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Neuro-Divergence and COVID-19 Pandemic: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis on the Experiences of a Mother of an Autistic Child
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered how the experience for neuro-divergent individuals as well as their caregivers has been. A neuro-divergent person refers to a person with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or, more generally, to someone whose brain processes information in a way that is not typical of most individuals. In India, where gendered parenting is the norm and can significantly influence childrens development and functioning, it becomes imperative to examine the narratives of mothers of neuro-divergent children. The present case study has been undertaken to study the phenomenon of neuro-divergence in the context of the caregivers especially the mothers experience during the pandemic. The mother of an autistic child was telephonically interviewed to collect the experience of how she navigated through the complexities of the pandemic with her neuro-divergent child. The transcribed data were analysed by reflexive thematic analysis. The reflexive thematic analysis yielded six themes such as resilience in adversity, struggles with social isolation and educational support, adaptation and creativity, advocacy for change, hope and resilience, and newfound relationship. During the pandemic, the lack of physical, and social interaction, community support, and a sense of loneliness experienced during the challenging circumstances of the pandemic served as a bane to the overall experience. In the context of the findings, it is suggested that further research be conducted on the narratives of caregivers, systemic challenges serving as hindrances to the development of neuro-divergent individuals and the rise of caregiver burden due to gendered parenting among the neuro-divergent community. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Sonali Mukherjee and Swati Pathak. -
Impact of COVID-19 and Social Distancing Measures on Married Women: A Qualitative Enquiry
Considering the World Health Organizations declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, governments worldwide implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures to contain the spread. Despite these critical measures, the pandemic exacerbated gender inequality, particularly impacting women. With schools and workplaces closed and heightened concerns for family members health, women shouldered increased family responsibilities, leading to numerous physical and psychological health challenges. Married women, in particular, faced amplified burdens. This study aims to delve into the experiences of married women during the pandemic. Twenty married women within the age range of 2245 years residing in the northern part of India were telephonically interviewed about their experiences during the COVID-19-induced lockdown. The interviews recordings were transcribed manually and analysed using thematic content analysis. The emerging themes -emotional and psychological impact, social impact, workload impact, and coping mechanisms -shed light on both the positive and negative outcomes of the pandemic. The results revealed that both working and non-working married women encountered emotional, psychological, and social challenges such as anxiety, social isolation, increased intimacy, and workfamily conflict due to heightened domestic responsibilities resulting from the confinement of each family member at home. However, women reported that habituation and forced adjustments became their primary coping mechanisms. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Shalini Mittal, Tushar Singh, Harleen Kaur, Rahul Varma, Sreeja Das, Yogesh Kumar Arya, Sunil K. Verma, Shivantika Sharad, Divya Bhanot, Udisha Merwal, Aishwarya Jaiswal, Benkat Krishna Bharti, and Bhawna Tushir. -
Unveiling the Future of Business Success: Integrating Environmental and Sustainable Criteria through Business Cases
This chapter explores how environmental and sustainable criteria can enhance organizational success in rapidly changing economic and societal trends. It also focuses on future value creation. The continuing fight is leading to the obsolescence of traditional tools for management due to the increased level of competition, rapid rates of change, and time compression in society. To address urgent demands for sustainability, this research examines the blending of ecological and sustainable standards with corporate objectives, illustrating how businesses can benefit from such integration. The existing business practices are presented with evidence showing their impact on the environment and society, thereby stressing the need for sustainability measures that ensure long-term success. Through an exploration of peer-reviewed literature on this topic, a variety of ways are examined. Different companies can incorporate these criteria into their operations by an analysis of best practice followed by market leaders that involve setting clear objectives and identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. In addition, the chapter investigates the strategies that corporations need to implement in order to adopt environmental integrity principles within their company policies, such as renewable energy sources, intelligent buildings and circular economy models, as well as other solutions that can reduce their ecological footprints, leading to organizational excellence. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Sonal Trivedi, Balamurugan Balusamy, Krishnaraj Nagappan, Dinesh Krishnan Subramaniam and Daniel Arockiam; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved. -
