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The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants that determine the investment behaviour of rural farmers. This study further examines the moderation effect of socio traits in the association between investment behaviour and its determined factors.

This study used a cross-sectional research design to gather information. The information for this research survey was gathered using a structured questionnaire from 400 individual investors in the rural area of Punjab, who participated in the study. It has been decided to use the Cronbach’s alpha test to determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. To evaluate the hypothesis, structural equation modelling has been used in the research process.

The results of this study reveal that attitude, financial risk inclination, financial planning and investment intention determine the investment behaviour of the rural people of Punjab. The results for the interaction effect of socio traits with investment intention, financial risk propensity and investment attitude were found statistically significant amongst rural people. The results of the moderation effect stated that interaction between the attitude and investment intention and financial risk propensity and investment intention is significantly influenced by age of respondents. The results further reveal that marital status of rural people affect the interaction between attitude and investment intention and financial risk propensity and investment intention. Nothing about education seems to be a moderating influence on any of the relationships studied.

The authors contribute to the literature in two aspects. Firstly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the only study of its kind that focuses on the investment behaviour of farmers. Secondly, by looking at the farmer’s investing behaviour, the moderation effect of demographic variables is also studied which set this study apart from another existing scholarly research. This study contributes to the growing literature on investment behaviour of farmers in developing and developed markets.

Purpose: This research discusses the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its link to a financial performance metric called net interest margin (NIM) in the context of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). CSR initiatives can lead to long-term sustainability and improved financial performance, attracting investors seeking to align their investments with their values.

Need for the Study: The research composes portfolios based on financial companies’ CSR performance and NIM ratios to help investors understand the difference between CSR and financial performance, making investment decisions based on their portfolio goals and values. Striking a balance between sustainability and the financial performance of financial companies, will help investors find a suitable balance between portfolios for investment purposes.

Methodology: The authors used data from 55 financial companies for daily returns from 2014–2015 to 2021–2022 and used descriptive statistics to measure the performance of portfolios.

Findings: The findings suggest that financial companies in India have improved their CSR scores over time, indicating an increased focus on integrating socially responsible practices into their operations. The data also show that NBFCs are catching up with banks regarding CSR scores, and some NBFC portfolios even outperform banks regarding returns. However, the study also highlights the need for some companies to focus more on CSR and business operations.

Practical Implications: The results serve as a benchmark for financial companies to assess their relative CSR performance, highlighting the need for companies to focus on integrating socially responsible practices into their operations and guiding areas where companies can improve.

Introduction: The Stock Exchange is an economic indicator of sustainability in the global market over an extended period. The Indian economy has observed a downfall in foreign currency in quarter 2 of 2022, as per the reports of the International Monitory Fund. The central banks of many countries have been facing crises because of a piercing decline in their reserves, which is additionally affecting their sustainable performance. The Indian economy is one of the most potentially sound economies emerging as a global leader, and this study is an attempt to understand the economy’s vulnerability to foreign factors.

Purpose: The research explores the impact of the US Dollar, EURO and Japanese Yen on Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange Index.

Methodology: Four variables have been considered for the conduct of the study: Sensex, Nifty, inflation and foreign exchange. Sensex and Nifty have been taken as dependent variables, while foreign exchange and inflation have been taken as independent variables.

The regression analysis has been performed using Microsoft Excel: The variables used for the study are monthly values from January 2011 to December 2020. The specific period is selected to avoid the impact of COVID-19 on the stock market, avoiding biases in the results.

Findings: All the variables are affecting the performance of each other up to a certain level.

Practical Implication: The research chapter will help the investor understand the relationship between many variables and their impact on the stock market, which will assist them in gaining higher profits.

Purpose: Seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs) are included in the UN’s 2030 agenda of sustainable development that aims to provide a shared blueprint for sustainability and call for urgent action by all member countries. The study aims to study the role of tourism in delivering sustainable solutions for the planet.

Research Methodology: The present chapter compiles available studies on sustainable tourism and critically analyses sustainability principles and their relevance to SDGs.

Findings: The chapter comprehensively studies the SDGs – 8, 12, and 14 and reveals a strategic roadmap to achieve the SDGs through sustainable tourism practices. The observations may provide deep insights to the government and policymakers to prioritise actions in order to achieve the goals.

Research Limitations: Future research studies may be conducted to empirically verify the results from the perspective of different countries.

Practical Implications: According to United Nations (2023), ‘The tourism sector accounts for approximately 10% of the world’s GDP, about 30% of overall service exports across sectors, and provides for 1 out of 10 jobs globally’. Sustainable tourism has particularly been embraced as an important area under the 8th SDG of sustainable economic growth; in the 12th SDG of sustainable production and consumption and in the 14th SDG pertaining to sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, thus highlighting its importance.

Value: The chapter is a novel attempt to comprehensively analyse the role of sustainable tourism and the strategic roadmap for achieving the SDGs.

Purpose: This study examines sustainability communication’s direct and indirect effects on consumer loyalty and brand reputation. It also aims to identify sustainable practices that enhance consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 500 participants through an online survey. The survey included measures of sustainability communication, consumer loyalty, brand reputation, and demographic variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised relationships between the variables.

Findings: The results of the SEM analysis suggest that sustainability communication has a direct and positive effect on consumer loyalty, which in turn positively impacts reputation. Furthermore, the study identifies specific sustainability practices, such as reducing the carbon footprint and promoting ethical sourcing, that can positively influence consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Implications: The study underscores the significance of adept sustainability communication for fostering consumer loyalty and boosting brand reputation. Focusing on initiatives like loyalty programs and personalised offers can harness this connection. Additionally, the research identifies critical sustainable practices – carbon reduction, ethical sourcing, and renewable energy investment – that foster positive consumer behaviour and brand reputation.

Originality/value: This study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which sustainability communication can influence consumer behaviour and brand reputation. The study identifies the importance of consumer loyalty as a mediator between sustainability communication and brand reputation. It recommends companies seeking to enhance their brand reputation through sustainability practices.

Purpose: Different approaches have been applied to define and measure service quality as both a process and a performance-intensive presentation. The literature agreed that service quality assessments are essential in measuring performance, however they could only reach a partial consensus. Although the Servqual scale is the most widely known and used tool in measuring service quality, it has received various criticisms. This study presents the difficulties encountered in measuring service quality and an evaluation of the Servqual scale.

Methodology: The study provides a conceptual framework, examining the research on the subject in the literature and the criticisms of the Servqual scale. It is designed as a compilation/assessment to improve the perspectives of the interested parties by bringing together evaluations about the pros and cons of the most well-known service quality scale.

Findings: Measurement of service quality is a complex business. Although it has received various criticisms, the Servqual scale which enables the measurement of quality in the services sector is still the most frequently used measurement tool.

Practical Implications: The difficulty of defining the service and its quality, which arises from the characteristics of the services, does not eliminate the necessity of measuring the quality of the service. With this study, a conceptual framework has been provided on the subject, a collective evaluation has been made for the most widely used scale, and the ground has been prepared for improvement and development in the criticisms of the scale.