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THE MONOCHROME TAPESTRY OF SOLO EXISTENTIAL TRAVEL IN 21ST CENTURY HOLLYWOOD: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Solo existential travel films of Hollywood enjoyed their heyday in the first two decades of the 21st century with most of them emerging as cult classics that have inspired millions to venture out on backpacking trips. The solo travel beyond the margins of a materialistic society that promises the traveller some existential clarity, in theory, is a truly existential endeavour that lets the individual exercise their Sartrean freedom and responsibility. But a quick survey of the films produced by Hollywood over the decades reveals a rather stealthy racism within. Solo existential travellers in Hollywood films of the 21st century have predominantly been white Americans. Despite being a powerful tool to create ones meaning and authentic identity in society, solo travel is still an instrument of self-redemption that is kept away from people of colour, especially the black American community. The paper will look into the significance, relevance and consequences of this seemingly invisible omission. From an embodiment perspective, the paper will attempt to analyze the absence of racial diversity in the genre to shed light on why the coloured body is to find its space in Hollywoods tapestry of solo existential travel. Copyright 2024 Namitha Nandan. -
The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between digital intelligence and digital amnesia
Digital amnesia refers to the phenomenon where people tend to forget information that they store digitally, and relying heavily on digital devices to remember the information. The ease of access to digital devices may encourage digital dependence, which could lead to digital amnesia. This study provides a preliminary understanding of the association between digital intelligence and digital amnesia among college students and the moderating role of gender in the relationship. This cross-sectional study has employed a stratified random sampling technique to recruit 1265 students via the survey method. The results revealed a significant negative association between digital amnesia and digital intelligence. Findings also indicated that males reported having higher level of digital amnesia, and females reported higher level of digital intelligence. Furthermore, gender played a significant moderator role between digital amnesia and digital intelligence. Overall, this study has provided a novel finding of the moderating role of gender in relationship between digital amnesia and digital intelligence in the Indian context. Furthermore, the scores of digital amnesia in this study raise a concern over the effectiveness of current sex education in India. The scores may underscore the need for educational initiatives that address the adverse effects of digital amnesia and emphasize the importance of promoting digital intelligence. The Author(s) 2025. -
The moderating effect of demographic profiles of Indian consumers on the impact of different website attributes on the purchase intentions of buyers
The aim of the paper is to provide a thorough model that explains how Indian con-sumers' demographic profiles moderate the impact of various website attributes on their purchase intentions and how this helps e-retailers in the context of online shopping. We identified eight online interface features-site design, site convenience, transaction security, payment system, customer communication, delivery information, product information, and special content information-after conducting a in depth literature review. Therefore, we made an effort to ascertain the connections between age, gender, wealth, and online interface elements. 500 Delhi NCR online shoppers took part in the poll. We used structural equation modelling and AMOS to explore the hypothesized correlations between web interface elements, age, gender, income, and purchase intentions. The findings indicated that while income has no discernible influence, age and gender have a major moderating effect on the impact of web interface elements on purchase intentions. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
The mobility paradigm in higher education: a phenomenological study on the shift in learning space
The study, through the framework of mobility and space, explores the phenomenon of multiple shifts in learning spaces induced by COVID-19. The Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA) is adopted to document the experiences and perceptions of learners caught within these spatial shiftsphysical, online, and hybrid. Online interviews were conducted with six first-year undergraduate and three first-year postgraduate students enrolled at the department of English and Cultural Studies in a Southern Indian University. Some of the dominant patterns emerging from the accounts of the participants are (1) the changing perception of conducive learning space, (2) the changing perceptions and roles of various classroom actors, and (3) the evolving nature of the learners and the learning process. The study utilizes the framework of mobility to locate the stage of embodied skill acquisition of the participants within the online learning space and illuminates the possibilities offered by this paradigm within the context of higher education. Some of the insights gained through the study include a changing perception of the conventional built classroom space, a notable preference towards a complete online or offline mode as opposed to the hybrid mode, and a transition towards self-directed learning. The study argues that these implications are highly pertinent and can significantly shape the way pedagogues and researchers engage with the various modes of learningphysical, online, and hybridand the future of higher education that is shaped by technology-enabled learning. 2021, The Author(s). -
