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Capital markets are the backbone of an economy. COVID-19 has created an unacceptable and unpredictable economic environment worldwide, resulting in a significant setback for securities exchanges. India also experienced two waves of this pandemic, which led to a significant downturn in the capital market.

Researchers have endeavored to study the impact of the first and second waves of COVID-19 on the performance of various sectoral stocks in India. The performance of selected sectoral indices of the Bombay Stock Exchange was compared with the market performance of the S&P BSE 100. An event study was conducted to analyze the normal return, abnormal return (A.R.), and t-statistics of A.R. for various sectoral stocks. In addition, the abnormal returns of sectoral stocks between the first and second waves of COVID-19 in India were compared

The results of the tests showed heterogeneous A.R. between different sectors in both the first and second waves of COVID-19 in India. Positive investor outlook and government financial support programs for various sectors helped them recover from the second wave of COVID-19.

The study analyzed the impact of the peak of the first and second waves of COVID-19 on selected sectoral indices. There may be several reasons for the performance of this particular stock index. However, we have tried to analyze the best possible reasons for this turbulence in the performance of stocks of selected sectoral indices. The study can be further analyzed to examine the long-term impact of such a pandemic on other sectors.

The study is based on the panic behavior of investors during such a pandemic. No one was prepared for this and expected this pandemic to last this long. This pandemic has taught so many lessons to everyone involved. Investors need to be prepared and cautious for such unforeseen disasters before making any investment decision. They need to analyze which industry can survive under such circumstances, and then they should invest there. Industries and enterprises must adapt and improve by honestly looking at their weaknesses and trying to meet investors' expectations.

This study aims to explore how multinational lead buyers can play an active role in ensuring worker voices in garment supplier factories where workers have limited space to raise their voices, and how buyers’ involvement increases the possibilities of worker voices mitigating barriers to social dialogues and enhancing mutual interests of buyers and workers in garment factories.

Using a qualitative research approach and multiple embedded case study method, this study considered buyer−supplier dyads as the unit of analysis, i.e. two multinational lead buyers and their four corresponding suppliers in the garment industry of Bangladesh. Focus group discussion and key informant in-depth interviews were techniques applied to collect factory-level data, and within and cross-case analysis techniques were applied to develop an overall understanding.

The results of this study reveal that the opportunities for workers to voice their concerns through social dialogue in garment supplier factories are limited due to various obstacles. Similarly, the role of multinational lead buyers in addressing these issues is found to be less than ideal. This study also shows that buyers can take short-term and long-term initiatives to ensure social dialogues. Moreover, this study presents how social dialogues can meet the expectations of multinational buyers and their garment suppliers.

While this study focuses exclusively on the garment industry, similar scenarios also exist across a multitude of other industries. Thus, future research could extend this study’s scope to various sectors, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the general state of worker voices in Bangladesh. This study stands to make significant contributions to literature in the fields of global value chains, human relations and international business. It will pose critical perspectives on how upstream value chain suppliers can fortify worker rights through social dialogue, and elucidate the means and motives for lead buyers to play a more active role in this endeavour.

This study is distinct in its approach, integrating buyer−supplier roles to pave the way for enhanced worker voice opportunities through social dialogue in garment supplier factories.

The study aims to fulfil two objectives, namely, to explore what dimensions comes into play in the current consumer EV purchase behaviour based on relevant literature identified in the past and to find out whether there are other reasons that are peculiar to the Indian automobile market which influenced consumers to adopt this eco-friendly technology.

Mixed method approach for collecting the primary data was used. The study was conducted in five cities across India, through a questionnaire administered to 266 existing EV owners using judgemental sampling, that included dimensions as to what made them purchase EVs (any variant whether hybrid or battery) and encouraged their green behaviour. Moreover, the survey also took care of gathering other motivational constructs that may have played a significant role in the Indian EV market. To take care of this, use of single open-ended question was done. Statistical techniques like exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) version 4.0 were performed to gain meaningful insights from this investigation.

