawal and Giridhar Ramachandran
This study aims to identify the benefits and costs of participation in small group consumption communities (SGCCs), and understand how benefits and costs experienced in these…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the benefits and costs of participation in small group consumption communities (SGCCs), and understand how benefits and costs experienced in these communities differ from those experienced in large group consumption communities (LGCCs).
Design/methodology/approach
Thematic analysis of data collected through multi-method approach comprising depth-interviews, participant observation of community events and online community forums was used to identify benefits and costs of SGCC participation.
Findings
Eight benefits and three costs of SGCC participation were identified. While some benefits and costs were found to be similar to those identified in LGCCs earlier, their experience and manifestation was found to differ significantly in SGCCs.
Research limitations/implications
Data were collected from SGCCs located in India (collectivist culture). Hence, findings may not be reflective of individualist cultures.
Practical implications
Understanding that benefits and costs of community participation are experienced differently in SGCCs and LGCCs may be useful input for managers wanting to seed/nurture consumption communities. By increasing benefits and reducing costs, managers can transform communities into vibrant social systems, and thereby improve members’ engagement and involvement.
Originality/value
Of the eight benefits identified in the study, two benefits – Escape and Meaningful Engagement are identified for the first time. The study also explores costs of SGCC participation (an area hitherto under explored) in detail. In addition, the study illustrates how some of the benefits despite being seemingly similar in SGCCs and LGCCs are inherently different.
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Richa Chaudhary, Santosh Rangnekar and Mukesh Kumar Barua
Improving work engagement can have significant implications for performance at individual, team and organisational level. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects…
Abstract
Purpose
Improving work engagement can have significant implications for performance at individual, team and organisational level. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of occupational self efficacy and human resource development (HRD) climate on work engagement among business executives of select business organisations in India. In addition, it aims to attempt to examine the mediating effect of HRD climate on self efficacy and work engagement relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 150 business executives from both public and private sector manufacturing and service organisations in India. Data were collected through both personal visits and online questionnaires. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test the research hypotheses. Specifically, Baron and Kenny's method was used for testing the hypotheses of mediation.
Findings
A significant relationship was found between all variables in the study. All the study hypotheses were supported. HRD climate was found to partially mediate the relationship between occupational self‐efficacy and work engagement. Interestingly, both HRD climate and self‐efficacy affect work engagement both directly and indirectly through influencing the other.
Practical implications
Work engagement requires the workforce that is endorsed with self‐efficacy as dispositional trait. In addition, improving the HRD climate can have significant implications for enhancing the work engagement among Indian business executives.
Originality/value
By investigating the relationship between self‐efficacy, HRD climate and work engagement the present study made an effort to fulfil the gap in academic literature where there is a significant dearth of academic literature on work engagement from developing economies.
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Ajay Sidana, Richa Goel and Mashiur Rehman
The introduction highlights the historical gender gap in financial empowerment and how Fintech, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, has facilitated financial inclusion for women…
Abstract
The introduction highlights the historical gender gap in financial empowerment and how Fintech, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, has facilitated financial inclusion for women in India, offering digital solutions to overcome social restrictions. The objective of this chapter is to assess the impact of Fintech on sustainable women empowerment in India. The methodology involves surveying 230 women in Delhi NCR and analyzing factors such as financial literacy, decision-making, financial freedom, security, employability, career growth, and gender equality. The results indicate that Fintech has improved financial awareness and security for women, empowered them in financial decision-making, and fostered professional growth. The implications suggest that the Fintech industry plays a promising role in achieving gender equality by providing women with access to financial instruments, leading to increased economic contribution, personal confidence, and freedom. Fintech has the potential to reduce gender inequality and financial vulnerability at a macro level, empowering women to actively participate in the economy and contributing to sustained gender equality and economic growth.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is the key technology used and is gradually affecting all aspects of the organisations in their pursuit of digital transformation. In this study, the…
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the key technology used and is gradually affecting all aspects of the organisations in their pursuit of digital transformation. In this study, the authors investigated the influence of AI on work, people and the firm. The authors adopted a qualitative approach to the study. The findings of the study indicated the pervasiveness of AI, the emergence of new forms of work, the threat to some of the existing jobs and the emergence of new skill sets. The data also suggested that with AI not every aspect of work is going to change; particularly the human interaction and capabilities for solving multivariate and complex problems are going to stay even with AI. As the new sets of skills are emerging, so the need for continuous skill development also emerges as relevant to the industry. Another set of findings suggested that new forms of organisations might evolve with the usage of AI and the technology could play a key role irrespective of the industry. The data also reflected that human capital processes like talent management and talent development would act as the integration mechanisms between the changing work, the emerging skill sets of people and the changing forms of the organisations.
