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Tanishq: Brand Activism Gone Wrong?
Mansoor Khan, 45, brand manager, Tanishq Jewellery for Media and Communications, was facing lots of backlashes for Tanishqs advertisement on interfaith marriage advertisement aired to promote unity and harmony amongst different communities. In contrast to its stated objective of promoting unity and oneness, this interfaith marriage advertisement created a huge controversy in social media dividing its consumers and netizens into two opposing camps supporting and some even boycotting the advertisement. The brand Tanishq was trolled because of its alleged insensitivity and blindness towards the recent spate of killings in interfaith love affairs and marriages across different parts of India. This controversial advertisement of interfaith marriage and its resultant controversy has left the brand manager pondering should brands rely on more mainstream work rather than any edgy or controversial messaging? Should brands add their business voice to the societal and cultural debates or just stick to conventional advertisement? Or should Tanishq take a moral high stand and continue to promote the advertisement or should it withdraw the controversial advertisement? Whether the reckless pursuit of social, environmental, political and cultural issues and brands may alienate the very customer base, who they try to impress? Therefore, this case intends to teach the postgraduate students of marketing about concepts and theories of brand activism, celebrity endorsement, brand management and brand crisis management. 2023 MDI. -
How to win back the disgruntled consumer? The omni-channel way
In a conventional wisdom, it was believed that in traditional consumer journey, consumer will engage in an extended consideration and evaluation before entering into the loyalty loop. But with the emergence of online and offline advocacy the modern consumers may skip various traditional phases and may directly enter into loyalty loop. Being well informed and empowered modern-day consumer would wait hardly few seconds before he shifts loyalty to the rival brands. Hence, the retailers and marketers need to deal with well informed and empowered consumers who are disloyal to the core. Therefore, this paper proposes the adoption of Omni-channel marketing as a strategy to deal with disloyal customers. This study is both analytical and theoretical in nature and is based on the secondary data as well as extensive review of literature on the subject. The findings of the study recommend that the adoption of Omni-channel marketing will reduce the loyalty depressing factors and increases the loyalty supporting factors amongst the consumers by creating seamless experience throughout their consumer journey. Therefore, this paper proposes the adoption of Omni channel marketing to retailers, brands and marketers to deal with well informed, empowered and disloyal consumers and to convert them into loyal consumers. 2018, Academy of Business and Retail Management Research. -
Imperative of revisiting the operational risk control architecture in public sector banks cyjdf (PSBs) in India: A qualitative analysis
The banking sector in India has contributed to economic growth, parity and equity while equally keeping focus on profit and social objectives. The successive prudential and regulatory reforms introduced in the banking sector have made it more robust and stronger to withstand the bubbles and external shocks. Still, the Indian banking sector in general and public-sector banks (PSBs) in particular have been suffering from the bank frauds. This study endeavors to cover the increasing incidences of banking frauds in PSBs and probes the weaknesses and chinks in the operational risk architecture at the PSBs in India. This study selects Punjab National Bank as a true representative of PSBs and treats it as a critical case study to apply the learning and findings to the PSBs in India. This qualitative analysis of the study revealed that the chinks in the operational risk control mechanism and lax corporate governance are the main reasons behind the increasing incidences of frauds at PSBs. The findings of the study showed that a strong corporate governance and compliance framework, robust risk management architecture, investment in people, technology and systems will go a long way in achieving tighter control and supervision, streamlining processes and, most of all, adhering to a culture of checks and balances. 2019 LLC CPC Business Perspectives. All Rights Reserved. -
Development of a scorecard to measure the satisfaction and happiness in higher education
This study aims to identify and test the antecedents affecting students' satisfaction and its relationship with happiness. A conceptual model was designed with the dimensions such as happiness, recognition, gratitude, physical health, and negative emotion to measure students' satisfaction. Martin Seligman's 'theory of well-being' was employed to measure the happiness of the students. Data was collected from 202 respondents and a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was employed for analysis. The results of the study indicate that physical health, gratitude, and negative emotion influence the satisfaction of students in higher education. It was found that positive emotion and relationships have a significant influence on the happiness of the students. A relationship between satisfaction and happiness was developed. In extension to the present study's findings, a model and scorecard are proposed that can be used to measure the happiness and satisfaction of students in higher educational institutions in India. 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
Covid-19 and indian commerce: an analysis of fast moving consumer goods (Fmcg), and retail industries of tomorrow