Based on our analysis, EV purchase behaviour in the Indian market could be explained by six configurational paths identified in conceptual framework of this study. The data analysed revealed long-term operational benefits or relative advantages, trialability or prior driving experience and positive attitude towards EVs playing an important role towards EV purchase decision followed by environmental concern, social norms and personal values of Indian consumers. Besides, several other factors were identified in open comments like favourable government policies, brand consciousness, compatibility and functional benefits in terms of comfortable and noiseless driving which tend to drive the decision of Indian consumers towards buying EVs. The identification of these motivations can help policymakers in targeting the customer market accordingly.

Although the study is restricted by its scope of sampling criteria, yet is distinct in its methodological approach and thereby adds value to existing literature on marketing and diffusion of EVs. The study explores the untapped gap in the current literature by helping identify reasons on the basis of which consumers made their choices of different EVs. Instead of analysing the potential antecedents of EV uptake, the study brings to light the actual reasons of EV purchase behaviour in the context of an emerging economy like India. That is to say, the horizon of EV motivations spans across technological, individual and regulatory attributes in the Indian automobile market.

This study is relevant and fulfils the underlying gap in the existing literature related to actual motivations that consumers look for before buying a high involvement product such as EVs. The results can be beneficial for marketers to design effective marketing strategies from the perspective of consumers. Promotional strategies addressing ease of using EVs and how battery technology is better than before needs to be clearly communicated by the marketers. Consumer education is necessary, in this regard, to make people aware of the rising air pollution levels. They have to be made understood the real advantages of owning EVs and how these non-conventional vehicles are far better when compared to traditional cars. In a nutshell, the study underscored potential determinants or reasons that made Indian consumers to go for EVs, based on statistically significant evidences which can be crucial for stakeholders operating in the Indian EV industry.

The study has important implications for members of the community. By sacrificing their egoistic tendencies or individual preferences for energy intensive products such as ICE based vehicles, people can imbibe altruistic orientation and can contribute to the collective benefit of all by shifting towards energy rich vehicles powered by electricity. This is necessary to achieve the broader goals of sustainable development and to curtail the rising climate change phenomenon.

The study applied both quantitative (deductive) and qualitative (inductive) approach to study into the reasons for consumers’ purchase motivations towards electric cars. Taking a distinct methodological approach, the study enhances the knowledge on EVs by asking consumers to comment in their own words as to why they purchased EVs. This was necessary so as to better explore the needs of the Indian automobile market and which factors govern the purchase of EVs in domestic market. Past literature majorly focused on purchase intention towards EVs but this study in unexampled and analysed the purchase behaviour towards EVs. It should be noted that our investigation reveals the complexity of EV purchase reasons than those identified in past literature and it adds to the current pool of literature on EVs by explaining factors with unrivalled illustrative power.

This paper explores how a firm that is established in an environment characterized by uncertainty can engage with weak regulative institutions by developing operational and institutional capabilities.

We employ a multiple case study approach with seven leading multinational firms in Brazil in industries that vary in industry concentration.

Firms choose among alternative strategies for engaging with regulative institutions as an ongoing process, based on their assessment of four characteristics of the uncertainty they face and their capabilities. Strategies that require a firm to exert greater effort to adapt to institutions or influence institutions have a greater potential to catalyze for developing operational capabilities. Although firms in industries with different concentrations behave similarly in individually adapting to regulative institutions, firms in decentralized industries are more likely to collaborate to influence institutions, which enables them to both access public agents through network partners and better negotiate their own interests.

This research guides managers in developing institutional engagement strategies to reduce the potential consequences of institutional uncertainty in their supply chain. It also suggests types of institutional capability aligned with decentralized vs concentrated industries.

We extend the construct of institutional engagement strategies from the context of entrance to a new international market to an ongoing process in firms that are established in an environment characterized by weak regulative institutions. We also examine the role of industry concentration in the application of institutional engagement strategies.

