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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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 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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
The Impact of International Brand Positioning Strategies on Meeting Consumer Expectations in Emerging Markets
International brand positioning is a crucial determinant of success for businesses expanding into emerging markets. This chapter examines how multinational companies develop and implement brand positioning strategies that align with consumer expectations in these dynamic and culturally diverse regions. It explores key frameworks, challenges, and opportunities associated with brand positioning, supported by case studies of successful and unsuccessful international brand strategies. The chapter concludes with recommendations for businesses seeking sustainable growth in emerging markets. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Optimizing Technology Innovation to Enhance Environmental Bonds for Improving Environmental Quality
This new incorporation of such high technologies transform the efficiency and effec tiveness of environmental bonds as a tool for sustainable finance. This is because most of the pitfalls that may characterize greenwashing, lack of transparency, and weak stakeholder engagement are taken care of by these technologies while under mining the impact of environmental bonds. For instance, accountability, trust and measurable environmental outcomes are ascertained through timely monitoring, and enhanced reporting standards. Blockchain blocks the alteration of data, while IoT promotes continuous environmental data monitoring; AI links to environ mental impact assessment through predictive analytics. Implementation of such technologies will require careful ethical consideration in terms of privacy of data and access. Technology adoption should be responsible to achieve its full potential in improving environmental quality and reaching the SDGs. The approach aligns corporate innovation with public sustainability objectives and facilitates real and social development. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
AI-Driven Pedagogies and Learning Environments in Modern Education: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review
This study examines the role of AI in education, focusing on its impact on teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and institutional adoption. A systematic literature review was conducted, analysed 97 peer-reviewed articles published between 2024 and 2025. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) framework was employed to ensure the rigorous selection and analysis of relevant studies. The findings indicate that AI enhances learning experiences by enabling adaptive learning environments, automating administrative tasks, and improving assessment accuracy. However, challenges such as algorithmic biases, data privacy concerns, lack of AI literacy among educators, and unequal access to AI tools pose significant barriers. Literature emphasised the need for structured AI training programs for teachers, while ethical considerations in AI-driven assessments. The study recommends the development of AI literacy programs for educators, policy frameworks to ensure ethical AI implementation, and improved digital infrastructure to bridge the accessibility gap. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Enhancing Cloud Security and Privacy With Blockchain Technology
This chapter explores blockchain's potential to address cloud computing security challenges. Despite cloud computing's scalability and cost efficiency, it faces risks like data breaches and regulatory non-compliance, as seen in the 2019 Capital One AWS breach. Blockchain's decentralized ledger, cryptographic hashing, smart contracts, and consensus mechanisms (e.g., PoW, PoS) enhance security through decentralized access control, secure storage, and intrusion detection. Privacy techniques like homomorphic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs protect data. Case studies, including IBM Food Trust and MedRec, show practical applications. However, scalability, interoperability, regulatory conflicts (e.g., GDPR), and high costs pose barriers. Solutions like sharding and layer-2 protocols aim to overcome these. Future research focuses on scalability, privacy, hybrid cloud integration, and AI-driven security. Blockchain strengthens cloud security but requires innovation to achieve widespread adoption. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Sentiment analysis in customer relationship management
Modern networking conversations generate annotated metadata, necessitating a method for synthesizing insights from statistics. Emotion detection is crucial for practical conversations, distinguishing joy, grief, and wrath. Corpora are becoming the standard for human-machine interaction, aiming to make interactions feel natural and real. A paradigm that identifies debates and customer views can provide a human touch to these interactions. Researchers developed a machine learning framework for assessing emotions in English phrases, utilizing LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) perspective and real-time emotion recognition in idiomatic speech. Emotion recognition rule (ERR) is created using ontologies like Word Net and Concept Net, Naive Bayes, and Random Forest. Real-time analysis of written words and facial expressions significantly outperforms current algorithms and commandment classifiers in identifying emotional states. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
The Evolving Role of AI in Cybersecurity Insurance: Enhancing Risk Assessment and Threat Detection
Cybersecurity insurance is a very important defense against data breaches, cyberattacks, and AI-powered system failures. As the use of AI becomes more widespread in business operations, insurers are now assessing emerging risks such as algorithmic errors, adversarial attacks, and data manipulation. As the cybersecurity insurance industry grows, organizations need to implement AI-specific safeguards to mitigate vulnerabilities. This study uses a mixed methods approach, by incorporating qualitative case studies for the integration of AI in claims processing with quantitative analysis on AI-driven risk assessment models. The method will be based on surveys, expert interviews, and real insurance claim analysis. Important goals involve the improvement of assessments of risk, underwriting, and claims processing through AI. Case studies of AI-enabled threat detection tools, including Darktrace, Microsoft Sentinel, and Google's phishing detection, demonstrate the AI impact in cybersecurity. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Digital transformation and sustainability in the age of industry 5.0: A strategic framework for business success
The fusion of digitalization and sustainability drives changes in retail operations during traditional purchases and e-commerce operations thus creating 5IR business models. 5IR establishes human-centered priorities as essential aspects along with automated systems and big databases. Modern e-commerce development has created new market space yet it struggles with serious environmental issues which are coupled with supply chain ethical problems as well as excessive carbon footprint and excessive packaging waste. The analysis studies how digitalization transforms retail operations and e-commerce by introducing sustainability elements in new business models. The segment evaluates the digitalization difficulties linked to data protection and environmental destruction through examination of modern efficiencies which combine organizational performance with social accountability. Analysis of present industrial trends along with case studies delivers business understanding about sustainable digital strategizing for long-term achievement through current market changes. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing.