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Driving profitable business growth through economical optimization, energy management, and industrial 5.0 innovations
The chapter emphasizes the significance of economic optimization, energy efficiency, and Industrial 5.0 innovations in driving sustainable growth and profitability in today's business landscape. It highlights the strategic allocation of resources to maximize efficiency and minimize costs, using lean management principles, automation, and data analytics. Energy management is crucial for reducing operational costs and mitigating environmental impact, using renewable energy sources and smart technologies. Industrial 5.0, a new era of industrial transformation, combines automation, connectivity, and data exchange, with technologies like artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain. 2024, IGI Global. -
National Education Policy 2020: Equity and inclusion in India's education system
The term "equity" in education refers to justice and fairness in the allocation of educational resources and opportunities. In order to achieve educational equity, it is necessary to remove the structural obstacles that prevent students from realizing their full potential. Obstacles like socioeconomic inequalities, prejudice, and unequal resource distribution often act as barriers to quality education. In this background, the present chapter will critically analyze a few significant opportunities offered by the New Education Policy 2020, such as three language formulas, privatization, NEP financing, special education zones policy implications, and challenges in implementation. Even though the opportunities and milestones offered by NEP 2020 are irrefutable, apprehensions pertaining to its scope and usefulness also exist, questioning the sanguinity of the policy. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Advances in sensor technologies for detecting soil pollution
The present chapter elucidates progressions in the surveillance of soil pollution, with a specific emphasis on integrated systems and sensor technologies. Future trends (e.g., enhanced selectivity, regulatory adoption), deployment platforms (field-deployable, wireless networks), and sensor types (electrochemical, optical, and biosensors) are discussed. Increasing sensitivity and specificity, facilitating on-site, real-time analysis, and integrating sensing with remediation strategies are priorities. The discourse highlights the revolutionary capacity that soil pollution sensors possess to propel environmental monitoring and management forward. Collaboration among stakeholders is critical for successfully implementing sensorbased approaches and driving innovation. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
From commitments to actions: Towards impactful, decisive, and resolute impact investment
The many threats of climate change make it important for us as a society to prioritize sustainability and build a greener economy. While there may be initial costs associated with implementing environmentally friendly practices, the long-term benefits are immeasurable. Impact investments have the potential to generate significant profits and also allow investors to support innovative solutions aimed at addressing many ecological challenges. This study analyses the policies that are necessary for facilitating transformative investments while striving towards low GHG emissions, climate-resilient development, and conserving biodiversity along with essential ecosystem services. The authors delve into the efforts made by the Asian Development Bank towards climate change financing and its impact investments, exploring their strategies until March 2023 with an understanding of how these efforts have impacted the environment and also various economic sectors across Asia, and analyse ADB's investment approaches to gain insights on how they are achieving SDGs through their climate finance initiatives. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Fostering civic engagement and community development through service-learning capstone courses in higher education: An in-depth analysis of department models in Indian universities
A nation's strength is intricately linked to the education of its citizens, and the evolving landscape of higher education is evident in the changing role it plays. The National Education Policy (NEP) established on July 29, 2020, provides a framework that opens avenues for experiential learning, emphasizing hands-on experiences to complement theoretical knowledge. Keeping this in mind, this chapter introduces the Service-Learning Capstone Course Model designed to cultivate civic responsibility, empathy, and risk management while fostering the holistic growth of learners as responsible citizens in this century. The study demonstrates how the inclusion of a service-learning component in the syllabus can develop personal, professional, and academic growth in a learner through the knowledge gained. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Demystifying artificial intelligence and customer engagement: A bibliometric review using TCCM framework
Artificial intelligence (AI) has grabbed the attention of the extent of literature and customer engagement of many business organizations in the past decade, especially with the advancement of machine learning and deep learning. However, despite the great potential of AI to solve customer problems and engage customers, there are still many issues related to practical uses and lack of knowledge to create value through customer engagement. In this context, the present study aims to full fill the gap by providing a critical literature review based on 53 A* and A categories of Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) journals (2011-2023) by highlighting the benefits, challenges, framework, and future research directions in theory, context, characteristic and methodology (TCCM) areas. These findings contribute to both theoretical and managerial perspectives for developing a future novel theory and new forms of management practices. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
ARise to the occasion: Elevating customer engagement
Augmented reality (AR) is being used to transform the landscape of online retail by enhancing customer engagement and experience. This chapter delves into how AR's unique capabilities, such as virtual try-on and interactive product visualisation, can overcome the limitations of traditional online shopping and create deeper connections between brands and consumers. It explains how AR personalises the customer journey by providing customised product recommendations and immersive virtual experiences that drive purchase decisions. By analysing past implementations and future trends, this chapter demonstrates how ARM can usher in a new era of customer engagement and personalised experiences in online retail. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
The influence of environmentally mindful marketing tactics on the perceptual framework and predispositions of generation Z shoppers in the Indian app