The Mindful Self: Exploring Mindfulness in Relation with Self-esteem and Self-efficacy in Indian Population
The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the relationship of mindfulness with self-efficacy and self-esteem. The study has also investigated the difference in mindfulness levels across five dimensions: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experiences and non-reactivity to inner experience between males and females and between young adults and middle-aged adults who belong to the Indian population. There was a total of 146 participants (F = 80, M = 66), 84 in the young adult group (2040years) and 62 participants in the middle adult group (4165years). Pearson correlation showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) moderate positive correlation between all the five dimensions of mindfulness and self-esteem; while self-efficacy had significant (p < 0.01) moderate positive correlation with all the dimensions of mindfulness except for non-judging of inner experiences. Multiple linear regression (MLR) with self-esteem as outcome variable showed model fitness of 51% (p < 0.01) with acting with awareness, non-reactivity to inner experience, non-judging of inner experiences and describing as predictive variables. With self-efficacy as outcome variable, MLR showed model fitness of 40% (p < 0.01) with non-reactivity to inner experiences, acting with awareness, observing and describing as predicting variables. Females were found to be significantly higher in acting with awareness and observing dimensions of mindfulness compared to males. Middle adults were found to be significantly higher only in the non-judging of inner experiences dimension as compared to early adults. Importance of mindfulness in improving self-concept has been established in western world. The present study, by exploring the relationship between mindfulness and self-variables in Indian population, highlights the probable positive outcomes of mindfulness enhancing techniques on self-esteem and self-efficacy of individuals, and therefore on the quality of life. 2022, National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) India. -
The Middle Class in India Trends and Patterns
The middle class in India is an economically significant group, the composition of which is very diverse. Researchers often use income as an indicator to identify or measure the middle class. This article uses consumption as an indicator based on the purchasing power parity to identify the middle class. Further, it categorises the middle class into different groups based on their economic standing within its class, from the emerging middle class to the higher middle class. 2025 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved. -
The Metaverse Marketplace: Exploring the Drivers of Consumer Purchase Behavior in Metaverse
This research explores factors influencing consumer intention to shop in Metaverse E-commerce, an area with limited existing research despite its potential for novel consumer experiences. A quantitative study involving 1,070 respondents used PLS-SEM to analyze a model based on technology readiness dimensions and Metaverse-specific variables. Key findings indicate that optimism and innovativeness are positively associated with consumer shopping intention in Metaverse E-commerce. Conversely, discomfort and insecurity show a negative association. Additionally, a sense of immersion, perceived interactivity, perceived personalization, perceived enjoyment, and perceived serendipity were found to significantly influence shopping intention within Metaverse E-commerce. This study enhances the academic literature on Metaverse shopping by integrating technology readiness dimensions and Metaverse-related constructs. The findings also offer practical insights for managers and marketers in developing effective Metaverse E-commerce strategies. 2025 IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
The Metamorphic Influence of Cause-Related Marketing: Empowering Consumers as Catalysts for Societal Transformation
Purpose: In a market where prices and quality are fiercely competitive, companies have overflowed the market with a number of suitable brands. In the competitive business world of today, marketing tactics must always evolve to meet changing times and circumstances. Researchers have been motivated to discover the underlying aspects driving cause-related marketing strategy due to its global acceptability. This research elucidated the concept of cause-related marketing and emphasized the elements that motivate consumers to engage in such initiatives and influence their choice of products. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted with the help of a questionnaire sent to 480 respondents, out of which 432 questionnaires were found to be complete. Furthermore, the study examined the significance of each factor and its impact on decision-making using the confirmatory factor SEM model to analyze the data. Findings: The study revealed that Commitment was the utmost preferred attribute for the preference of cause-related marketing products. Practical Implications: A competitive edge may be obtained through cause-related marketing. Companies may provide financial support, increased awareness, and motivated actions for significant causes by making the most of their resources and efforts. This collaborative effort between companies and consumers has the potential to improve society significantly. Originality: The confirmatory factor SEM model has been used in this work to address urgent problems, new trends, or important information gaps. 2024, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