Introduction: This paper examines the effect of COVID-19 on Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Retail industries of India and examines emerging trends in these markets. Background: COVID-19 has impacted our lives from all the fronts. Businesses and Global Commerce will never be the same once the world restarts post COVID-19. Multiple new trends like Direct to Consumer model(D2C), Omnichannel fulfilment, etc. would emerge in the industries of tomorrow. Macroeconomic Dynamics, consumer behaviour and supply-side disruptions form a complex network that drives these trends in the economy. This network has to be studied to proactively identify the emerging trends in the industry. Methods: Existing literature on COVID-19 and its effect on business and commerce in India were retrieved through secondary research. The retrieved literature was analyzed to identify emerging trends. Conclusion: Emerging trends in FMCG and Retail industry suggest that the previously existing layers of wholesalers, distribu-tors, etc. between the producer and the end consumer is being eliminated. Companies are leveraging technology to achieve direct distribution and thus, are getting closer to the customer. 2020 Global Research Online. All rights reserved. -
Stigma among COVID-19 patients in South India-A cross-sectional study
Background: COVID-19 has a significant biopsychosocial impact on the lives of people who are infected, with the stigma associated with the illness being one of the major issues. However, the level of stigma based on demographics, gender differences, hospital-based or home-based care is yet to be explored. Hence, this study aimed to infer the level of stigma between these groups in the urban district of south India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 50 participants who were recently infected with COVID-19 and were receiving either hospital or home-based care. The stigma was assessed using a standardized questionnaire which has four domains. MannWhitney U test was conducted to analyze the data. Results: Median age is 54 years and the majority of the participants are male (74%). The mean score of enacted stigma subscale was 4.48, disclosure fear was 2.34, internalized stigma was 2.82, perceived externalized stigma was 7.32 and the total stigma mean score was 17. The perceived externalized stigma subscale was higher in males (7.57 5.96) when compared to females 6.62 5.53. Total stigma scores were higher for males 17.2 10.1 when compared to females 16.2 10.5. The total stigma score was more (17 10.3) among home isolated COVID patients as compared to hospitalized patients (16.9 10.2). Conclusion: Increased levels of stigma among COVID-19 patients have various important psychosocial implications. This study highlights the need for larger prospective cohort studies to further understand stigma in the context of COVID-19. 2022 by the Author(s). -
Quality Efficacy Issues in Mangoes: Decoding Retailers Supply Chain
This research article tries to uncover the elements and compelling reasons causing supply chain inefficacy concerning low quality at the retailer level of the mangoes supply chain in Karnataka. The descriptive research approach was used in work. The research was conducted in the biggest mango-producing areas of Karnataka. Factors were discovered by factor analysis. A systematic questionnaire was used to determine how much the mango sector may improve supply chain efficacy. Contingent on the factor analysis, four variables for low quality were identified: functional difficulties, knowledge, Manpower, and resources. It was also discovered that the functional component is the compelling factor causing supply chain inefficacy. The study is confined to the retailer level of the Mango supply chain, focusing on four Mango-producing districts in Karnataka. Furthermore, the measures for the key causes under each aspect causing hindrances in supply chain efficiency in terms of quality have been discovered. There is a scarcity of materials to enhance the supply chain efficiency of merchants in Indias mango business. This research attempted to address a literature gap and help practitioners improve the mango supply chain in underdeveloped nations. This paper also serves the 2nd goal, Zero Hunger, End starvation, improve food security and nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture of sustainable development. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 2024. -
Shaping sustainable paths for perishable food supply chains - contemporary insights and future prospects
The pursuit for a sustainable system for perishable Food Supply Chains (FSCs) centres on delivering sustenance to potential stakeholders while minimizing environmental repercussions and conserving precious natural resources. Despite extensive literature review on process and quality in FSCs, the existing gap between research and industry practice still remains a challenge. A lack of comprehensive framework encompassing all stages of perishable FSCs and a dearth of understanding regarding consumer preferences and recent market trends emphasize the need for further research. The present study efforts to address the existing gap by employing an advanced bibliographical technique that categorizes emerging research trends and transcends conventional literature approaches. Through an extensive analysis, the present study objectives to scrutinize the current state of sustainability within perishable FSCs while also mapping out a blueprint for forthcoming research. This comprehensive exploration identifies five pivotal themes: Strategic Governance and Innovation, Consumer Attitudes and Short FSCs, Sustainable Supply Chains Network Design, Sustainable Supply Chains and Circular Economy, and Integration of Emerging Technologies. By probing into prescriptive content analysis, the study delves into research gaps and trends, providing an all-encompassing panorama of prior sustainable FSC research. Furthermore, the study concentrates on two generic research questions that pave the way for embracing sustainable approaches in the realm of perishable FSC research, thereby propelling the field towards a more impactful and sustainable future. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024. -
