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Capital structure is an important corporate financing decision, particularly for companies in emerging economies. This paper attempts to understand whether the pandemic had any significant impact on the capital structure of companies in emerging economies. India being a prominent emerging economy is an ideal candidate for the analysis.

The study utilizes three leverage ratios in an extended market index, BSE500, for the period 2015–2021. The ratios considered are short-term leverage ratio (STLR), long-term leverage ratio (LTLR) and total leverage ratio (TLR). A dummy variable differentiates the pre-epidemic (2015–2019) and pandemic (2020–2021) period. Control variables are used to represent firm characteristics such as growth, tangibility, profit, size and liquidity. Dynamic panel data regression is employed to address endogeneity.

The findings point out that Covid-19 has had a significant, negative effect on LTLR, while the impact on STLR and TLR was insignificant. The findings indicate that companies based in a culturally risk-averse environment, such as India, would reduce the long-term debt to avoid bankruptcy in times of uncertainty.

The study covers the impact of the pandemic on Indian companies. Hence, generalization of the findings to global context might not be valid.

To maintain economic growth in the post-crisis period, Indian policymakers should ensure accessibility to low-cost capital. The findings provide impetus to deepen the insignificant corporate bond market in India for future economic revival.

Developing countries are struggling to revive the economies postpandemic. This is particularly true for Asian economies which are heavily reliant on banks for survival. This research finds evidence to utilize bond market as a source of raising capital for economic revival.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the importance and influence of paternity leave on individual level organizational outcomes. Drawing on signaling theory, the study examines the relationship between paid paternity leave entitlement (PPLE) and organizational attractiveness (OA) through a mediating path of anticipated organizational support (AOS). Furthermore, the study proposes that this mediated relationship would be conditional on traditional masculinity ideology (TMI) such that the relationship would be stronger for individuals who score low on TMI.

The study analyzed a moderated mediation model using the data from a survey experiment. Data were collected from 264 professionals enrolled in an executive education course and will soon be looking for employment.

The findings supported the mediating role of AOS between PPLE and OA. As predicted, the positive impact of PPLE on AOS and OA is stronger for individuals scoring low on TMI.

This study takes a multidisciplinary approach to understand the underlying mechanisms that impact decisions related to employers. It is one of the few studies that study paternity leave in the Indian context and makes important contributions to theory and practice.

The situations of COVID-19 will certainly have an adverse effect over and above health care on factors of the internet of things (IoT) market. To overcome all the above issues, IoT devices and sensors can be used to track and monitor the movement of the people, so that necessary actions can be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Mobile devices can be used for contact tracing of the affected person by analyzing the geomap of the travel history. This will prevent the spread and reset the economy to the normal condition.

To respond to the global COVID-19 outbreak, the social-economic implications of COVID-19 on specific dimensions of the global economy are analyzed in this study. The situations of COVID-19 will certainly have an adverse effect over and above health care on factors of the IoT market. To overcome these issues IoT devices and sensors can be used to track and monitor the movement of the people so that necessary actions can be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Mobile devices can be used for contact tracing of the affected person by analyzing the geomap of the travel history. This will prevent the spread and reset the economy to the normal condition. A few reviews, approaches, and guidelines are provided in this article along these lines. Moreover, insights about the effects of the pandemic on various sectors such as agriculture, medical industry, finance, information technology, manufacturing and many others are provided. These insights may support strategic decision making and policy framing activities for the top level management in private and government sectors.

With insecurities of a new recession and economic crisis, key moments such as these call for strong and powerful governance in health, business, government, and large society. Instant support measures have to be initiated and adapted for those who can drop through the cracks. Mid- and long-term strategies are required to stabilize and motivate the economy during this recession.

A comprehensive social-economic development strategy that consists of sector by sector schemes and infrastructure that supports business to ensure the success of those with reliable and sustainable business models is necessary. From the literature analysis and real world observations it is concluded that the IoT, sensors, wearable devices and computational technologies plays major role in preserving the economy of the country by preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The purpose of this case study is to understand effect of Indian ethos, socio‐cultural setup, etc. on growth of family‐based business; impact of ethnicity and genetic intelligence on development of entrepreneurial traits, etc. in family business contexts in India.

The approach takes a single case study on an organized retail firm named Bothra Megabazar Private Limited in Rourkela, India to comprehend the established theories and literature on emergence and spread of business community/class in India known for its own ethos and values as a country. As a part of narrative enquiry method in qualitative research, it collects the narratives of central and peripheral characters in the respective business house through “story telling” and by “restorying” the same, understands and explains the family‐based entrepreneurial journey amidst business dynamics.

The important findings of this case study are manifold. It finds that there is inter‐connectedness of different aspects amounting for success/growth of family business entrepreneurs and enterprises. Some of these factors are deep‐seated Indian ethos and values, multiple family and social networks, joint and undivided family structure, inheritance of family business down the generations, financial backing from members of family and social networks, long standing experience in trade, genetic intelligence across generations, internal capacity building with unique style of leadership and high‐risk appetite, etc.

With its focus on one specific community like Bani(y)as or Marwaris in Indian business society, the case may not justify the understandings on genetic intelligence in case of other communities/class. However, the study elaborates scope of future studies in the same direction.

Practicing managers and research scholars can use this case for understanding of the key success/growth factors behind socio‐culturally guided family‐based business enterprises.

The paper presents a case that is original.

Introduction: There is a variety of wearables and health applications available in the market which allow the tracking of various health and lifestyle measures like blood sugar, calorie counter, number of steps, sleep patterns, etc. After the Covid-19 pandemic, people have become more aware of their health and use these wearables to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Insurance companies in India are also eyeing the potential usage of these wearables in life and health insurance.

Purpose: This research aims to look at the emergence of wearables and health apps and their usage in India’s life and health insurance industry. This study also focuses on how these devices might benefit insurers’ business models and some of the pitfalls to consider.

Methodology: The study used both primary and secondary data. A survey was conducted to understand the customer perception towards usage of wearables. The secondary research included the analysis of the integration of wearables by insurance companies.

Findings: The research would be helpful to the insurance companies as it would help them to understand the customer’s viewpoint for the usage of wearables in the insurance industry. This study would also allow insurers to understand new dimensions, such as where the wearables improve customer satisfaction and engagement. The study results would be helpful for the customers for the appropriate usage of wearables and the internet of things (IoT). Insurance companies can provide better pricing and make personalised insurance plans that ultimately help customers.

The present study examines the relationship between personality traits (PTs) and conflict management styles (CMSs) directly and indirectly through leadership effectiveness (LE) in Pakistan.

This quantitative study employs a survey questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data from academic leaders of higher education institutes (HEIs) in Pakistan. The authors utilized 325 useable cases to conclude the results.

The findings through the structural equation model (SEM) resulted in a positive and significant effect of agreeableness (AGS) on integrating (ITG), avoiding (AVG), obliging (OBG), compromising (COG) and dominating (DOG) styles. Extraversion (EXN) positively and significantly affects ITG, OBG, DOG and COG. Emotional stability (EMSY) is a positive and significant predictor of ITG, AVG, OBG and COG. The conscientiousness (CNS) trait significantly and positively predicts ITG, OBG, DOG, COG and AVG. Likewise, openness (OPS) positively and significantly affects ITG, OBG, DOG and COG styles. On the other hand, EXN and OPS negatively and insignificantly affect AVG. Finally, EMSY is the negative and insignificant predictor of DOG among academic leaders.

This study offers additional insights into understanding direct and indirect connections between PTs and CMSs through EL. It would support the development of effective policies and organizational setup to resolve and manage conflict and employees' behaviour. Finally, the findings would further enrich the worth of literature through another empirical confirmation.

This study offers the original contribution of PTs and CMSs among academic leaders in HEIs of Pakistan.

The leaders’ perception about self and the opinion of the subordinates about them is crucial to understand why some leaders qualify for hate. Much has been discussed on the positive and ethical side of leadership. However, the research on the darker side of leadership needs more attention. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the factors along with their impact responsible for hate-for-leaders, a relatively scant area of leadership. This study may facilitate understanding why some leaders become subject to hate despite many efforts by the organization.

For exploring the different factors responsible for hate-for-leaders, a survey was conducted by developing a scale using the focus group, Delphi technique, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The results were analysed using structural equation modelling.

The factors responsible for qualifying the leaders for hate were identified. Moreover, the results indicated that the subordinate hate the leaders for his/her unacceptable behaviour/actions which they assume the leader has control over it and exhibited otherwise intentionally on targeted employees. Moreover, some undesirable behaviour of leaders is attributed to fundamental attribution errors i.e. situational factors.

A fully developed scale for assessing the hate-quotient for leaders is proposed. This research will facilitate the managers/leaders as to why some of the followers/employees hate them. This scale provides an opportunity for managers and leaders to introspect themselves for improved workplace relationships and not to encourage sunflower management that seeks to get submissive and aligned-thought employees around the leader.

The fact that the decisions taken by managers/leaders adversely affecting the employees are not always because of malice or wrong intentions but sometimes due to situational factors i.e. fundamental attribution error. Moreover, the scale act as a reference to evaluate the hate-for-leaders in the organizational context.

