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Exploring the mediating role of job and life satisfaction between workfamily conflict, familywork conflict and turnover intention
Purpose: This study investigates the influence of work-to-family and family-to-work conflict on turnover intention (career break), mediated through job and life satisfaction among Indian women in the service sector, using role conflict theory as the base. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 421 usable responses from women who had taken a career break were collected using a 36-item scale from six major metro cities in India through social and digital media platforms. A purposive-cum-snowballing sampling method was adopted. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) through AMOS. Findings: Findings suggest that job satisfaction (JS) is a significant predictor of turnover intention, both when work spills into the family domain, and family responsibilities spill into the work domain, thereby confirming the mediating influence of JS. Interestingly, life satisfaction (LS) only seems to mediate between inter-domain conflict and turnover intention partially. Research limitations/implications: This is a descriptive study, and is thereby limited in terms of its generalizability, specifically as it included respondents only from six major metro cities in India. Practical implications: The extended work-family conflict model could help managers structure organizational interventions that support women to deal with the challenges of managing the demands of both work and family domains, thereby reducing the negative influence on JS. Such initiatives could help reduce career breaks among women. Originality/value: We explored the cause of career breaks among Indian urban women employed in the service sector, using the extended model of inter-role conflict and their attitudes towards both life and job. 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Exploring the motivating factors for opportunity recognition among social entrepreneurs: aqualitative study
Purpose: This paper explores the motivating factors that lead to opportunity recognition among social entrepreneurs in India. Design/methodology/approach: The study followed an exploratory, qualitative design based on thematic analysis of the interview data collected from 13 Indian social entrepreneurs. Findings: The study identifies two aggregate factors that motivate social entrepreneurs: personal and contextual. Personal factors include life experiences, social awareness, social inclination since childhood, spiritual motives, the need for a meaningful career and entrepreneurial intention. Contextual factors included institutional voids, community development, the presence of a role model and volunteer experiences. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by providing a model for motivating factors that lead to opportunity recognition. This study enables policymakers and social entrepreneurship educators to identify aspiring social entrepreneurs and provide target-specific support to them. Practical implications: This study enables policymakers and social entrepreneurship educators to identify aspiring social entrepreneurs and provide target-specific support to them. Originality/value: The study uniquely contributes to the social entrepreneurship field by offering deep qualitative insights into the motivational and opportunity recognition patterns of social entrepreneurship. 2024, Parvathy Viswanath and A. Sadananda Reddy. -
EXPLORING THE NEXUS: DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN LOCAL PUBLIC SPACES AND CHILDRENS PLAY BEHAVIOR IN BANGALORE, INDIA
Research in the field of childrens play highlights its diverse benefits on developmental requisites. Specifically, parks and playgrounds emerge as key public spaces in an urban environment, which facilitates a range of play experiences conducive to developmental processes. The main aim of the study is to examine the design characteristics of formal public spaces that influence play behavior of children and the supervision modalities in the Indian context. To achieve this objective the study investigated a park and playground in a rapidly developing neighborhood in Bangalore. Systematic observations were conducted to observe childrens play opportunities with respect to the physical environments including adult supervision modalities. The outcomes reveal that childrens play in the urban context is a supervised activity. The study demonstrates a strong correlation between the age demographics and utilization patterns of play spaces. Though affordances for functional play and rule based games were exhibited in these public spaces, the research found minimal occurrences of Constructive, Imaginative and Exploratory play. Implications for planning and design includes adopting an age-responsive approach to accommodate diverse developmental needs and preferences of children while integrating natural and manipulable materials to enhance play value of play spaces. 2024, Jomard Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the Photocatalytic and Cytotoxic Potential of Quassia indica-Derived Bimetallic Silver-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites
In response to the escalating need for nanomaterials characterized by enhanced properties and reduced environmental impact, this study addresses critical challenges associated with conventional nanomaterial synthesis methods, particularly focusing on concerns related to environmental toxicity and economic feasibility. In this study, we report the eco-friendly synthesis of silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites using leaf extracts of Quassia indica (QI- Ag: ZnO NC). The synthesized QI- Ag: ZnO nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques including UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The photocatalytic activity of the biosynthesized QI- Ag: ZnO NC was evaluated against several textile dyes. Reactive Blue-220 exhibited the highest percentage of degradation (99.97%), closely followed by Reactive Blue-222 (99.37%), while Reactive Red-120 displayed significant degradation (94.62%). Remarkably, these nanocomposites exhibited significant photocatalytic degradation of the tested dyes, suggesting their potential application in wastewater treatment for dye removal. Furthermore, phytotoxicity studies were conducted to assess the impact of the nanocomposites on plant growth and brine shrimp mortality. To evaluate their cytotoxicity, the nanocomposites synthesized were assessed using the MTT assay on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. These findings suggest that QI- Ag: ZnO NCs have promising applications in environmental remediation and cancer therapy, opening avenues for further advancements in the arena of nanomaterial synthesis and utilization. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024. -
Exploring the Plausibility of Pre-Purchase Decision Process in User Acceptance of Smart Wearable Technology Devices
The market for smart wearable technology products is growing rapidly. Although wearable technology is still in its early stages, a longer-term outlook is required. This study inspected the existence of consumers pre-purchase stage for smart wearable technology devices. It further analyzed the factors that influenced customers decisions in the pre-purchase phase. The methodology adopted was quantitative, using which 240 users of smart wearables were given a structured questionnaire to fill up. The Smart PLS 3.0 software was used for structural equation modeling and path analysis. The results indicated that customers go through a pre-purchase decision journey. Their decisions are influenced by individual characteristics, product description, information source utility, data usefulness, trust, visibility of the product, and demonstrability. Together, these factors resulted in the customers successful transition from the pre-purchase stage to the purchase decision stage. 2022, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the potential application of Cr2AlC MAX phase as an emerging electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
A three-dimensional (3D) chromium carbide ceramic type, H-phase (211) categorized as Cr2AlC, MAX phase has garnered enormous attention in recent times due to its unique structure and bonding, surface area, thermal stability, and thermo-electrical conductivity, and hydrophilicity. A simple synthesis approach is proposed for obtaining layered Cr2AlC, MAX phase, with X-ray diffraction data and SEM morphology confirming the formation of the H-phase. The electrocatalyst Cr2AlC is being utilized for electrocatalytic water splitting application. The Cr2AlC is observed to exhibit an overpotential and Tafel slopes of 215 mV/88.3 mV dec? 1 for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 376 mV/96.5 mV dec? 1 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively, demonstrating good stability for up to 7200s. This study establishes a straightforward method for producing emergent material, Cr2AlC MAX phase, and highlights its promising applications in water electrolysis, hydrogen evolution, and oxygen evolution reactions. Qatar University and Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
Exploring the potential of Andrographis paniculata for developing novel HDAC inhibitors: an in silico approach
Cancer is one of the dreaded diseases of the twentieth century, emerging the major global causes of human morbidity. Cancer research in the last 15 years has provided unprecedented information on the role of epigenetics in cancer initiation and progression. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are recognized as important epigenetic markers in cancer, whose overexpression leads to increased metastasis and angiogenesis. In the current study, thirty-four (34) compounds from Andrographis paniculata were screened for the identification of potential candidate drugs, targeting three Class I HDACs (Histone deacetylases), namely HDAC1 (PDB id 5ICN), HDAC3 (PDB id 4A69) and HDAC8 (PDB id 5FCW) through computer-assisted drug discovery study. Results showed that some of the phytochemicals chosen for this study exhibited significant drug-like properties. In silico molecular docking study further revealed that out of 34 compounds, the flavonoid Andrographidine E had the highest binding affinities towards HDAC1 (?9.261 Kcal mol?1) and 3 (?9.554 Kcal mol?1) when compared with the control drug Givinostat (-8.789 and ?9.448 Kcal mol?1). The diterpenoid Andrographiside displayed the highest binding affinity (-9.588 Kcal mol?1) to HDAC8 compared to Givinostat (-8.947 Kcal mol?1). Statistical analysis using Principal Component Analysis tool revealed that all 34 phytocompounds could be clustered in four statistical groups. Most of them showed high or comparable inhibitory potentials towards HDAC target protein. Finally, the stability of top-ranked complexes (Andrographidine E-HDAC1 and HDAC3; Andrographiside-HDAC8) at the physiological condition was validated by Molecular Dynamic Simulation and MM-PBSA study. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Exploring the Potential of Bacillus velezensis, an Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Alternanthera philoxeroides for Plant Growth Promotion and Bioremediation Properties
