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Poverty and Social Insecurity Among the Unorganized Workers of Garment Industry: A Qualitative Study through the Lens of Human Security Approach
Poverty and social insecurities cause alarming inequalities. Employment is a secure mechanism to overcome these instabilities. However, formal and informal industrial sectors have insecure employment conditions affecting workers' well-b eing. Inequality is worse in the garment industrial sector as it has more unorganized workers. This is evident in developing countries like India and Bangladesh, which are demanding a human- centered security approach. This chapter explores, using qualitative methodology's semi- structured interview method, poverty and social insecurities of the unorganized garment workers in the Bommanahalli area of Urban Bangalore, India. The chapter also uses empirical study data from the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (2023) to critically evaluate the garment sectors of Bangalore and Bangladesh through the lens of the human security paradigm. The study reveals that the unorganized garment workers of these developing countries face severe poverty and social insecurities. It requires urgent action from both governments using a human security approach. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Governance models and regulatory mechanisms in employee-owned businesses: A global perspective
The concept of stakeholder capitalism is gaining prominence as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of aligning the interests of all stakeholders, including employees, with the long-term success of the company. This research paper explores the current trends in employee stock ownership within the framework of stakeholder capitalism. It examines how modern ESO are being designed and implemented to foster a sense of ownership, and drive corporate performance. Through a comprehensive review of recent case studies, industry reports, and academic literature, the paper identifies key factors contributing to the effectiveness of employee stock ownership in various sectors. It also analyzes the impact of regulatory changes and evolving corporate governance practices on the adoption and success of these programs. The findings highlight the benefits and challenges associated with employee stock ownership, Thee paper concludes with recommendations for policymakers and business leaders to optimize ESO frameworks. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Technology as a catalyst for co-creation using AI, big data, and digital platforms
Data has become the core asset as the world goes digital, with companies realizing the need to co-create value with customers and stakeholders. Technological advancements, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and digital platforms, have been the drivers of this shift. Technology, when comprehended well, can reinvent engagement, imagination, and collaboration in real time. This chapter considers technology's role in the value co-creation process and how it supports collaborative innovation. AI offers personalized, automated processes and intelligent insights. Big data fuels real-time personalization to enable businesses to react to evolving consumer behaviors. Digital platforms facilitate exchange of value, typically cocreated directly through user behavior. The chapter introduces such technologies, their role in co-created shared value, and indicates case studies for displaying the influence so that readers can avoid common traps in the employment of technology within co-creation approaches. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
The customer as co-creator of value consumer behavior on digital platforms: Empowering value co-creation in the digital era
This chapter will be based on the different combinations of literature reviews, online studies, and real-world case studies. It will analyze many fields like marketing, psychology, and information systems related to surveys which provide a holistic understanding of this topic. By focusing on customers and co-creators of value, digital media can unlock very new sources of innovation, engagement, and loyalty. This chapter will provide a whole framework for getting and leveraging these customer shifts. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Green fintech meets DeFi: A path to digital sustainability
This chapter explores the interconnection between Green Finance and Digital Ecology, highlighting their potential in advancing sustainability through technological innovation. Emphasis is placed on how green FinTech can mitigate these challenges by designing low- carbon financial systems and promoting sustainable investment practices. The methodology involves a review of scholarly literature to assess how digital finance and ecology contribute to global sustainability efforts. Findings suggest that the integration of green FinTech, digital money, and ecological practices can enhance transparency, reduce costs, and expand access to sustainable finance, ultimately leading to more resilient financial ecosystems. The chapter calls for increased awareness, financial literacy, and robust regulatory frameworks to manage associated risks. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fast commerce
Quick commerce, or q-commerce, has quickly become a groundbreaking new model in today's retail, focused on rapid delivery (generally in 30 to 60 minutes). The emergence of q-commerce is framed around the Changing Point Model that lays out the main shifts in the industry; from the pre-pandemic experimentation early-stage through the crisis-induced adoption phase and the current market consolidation and optimization phase. While the consumer preferences keep revolving around convenience vs. cost, companies are left to battle with serious operational and logistical concerns like sustainability, gig economy drivers, and prohibitive/ impossible infrastructure. In a bid to remain competitive, companies are betting on green logistics, electric transport, and artificial intelligence personalization to enhance efficiencies and reduce environmental harms.Q-commerce will further evolve through drone deliveries, decentralized supply chains, and autonomous technology, reshaping last mile logistics. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Unveiling the Ecological and Geopolitical Contradictions of Large-Scale Development Initiatives: A Critical Analysis of the Belt and Road Initiative
This chapter critically examines the ecological and geopolitical contradictions within large-scale development initiatives, focusing on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a paradigmatic case. While framed as a vehicle for sustainable growth, the BRI often instrumentalizes sustainability discourse to legitimize extractive development, suppress dissent, and extend geopolitical influence. Using interdisciplinary approaches from political economy, post-development theory, and critical discourse analysis, the chapter deconstructs narratives such as 'Green BRI,' ecological civilization, and win-win cooperation. Case studies from Southeast Asia and Africa expose a stark contrast between rhetorical commitments and realities of environmental degradation, displacement, and debt dependency. The chapter advocates for an eco-centric, justice-oriented development paradigm and offers policy recommendations that emphasize accountability, participation, and ecological integrity in future infrastructure planning. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Digital Communication Ethics: A Critical Analysis Through the Lens of Virtue Ethics
