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Asset liability management is a multi-dimensional set of activities. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to build a goal programming model for optimally determining the asset allocation and liability composition for Indian Banks.

The conceptual model framework has been developed and then tested for four banks that typically represent the Indian banking sector. Published balance sheet data were used for the model that span over 1995-2009. The veracity of the model has been tested in terms of its ability to project the optimum asset allocation and liability composition for the year 2010.

The model has been able to generate the optimum asset and liability mix that meets the goals set on the key drivers. The solution provided is realistic and compatible with the actual figures. Sensitivity analysis including current and savings account and interest rate changes has been successfully performed to study impact they cause on profitability.

The model provides an overall approach to asset allocation and liability composition based on past data reflecting the preferences and priorities of the banks with regard to their outlook on setting targets. This may change. The variables like return and risk are stochastic in nature.

The model demonstrated in this paper would be useful to the policy makers in any bank for decision support and planning in view of its ability to incorporate a large number of constraints. Changes in profit could be instantaneously captured through sensitivity analysis.

The goal programming model used here is invariant to the type of bank and year of consideration.

This sudden disruption of work in the world due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unravelling situations hitherto unknown to researchers and therefore requires careful and thorough investigation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between work from home (WFH) isolation, WFH loss of task identity and job insecurity amid COVID-19 pandemic WFH arrangements by focusing on information technology/information technology-enabled services (IT/ITES) sector employees in India. The study also investigated the mediating role of work alienation.

Data were collected from IT/ITES sector employees who were working from home. The sample size was 312, with 71.8% males and 28.2% females. The study used a descriptive research design. Analysis of the data was carried out using partial least square structural equation modeling. All constructs–independent and dependent–were reflectively measured. The evaluated quality parameters (discriminant validity, reliability, collinearity, common method bias) for all the constructs were found to be within acceptable limits.

Findings from the study indicate that WFH-related isolation and loss of task identity have a significant direct impact on job insecurity. These, along with the mediating construct of work alienation, predicted a 35.8% variance in job insecurity. The study found that work alienation provided complementary mediation between the independent constructs evaluated.

This study attempts to scrape the surface and gain insight into the problems that may arise in the new world of work. This paper presents an attempt to explain some of the psychological pitfalls associated with WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand their impact on job insecurity.

Prolonged closure of educational institutions prompted authorities to adopt online teaching as an alternative method to impart education. The purpose of this study is to investigate the readiness on the part of teachers to switch/adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy. Also, this study analyses relationship between perceived stress (PS) and readiness to change (RTC)/adopt.

All the constructs were adapted from established scales, exploratory factor analysis confirmed item loadings on the appropriate constructs. Convenience sampling was used for data collection; owing to COVID-19 this appeared to be the only viable method. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used for analysis of data.

Results from this study indicate that 32.2% variance in RTC is accounted for by exogenous constructs perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and autonomy (AUT). Although f2 effect size pointed towards non-significance of AUT in predicting RTC (path coefficients were found to be significant for all the exogenous constructs). Also, RTC accounted for 32.6% variance in PS. To assess the predictive relevance of the model, blindfolding procedure was used to obtain Q2 values (Q2PS = 0.231; Q2RTC = 0.243). Positive Q2 values provide support for the model’s predictive relevance.

Data were collected from teachers employed in urban public schools. A complete picture can be obtained by involving teachers from rural public and state-run schools.

Teachers’ readiness to adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy may act as a starting point for the policymakers to design properly structured training programs for teachers that minimise stress levels.

If not handled properly, the society may end with either loss of learning to one generation or a major chunk of stressed-out teaching populations or both.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is probably the first one focusing on sudden shift to online teaching and PS.

Today, the employees stand firm as an integral part of the organization and are a precious asset. They are willing to learn, accept challenges and strive hard to deliver their level best. The role of the employees has become pronounced and significant, and it is no more conventional. They are now taking up responsibilities in strategic planning and development of the organization. Thus, HR department plays a profuse role in planning for the human resource of the firm to optimize the utilization of their potentials that would help support and meet the business as well as strategic goal of the firm. These HR planning programs ensure managing people within a planned framework and make them develop their performance that becomes a source of sustained competitive advantage for the firm. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

A descriptive research has been conducted with cross-sectional survey through a formalized questionnaire. Multistage sampling has been used in the study. Primary data have been collected from different manufacturing industries of India. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have been conducted on the hypothesized research model. Structural equation modeling has been done to specify the relation between the measured and latent variables.

The HR planning programs, namely, staffing plan and succession plan, yield a better result in addressing the strategic goal of the company. Succession plan, staffing plan and talent management strategies augment the efficacious performance of the firm. Effectual performance aids in gaining a competitive advantage for the firm in a substantial way. Job analysis and design have no impact in achieving the strategic intent of the organization.