Behind the Fallout: Environmental Strategy and Innovation Gone Awry
Innovation and environmental strategy play vital roles in addressing the issues of ecological preservation and sustainability. This chapter explores the complicated nature of these concepts, along with their benefits and risks. It also aims to uncover practical lessons from its identified failures. The chapter provides an overview of innovation and environmental strategy, emphasizing their importance in today's environmental and business landscapes. It also explores the central theme of the study: the failure of innovation and environmental strategy to address the challenges of sustainability. Secondly, the chapter explores the various causes of environmental strategy malfunctions. Through a combination of case studies and analysis, it is possible to learn about the common traps, such as poor execution and resource limitations. Thirdly, the chapter focuses on the relationship between innovation and the environment, shedding light on its potential and also the obstacles it encounters in case studies of unsuccessful approaches. The impact of regulation and environmental policy on corporate strategy is explored in the fourth section, which considers how such changes can affect existing approaches, offering practical insights through case studies. Next, the importance of collaboration and communication is emphasized, in which case studies show how poor stakeholder engagement can affect the outcome of an environmental strategy. The sixth section of the chapter tackles the technological issues that can arise when implementing an environmental strategy. It delves into the cases where technological obstacles have resulted in failures. Next, the effect of culture on environmental initiatives is explored. This shows how short-term thinking and resistance to change can either hinder or support initiatives. The eighth section focuses on improving environmental strategies. It offers suggestions on identifying and rectifying issues with such approaches, emphasizing the significance of learning from failures and continuous improvement. Finally, there is a summary of the chapter's findings and a comprehensive overview. This emphasizes how important it is to learn from failures in environmental approaches, offering suggestions for future research. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Sonal Trivedi, Balamurugan Balusamy, Krishnaraj Nagappan, Dinesh Krishnan Subramaniam and Daniel Arockiam; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved. -
Unofficial Bilingualism in English-Only Policy Context: A Postmethod Pedagogy for Difficult Circumstances in Rural Government Schools of Tamil Nadu
This chapter introduces and explains the phenomenon of Unofficial Bilingualism in government-run English-medium schools in rural Tamil Nadu, India. It delineates instances of using the mother tongue to navigate language learning challenges in schools with an official English-only policy. It studies three schools in the Salem district of Tamazil Nadu using a qualitative research framework, with classroom observation and telephonic interviews with teachers as primary research methods. Using thematic analysis of recorded classroom observation of three teachers use of L1 in the English classroom and in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews with rural government schoolteachers across Tamil Nadu, the study grounds the phenomenon of Unofficial Bilingualism within the conceptual framework of Difficult Circumstances in ELT (West, 1960; Smith, 2011; Anderson, 2021) and explains it as a form of Postmethod Pedagogy (Kumaravadivelu, 2001, 2006). It explains the use of L1 in the classroom, despite official policy mandating teachers not to, and provides theoretical justification to legitimise the use of L1. The chapter argues for making Unofficial Bilingualism official and discusses its implications for classroom policy and teacher education, reconciling classroom practice with official policy. The study has implications for medium of instruction, language policy and teacher education. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Uma Pradhan and Mohini Gupta; individual chapters, the contributors. -
Higher Education in Maldives amidst the Pandemic: An Intersectional Approach to Digital Education
The Covid-19 outbreak upended the core foundations of societies across the globe, leading to dramatic shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and values. The education sector, known for its traditional classroom model, had to adapt quickly. However, the pandemic's impact varied widely due to social, cultural, economic, geographic, and gender factors. Amid such inequal pandemic disruptions, Maldives presents a unique case as an upper-middle-income economy with diverse higher education (HE) opportunities. The pandemic pushed Maldives towards digital education, capitalizing on pre-existing capabilities. The study employs an intersectional feminist approach to the gender digital divide, seeking to understand how the rapid adoption of digital education in Maldives' higher education institutions (HEIs) has unfolded during the pandemic. The analysis reveals deeply entrenched gender norms that have had a disproportionate impact on women students and lecturers in HEIs. Factors like unpaid domestic labour and care work, lack of suitable home space, absence of psychological support, and reinforcement of gender roles have primarily widened the gender digital divide in digital education during the pandemic. Moreover, local, social, and cultural attitudes further exacerbate this divide signifying a pressing need to re-evaluate women's roles in HEIs in the post-pandemic world. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Padma Rani, Bhanu Bhakta. -