Nowadays, rapid prototyping is emerging as end use product in low volume. The accuracy of the fabricated components depends on various process parameters. Process parameters used in this investigation are layer thickness (150, 200 and 250 µm), infill pattern (linear, hexagonal and star fill), raster angle (0°, 45° and 90°) and infill density (40, 60 and 80%). Linear and radial dimension of knuckle joint are selected for the response factor.

The experiments are design by using response surface methodology (RSM). Four design variables at three levels are used to examine their influence on percentage error in linear dimension and radial dimension of the component. A prototype Knuckle joint is selected as component. Minitab-14 software is used for the design of experiments.

Experimental measure data is analyzed by using “smaller is better” quality characteristics. A regression model for the forecasting of percentage error in linear and radial dimension is developed. The developed model is within precision range. The optimum level of process for linear and radial dimensions are obtained: layer thickness of 150 µm, Infill pattern of linear, Raster angle of 90° and infill density of 40%.

It proves that both the mathematical model is significant and can be able to approximate the desired output value close to the accurate dimensions. While comparing the calculated F-values for both linear and radial dimension with the standard table (F-table, 0.05), it is found that at the given set of degree of freedom the standard F-values (6.61) is lower for that regression, linear, square and interaction source of the predicted model, for which p-values have already less than 0.05. It is desirable for significant process parameters.

The dimensional accuracy with respect to average percentage error of FDM produced knuckle joint is successfully examined. The effect of process parameters, namely, layer thickness, infill pattern, raster angle and infill density on average percentage error was investigated by RSM and analysis of variance table.

The novelty of this work lies in the fact that only few studies are available in archival literature related to influence of these process parameters on percentage error in linear and radial dimension for Polycarbonate (PC) material.

The novelty of this work lies in the fact only few studies are available in archival literature related to influence of these process parameters on percentage error in linear and radial dimension for Polycarbonate (PC) material.

After reading and discussing the case, the participant would be able to: comprehend business expansion strategies and challenges of an entrepreneur dealing with handicraft and artefacts, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and marketing strategy; understand how a comprehensive digital marketing plan for the business is developed; discuss the pros and cons of digital marketing.

The handloom and handicraft industry has been the backbone of India’s rural economy for decades. It is one of the largest employment generators after agriculture, providing livelihood to country’s rural and urban population. The protagonist in the case had a strong inclination towards various art and craft forms, and her passion led her to start her venture – Guthali, wherein she sourced various handicrafts and handlooms from local artisans and after adding value to the fabric or art form through painting, block printing, etc., marketed it to the customers. However, the marketing was full of challenges, with brands like Fab India, enjoying high awareness and customer base. This case highlights the challenges faced by the protagonist to market Indian handicrafts and handloom in the urban market. The readers of the case would be able to learn about various stages involved in developing digital marketing strategies.

This case is suitable for postgraduate courses in digital marketing and entrepreneurship to understand the entrepreneurial challenges and come up with digital marketing solutions. This case is equally suitable for management development programmes on how digital marketing can help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 8: Marketing.

In today’s dynamic situation, innumerable challenges are posited in the education sector because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher educational institutes (HEIs) are compelled to adopt digital technologies and technology-mediated learning in the teaching-learning processes. The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors affecting learning effectiveness, learning satisfaction and the mediating role of prerecorded videos from the learners’ perspective.

A self-designed structured questionnaire based on previous similar studies is adopted as a survey instrument. It consists of 22 questions to address the five constructs of the proposed hypothesized conceptual model, developed for the study. Data of 311 students from HEIs of Maharashtra state in India were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis is carried out to test the model fitness, reliability and validity, and structural equation modeling is applied to conduct path analysis and hypotheses testing of the model.

Hypotheses testing reveals that perceived usefulness (PU) significantly affects the perceived learning effectiveness, which again affects the learning satisfaction of the students. In addition, perceived ease of use affects the PU as suggested in the technology acceptance model. The prerecorded videos have a moderating role to play in the computer self-efficacy and the perceived learning effectiveness of the students. This research will provide meaningful acumen to enhance the overall learning process among students in urban as well as rural India.

This study explores the technology-mediated learning during the unexpected and dynamic situations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of higher education in India. For sustainable use of technology-assisted learning, educators must understand the key factors that influence students’ learning effectiveness and satisfaction. The research outcomes will lead toward developing the human capacities, as the prerecorded videos at the HEIs of India will provide new approaches for effectively adopting digital technologies and technology-mediated learning.