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1 – 10 of over 1000Niyaz Panakaje, Habeeb Ur Rahiman, S.M. Riha Parvin, Abbokar Siddiq and Mustafa Raza Rabbani
This research aims to explore the significance of cooperative efforts in promoting financial participation to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of the rural Muslims.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to explore the significance of cooperative efforts in promoting financial participation to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of the rural Muslims.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary study with a structured questionnaire has been conducted taking a sample of 398 rural Muslim respondents from various rural regions of south India through proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Regression analysis, paired sample t-test and structural equation modelling (SEM) through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 26 & SPSS analysis of moment structures (AMOS) 23 software have been implemented to test the relationship.
Findings
The research outcome demonstrated a remarkable difference in the rural Muslim’s socio-economic conditions before and after availing the loans from cooperatives. Consequently, an extension of cooperative efforts widens the scope of financial participation which again has positively enhanced rural Muslim’s socio-economic empowerment.
Practical implications
This study will help various policymakers, academicians and communities to take necessary action for the upliftment of a particular community. The research further adds on to the existing research on the need and importance of cooperative efforts as an alternative finance for marginalised community in developing and emerging countries.
Originality/value
The result of this study is only confined to south India, posing a limitation for the study. Apart from the geographical restriction, the study solemnly covers the rural Muslim community extracting other sections of the society. Hence, for more generalisable pictures of the current results, further research is recommended from other stakeholders’ perspectives.
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Suneel Kumar, Varinder Kumar and Nisha Devi
This study aims to investigate the connection between digital literacy and women’s empowerment in the rural Himachal Pradesh. It explores how improved digital skills contribute to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the connection between digital literacy and women’s empowerment in the rural Himachal Pradesh. It explores how improved digital skills contribute to increased empowerment among women with a specific focus on the role of education in enhancing digital literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
This study included 250 rural participants who completed structured questionnaires. Analytical tools, including independent-sample t-tests and partial least squares structural equation modeling, were applied to the data to gain insights into the relationship between digital literacy and women’s empowerment.
Findings
This study revealed a significant positive link between digital literacy and women’s empowerment in the rural Himachal Pradesh context. Education has emerged as a key factor that influences women’s digital skills and empowerment levels.
Originality/value
This research adds novelty by examining the digital literacy–women’s empowerment nexus in rural Himachal Pradesh and emphasizing the impact of education. The combination of statistical methods offers a robust approach to understanding this relationship and underscores the importance of digital inclusion and education for gender equality and women’s progress.
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This qualitative study aims to examine bankers’ perspectives regarding financial inclusion, the challenges it faces and the scope for improvement. This research proposes a…
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study aims to examine bankers’ perspectives regarding financial inclusion, the challenges it faces and the scope for improvement. This research proposes a financial inclusion model, considering the inputs received by bankers. Financial exclusion of different sections is an issue common to emerging countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for qualitative research were collected through interviews with bank officials. The information was gathered from 32 bankers from India’s several zones (North, South, West and East). The data were collected from bankers from different public and private sector banks. Thematic analysis was performed up to the point of saturation to study the response received from bankers.
Findings
Bank-related issues such as frequent computer problems, network connectivity problems, costs, a shortage of bank branches, fewer transactions through automated teller machines and a shortage of banking staff affect customers’ confidence in formal banking. Banking services are disrupted by a lack of trust in banking correspondents (BCs), as they are not regular employees of banks. Limits on daily transactions discourage high-value customers from using BCs and kiosks. The time spent on administrative formalities impacts customers. Financial inclusion is affected by availability, accessibility, usage and affordability. Digital financial literacy is essential for ease of transaction, but awareness about financial products helps protect customers from cyber scams. The findings of this research would benefit financial institutions globally in developing their businesses and helping to achieve financial inclusion and the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Originality/value
This research paper undertakes a qualitative analysis of the views collected from bankers. Bankers are crucial stakeholders in the successful implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Policy of the Government of India. Bankers’ perspectives will be important not only for India and its researchers but also in the global context, as the UN’s SDGs focus on leaving no one behind.