Communication is the cornerstone of human survival. All fields of human existence flourish in and through communication. Scientific and technological advancements have broadened the scope of communication and increased the speed and efficiency of communication, covering the globe within seconds. Distance is no longer a communication barrier as more people communicate in the digital world. The amount of information conveyed in communication also increased along with these changes. However, it also raises ethical questions like privacy, unaccountability, irresponsibility, opacity, and intolerance confronted by various growing challenges like information overload, fake news, misinformation, identity crisis, cultural barriers, and cybercrimes. This necessitates a systematic ethical perspective in communication. Given the above, the chapter critically examines various ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. It underlines virtue ethics as the most suitable ethical theory for a meaningful communication process. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Impact of artificial intelligence on consumer online purchase intention
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly weaving itself into the fabric of online shopping as the digital landscape evolves, having a significant impact on consumer online purchase intention (COPI). This influence manifests itself in a variety of ways, ranging from personalized product recommendations curated by AI algorithms to seamless user experiences (UX) crafted through AI-driven optimization. Recommendation engines anticipate our desires by analyzing previous purchases and browsing behavior, relieving decision fatigue, and potentially nudging us towards that coveted purchase. Chatbots and virtual assistants, tireless digital companions, provide 24-hour support, increasing convenience and accessibility and thus increasing COPI. This AI-infused journey, however, is not without its challenges. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ambiguity of AI decision-making can erode consumer trust, potentially impeding COPI. Ethical concerns about data manipulation, discrimination, and unfair data practices raise red flags, calling for transparency and responsible AI implementation. The key to unlocking a sustainable future for e-commerce is striking the right balance between harnessing the power of AI and mitigating its potential pitfalls. E-commerce companies must prioritize trust by being transparent, ensuring responsible AI practices, and confronting ethical concerns head on. Only then will they be able to harness AI's transformative power to foster a thriving online shopping environment in which COPI thrives alongside consumer trust and well-being. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Unlocking India's growth: UPI's digital impact on GDP
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as a pivotal driver of economic growth. By offering a seamless and efficient platform for digital transactions, UPI has significantly expanded financial inclusion, allowing even those without access to traditional banking services to participate in the formal economy. Utilizing secondary data the study examines the long-term relationships between UPI's digital impact (measured by UPI transaction volume, CPI, number of banks participating live on UPI), and GDP growth. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Environmental degradation and sustainability: Trends, challenges, and opportunities
Environmental deterioration poses unprecedented hazards to the natural ecosystem and human health, save for world economy. Environmental damage follows the path of sharp interweaving of human activities including industrialization, deforestation, air pollution, and resource exploitation. This deterioration advances socioeconomic inequality, expounds on the reasons for the reduction in biodiversity, and fuels climate change. This chapter offers a thorough study of environmental damage, with specific attention to its consequences for the African continent including South Africa as well as other sensitive regions all around. The study mostly focuses on doable sustainability projects meant to reduce environmental harm and promote a more beautiful future. Copyright 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Navigating GDPR compliance: Transforming digital marketing in a privacy-first world
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented by the European Union (EU), safeguards the personal data and privacy of individuals, granting them greater control over how their information is used and stored. This legislation mandates businesses to maintain transparency and responsibility in handling personal data, ensuring enhanced privacy and security for users. GDPR has significantly transformed the landscape of digital marketing by redefining data collection and usage practices. It necessitates that marketers adopt clear and transparent methods to respect user rights, fostering trust and compliance. Moreover, GDPR aims to prevent digital fraud and manipulation, particularly on E-commerce platforms, by reinforcing stringent data protection measures. As a result, GDPR not only strengthens individual privacy but also compels businesses to adopt ethical data practices, shaping a privacy-first approach to digital marketing. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Economic Inequalities Amidst Social, Political, and Environmental Crises in BRICS Countries
This study investigates the complex interplay between economic inequalities and the intertwined social, political, and environmental crises within BRICS countries by empirically analyzing panel data from five nations to assess how women's income, political stability, and CO2 emissions influence wealth concentration among the top 10 percent, revealing through rigorous application of pooled OLS, random effects, and fixed effects models that environmental degradation measured by CO2 emissions is the sole significant and robust predictor positively associated with increased wealth disparity, while social and political variables show no statistically significant effects, thereby underscoring the urgent need for integrated policy frameworks in BRICS that prioritize sustainable environmental reforms alongside inclusive socio-political strategies to effectively mitigate growing economic inequalities and promote equitable and sustainable development in these rapidly evolving economies. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Influence of Social Media Marketing on Student Decision-Making in Higher Education