Brand activism and millennials: An empirical investigation into the perception of millennials towards brand activism
The reckless pursuit of social, environmental, political and cultural issues and brands may alienate the very customer base, whom they try to impress, especially the millennials. Hence, this study intends to study the perceptions of millennials towards brand activism, so that the findings from the study can help the brand managers to steer their brands into the troubled waters of brand activism. The methodology followed is HTAB (Hypothesize, Test, Action, Business), a popular analysis framework given by Ken Black in his book titled "Business Statistics: Contemporary Decision Making (6th ed.)" A sample comprising of 286 respondents was collected. The final data had 286 observations and 45 features across seven categories. It was found that millennials prefer to buy a brand if it supports a cause or purpose and they stop buying if brand behaves unethically. It was also observed that there is no gender difference amongst the millennials towards their perceptions concerning brand activism. Moreover, millennials across different income categories have similar perceptions of brand activism. It was also substantiated that the emotional tie of the millennials with the brand existing for a cause goes beyond price shifts and brands taking a political stance, cherry-picking of issues and being disruptive prompts and creates profound backlash for the brands. Shivakanth Shetty, Nagendra Belavadi Venkataramaiah, Kerena Anand, 2019. -
Higher education institutions as a catalyst for sustainability development
Growing concerns about the planet and society have led to the evolution of the concept of sustainable development. This concept gained popularity when the World Commission on Environment and Development released its report Our Common Future in 1987. In 1975, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) brought sustainability as the International Environmental Education Program focusing on environmental education. This gave birth to the idea that Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) can play a significant role in promoting the sustainability agenda. Over the years, this was done by implementing sustainability initiatives on the campus. These initiatives mostly focused on the environment and ignored the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. Given the paucity of adequate knowledge in this field, the chapter aims to explore the challenges in implementing sustainable initiatives and suggest a framework that will guide HEIs to act as a catalyst for sustainability development. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Key Indicators of Corporate Financial Status: Empirical Evidence from Indian Industrial Sector
The present pandemic situation has led to the rise in the number of financially distressed companies in the Indian business ecosystem. Stakeholders, especially shareholders, unsecured and trade creditors who do not enjoy lien on company assets, should be extra cautious about the financial status of a company before making any investment or lending decision. The present study attempts to suggest the key indicators of corporate financial status after analysing 12 ratios from the financial statements of 162 sample companies for five financial years. The suggested key indicators can assist the shareholders and creditors in differentiating a financially distressed company from a financially sound company in the Indian industrial sector. 2021 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved. -
The Role of Board Independence and Ownership Structure in Improving the Efficacy of Corporate Financial Distress Prediction Model: Evidence from India
The study aimed to investigate the role of non-financial measures in predicting corporate financial distress in the Indian industrial sector. The proportion of independent directors on the board and the proportion of the promoters share in the ownership structure of the business were the non-financial measures that were analysed, along with ten financial measures. For this, sample data consisted of 82 companies that had filed for bankruptcy under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). An equal number of matching financially sound companies also constituted the sample. Therefore, the total sample size was 164 companies. Data for five years immediately preceding the bankruptcy filing was collected for the sample companies. The data of 120 companies evenly drawn from the two groups of companies were used for developing the model and the remaining data were used for validating the developed model. Two binary logistic regression models were developed, M1 and M2, where M1 was formulated with both financial and non-financial variables, and M2 only had financial variables as predictors. The diagnostic ability of the model was tested with the aid of the receiver operating curve (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and annual accuracy. The results of the study show that inclusion of the two non-financial variables improved the efficacy of the financial distress prediction model. This study made a unique attempt to provide empirical evidence on the role played by non-financial variables in improving the efficiency of corporate distress prediction models. 2021 by the authors. -
Hydrous nickel oxyhydroxide thin films on copper foil as robust electrocatalysts for alkaline oxygen evolution