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Hariharan Ravi and R. Vedapradha
The study aims to examine the impact of an artificial intelligent service agent (AISA) on customer services to the rural population provided by KAYA, Kotak Life's AI-enabled…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to examine the impact of an artificial intelligent service agent (AISA) on customer services to the rural population provided by KAYA, Kotak Life's AI-enabled insurance chatbot avatar that offers quality insurance services.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi-stage cluster sampling method was adopted to collect the responses from the 707 customers across the rural population of southern states of India. SPSS V.2 and Smart PLS 4 were used to apply simple percentage analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate the hypothesis. The dependent variables are economic performance and market performance based on the independent variables: efficiency, security, availability, enjoyment and contact.
Findings
The study revealed that efficiency and security are the highest predictors and the most influencing variables in predicting the economic and market performance of the insurance companies in determining the quality of service when rendered through AISA among the customers. Efficiency, security, availability, contact and enjoyment are the critical dimensions of AISA. It has a more significant impact on quality service (claim processing) to the rural population. It improves the economic and market performance among the insurance companies and the rural population.
Originality/value
Customers need convenience when making claims. Even little challenges might lead to stress and unhappiness, depending on the situation. Restrictions on where customers can file claims may not be the most outstanding service insurance firms can offer, given rising travel and commuting costs and widening geographical borders. Customers value proactive communication from service providers about the status of their insurance claims.
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Jitender Kumar, Garima Rani, Manju Rani and Vinki Rani
This study aims to investigate the factors that impact the solo travel intentions of millennial women in rural and urban areas. By exploring these factors, this research also…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors that impact the solo travel intentions of millennial women in rural and urban areas. By exploring these factors, this research also sheds light on the similarities and differences in travel behaviors and motivations of women in different geographical contexts within India.
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Shubhomoy Banerjee and S. Sreejesh
The study's primary purpose is to establish the direct and indirect roles of word-of-mouth communication (WOM) in initiating and maintaining consumer loyalty in the bottom of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study's primary purpose is to establish the direct and indirect roles of word-of-mouth communication (WOM) in initiating and maintaining consumer loyalty in the bottom of pyramid (BOP) markets in the Indian context. In addition, the study seeks to evaluate the conditions (viz. extent of media usage, brand distribution intensity and brand social connections) under which WOM leads to the initiation and maintenance of consumer brand loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
The study hypotheses were formulated following the social identity theory. Later, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 898 rural BOP consumers. Structural equation modelling technique was applied to test the study hypotheses.
Findings
Results suggested a positive effect of WOM on brand credibility and self-brand connections-indicative of the initiation of strong cognitive and affective relationships respectively. Brand credibility and self-brand connections also mediated the paths between WOM and brand loyalty-indicative of the maintenance and continuation of strong affect-laden relationships. These indirect relationships were moderated by the extent of media usage, brand distribution intensity and brand social connections.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies that holistically evaluate the role of WOM in developing customer loyalty to rural BOP consumers against the backdrop of the systemic deficiencies in these markets.
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Rajalaxmi Singh and Hrushikesh Mallick
The aim of the paper is to examine the status and determinants of financial inclusion in India by using the recent micro-level survey data.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to examine the status and determinants of financial inclusion in India by using the recent micro-level survey data.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors construct a multidimensional financial inclusion index to measure the status of financial inclusion in the selected 17 states of India. Subsequently, the authors use the probit model estimation to examine the determinants of all financial inclusion indicators.
Findings
The authors find that southern and north-eastern states perform better in the overall financial inclusion index. In contrast, states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh lag behind. The estimated result shows that the probability of being financially included is higher among urban, richer, educated and salaried individuals. Further, the findings indicate the lower penetration of bank branches and ATMs in the rural parts of the country.