The merging odyssey of trade, investment and partnership: a linkage model of India and Korea interactions
With the rising presence of India as a global power and Korea as an advanced economy, the collaborative alliance between two nations is of growing research interest. India and Korea are vastly different in terms of demographics, cultural traditions and historical experiences. However, they are unusually compatible for their shared vision and amazingly comparable in their unique positions in the dynamic world that involves strong coordinating linkage mechanisms and constructive influences. This paper aims to examine how India and Korea come to forge strategic alliance both in business relationships and national interests. We briefly review the history of interactions between India and Korea and define a unique model of linkage roles. After discussing network theory of interactions in liberal international order, propositions explain step by step how India and Korea merge to create better future for countless people through trade, investment, and partnerships. Growth stages of global firms for domestic advantage and global competitiveness are presented as well. Managerial implications and future research issues are discussed. Copyright 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
The mental health climate crisis: Unveiling the hidden consequences of global warming
Today, the issue of climate change is a matter of great urgency on a global scale, with vast-reaching implications. While the environmental and physical health effects of climate changes are well-documented, its impact on mental health is an emerging area of concern. The issue of climate change necessitates a rigorous and systematic approach to comprehending, evaluating, and addressing climatic anxiety. This approach must underscore the differentiation between adaptive and maladaptive forms of anxiety, and the importance of considering the societal-level response necessary to effectively combat climate change. Studies have documented the impact of natural calamities like Hurricane Katrina on low-income people residing in those areas. The present study rests on the objectives of examining the psychological impact of climate change on individuals, communities, and vulnerable populations with the help of literature. Further, investigation is continued on the role of climate-related stressors, such as natural disasters, heatwaves, and environmental degradation on mental health outcomes. The study also identified the potential interventions and strategies for mitigating the adverse impact on mental health due to climate change. 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies. -
The Men and the Media
This chapter examines the significant transformations of the representations of lead male characters in Bollywood cinema post-2000 from the perspective of contemporary gender and cultural theories. The objective of the study is to gain an insight into the relationship between capitalism and masculinities; sports and masculinities; patriarchy and masculinities; the reversal of the male gaze into the female gaze, and how all these have contributed ultimately to the emergence of a new order of masculinity at the turn of the new millennium. Towards the end, the reader is invited to understand the entanglement of capitalism, sports and patriarchy in forming a kind of homosocial male bonding and how media has played a significant role in constructing it through a study of selected films. Masculinities and their consumerist connotations, which vary according to post-liberal economic and cultural contexts, have also been investigated in this study. 2024 selection and editorial matter, Francis Philip Barclay and Kaifia Ancer Laskar; individual chapters, the contributors. -
The mediating role of self-efficacy and networks in entrepreneurial intentions: Entrepreneurial education, university support, and user innovation in rural India
This research examines the complex relationships between entrepreneurial education, university support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, network connections, and entrepreneurial intentions in Indian university students. The study uses a quantitative approach and structural equation modeling on a sample of 422 students enrolled in entrepreneurship-related programs to elucidate the mediating roles of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and network connections. Despite the insignificant direct links betweenentrepreneurialeducation/university support and intentions,entrepreneurial self-efficacy and network connections emerge as important mediators. The findings provide theoretical insights into the multifaceted nature ofentrepreneurial intentions and have practical implications for improving entrepreneurship support programs. By understanding these mechanisms, stakeholders can create an environment that fosters entrepreneurial aspirations among university students. 2024 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
The mediating role of positive perceptions on coping strategies and psychological well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities
Purpose: Research on caregiving has been considering the positive effects experienced by the mothers of children with disabilities. This paper aims to examine whether positive perceptions mediate the relationships between coping strategies used and psychological well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The study opted for a quantitative approach that includes a correlation research design to examine the relationships between the variables of coping, positive perceptions and well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities attending special schools in the metropolitan city Bengaluru, India. The four-factor structure of Brief COPE examined were active avoidance coping, problem-focussed coping, positive coping and religious-denial coping. Positive perceptions refer to the positive contributions for the mother from the experiences of raising a child with intellectual disability. Mediation analysis explored the relationship between the variables. Findings: Problem-focussed coping was the most commonly reported coping factor and was associated with higher levels of well-being. Active-avoidance coping was the least commonly reported coping strategy. Positive perceptions partially mediated the relationship between the four coping factors and maternal well-being. These findings indicate that positive maternal perceptions have important implications for the employment of effective coping strategies that are associated with enhancement of psychological well-being. Originality/value: The focus on positive perceptions would help in understanding the use of coping strategies and planning of support services or interventions. The positive mental health of mothers paves the way for positive developments in the childs physical and psychological health. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress in the Relationship Between Gratitude and Well-Being among Information Technology Professionals
The information technology (IT) industry in India is an integral part of the nation s economy. Yet, IT professionals encounter a profusion of mental health challenges and well-being issues. This study explored, how can optimal experiences of well-being be determined among IT professionals? It adopted a narrative style of literature review as the principal objective of this review was to comprehend the well-being issues among IT professionals and to develop a conceptual framework. From the perspective of positive psychology, the study addressed the research lacuna by investigating the effect of gratitude on the professionals newlineperception of stress and well-being. It comprehended the professionals self-reflected aspects of stress and coping methods. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the mediation effect of perceived stress in the relationship between gratitude and well-being. The newlineinfluence of socio-demographic factors on perceived stress and the well-being differences based on self-reflected stress severity were also examined. Data from 421 participants were included for analysis in this mixed method research study. The data collection tools included: emotion subscale in the multi-component gratitude measure, perceived stress scale, subjective newlinehappiness scale, psychological capital questionnaire, anxiety and depression subscales in the mental health inventory, and fatigue assessment scale. Findings indicated that perceived stress fully mediated the gratitude well-being relationship. Furthermore, the results showed that certain socio-demographic variables influenced perceived stress. In addition, it was found that the professionals who conveyed that they encountered high stress, experienced lower well-being. This study contributes to the human-machine system by extending research on the emotions in software professionals. -
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The mediating role of parental playfulness on parentchild relationship and competence among parents of children with ASD
Purpose: The difficulties of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can lead to behaviours that are quite challenging for parents to understand and address. Most of the parental studies of ASD focus on the challenges faced by the parents. This study aims to adopt a strength-based model that investigates the mediating role of parental playfulness in the association between parentchild relationship and parental competence. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a quantitative study that adopts a correlational research design. The mediation analysis explores the role of parental playfulness as a mediator in the association between parentchild relationship and parental competence. The sample consisted of 120 parents of children diagnosed with ASD from India, selected using a purposive sampling technique. Findings: The mediation analysis results indicate that playfulness among parents of children with ASD was found to function as a partial mediator in the relationship between parentchild relationship and parental competence. This could suggest that more playful parents have better parentchild relationships and are competent in parenting. Research limitations/implications: These findings have importance in understanding the role of playful interaction on parentchild relationships and parenting competence, having implications for further research. Enabling playfulness in parenting will enhance children and parents to promote their relationship and thus feel competent to bring positive light in their lives. Practical implications: Most often, the clinicians are concerned with addressing only the autistic symptoms; it is also essential to look into parental well-being. Practical playful interaction training should help parents establish a rapport, understand, adjust and adapt with their child. Social implications: Practical intervention and training plans can be suggested to all family members to improve the condition of the child and the familys general well-being. As the study focused on the clinical population, the findings could provide useful inputs for mental health professionals and counsellors. Originality/value: There are some theoretical and empirical evidence that support positive outcomes of playfulness on personal well-being (Atzaba Poria, in press; Yue et al., 2016; Proyer, 2014). Although there has been some interest in the impact of childrens playfulness on their development (Bundy, 1997), little is known about the influence of parental playfulness on parents and children. Therefore, addressing these gaps, this empirical study focusses on investigating the role of parental playfulness in parentchild relationship and parental competence, rather than considering external challenges of parents based on the ASD childs behavioural challenges and autistic features. 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