The current work was done to analyse the bioremediation and plant growth promotion (PGP) traits of endophytic bacteria isolated from Alternanthera philoxeroides from Bellandur Lake, Bangalore, India. Twenty-nine endophytic bacteria were isolated and tested for their PGP traits like indole acetic acid (IAA), ammonia, nitrogen fixation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase production, phosphate solubilization etc. Endophytic bacterium, BEBAphL1 obtained from leaves of A. philoxeroides exhibited significant plant growth promotion properties and the isolate was identified as Bacillus velezensis OQ874364 using 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacterium showed potential IAA, ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase production. The results indicate that this endophyte is promising as a growth-promoting inoculant, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs in conventional agricultural practices while enhancing nutrient uptake and stress resilience in plants. B. velezensis exhibited tolerance to high levels of chromium (500 mg/L) and NaCl (15%) and was also able to decolourize Congo red by 70% at 0.005% concentration of dye. Characterization of dye samples pre- and post-bacterial treatment was done using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The findings of the study indicate that B. velezensis shows promise as a plant growth stimulator capable of withstanding heavy metal exposure and breaking down dyes. The Author(s) 2023. -
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF VELVET BEAN, MUCUNA PRURIENS (L) SEED ON GROWTH AND GONADAL DEVELOPMENT OF MONO-SEX COMMON MOLY POECILIA SPHENOPS (VALENCIENNES, 1846)
Mucuna pruriens, a rich source of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine, commonly known as L-DOPA and a precursor to dopamine, holds potential as a natural nutritional supplement. This study aimed to delve into the impact of incorporating M. pruriens seed powder (MpSP) into the feed on growth parameters and gonadal development of mono-sex common molly (Poecilia sphenops). The fish population was divided into three experimental groups, such as G1, G2, and G3, and a control group (C), each comprising 20 individuals. Over 45 days, the experimental groups were nourished with a commercial diet bolstered by MpSP in different concentrations (5, 7 and 10g/kg of feed, respectively). In contrast, the control group was provided with a regular diet devoid of the supplement. At the end of the experiment, MpSP demonstrated significant modulation (p<0.05) of growth performance metrics, including specific growth rate (SGR), length gain rate (LGR), body mass gain (BMG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Impressively, even the lower concentration of MpSP (5g/kg diet) yielded substantial increments in sperm count (p<0.05) and gonadosomatic index (GSI). These findings were corroborated by histological changes that reflected enhanced testicular development, consistently outperforming the control group. These outcomes collectively suggest the potential of velvet bean seed powder as a feasible, natural, and costeffective dietary supplement for enhancing growth and testicular development in mono-sex P. sphenops. (2024) West Bengal Veterinary Alumni Association. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the Psychosocial Challenges and Strengths of Indigent Adolescents: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Counsellors Insights
Background: The Bronfenbrenner bioecological model of human development provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interactions between individual factors and environmental influences on adolescent mental health, such as limited access to resources, exposure to violence and trauma, and parental neglect. While discussing the challenges faced by at-risk adolescents, it is important to focus on the strengths of resilient adolescents living in similar conditions. These individual differences are the precursors in determining their futures. Methods: The present study aimed to explore the psychosocial challenges and strengths of indigent adolescents. Eight counselors who had been working with indigent adolescents for at least three years in school or NGO settings were identified through a snowball sampling design and interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Results: Reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews was done using Braun and Clarks protocol to identify themes. Challenges faced by indigent adolescents were a lack of parental supervision, vulnerability to cybercrime, emotional dysregulation, engagement in drug use, ambiguity in life aspirations and career goals, and societal mistrust and bias. The strengths identified were empathy, reconciliation dynamics and forgiveness, a yearning for change, a love of learning, help-seeking and help-providing behavior, attachment to religion and festivals, and a sense of gratitude and hopefulness, which indigent resilient adolescents display to navigate through their challenging lives. A detailed discussion of these challenges and strengths, along with their various dynamics, has also been provided. Conclusion: Identifying both the difficulties and strengths of indigent adolescents would promote more strength-based approaches to preventive and promotive mental health programs. 2024 The Author(s). -
Exploring the Relationship between Clean Energy Indices and Oil Prices: a Ten-Day Window approach
This paper aims to assess the comovements between clean energy indices, namely the Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE), Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy (CELS), S&P Global Clean Energy (SPGTCLEN), TISDALE Clean Energy (TCEC.CN), Wilderhill (ECO), West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stock indices, over the period from 1 January 2018 to 23 November 2023. We used 10-day windows to analyse the duration and nature of the shocks. Granger causality tests revealed that 20 of the 30 possible pairs showed significant movements, with the WTI influencing all the clean energy indices, highlighting its global importance. CELS also showed a robust influence on all pairs, while SPGTCLEN had a significant but less far-reaching influence. The CLNE and ECO indices showed limited influences, suggesting the potential for diversification, the TCEC.CN proved to be independent and a determining factor for portfolio diversification. The Impulse Response Functions (IRF) confirmed significant movements between CELS, SPGTCLEN and WTI, reflecting the market's response to policies and adjustments in expectations. Fluctuations in oil prices substantially affect clean energy indices, highlighting the interconnectedness and volatility of these markets. In conclusion, these results indicate that despite the growth of clean energy, the sector is still influenced by fluctuations in the fossil fuel market. 2024, Creative Publishing House. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the role of E-servicescape dimensions on customer online shopping: A stimulus-organism-response paradigm
With limited empirical evidence and an incomplete understanding of e-servicescape environment, its effects on e-commerce websites still needs to be explored. Hence, the study understands and assesses the effects of e-servicescape environment on customer purchase behavior, considering the moderating role of gender. The stimulus-organism-response framework was adapted to formulate a conceptual model, in which the e-servicescape (stimulus) features were modelled as an antecedent of customer trust (organism) on website that directs customer behaviour of purchase intention (response). To conduct an analysis, a data sample of 304 responses was collected from those who have earlier used e-commerce websites using a structural equation modelling technique. Results of the study shows that e-servicescape dimensions are a strong predictor of trust that strongly impacts customer purchase intention. Results further reveal that in an online environment, the gender gap is depleting as it impacts all three dimensions of the e-servicescape on customer behavior which remains consistent for both groups. Copyright 2020, IGI Global. -
Exploring the Role of Multi-Catalytic Sites in an Amorphous Co-W-B Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions
Amorphous materials are used in multitude of catalytic applications, including electrocatalytic water-splitting. Identification and investigation of active sites in amorphous catalysts are rarely reported, mainly owing to the complexity of the systems. Herein, we report an amorphous bifunctional Co-W-B electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The optimized Co-W-B catalyst showed promising overpotential values of 97 mV (HER) and 292 mV (OER), respectively, to achieve 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH, with good stability. The promoting effect of W in Co-B was investigated experimentally, while computational tools were used to identify all the possible catalytic sites in an amorphous Co-W-B model and classify the most preferred sites for HER and OER. The presence of multi-catalytic sites with specific selectivity toward HER and OER was observed, which explained the bifunctional activity of Co-W-B. This study will foster better understanding of the origin of catalytic activity in similar amorphous systems. 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. -
Exploring the role of plant oils in aquaculture practices: an overview