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Fathima Sherin Ottakkam Thodukayil, Rahana Salahudeen Raseena, Udhayakumar Palaniswamy and Sigamani Panneer
In line with global initiatives, the state of Kerala in southern India is actively working towards formalizing its informal solid waste management (SWM) sector. Despite this…
Abstract
In line with global initiatives, the state of Kerala in southern India is actively working towards formalizing its informal solid waste management (SWM) sector. Despite this, there is a dearth of studies on formalization processes, particularly focusing on the conditions of workers within this sector. This study addresses the gap by examining the challenges faced by women workers operating within the formalized framework of Kerala’s SWM sector. It aimed to investigate challenges faced by grassroots women workers in Kerala’s SWM sector during its transition from informal to formal, identifying gaps in the process through their experiences. Using a qualitative methodology, the research gathered data from 10 women workers in the SWM sector in Kozhikode, Kerala, who were part of the Haritha Karma Sena (green task force). Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews revealed two major challenges faced by these women. Firstly, there was a negative societal perception towards them, and secondly, there was a lack of appropriate state response to their needs and requirements. These challenges were attributed to gaps and pitfalls in the formalization process, leading to a lowered socio-economic status for the women, increased vulnerability to health hazards, and societal stigma. The findings underscore the need for significant improvements in the formalization process of Kerala’s waste management sector. The study advocates for targeted policy interventions to enhance the working conditions of SWM workers, emphasizing the importance of expediting and streamlining the formalization process. This, in turn, would contribute to the overall effectiveness of the SWM system in the state.
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Ramesh Kumar, Charles Jebarajakirthy, Haroon Iqbal Maseeh, Komal Dhanda, Raiswa Saha and Richa Dahiya
This review aims to synthesize the brand hate literature and suggest directions for future research on brand hate.
Abstract
Purpose
This review aims to synthesize the brand hate literature and suggest directions for future research on brand hate.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an integrative literature review method to synthesize and assess the brand hate literature.
Findings
The synthesis showed that social identity theory, disidentification theory and duplex theory are prominently used in brand hate studies, and a larger portion of brand hate research was conducted in Western countries. Further, brand-related, self-congruity, personal factors, information influence and brand community influence are the major types of antecedents of brand hate which can produce soft or hard consequences. Lexicometric analysis showed causes of brand hate, consumers' negative emotional and behavioral outcomes and community anti-brand behavior as key themes of brand hate research.
Research limitations/implications
The synthesis has followed predefined criteria for the inclusion research papers. Thus, the review is limited to articles that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion.
Practical implications
The finding will help marketers, specially brand managers, craft strategies to handle brand hate.
Originality/value
The brand hate literature is still developing and remains incoherent, suggesting that a synthesized review is needed. This study has systematically reviewed and synthesized the brand hate literature to study its development over time and proposes a framework which provides a comprehensive understanding of brand hate.
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Online shopping is expected to continue without slowing down because of the advantages that it presents to consumers in the digitalising world. This study aims to determine the…
Abstract
Purpose
Online shopping is expected to continue without slowing down because of the advantages that it presents to consumers in the digitalising world. This study aims to determine the factors regarding the social and environmental indicators and the demographical and economical factors that affect the online shopping tendencies of households in Turkey. The results of this research can be used to review the online shopping strategies by the decision-makers.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the cross-sectional data acquired from the Household Budget Research survey, which has been conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute between 2015 and 2018, is used. In this data set consisting of 11,491 in 2015, 12,096 in 2016, 12,166 in 2017 and 11,828 in 2018, a total of 47,581 data from the households that are 15-year-old and older are used. To determine the factors affecting the online shopping behaviour of households, binary logistic regression and binary probit regression analyses are applied. As a result of these analyses, it has been decided that the most suitable model is the binary probit regression model.
Findings
According to the analysis results, it has been detected that factors such as educational status, age, marital status, employment status, income, life assurance ownership, credit card usage, automobile ownership and the year of the survey affect the online shopping behaviour of households.
Practical implications
In this study, factors affecting the tendency to do online shopping, which has gained big importance particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic, are determined. In Turkey, households’ tendency to do online shopping is affected by the demographical and economical factors and by the factors related to the social and environmental indicators. Determination of the effects of these factors has been a guide for the decision-makers and policymakers in explaining the tendency to shop online and creating a competitive advantage.
Originality/value
In this study, data consisting of a total of 47,581 observations, which has acquired from the Household Budget Research survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute between 2015 and 2018, are used by applying a weighting process, and no study that is as comprehensive and inclusive as this study has been found in the literature, e-commerce that has become prevalent with the help of technological progress and changing habits in the past years is continuing to become prevalent more increasingly particularly after COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the value of this study underlies its contribution to e-commerce awareness.