Green marketing decisively helps businesses distinguish themselves from their competition, strengthen their image, and obtain the attention of consumers who increasingly prefer environmentally conscious businesses. By elevating a business's reputation and image, green marketing creates an effect on how people consider a brand and enhances customer loyalty and retention. The "green generation, " or Generation Z, is well-known for its sustainable product preferences and ecological concerns. The study analysed how green marketing techniques relate to and affect Gen Z customers' purchasing habits in India's garment industry. The study targeted 300+ Gen Z consumers through an online cross-sectional survey to get information on their perceptions of green brands, green marketing tactics, purchase intentions, and buying patterns. This study found that green marketing tactics used by fashion firms have a favorable impact and the ability to affect various aspects of customer behavior. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
ALIGNING INVESTMENTS WITH VALUES: CREATING PORTFOLIOS BASED ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND NIM
Purpose: This research discusses the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its link to a financial performance metric called net interest margin (NIM) in the context of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). CSR initiatives can lead to long-term sustainability and improved financial performance, attracting investors seeking to align their investments with their values. Need for the Study: The research composes portfolios based on financial companies CSR performance and NIM ratios to help investors understand the difference between CSR and financial performance, making investment decisions based on their portfolio goals and values. Striking a balance between sustainability and the financial performance of financial companies, will help investors find a suitable balance between portfolios for investment purposes. Methodology: The authors used data from 55 financial companies for daily returns from 20142015 to 20212022 and used descriptive statistics to measure the performance of portfolios. Findings: The findings suggest that financial companies in India have improved their CSR scores over time, indicating an increased focus on integrating socially responsible practices into their operations. The data also show that NBFCs are catching up with banks regarding CSR scores, and some NBFC portfolios even outperform banks regarding returns. However, the study also highlights the need for some companies to focus more on CSR and business operations. Practical Implications: The results serve as a benchmark for financial companies to assess their relative CSR performance, highlighting the need for companies to focus on integrating socially responsible practices into their operations and guiding areas where companies can improve. 2024 by Ishfaq Hussain Bhat, Shilpi Gupta and Satinder Singh Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Unseen motivators: A study exploring the effect of subliminally priming known human faces vs unknown human faces on consumers product selection decisions
The human mind is constantly being influenced by a vast number of external stimuli that are perceived consciously as well as unconsciously. The chapter attempts to explore how unconscious (subliminal) priming of known and unknown human faces could impact product selection and decision-making time of consumers. 2 (Known face X Unknown face) X 2 (Product selection X Decision-making time) within-subject design was used for the study. A pilot study was conducted to estimate the subliminal time threshold of the population. It was found to be 17ms. A stimulus-priming experiment designed in Opensesame software was used to subliminally expose the participants to both known and unknown human faces. They were then asked to select a product that they were willing to buy from an option of four products, of which one of the products was primed along with human face (known vs. unknown). The product selection rates as well as the time taken to select the product were recorded. A total of 100 participants falling in the age category of young adults (18-39) took part in the study. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Navigating the landscape of inclusive education: Bridging the policy-practice divide
This chapter examines the complex interplay between policy and practice in inclusive education. With an emphasis on educational equity, this study explores the significance of collaboration among stakeholders, sufficient preparation of teachers, and the evaluation of inclusivity. The chapter offers a comprehensive perspective on implementing inclusive education by discussing prevalent obstacles, approaches to surmounting these barriers, and the distinct requirements of exceptional students. By forecasting forthcoming trends and providing policymakers and educators with recommendations, it envisions a future in which collaborative endeavours and data-driven decision-making drive the advancement of educational environments that are more inclusive, equitable, and responsive. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
ChatGPT and virtual experience: Student engagement in online script writing-An experimental investigation among media students
To study and assess the immersive virtual environment experience of ChatGPT on student engagement in online script writing among media students, an experiment was conducted at the VR Experiential Lab, Christ University, between September 2023 and January 2024. The media students were tasked with writing a script for a short film within a VR environment, with ChatGPT displayed using an Oculus HMD (head-mounted display). A total of 180 students were recruited for the study through purposive sampling, and experiment photos are provided in the appendix. The data collection tool utilized was the virtual experience questionnaire developed by Tcha-Tokey. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the top ChatGPT libraries for powerful conversational AI
This research analyzes the need for top ChatGPT libraries and their usage today. It focuses on the features, benefits, and drawbacks of ChatGPT through in-depth interviews to uncover nuanced insights into library preferences and usage patterns. The findings reveal diverse perspectives among developers, highlighting preferences for libraries based on ease of integration and customization. Participants emphasize the significance of user-friendly interfaces and robust documentation in shaping positive experiences with ChatGPT libraries. Additionally, themes emerge around the need for continuous updates to address evolving AI challenges. Through in-depth insights from developers, the study elucidates the importance of user-friendly interfaces, adaptability, and efficient documentation, providing valuable guidance for developers seeking to optimize their conversational AI projects. This research contributes essential qualitative dimensions to the evaluation of ChatGPT libraries, offering actionable insights for the development community. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