The study gives a comprehensive scenario of the HR planning programs that can help the organization to meet and uphold their strategic goals. The study provides a model that can solidify and bind the organization toward securing organizational intent and leading a steadfast business process in this dynamic competitive marketplace.

The purpose of this paper is to apply technical analysis to some leading Islamic indices and explore if these indices are amenable to the same kind of analysis as applied to conventional indices and whether technical analysis, in contrast with fundamental analysis, produces distinct or superior return.

In this paper, some basic tools of TA to Dow Jones Islamic Market US Index (IMUS) is applied in comparison with the three major market indices: Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ 100. For TA, we apply moving averages, MACD and Stochastics as indicators. The paper is written particularly for those with interest in Islamic finance, but not necessarily familiar with TA. This paper thus also explores some Shariah-related issues in effectively applying TA.

The comparative analysis shows that the performance based on IMUS can be improved, when TA is applied.

Robust tools of TA play an important role in market research. This paper probably is the first to apply TA in the context of Islamic finance. Because the scope of this paper is limited (only Dow Jones Islamic USA Index and comparison with three leading market indices), more in-depth research is needed and possible, which it is hoped this paper will encourage.

The successful application of the basic TA tools to Islamic index will encourage the practitioners of Islamic finance to research and explore further uses and effectiveness of TA on other Islamic products.

This paper is probably the first application of TA to Islamic finance markets, written especially for those who take active interest in the financial market from Islamic perspective.

WE wish our readers success and prosperity for 1935. In the pages of our last number was given a brief retrospect of the events of 1934, and there is no advantage in repeating any part of it. Suffice to say, the year was one of the most memorable in the annals of libraries from the point of view of the new buildings which have been erected to serve great places. The year before us will present a full programme of work for all librarians. The major interest will probably be the conference to be held at Manchester in September, when hundreds of librarians will have the opportunity of seeing the building of the largest of British, if not of European, public libraries. We understand, too, that the conference will deal systematically with the efficient library in the modern community, but no doubt fuller information upon this programme will be forthcoming very shortly. The time is not ripe, we fear, for us to expect anything in the shape of a consolidating library aft which shall bring into coherency the scattered library laws of this country. We hope something will be done in the year to improve the examination system of the Library Association, which fails to give satisfaction as it stands at present. We confidently expect that the co‐operation embodied in the Regional Library Bureau will be extended, and as our recent pages have shown, we hope that the National Central Library will be relieved of some of its financial anxieties by direct action upon the part of public libraries and of the Treasury. There are signs that the country is gradually returning to prosperity, and we hope that in any such event libraries will benefit and librarians will receive some attention in the matter of their salaries.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the trends and practices of consumers buying their products online and offline. Further, it also analyses the factors which influence consumers to go online and offline for their purchases.

To analyse the factors influencing consumer’s buying behaviour, 18 variables have been identified and questionnaire using a seven-point scale (where 1 indicating very unimportant and 7 very important) was designed. It was circulated among 875 consumers residing in Delhi and National Capital Region between February 2012 and April 2012, who buy offline or online or from both sources. The responses so collected have been tabulated and analysed with the help of a factor analysis method. The principal component method has been used to determine the minimum number of factors that would account for the maximum variance in the data collected. The data have been analysed by using SPSS version 19.

The study identifies Factor 1 (F1) as a Pre-sales Offer which includes the following variables that influence consumers mostly: less price, special sales, rebates and coupons, easy to get product information, physical examination of product, immediate possession of a product, uncertainty about getting the right item, accept all forms of payment and helpfulness of sales people. Thereafter, the study identifies Factor 2 (F2) as Better Assortment and After Sales Policy which includes the following variables: brand selection and variety, post-purchase service, exchange refund policy, quality of merchandise, availability of products in stock and ability to compare products. Finally, it identifies Factor 3 (F3) as Product and Its Importance which includes the following variables: speed of selection and purchase, social and family experience, shipping and handling charges and easy browsing of the products which influence consumer behaviour.

The findings of this study are purely based on the information provided by the respondents. The sample forms little part of the total population.

Though online retailing in India is in nascent stage, yet it has shown its presence. To sustain and grow in a competition, the retailers need to understand the purchasing behaviour and factors influencing purchase behaviour of consumers. The behaviour of consumers is unpredictable and dynamic. The study suggests offline and online retailers to adopt policies or strategies after considering three factors extracted from the study to attract and retain consumers to their stores. Further, it also provides ideas to consumers to choose their retailers on comparative advantages basis.