Unleashing the Potential: How Influencers Drive Digital Content Marketing
Digital content marketing has revolutionized the marketing landscape, and influencers have emerged as powerful drivers in this realm. Digital content marketing (DCM) is marketing information that is valuable for consumers, which is created, distributed, and managed in a virtual space to engage current and potential consumer bases. An influencer is an individual who influences a broad segment of the target audience. They shape audience attitudes through blogs, tweets, and videos using social media. This demonstrates the power of an individual where an influencer markets the product/services of a particular firm via digital platforms. DCM exhibits the power of the content where the content is marketed via digital platforms. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of influencers on facilitating digital content marketing. This study employs the exploratory research synthesis method to gain insights into the current body of research concerning influencers and digital content marketing. Additionally, a case example is employed to shed light on how influencers play a role in driving digital content marketing. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Subir Bandyopadhyay and Bikramjit Rishi. -
Groundwater Exploitation in India for Quenching Thirst and Supporting Water for Food: Uncontrolled Anthropogenic Water Demands and Reliance Leading to Eco-crime
The extent of groundwater reliance in India for agriculture and drinking water is enormous, making the country the most groundwater-reliant and exploiting country in the world. This water source supports the drinking water supply and irrigation in the country. The hydrogeological, climatic and legal factors contribute to this extensive reliance on groundwater. These current groundwater legal frameworks based on land-water nexus with a robust property rights framework lead to uncontrolled extraction, resulting in a surge of over-exploited zones in the country. Despite attempts by the courts to regulate water governance using principles like public trust and precautionary principles and the attempts of the State to enact new legislations that move away from this property rights linked land-water nexus regime in groundwater regulation, the current legislative framework that controls groundwater extraction in the State adopts a curative approach. The land-water nexus in groundwater not only exaggerates the inherent socio-economic divide between water users but also threatens the groundwater sources and their sustainability, impairing the ecosystem balance. This chapter examines this dilemma, where the groundwater legal framework-inspired exploitation leads to depletion of groundwater resources and aquifers. This chapter argues that uncontrolled exploitation without concern for the rights of aquifers constitutes an instance of eco-crime, and this anthropogenic encroachment over the ecosystem spaces should be categorised as an element of eco-crime. This chapter adopts a socio-legal approach and provides insights from the experiences gathered from the arid State of Rajasthan, India. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Shanthakumar Sanjeevi and Dhanya S, individual chapters, the contributors. -
The Vanishing Point of Ecology Featuring Carbon Criminals: A Study of Ecocide in the South Asian Countries with a Special Focus on the Indian Landscape
The abounding ecosystem is increasingly being transformed by global warming, which has also resulted in sea level rise, melted glaciers, heat waves, altered precipitation patterns, and other climate impacts. India now ranks fifth in terms of climate change vulnerability. Weakening our natural defenses against climate-related calamities, it has already lost approximately one-third of its coastline, a third of its grasslands, and is losing wetlands at a pace of 23% annually. In recent times several scholarly works have framed this transgression under the rubrics of ecocide. Legal acceptance of ecocide is growing, albeit slowly, in India. Carbon criminals and climate crimes mirror exploration and hypothesis from a wide variety of disciplines; to break down four explicit concerns it plans to state-corporate environment-related crimes: such as extraction of non-renewable energy sources and rising fossil fuel by-products; political failure owing to mitigation of carbon emissions. Green criminology lays its focus to identify various environmental crimes and adjudges the liability of the States dissuading actions leading to the repercussions. Climate change reflects profound class and social inequalities leading to ecocidal tendencies. The chapter aims to discuss the dynamics involving carbon crimes and ecocide by identifying the perpetrators, issuing of responsibility, and responses to the causes of climate injustice across the South Asian countries and Indias pressing concerns on it. Further, endeavors are made to review legislations and offer operational solutions to achieving climate justice. The chapter undertakes South Asian countries as a territorial scope to assess the ecological damage. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Shanthakumar Sanjeevi and Dhanya S, individual chapters, the contributors. -
MAGIC AND TERROR IN EASTERINE KIRES ECOLOGICAL FICTION: Indigenous Naga Ecofeminism and Conservation Ethics