Balancing catalytic activity and durability remains a major challenge for nickel-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrodes, especially when supported on earth-abundant metals. Here, we demonstrate how the electrodeposition environment governs the structural and electrochemical evolution of nickel coatings on copper foil toward hydrous NiOOH active layers. Nickel was electrodeposited from sulfate baths at pH 3 and 4 to yield compact (Ni-Cuf-3) and hierarchically nodular (Ni-Cuf-4) films, respectively. Structural and electrochemical analyses reveal that deposition pH dictates the oxidemetal coupling and, consequently, the OER performance. Ni-Cuf-4 exhibited a lower overpotential (434 mV at 50 mA cm?2) and approximately tenfold higher Cdl (2.68 mF cm?2vs. 0.221 mF cm?2), corresponding to a larger density of electrochemically accessible sites. In contrast, Ni-Cuf-3 delivered a higher turnover frequency (TOF ?1 O2 s?1 per Ni site) and superior durability (?60 h at 800 mA cm?2). Impedance spectroscopy highlights distinct interfacial charge transfer characteristics arising from the different film morphology. Importantly, both electrodes achieve reduced nickel loading while suppressing copper dissolution, offering a sustainable pathway to durable, cost-effective OER catalysts. This journal is The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026 -
Copper-boosted thiol-functionalized carbon nanospheres from biomass: a novel non-noble metal based recoverable catalyst for efficient nitro-to-amine reduction
In this work, the synthesis and catalytic activity of thiol-functionalized copper-deposited porous carbon derived from dry oil palm leaves (Cu/TF-CNS) was investigated for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. The procedure to synthesize porous carbon nanospheres involves the pyrolysis of oil palm leaves in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1000 C. The resulting porous carbon material was further functionalized with thiol groups to facilitate the uniform deposition of copper nanoparticles and serve as an efficient support. Excellent catalytic performance was shown by the Cu/TF-CNS catalyst in reducing aromatic nitro compounds to their corresponding aromatic amines with a low copper loading of only 4 mol% which is an inexpensive non-noble metal in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent and EtOH/H2O as green solvents. The products were identified using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The catalyst was isolated from the reaction mixture and reused upto 10 cycles without any significant loss in the activity. The ICPAES analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of approximately 8.9% Cu during the deposition process and the reusability of the catalyst underscores its efficacy as a sustainable and effective heterogeneous catalyst for nitroarene reduction. 2025 The Royal Society of Chemistry. -
Deep Learning in Project Planning and Scheduling
Controlling construction projects requires careful planning, and the most popular modelling techniques are the discrete-event simulator (DES), linear schedule (LS), and the critical path method (CPM). DES techniques, however, may become laborious and struggle to appropriately represent decision possibilities as complexity and restrictions increase. Through the reinforcement learning methods, deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) may be a viable substitute, enabling a quicker evaluation and suggestion of planning solutions for intricate building projects. This study investigates if artificial intelligence (AI) can replace DES in Insight, an illustrated constraint-based procedure planning tool for production and building. In the study, the difficulties of integrating AI into planning for building are discussed, along with the process modifications required to support deep learning techniques. Enhanced schedule, expenses, and efficiency in operation result from early planning of projects, which also balances conflicting project requirements. The planning of modern building projects is suggested to use a new conceptual methodology. 2025 IEEE. -
Mapping Barriers to Net Zero in Quick Commerce A Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach
The fast-paced growth of q-commerce platforms has radically changed the shopping arena to deliver consumers unparalleled convenience. However, this speedy delivery poses significant challenges to achieving net-zero emissions, essentially due to inefficiencies in logistics and high energy usage. This research applies the Fuzzy DEMATEL approach to explain and analyze the barriers to sustainability in q-commerce by uncovering interconnections between factors. The findings showed that the primary logistical inefficiency is preceded by high energy usage and sustainable packaging as significant drivers. Other evaluated factors, though with lower scores, are regulatory challenges and consumer awareness. The mitigation of logistical inefficiencies can serve to greatly improve routing and resource management in such a way as to bring significant decreases in carbon footprint. Also, by augmenting consumer awareness for more sustainable practices, one creates an increasing demand for alternative choices, hence giving way to positive feedback that may help drive companies toward adopting even more sustainable approaches. From a policy perspective, the results indicate that regulatory frameworks should support investments in green infrastructure and technologies by engaging the different stakeholders, including businesses, consumers, and governmental entities, in a common strategy toward sustainability. While the present research supplies important insights into the challenges with which q-commerce is confronted while achieving net-zero emissions, it recognizes some constraints, such as potential biases due to expert judgments and the dynamic character of the business. The following studies would include more stakeholders and variables influencing sustainability and broaden the scope. Through addressing these barriers as a collective, the q-commerce industry can move toward achieving its net-zero dreams while advancing broader environmental goals for a greener world. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Siddhartha Roy, Soumya Sen, and Agostino Cortesi; individual chapters, the contributors. -