As the global demand for seafood surges, the expanding aquaculture industry faces a pressing need for viable aquafeed ingredients. The raw material for fish oil is limited and expensive due to unpredictable fishery resources in the fishing zones and the overexploitation of wild fisheries, underscoring the urgency of finding alternatives. This review explores diverse plant oil sources, including soybean, rapeseed, linseed, and algal oils, emphasizing their crucial role in nutritionally balanced aquafeeds. These oils support aquatic animals growth, health, and development, influencing membrane structure, energy storage, and hormone production. Genetically modified oilseeds (GM), such as camelina and canola, offer a controlled nutrient content, enabling customized nutrient profiles. This comprehensive review provides an overview of different plant oil sources, elucidates their nutrient profiles, and assesses their potential applications in aquaculture. The discussion encompasses their impact on growth, feed efficiency, lipid profile, health, immunological status, disease resistance, and overall performance of both freshwater and marine fish. Furthermore, the review compiles relevant data on the current status of genetically modified plant oils and explores their potential integration into aquaculture practices. In summary, substituting plant oils for fish oil in aquafeed presents a promising solution to aquaculture industry challenges to meet nutritional requirements for fish. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. -
Exploring the Role of structurally modified Molybdenum disulfide composites with Prussian blue analogues as counter electrode catalysts for bifacial Dye-Sensitized solar cells
The present study aims to utilize Mn, Ni, and MnNi Prussian Blue Analogue (PBA) embedded MoS2 composites as Pt-free Counter Electrode (CE) in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Therefore, Ni-PBA, Mn-PBA, and MnNi-PBA were synthesized using a simple ageing procedure followed by a Hydrothermal method to prepare modified MoS2 composites. The crystalline structure, shape, surface area, and elemental oxidation state were analyzed using various studies. Also, the nanosheets formation around cubic structure further shows large numbers of active sites resulting in the high catalytic behaviour of the composites. Among the various composites, the Modified MoS2 based on MnNi-PBA, which was coated using a simple spin-coating procedure, exhibited the smallest ?EPP separation and the highest JRED value due to the rapid redox reaction at the CE/electrolyte interface and catalytic current. The maximum efficiency of 8.25 % was achieved for MnNi-PBA based composites, surpassing pristine MoS2 (6.72 %) and Pt (7.58 %) under front illumination (100 mW/cm2). Under rear illumination, the cell demonstrated a higher efficiency of 4.96 %, attributed to the high transmittance of the material-coated CE, making it suitable for bifacial applications. 2024 International Solar Energy Society -
Exploring the use of mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities: experiences from Haryana, India
Purpose: Covid-induced lockdowns have increased the importance of technology in education. Though access to technology as well as availability of the internet remain a major concern for a lot of children in the global south, children with intellectual disabilities are disadvantaged even more as most of the e-content is developed keeping in mind the average learner. Materials and methods: Unstructured interviews were conducted with children with intellectual disabilities studying in government schools in Haryana as well as their teachers and parents. Thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted to understand the use-patterns of mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities. Results: Findings suggest that these children are learning to use mobile phones on their own or with some support and are able to navigate the complexities of these smartphones quite well. They use these devices mostly for their entertainment. This paper then reflects on the need and strategies to develop these technologies in ways that they can be used as effective tools for teaching children with intellectual disabilities, especially in the inclusive education system in developing countries. Conclusion: The paper reflects on the need to develop technology and tools using flexible and exploratory designs to enhance the learning processes for children with intellectual disabilities from the lower income strata.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION This study highlights the importance of being able to use mobile phones by children with intellectual disabilities belonging to low income families. Following this, the article argues for designing of mobile phones suitable for use by children with intellectual disabilities using playfulness and explorations, and Building e-content keeping the elements of playfulness and exploration which can enhance the learnings of this group of students which is often ignored. 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Exploring the various methodologies of auditing the variables in a food supply chain and suggesting integrated audit framework