A conceptual framework for consumer engagement in social media influencer posts
Influencer marketing has received significant attention and is considered as the best way to build consumer engagement with the brand. However, research on Influencer marketing is burgeoning, and it is important to study the consumer behaviour associated with influencer marketing. Therefore, this study proposes a logical conceptual framework by integrating various construct such as ad recognition, informativeness, deceptiveness, irritation, entertainment, ad content value, and consumer engagement from various theories and provides implications for marketers to frame an effective marketing campaign and policymakers to formulate policies to protect consumers from deceptive advertising practice. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
The importance of strategic agility and resilience in work-life balance
This chapter's objective is to analyze agility and resilience which are essential qualities of work-life balance. Similarly, both enable individuals to play the important role of both professional and personal responsibilities effectively. In this chapter, the author has mentioned the importance and the role of strategic agility which describes the ability to predict and respond quickly to changes and challenges in the work environment. Also, all these involve being acceptable, adaptable, flexible, and open to new ideas and approaches. In the work-life balance framework, strategic agility supports individuals to be proactive, positive, and efficient enough to manage their time and energy. It helps individuals prioritize their tasks, allocate resources properly, and enhance their understanding of where to invest their efforts. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Exploring the impact of psychological biases on financial investment decisions and the role of digital financial literacy
This chapter explores biases impacting stock and mutual fund investments-cognitive, affective, and behavioral. It examines digital financial literacy (DFL), highlighting social media's role in information sharing. Stressing the merging financial and digital literacies, it addresses risks in online financial behavior. Discussions cover DFL measures, online activities' correlation, and biases in decision-making. Recognizing uncertainty in the digital era is crucial for informed financial decisions amidst evolving landscapes. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Revitalizing education: A roadmap for school transformation
Educational equity, school transformation, and policy and practice alignment are crucial in the evolution of educational systems. It requires an all-encompassing comprehension that transcends historical contexts, technological impacts, and conceptual frameworks to address students' varied requirements and eliminate inequalities. Acknowledging educational equity as a moral imperative underscores the ethical obligation of stakeholders. School transformation necessitates the presence of forward-thinking administrators, the active involvement of stakeholders, and a comprehensive reassessment. A cohesive approach to equity requires the utilization of robust frameworks, ongoing professional development, and continuous assessment to align policy and practice. Overcoming obstacles requires confronting opposition, capitalizing on technological advancements, deriving lessons from past failures, and establishing the foundation for a future characterized by greater inclusivity. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Service industry alchemy: A symphony of digital innovations in customer engagement
The emergence of digitization, automation, and artificial intelligence has transformed service delivery, allowing businesses to increase productivity, tailor client experiences, and provide cutting-edge solutions. The delivery, use, and accessibility of services are changing in various service sectors due to innovations. Among them, healthcare, education, and finance have received considerable attention in recent years. To synthesize prior research on innovations in the service industry, the chapter attempts a thematic, sentiment, and bibliometric analysis of the research domain. For the analysis, data was extracted from the Scopus database and was filtered by application of inclusion-exclusion, with the use of NVivo and Bibliometric software VOS viewer. Most productive and influential articles, authors, journals, and affiliations were recognized. Thematic mapping and trend analysis revealed past and present research subdomains that were used for the prediction of future research agendas. 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
IoT-Based automated dust bins and improved waste optimization techniques for Smart City
Effective waste management systems are essential for maintaining sustainability, environmental health, and cleanliness in the age of smart cities. This chapter provides a thorough analysis of the combination of cutting-edge waste minimization techniques with the deployment of an internet of things-based automatic dust bin. The suggested system optimizes garbage collection, lowers operating costs, and has a less environmental effect by combining the creative use of proximity sensors, real-time data analytics, and smart bin technologies. Remote monitoring and administration are made possible by the linked ecosystem that is created by the integration with the internet of things (IoT). In order to further promote environmentally friendly urban life, the study also examines waste-to-energy technology, circular economy ideas, and sustainable waste management techniques. The results provide insightful information for scholars, decision-makers, and urban planners looking for ground-breaking waste management solutions for today's cities. 2024, IGI Global. -
Python programming for geospatial applications: Web mapping, interactive visualization, and beyond
Geospatial solutions represent a pivotal toolset for analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing spatial data across diverse domains, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering innovation. This book chapter provides a comprehensive overview of geospatial solutions, emphasizing their critical role in addressing spatially explicit challenges and driving efficiency, productivity, and innovation across various sectors. Furthermore, it explores the integration of Python programming in geospatial applications, highlighting its versatility and extensive ecosystem of libraries and tools tailored for spatial data analysis and visualization. The fundamentals of web mapping are discussed in depth, elucidating spatial representation, technologies, and tools commonly employed in web mapping applications. Also, the chapter explores Python's role in retrieving geospatial data with Python, visualization methods, and interactive web mapping. 2024, IGI Global.