This present study looks into the role of social media marketing as an important tool that helps organizations achieve their goals, bearing in mind the rapid spread in the modern digital world. Higher education institutions, such as colleges and universities, are making use of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to share information regarding their academic programs, campus life, and even success stories. These websites have helped institutions to increase their access and engagement at the grass-roots level. It, thus, has also become an excellent tool to enroll prospective students. College or university search methods have undergone many significant changes in the present day. Over the centuries, students relied mainly on familial and social connections along with printed sources of information, to guide choices. Today, however, they increasingly use social media sites to research available choices, read reviews, watch multimedia and communicate with educational institutions. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Evolving Dynamics of Contactless Technology in Hospitality: Insights From Recent Research and Future Implications
The hospitality sector has been forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to go contactless to protect safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Innovations like mobile check-ins, smart room controls, and touchless payments have brought new services to the market that are customer-friendly and still safe to use. These technologies provide a double advantage by either enhancing guests experience or efficiency for the staff. On the other hand, such factors as the high costs, problems of system integration, and fears of depersonalization are still raising the worries of the hoteliers. It is therefore very important to balance the degree of technology} The concept of Hospitality 5.0 aims at the fusion of both the traditional and the modern elements to create secure yet personalized experiences. The main strategies for achieving the requirement include trust-building, technology simplification, and gamification to promote guest engagement. By taking such approaches, the hospitality industry will be able to redefine and be still competitive and client-oriented. Copyright 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global Scientific Publishing is prohibited. Use of this chapter to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. The publisher reserves all rights to license its use for generative AI training and machine learning model development. -
Robust Estimation for P[Y
Reliability analysis is critical in measuring the effectiveness and detecting the weakness or mode of failure of other systems in various sectors such as engineering, healthcare, and social science. Stress-strength reliability is the measure of the reliability of a component; that is, the likelihood of a given strength being more significant than the applied stress so that the component will perform the intended function satisfactorily. In the present paper, we are concerned with the estimation of stress-strength reliability R=P[Y -
Characterization of Negative Exponential Distribution Based on Patil-Seshadri Condition
In this paper, the different characterizations of the negative exponential distribution in the context of the Patil-Seshadri (P-S) condition are analyzed. To support this conclusion, we next show in the case of several continuous probability distributions including the generalized logistic, Laplace, lognormal and more, that under certain conditions they can be seen as a damaged rendition of the negative exponential distribution. The results offer new insights into the ways to continue previous research on how damaged data may appear to follow simpler exponential forms. The paper also presents the theoretical judgments of these characterizations and practical uses in biological frameworks, fund and signal handling where exponential developments and decays are usual scenes. Our research aims to have the following implications to these fields; it provides a fresh view to exponential model. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Financial Analytics AI in Sustainable Innovations
Financial analytics integrates AI, ESG factors, and risk management to drive sustainable investments. It enables data-driven decision-making, optimizing financial and environmental outcomes. AI-powered tools like machine learning and predictive analytics enhance risk assessment and portfolio optimization. ESG integration ensures ethical and impactful investments. Despite challenges like data reliability, financial analytics is key to fostering a resilient, equitable, and sustainable global economy. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Superfoods or Hype: Decoding the Wellness Trend and Disease Cure
Superfoods have become a buzzword in the wellness world foods that can be marketed as particularly nutrient- dense and possessing extraordinary health and even disease- cure properties. Foods like these are revered for their concentrated doses of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Some of these claims are backed by scientific studies, supporting the notion that these foods can help reduce inflammation, lower the risk of chronic diseases and support overall well- being. For example, curcumin found in turmeric is associated with anti- inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and omega- 3 fatty acids in chia seeds contribute to heart health. Consumers should remain critical of marketing claims and be guided by the science when adding superfoods to their wellness regimens. Biological plausibility and population- based studies are not sufficient, alone, to establish the validity of disease prevention and health promotion functions for foods towards disease prevention and health promotion. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Regulation and innovation in financial markets: The impact of fintech on traditional banking and financial systems blockchain technology
In this chapter, we present the underlying technical principles of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain technology and outline their practical applications in FinTech. In the recent years, DLT and blockchain technologies in general and cryptocurrencies, in particular, have attracted substantial attention from both researchers and practitioners due to their unique technological features such as the lack of centralized control and high level of anonymity. Because of the disruptive nature, DLT and blockchain have led to the evolution of decentralized applications in multiple domains such as finance, health care, supply chains etc. In this chapter, we first outline basic principles and foundations underpinning the DLT and blockchain technologies. Second, we discuss several applications in the FinTech domain such as cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, risk management, corporate finance, governance, crowdfunding, and derivative markets. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.