The Interaction of Generative Artificial Intelligence with Computational Intelligence on the Knowledge Economy: A Text Mining Approach
The study presents the first large-scale bibliometric evaluation on how the generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and computational intelligence will impact the knowledge economy research during the year 2015 to 2025. Based on 228 articles indexed in Scopus, the study incorporated the use of the trend of keywords, multiple correspondence analysis and citation network visualization to determine the central thematic clusters and their trends in development. The findings revealed a notable growth of publications since 2020 due to the development of language-centered technologies such as large language models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP) and generative adversarial networks (GANs), which have become the center of the intellectual cluster. Despite the diversity of research issues, only an estimated 9% of studies explicitly evaluate the role of GenAI in determining the consequences of the macroeconomic knowledge economy, which leaves a significant disparity between the pace of technological development and the overall effects of technology on the economy. This study provides a scholarly, practical oriented recommendation to use the power of GenAI to accelerate digital transformation and ensure equitable economic and social benefits. 2025 IEEE. -
Investigating the Interaction of Digital Capabilities, Sustainable Practices, Product Quality, and Customer Satisfaction in Perishable Food Supply Chains
To ensure efficient delivery of perishable food products, food supply chains (FSCs) have advanced the usage of recent technologies and started integrating them into logistical systems. This study examines the interplay between digital capabilities, sustainable practices, logistical networks, and customer satisfaction in perishable FSCs through a cross-sectional survey of 416 Indian consumers. It draws on a comprehensive literature review that highlights the potential variables and their impacts on the perishable FSCs. The data was collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire, analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and robustness was ensured by Harman's test. The study integrates value percept theory (VPT) to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework that explains how digital capabilities and sustainable practices enhance product quality and customer satisfaction in perishable FSCs. The findings from the study explicitly support the positive moderating role of logistical networks in the relationship between digital capabilities and product quality. The findings can assist management professionals operating in the perishable food sector in enhancing their theoretical and practical comprehension of the profound influence exerted by digital capabilities, sustainable practices, and logistical networks on the crucial nexus between product quality and customer satisfaction. 2026 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. -
Government Support Mechanism in Perishable Food Supply Chain: A Transition from Sustainability to Circularity
The transition from sustainability to circularity within the food supply chain (FSC) is intricate and multifaceted. Governmental efforts involve educating the perishable food sector about the advantages of circularity. The transition to circularity necessitates a reassessment of current business models and an emphasis on innovative practices. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to identify the potential enablers of government support mechanism in the transition from sustainability to circularity in perishable FSC. Furthermore, the study ranks the enablers according to their respective significance, adopting fuzzy simple additive weighting (SAW) method. Fuzzy SAW approach is selected as it can handle uncertainty and vagueness in the decision-making process, which is common when dealing with qualitative factors and subjective judgments. The study evaluates seven alternatives in relation to four criteria using the fuzzy SAW method. The findings from the study highlight fostering collaborative partnerships, innovative infrastructural support, and enforcing regulations and standards as the top three ranked enablers. The study contributes to the existing literature on sustainability and circularity in FSCs. The results from the study can assist the industry in focusing efforts on circularity and help businesses align practices with government policies. 1973-2011 IEEE. -
An Eco-Friendly Antenna for 6G Communication Enabling Sustainable Infrastructure
This research presents the development of an antenna on an organic substrate for 6G infrastructure utilizing sustainable materials. The substrate is developed from 75% used tea powder and 25% carbon sourced from used batteries, combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), molded, and thermally processed to create a 5mm thick organic substrate. The developed patch antenna operates within the frequency range of 14.8 to 17.3GHz, encompassing the new lower 6G candidate band (14.8 to 15.3GHz). The antenna exhibits 2.5GHz bandwidth with a resonant frequency of 15.7GHz. This antenna highlights the potential for integrating eco-friendly materials into modern telecommunications technology, promoting sustainability, and supporting the circular economy. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.