Indigenous women across the globe are front-line environmental activists implementing sustainable living practices and conservation through their activism and narratives. Indigenous women writers from Nagaland dominate published creative work from the region, making creative writing a space of resistance and representation. Native or Indigenous knowledge systems revolve around ecocultural practices of sustainability and conservation ethics. The Tenyimia worldview of the Angami Nagas of Nagaland opens up possibilities of ecological ethics and sustainable living through its knowledge systems. A minority Indigenous community in the Northeast region of India, the Angami Nagas represent a worldview that offers sustainable living practices and means of forest conservation through narratives that incorporate magic and terror. Easterine Kire, a renowned writer from Nagaland, has revived the eco-culture of the community through her representation of the Tenyimia worldview, offering insights into Indigenous ecofeminist views through her narratives, which she terms Peoplestories.' The present chapter investigates how magic and terror in Easterine Kires fiction represent forms of Indigenous knowledge that help define ecological ethics. The study applies an Indigenous ecofeminist approach to Easterine Kires work which invokes magic and terror through forest spirits, river spirits, and environmental legends such as the Tekhumevi, or were-tiger, to offer a re-imagination of the ecological spaces traditionally reflected through the communitys oral narratives. 2025 selection and editorial matter, Ina C. Seethaler and Tripthi Pillai; individual chapters, the contributors. -
Demand-supply imbalance: The root cause of the crisis
[No abstract available] -
Fake news and its impacts on businesses: Political communication, propaganda, and economic implications
Fake news and disinformation have become powerful tools in political communication, particularly in the context of populism and digital propaganda. While misinformation has always been part of political strategy, digital platforms have intensified its spread, allowing political actors to construct narratives that manipulate public opinion, mobilize support, and delegitimize opponents. This study examines fake news as a politically constructed phenomenon, exploring how digital populism and propaganda use disinformation to reinforce ideological divides and influence democratic processes. Using a constructivist framework, we analyze how fake news is socially produced and legitimized within political discourse, shaping perceptions of truth and power. We also investigate how major social media platforms profit from misinformation while simultaneously positioning themselves as arbiters of truth. By focusing on the intersection of political communication, propaganda, and economic incentives, this research highlights the role of digital media in sustaining misinformation ecosystems. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Digital Testimony and Vulnerability in Reinhard Kleists An Olympic Dream: Restorying Samias Journey Through Facebook Posts
An Olympic Dream pieces together the story of the young female Somali athlete, Samia Yusuf Omar. In the absence of adequate information for her story coupled with Samias attempts to hide her identity, the digital traces left behind by the athlete serve as invaluable sources for the author. Weaving together Samias Facebook posts, text conversations, and information sourced from journalists, Reinhard Kleist recre ates the lost story of an Olympian. This chapter aims to study the role of Facebook posts in disseminating Samias story to readers and creating a narrative arc for her Olympic journey. Employing the theoretical lens of Vulnerability Studies along with Digital Postcolonialism it attempts to unpack the athletes story. Through an in-depth study of the graphic novel characterized by its tenuous use of social media posts, this chapter examines how social discrimination, surveillance and margin alization render a refugee woman athlete from the Global South highly vulnerable. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Sustainable practice in fashion retail
This chapter emphasizes the urgent need for the global fashion industry to embrace sustainability due to its significant environmental impact. Highlighting issues like overconsumption, waste, and resource depletion, it critiques the "take, make, dispose" model and advocates for circular fashion, promoting reuse, repair, and recycling to extend clothing lifespans. Ethical sourcing, innovative biodegradable materials like Pinatex, and green operations in retail are explored as pivotal shifts. Local shopping models, sustainable manufacturing, and consumer demand for eco-friendly products are addressed, with tools like carbon footprint calculators and eco-labels aiding responsible consumption. Technological innovations such as AI, blockchain, and AR are presented as transformative, minimizing waste, enhancing transparency, and reducing overproduction. Challenges like high costs, fast fashion preferences, and limited recycling methods are discussed alongside solutions like strategic collaborations and R&D investments. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Eco-friendly packaging in fashion and retail: Aligning style with sustainability