Spurred by the high turnover in the pharmaceutical industry, locating pharmacies inside urban areas along with the high product perishability in this industry, the pharmaceutical supply chain management has recently gained increasing attention. Accordingly, this paper unveils an inventory-routing problem for designing a pharmaceutical supply chain with perishable products and time-dependent travel time in an uncertain environment.

In this study, mathematical programming is employed to formulate a multi-graph network affected by the traffic volume in order to adapt to real-world situations. Likewise, by transforming the travel speed function to the travel time function using a step-by-step algorithm, the first-in-first-out property is warranted. Moreover, the Box–Jenkins forecasting method is employed to diminish the demand uncertainty.

An appealing result is that the delivery horizon constraint in the under-study multi-graph network may eventuate in selecting a longer path. Our analysis also indicates that the customers located in the busy places in the city are not predominantly visited in the initial and last delivery horizon, which are the rush times. Moreover, it is concluded that integrating disruption management, routing planning and inventory management in the studied network leads to a reduction of costs in the long term.

Applying the time-dependent travel time with a heterogeneous fleet of vehicles on the multi-graph network, considering perishability in the products for reducing inventory costs, considering multiple trips of transfer fleet, considering disruption impacts on supply chain components and utilizing the Box–Jenkins method to reduce uncertainty are the contributions of the present study.

Autonomous and connected mobility technologies have led to a reconfiguration of the automotive industry value chain. This may involve an impact on the geography of the European automotive industry, especially for peripheral countries. The aim of the paper is to analyse the repositioning of a peripheral country (Portugal) in the core-periphery model of the automotive industry derived from this new technological context.

An eclectic theoretical framework, based on the global value chain (GVC) approach, the spatial division of labour and location theory, supports this research. Moreover, an original empirical study was developed. This study comprised a comparative analysis of two samples of firms based on the key variables related to country position. One sample comprised Portuguese traditional automotive firms and the other Portuguese firms linked to autonomous and connected mobility technologies.

The results highlight the upgrading of Portugal in the European core-periphery model of the automotive industry. This is due to the presence of domestic firms, especially multinationals, linked to autonomous and connected mobility technologies in the country. The decision power derived from their position on the first levels of supply and the added value of activities and technological innovation of these new actors change the role of the country in the European automotive industry. The main implication is that managers of domestic firms and policy makers in peripheral countries can upgrade a country’s position in the European core-periphery model by shifting its competitiveness toward knowledge-based activities linked to the new mobility technologies.

This research is supported by a novel eclectic theoretical framework based on the global value chain (GVC) approach, the spatial division of labour and location theory. Moreover, country position is analysed through empirical evidence. An original comparative empirical study based on the key variables defined under this theoretical framework was developed.

This paper aims to understand tourist behavior in Indian rural tourism by integrating the stimuli-organism-response (SOR) framework, service quality model (SERVQUAL) model and theory of planned behavior. It investigates the role of positive tourist-host interactions, destination image, trust and attitude in shaping pro-tourism intentions. Additionally, it explores the moderating effect of Indian traditionality on these relationships.

This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from 15 respondents with quantitative analysis involving 580 tourists engaged in Indian rural tourism. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to examine relationships among tourist-host interactions, destination image, trust, attitude and pro-tourism intentions.

The study reveals that positive interactions and a positive destination image play crucial roles in building trust and shaping favorable attitudes toward rural tourism. Trust and attitude, in turn, significantly drive pro-tourism intentions. Furthermore, tourist attitude partially mediates the relationship between trust and intentions. The study introduces the novel concept of Indian traditionality as a moderator, highlighting its impact on trust, attitude and pro-tourism intentions.

Limitations include the focus on Indian rural tourism, which may limit generalizability, and potential response bias due to self-reported data. Future research could explore other cultural contexts and use diverse data collection methods.

This research offers practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive tourist–host interactions and cultivating a positive destination image to enhance the overall tourist experience and promote sustainable rural tourism practices.

This study’s innovation lies in harmonizing theoretical frameworks to shed light on Indian rural tourism’s multifaceted aspects. It introduces Indian traditionality as a cultural moderator, enriching understanding of tourist behavior. The research contributes to academia and industry by guiding the development of sustainable tourism practices and improving the tourist experience.

本研究旨在通过整合 SOR 框架、SERVQUAL 模型和计划行为理论来理解印度乡村旅游中的游客行为。研究探讨了游客与东道主的积极互动、目的地形象、信任和态度在形成亲旅游意愿中的作用。此外, 本文还探讨了印度传统对这些关系的调节作用。

本研究采用混合方法, 将 15 名受访者的定性数据与 580 名参与印度乡村旅游的游客的定量分析相结合。研究采用了确证因子分析（CFA）和结构方程模型（SEM）来考察游客-接待方互动、目的地形象、信任、态度和亲旅游意愿之间的关系。

研究表明, 积极的互动和正面的目的地形象在建立信任和形成对乡村旅游的良好态度方面发挥着至关重要的作用。信任和态度反过来又会极大地推动亲旅游意愿。此外, 游客态度在一定程度上调节了信任与意愿之间的关系。研究引入了印度传统这一新颖的概念作为调节因素, 强调其对信任、态度和亲旅游意愿的影响。

研究的局限性包括：研究重点是印度乡村旅游, 这可能会限制研究的普遍性, 以及由于自我报告数据而可能产生的反应偏差。未来的研究可以探索其他文化背景, 并采用不同的数据收集方法。

这项研究为政策制定者和利益相关者提供了实用的见解, 强调了促进游客与东道主之间的积极互动以及培养积极的目的地形象对于提升整体游客体验和促进可持续乡村旅游实践的重要性。

本研究的创新之处在于协调理论框架, 揭示印度乡村旅游的多面性。它引入了印度传统作为文化调节因素, 丰富了我们对游客行为的理解。该研究通过指导可持续旅游实践的发展和改善游客体验, 为学术界和产业界做出了贡献。

Esta investigación pretende comprender el comportamiento del turista en el turismo rural de la India mediante la integración del marco SOR, el modelo SERVQUAL y la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado. Investiga el papel de las interacciones positivas entre el turista y el anfitrión, la imagen del destino, la confianza y la actitud en la formación de las intenciones proturismo. Además, explora el efecto moderador de la tradicionalidad india en estas relaciones.

Este estudio emplea un enfoque metodológico mixto, combinando datos cualitativos de 15 encuestados con un análisis cuantitativo en el que participan 580 turistas en el ámbito del turismo rural en India. Se utilizan el análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) y el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) para examinar las relaciones entre las interacciones turista-anfitrión, la imagen del destino, la confianza, la actitud y las intenciones a favor del turismo.

El estudio revela que las interacciones positivas y una imagen favorable del destino desempeñan un papel crucial en la creación de confianza y en la formación de actitudes positivas hacia el turismo rural. La confianza y la actitud, a su vez, impulsan significativamente las intenciones proturismo. Además, la actitud del turista es un mediador parcial en la relación entre confianza e intenciones. El estudio introduce el novedoso concepto de tradicionalidad India como moderador, destacando su impacto en la confianza, la actitud y las intenciones proturismo.

Las limitaciones incluyen el hecho de centrarse en el turismo rural en India, lo que puede limitar que sea generalizado, y el posible sesgo de respuesta debido a los datos auto declarados. Futuras investigaciones podrían explorar otros contextos culturales y emplear diversos métodos de recogida de datos.

Esta investigación ofrece ideas prácticas para los responsables políticos y las partes interesadas, haciendo hincapié en la importancia de fomentar las interacciones positivas entre el turista y el anfitrión y cultivar una imagen positiva del destino para mejorar la experiencia turística en general y promover prácticas sostenibles de turismo rural.