In recent years, the food supply chain has faced huge uncertainties, which has led to increasing interest in effective supply chain management in the industry. By considering the five key system inputs (purchasing, receiving, storing, processing, distributing) that are indispensable in the supply chain, the company can first take action to stabilize the supply chain performance, and secondly to improve its effectiveness by reducing uncertainty in the supply chain and operational capabilities. This paper outlines the key drivers and uncertainties in the food supply chain and describes a structured supply chain audit that can be used to measure the effectiveness of the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to study the existing audit framework and regulations for food safety in the food supply chain and examine the flaws in the existing framework and build a consolidated single framework that incorporates the best practices and fills the gap of the existing audit frameworks for food security. 2020, Institute of Advanced Scientific Research, Inc.. All rights reserved. -
Exploring tourists metaverse experience using destination spatial presence quality & perceived augmentation: metaverse exploration, physical expedition (MEPE)
A recent surge of interest surrounds metaverse tourism, with researchers highlighting its potential to revolutionize the tourism industry and attract new travellers. This article delves into the key features of a tourist's metaverse experience that influence their desire to visit a destination in the real world using systems theory. In addition, the current study also explores the moderating role of FOMO (Fear of missing out) in few of the proposed relationships. The study is a cross-sectional descriptive investigation carried out among Indian tourists chosen based on the simple random sampling technique and is analyzed using the Smart PLS software. The findings of the study reveal that several attributes of a tourist's metaverse experience, including entertainment, interaction, trendiness, novelty, and intimacy, significantly enhance both the perceived quality of spatial presence within the destination and the level of perceived augmentation experienced by tourists. Notably, both these factors then exert a significant positive influence on a destination's brand equity, ultimately explaining tourists' intentions to visit the physical location. Interestingly, the moderating role of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) suggests that the relationship between brand equity and the likelihood of tourists undertaking a physical visit is strengthened as their perceived FOMO increases. 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. -
Exploring various nanomaterials in enhancing the performance of chiral nematic liquid crystal for blue phase display
This study aims to develop composite liquid crystal (LC) materials for energy-efficient blue phase (BP) display applications with enhanced luminescent and dielectric properties. Chiral nematic liquid crystal (CNLC) was systematically doped with nanomaterials, including nickel zinc ferrite (NZFO), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), gold nanoparticles (GNPs), and strontium titanate (SrTiO3). Optimal doping concentrations (0.05 wt% for NZFO and SWCNT; 0.1 wt% for GNPs) enhanced photoluminescence, while SrTiO3 served as a luminescence quencher. Dielectric studies revealed a substantial reduction in the Freedericksz transition threshold voltage, particularly with NZFO (0.05 wt%), which halved the voltage. Optical texture and structural analysis confirmed that the CNLC structure remain intact while maintaining the BP temperature window (12 C). The reduced splay elastic constant in all doped CNLC revealed that the optimum quantity of nanomaterials is occupied in the disclination site of BP, resulting in a reduction of volume and associated free energy around the disclinations to reduce threshold voltage. These findings highlight the potential of nanomaterial-doped CNLCs, especially magnetic NZFO NPs, in enabling high-performance, low-power BP-based LC displays for advanced applications. 2025 Elsevier B.V. -
Exploring White Knight Syndrome in an Indian Setting: A Grounded Theory Approach
White knights are individuals who enter into romantic relationships with damaged and vulnerable partners, hoping that love will transform their partners behaviour or life. Existing literature on white knight is limited to a handful of studies, primarily based on Western population. The present research aimed at developing a substantive theory on white knight syndrome in an Indian setting. The study follows a qualitative paradigm and the research design is grounded theory approach to be specific. Participants for the study were screened using Lamias white knight checklist. Data has been collected from eighteen young adults aged 1825years through semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed using Strauss and Corbin grounded theory analysis. The study identified six phasespre-relationship phase, needs exploration phase, shining white knight phase, drained white knight phase, golden realization phase, and finally delayed breakup. Along with the phases, the study identified factors, characteristics, and types of white knight. The study has implications in the clinical and counselling field in identifying and understanding white knight tendencies. Additionally, the theory is applicable in the Indian setting highlighting the intricate interaction between culture, norms, roles, and the recent social factors. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.