The Mediating Role of Normative Male Alexithymia on the Relationship Between Traditional Masculinity Ideology and Emotional Intelligence Among Indian Men
This study investigates the association between traditional masculinity ideology (TMI) and emotional intelligence (EI) among 319 young cisgender heterosexual Indian men, examining the mediating role of normative male alexithymia (NMA). Data showed that stronger endorsement of TMI correlated with lower emotional intelligence (? = ?.18, p < .001), with NMA mediating this relationship (? = ?.28, p < .01). These findings highlight how unhealthy masculinity norms may impact emotional awareness and expression. Understanding this relationship within the context of postmodern patriarchal India offers insights into mens emotional experiences and highlights the need for psychoeducation and tailored mental health interventions. Promoting emotional intelligence could help challenge rigid gender norms, fostering healthier emotional expression and gender equality. 2025 SAGE Publications -
The Mediating Role of Attitude Towards Behaviour Between Brand Image and Purchase Intention: Evidence from Indias Housing Market
This study investigates the association between Brand Image, Attitude Toward Behaviour, and Purchase Intention within the Indian real estate sector. The research employs the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine the impact of brand image on purchase intention, with attitude toward behaviour serving as a mediating role. Data were gathered from 422 respondents. The collected data is inspected using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM hereafter) utilising JMP Software. The findings demonstrate that brand image has a substantial effect on purchase intention, both directly as well as indirectly, via attitude towards behaviour. The results emphasize the need to establish a robust brand image to cultivate favourable consumer perceptions and influence purchasing decisions, providing essential insights for real estate developers in a competitive landscape. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026. -
The mediating influence of leadership behaviour on the relationship between organizational health and work engagement
Efficient leadership and a healthy teaching environment are the two factors that determine how school teachers conduct themselves professionally. Work engagement not only reflects the teachers' performance but also implies the performance of the pupils and the school and it depends on how congenial their working conditions are. The present study intended to assess the extent to which the leadership behaviour of principals mediated the effect of organizational health on the work engagement of 516 secondary school teachers working in Bengaluru, India. The organizational health inventory was employed to quantify the organizational health of schools at institutional, managerial and technical levels, the Utrecht tool was used to measure teachers' work engagement through their vigor, dedication and absorption, and the leadership behaviour of principals was measured in terms of consideration and initiating behaviour. The findings implied a positive relationship between organizational health and teachers' work engagement. Further, while leadership behaviour indeed mediated the impact of organizational health on work engagement, the mediating effect was only partial. The results imply that the teachers' work engagement cannot be entirely attributed to the school management and working conditions, which implies scope for further research on the factors affecting work engagement among the teachers. 2020 by authors. -
The Mediating Effect of WorkLife Integration on the Relationship Between Hybrid Work Practice and Work Engagement in the Information Technology Industry
Post-pandemic, hybrid work arrangements have garnered the interest of researchers. The main aim of the study is to explore the influence of hybrid work practices on worklife integration and work engagement among IT industry employees. The job demandsresources (JD-R) model and self-determination theory (SDT) have been used to derive the conceptual model to explain the hybrid work practices which can be essential for a balance between work and life, and engagement at work. Using a mixed method, this research first quantitatively investigated hybrid work practices, worklife integration and work engagement among 253 IT employees in India. The quantitative findings were supplemented by a qualitative methodology involving interviews of five IT employees. Later, data triangulation was performed to cover IT employees different perspectives on hybrid work practices. This research highlights that hybrid work practices constituting conventional workplace, work flexibility, work focus and work communication are positively related to worklife integration and employees work engagement. Hybrid work practices play an elemental role in work-related outcomes; however, due to the complex nature of hybrid work mode, longitudinal studies with a larger sample size should be explored. The Author(s) 2025.