The chapter identifies gaps in current research, particularly in developing countries, and calls for further studies on consumer perceptions, economic feasibility, and innovations in packaging materials and technologies. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on consumer trust in sustainability claims, cost-benefit analyses of eco-friendly packaging, and the development of new biodegradable alternatives. Overall, the chapter serves as a critical resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities in advancing sustainable packaging practices in the fashion and retail sectors, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts to foster environmental stewardship and encourage environmentally friendly consumption habits. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Building brand loyalty in the digital age: The power of social media engagement
This book chapter aims to provide information on the role of social media as a Digital Platform or Tool for emerging brands. It aims to find how emerging brands can use social media as digital platform to enhance brand awareness, engagement, reputation and consumer loyalty. This chapter also addresses the effect of Covid-19 pandemic which accelerated social media's role in marketing, as brands sought new ways to interact with consumers online. Additionally, it underscores the increasing complexity of brand loyalty in social media era where influencer marketing significantly impacts consumer perception. The Chapter also reveals the importance of Instagram marketing for emerging brands in building brand awareness. It also helps in fostering engagement with consumers, driving brand loyalty to create a strong online presence and differentiate themselves in the competitive market. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Digital transformation and sustainability artificial intelligence and sustainable development
Digital transformation and sustainability are increasingly intertwined in today's rapidly evolving landscape, where technological advancements and environmental concerns converge to shape the future of industries, communities, and societies. Operations, strategies and This transformation can enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and foster innovation. However, it also carries the responsibility of addressing the pressing sustainability social inequities. The relationship between digital transformation and sustainability is complex, yet synergistic. On one hand, blockchain-provides powerful tools for enhancing sustainability efforts across various sectors. For example, can consumption be smart while improving efficiencies reducing waste? Additionally, big data analytics can help organizations assess their environmental impact, enabling informed decision-making that supports sustainable practices. This data-driven approach allows companies to track their carbon footprints, manage resources more effectively, and identify areas for improvement. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Digital pathways to sustainability: Integrating technology and innovation for a greener future
Digitalization has emerged as a revolutionary element across various sectors and communities, altering conventional practices and creating new avenues for sustainability. This chapter delves into how digital technologies intersect with circular economy principles and sustainable development, emphasizing their contribution to combating climate change and furthering the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By evaluating case studies, theoretical models, and empirical evidence, this chapter investigates the ways in which cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) promote sustainable practices and foster environmental resilience. The chapter concludes by providing practical insights for policymakers, industry executives, and researchers on leveraging digital innovation for a greener future. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Real-time detection and response: How AI is shaping the future of hate speech
This chapter traverse how artificial intelligence is transforming hate speech detection by facilitating real-time detection and response. It focuses on the technical aspects of using machine learning. Natural language processing and deep learning models to identify and mark spiteful content. This chapter also discusses the advantages, obstacles, and ethical considerations associated with using AI to moderate online speech. The ultimate objective is to provide insights into how AI is changing the landscape of content moderation on platforms around the world. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Benefits of AI in the Food Industry
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming a transformative force in the food industry, reshaping how food is produced, processed, and delivered. The current research on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on improving operational effectiveness in the food industry. Firstly, it emphasizes how AI technologies enhance production processes and optimize supply chain management while prioritizing food safety. By employing predictive analytics and automation, AI contributes to minimizing waste, maximizing resource use, and upholding high-quality standards throughout the production cycle. Secondly, the study investigates how AI boosts customer interaction by offering personalized experiences and streamlined service delivery. By evaluating consumer preferences and behaviors, AI allows food enterprises to customize their offerings, ultimately resulting in heightened customer satisfaction and loyalty. Through this investigation, the research seeks to provide practical insights and best practices for food sector stakeholders aiming to exploit AI for better operational results. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.