La innovación de este estudio radica en la armonización de los marcos teóricos para arrojar luz sobre los aspectos polifacéticos del turismo rural en India. Introduce la tradicionalidad India como moderador cultural, enriqueciendo nuestra comprensión del comportamiento turístico. La investigación contribuye al mundo académico y a la industria orientando el desarrollo de prácticas turísticas sostenibles y mejorando la experiencia del turista.

The distinctiveness of Japanese management practices offers invaluable insights for the strategic development and operational excellence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. Recognizing this, the purpose of this study is to explore an extensive review of the literature on Japanese SMEs. The aim is to reveal previously explored research domains and to systematically categorize the unique factors contributing to the success and challenges of SMEs. This investigation not only illuminates the peculiarities of Japanese SMEs management but also sets the stage for applying these insights globally to SMEs across diverse industries.

Using a systematic review approach, 63 studies on Japanese SMEs from 1996 to 2021 were identified and analyzed.

This analysis identified six critical themes in Japanese SME management: nuanced firm management practices; forefront innovation and technology; internationalization; supportive government policies; commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development; and vibrant entrepreneurship. The authors also spotlight challenges like navigating global competition and adapting to rapid technological changes. These insights, alongside noted methodological gaps in existing literature, suggest fertile grounds for future research and hold significant implications for SMEs globally.

The investigation of Japanese SMEs in this study highlights valuable insights for SMEs, policymakers and scholars, as it represents a rich and distinctive research phenomenon with various organizational, cultural, economic and political implications.

Given its ability to improve user interaction and labor productivity, ease human workloads and cut maintenance costs, public sectors are using AI-based robotic technology (AI-RT) at an accelerated rate. There is, however, little knowledge about the variables affecting citizens' participation when services backed by AI-RT are offered. In order to better understand the elements that influence AI-RT citizens' involvement and the moderating function of trusts in governmental organizations, this article draws on ideas from the Consumer Value Theory.

Out of 500 survey forms that were distributed to Indonesian people who had experience in using AI-RT devices in public service hall (e.g. airport’s Auto Gate), 367 returned the completed feedbacks. Data analysis used a step-by-step hierarchical moderated regression examination using SPSS 24 version.

Citizens’ involvement is positively correlated with esthetics and customization and adversely correlated with period expended using the AI-RT. Additionally, the findings imply that citizens who have greater levels of faith in governmental institutions are more likely to benefit favorably from the customization and esthetics of AI-RT.

The AI-RT must be capable of customizing the distribution of the appropriate materials to the appropriate individual at the appropriate moment, and public managers should guarantee that it is esthetically pleasing. Additionally, they ought to place a high priority on winning the trust of the populace in order to increase citizens’ involvement.

This paper was among the initial efforts that discover the determinants of citizens’ involvement in the AI-RT and the moderating effect of trusts in governmental organizations on the links between predictors and predicted variable, especially in an emerging country such as Indonesia.

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated data-driven framework for processing and analyzing large-scale vehicle maintenance records to get more comprehensive understanding on vehicle quality.

We propose a framework for vehicle quality analysis based on maintenance record mining and Bayesian Network. It includes the development of a comprehensive dictionary for efficient classification of maintenance items, and the establishment of a Bayesian Network model for vehicle quality evaluation. The vehicle design parameters, price and performance of functional systems are modeled as node variables in the Bayesian Network. Bayesian Network reasoning is then used to analyze the influence of these nodes on vehicle quality and their respective importance.

A case study using the maintenance records of 74 sport utility vehicle (SUV) models is presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed framework. Our results reveal that factors such as vehicle size, chassis issues and engine displacement, can affect the chance of vehicle failures and accidents. The influence of factors such as price and performance of engine and chassis show explicit regional differences.

Previous research usually focuses on limited maintenance records from a single vehicle producer, while our proposed framework enables efficient and systematic processing of larger-scale maintenance records for vehicle quality analysis, which can support auto companies, consumers and regulators to make better decisions in purchase choice-making, vehicle design and market regulation.