Originality/value
While numerous studies have explored financial inclusion from a macro-level perspective, there exists a notable gap in the literature at the micro-level. This paper aims to address this gap and contributes to the existing literature in two ways. Firstly, it uses the recent micro-level survey data to construct a multidimensional financial inclusion index for the selected Indian states. Secondly, it examines individual-level attributes as the determining factors of financial inclusion, which has been overlooked in India.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0162
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Inder Sekhar Yadav and M. Sanatan Rao
This work examines the impact of institutional agricultural credit on crop productivity of some major crops such as paddy, cotton, wheat and pulses for small and marginal farmers…
Abstract
Purpose
This work examines the impact of institutional agricultural credit on crop productivity of some major crops such as paddy, cotton, wheat and pulses for small and marginal farmers across various social groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional field data on socio economic variables was collected from three Indian states from about 400 small and marginal farmers across various social groups using multi-stage stratified random and purposive sampling through a structured questionnaire by interviewing. The method of propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to calculate average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATET) by categorising sample farmers as treatment group and control group where crop productivity was considered as outcome variable and access to institutional credit was considered as treatment variable.
Findings
The PSM estimates reveal that ATE and ATET for all the selected crops are found to be significantly higher for the treated group vis-à-vis non-treated group suggesting that institutional agricultural credit has a statistically and significant positive impact on the crop productivity.
Research limitations/implications
Similar study can be extended for more crops and across regions in India for a universal coverage.
Originality/value
The agricultural credit policy of India has been to increase the access and availability of institutional farm credit. This has led to in general increase in the flow of formal farm credit to agricultural sector. However, the impact of institutional credit and crop productivity especially for small and marginal farmers across social groups is not well recognized in India using field data. Accordingly, this field data study contributes to the existing research by providing fresh evidence from field across social groups for both kharif and rabi crops using recent survey data from small and marginal farmers which has important policy implications.
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Sharad Sharma, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ruchi Mishra and Nachiappan (Nachi) Subramanian
This study aims to address three research questions pertaining to climate neutrality within the supply chain of metal and mining industry: (1) How can an organization implement…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address three research questions pertaining to climate neutrality within the supply chain of metal and mining industry: (1) How can an organization implement practices related to climate neutrality in the supply chain? (2) How do members of the supply chain adopt different measures and essential processes to assist an organization in responding to climate change-related concerns? (3) How can the SAP-LAP framework assist in analyzing and proposing solutions to attain climate neutrality?
Design/methodology/approach
To address the proposed research questions concerning climate neutrality, this study employs a case study approach utilizing the SAP-LAP (situation, actor, process–learning, action, performance) framework. Within the SAP-LAP framework, adopting a natural resource-based perspective, the study thoroughly examines the intricacies and interactions among existing situations, pertinent actors and processes that impact climate initiatives within a metal and mining company.
Findings
The study's findings suggest that organizations can achieve the objective of climate neutrality by prioritizing resources and capabilities that lead to reduced GHG emissions, lower energy consumption and optimal resource utilization. The study further proposes key elements that significantly influence the pursuit of climate neutrality within enterprises.
Research limitations/implications
This study is one of the earliest contributions to the development of a holistic understanding of climate neutrality in the supply chain of the metal and mining industry.
Practical implications
The study will assist practitioners and policymakers in comprehending the present circumstances, actors and processes involved in enterprises' supply networks in order to attain climate neutrality in supply chains, as well as in taking the right steps to enhance performance.
Originality/value
This study presents a climate neutrality model and provides valuable insights into emission management, contributing to the achievement of the climate neutrality objective.
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The objective of this study is to explore the level of understanding and actions taken by the people of Gurugram (erstwhile Gurgaon) to mitigate the impact of climate change…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to explore the level of understanding and actions taken by the people of Gurugram (erstwhile Gurgaon) to mitigate the impact of climate change, given its critical importance as a global issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach, primary data were collected through in-depth interviews by means of semi-structured interview methods.
Findings
The findings indicate that while people are aware of climate change, the information is deficient for them to translate their knowledge into effective action. Some of the major challenges identified are lack of appropriate understanding, resources, education, motivation and government initiatives, as well as the old habits, peer influence, feeling of incapability and limited media exposure. To bridge the intention-action gap, it is recommended that people should be empowered to act desirably. There is a change need for awareness and education on ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. The study has implications for researchers, environmentalists, policymakers, non-government organizations and local residents of Gurugram.
Originality/value
This study provides unique insights into the understanding of climate change by the general public and challenges faced in taking pro-environment actions. It emphasizes the urgent need to create awareness and educate individuals about ways to mitigate the impact of climate change.
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