The present study proposes a hybrid framework combining multiple methods to determine the optimal values of design variables in a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). The framework uses a multi-objective response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve optimum performance. The performance of an FMS is characterized using various weighted measures using the best-worst method (BWM). Subsequently, an RSM approximates the functional relationship between the FMS performance and design variables. The central composite design (CCD) is used for this aim, and a polynomial regression model is fitted among the factors. Eventually, a bi-objective model, including the fitted and cost functions, is formulated and solved. As a result, the optimal percentage for deploying the FMS equipment and machines to achieve optimal performance with the lowest deployment cost is determined. The proposed framework can serve as a guideline for manufacturing organizations to lead strategic decisions regarding the design problems of FMSs. It significantly increases productivity for the manufacturing system, reduces redundant labor and material handling costs, and facilitates production.

PurposeThe main aim of this study is to review different aspects of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) along with Kaizen measures to foster this novel aspect of industrial sustainability. The study makes a comprehensive study to explore the implementation status of I5.0 in industries, key technologies, adoption level in different nations and barriers to I5.0 adoption together with mitigation actions.Design/methodology/approachTo do a systematic study of the literature, the authors have used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) methodology to extract articles related to the field of the study.FindingsIt has been found that academic literature on the I5.0 is continuously growing as the wheel of time is running. Most of the studies on I5.0 are conceptual-based, and manufacturing and medical industries are the flag bearer in the adoption of this novel aspect. Further, due to I5.0's infancy, many organizations face difficulty to adopt the same due to financial burden, resistive nature, a well-designed standard for cyber-physical systems (CPS) and an effective mechanism for human-robot collaboration. Further studies also provide avenues for future research in terms of the identification of collaborative mechanisms between machines and wells, the establishment of different standards for comparison and the development of I5.0-enabled models for different industrial domains.Originality/valueThe study is the first of its kind that reviews different facets of I5.0in conjunction with Kaizen's measures and application areas and provides avenues for future research to improve an organization's environmental and social sustainability.

In this transformative phase of Industry 4.0, the integration of advanced digital technologies into traditional manufacturing processes presents a paradigm shift in quality management. This seminal study ventures into the forefront of this transition, uncovering the intricate challenges impeding the adoption of Quality Management Practices (QMP) amidst digital innovation. Leveraging a comprehensive survey with 172 quality management professionals, alongside the methodological rigour of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), our research delineates fifteen pivotal barriers to the harmonious integration of digital technologies with quality management systems. Predominantly, 'Organisational Behaviour' and 'Information Technology and Governance' surface as critical dimensions, outlining the complex landscape stakeholders must navigate. Central to our findings are leadership, cybersecurity, data protection, and organisational structure, underscored as the primary challenges that demand strategic focus. This investigation offers a pioneering framework for global stakeholders, illuminating a path forward in the quest for Quality 4.0. It marks a significant contribution to the literature by proposing a roadmap for organisations striving for excellence and innovation in the Industry 4.0 era, advocating for a seamless fusion of digital transformation and quality management.

PurposeCause-related B2B marketing programs involve sponsoring organisations working with B2B suppliers with the help of non-profit organisations (NPOs) on practises relating to environmental friendliness, workforce diversity, human rights, safety, philanthropy and business ethics. The study aims to identify the combinatory factors driving the adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an innovative approach of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data collated from top corporations in India supporting cause-related B2B marketing programs. Sponsoring organisations and NPO dyads (i.e. survey both) filled out an email survey on 264 cause-related B2B marketing programs.FindingsThe study establishes that the combination of technological, organisational and environmental factors would lead to the adoption of Digital B2B platforms in managing cause-related B2B marketing programs. The study identifies six combinations of these factors for adopting Digital B2B platforms within and across sponsoring organisations and NPOs.Practical implicationsThe study findings would aid cause-related B2B marketers in developing Digital B2B platforms' capabilities by understanding the different combinations of factors driving adoption. Digital B2B platforms' capabilities can improve market performance if developed as core competencies.Social implicationsThe study findings would enable improvements in the implementation and performance of cause-related B2B marketing programs. Better management of cause-related B2B marketing programs would help increase beneficiary coverage and the realisation of societal goals.Originality/valueTo the author's knowledge, this is the first study to apply the TOE framework in conjunction with complexity theory to explain the diffusion of adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs.

The accuracy and utility of financial information are critical, but the prevalent issue of earnings management (EM) casts a shade on this goal. With a growing corpus of EM literature, a comprehensive review is essential for distilling insights and guiding future research. The paper systematically reviews 182 EM studies through the distinctive lens of developing and developed country banking institutions. With an emphasis on accrual-EM, the current study thoroughly examines and synthesizes the antecedents and consequences of bank EM. Notably, certain themes (such as corporate governance, international financial reporting standards, ownership structure and liquidity) emerge as universally relevant, bridging the gap between developed and developing markets. Conversely, themes like bank efficiency, social capital, funding structure and institutional quality, among others, tend to be context-specific. Further, the study developed a conceptual framework of antecedents and consequences of bank EM by segregating them into developed, developing, and cross-country contexts. The study is unique in its developed and developing context of appraising EM literature. The results provide a better understanding of pertinent elements in diverse institutional settings that can aid regulators and policymakers in making decisions by identifying facilitators, mitigators and consequences in developed and developing economies.

PurposeSubstantial pressure from civil society and investors has forced governments around the world to take climate neutrality initiatives. Several countries have pledged their nationally determined contributions towards net-zero. However, there exist various obstacles to achieving the same and the agriculture sector is one of them. Thus, this study identifies and models the critical barriers to achieving climate neutrality in the agriculture food supply chain (AFSC).Design/methodology/approachSixteen barriers are identified through a literature survey and are validated by the questionnaire survey. Furthermore, the interactions amongst the barriers are estimated through the application of the weighted influence non-linear gauge system (WINGS) method which considers the both intensity of influence and the strength of the barrier. To mitigate these barriers, a framework based on green, resilient and inclusive development (GRID) is proposed.FindingsThe obtained results reveal that lack of collaboration amongst AFSC stakeholders, lack of information and education awareness, and lack of technical expertise obtained a higher rank (amongst the top five) in three indicators of the WINGS method and thus are the most significant barriers.Originality/valueThis paper is the first attempt in modelling the climate neutrality barriers for the Indian AFSC. Additionally, the mitigating strategies are prepared using the GRID framework.

PurposeThis study aims to examine the political, economic, social and technological (PEST) factors of women empowerment in the context of rural development under the initiatives of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).Design/methodology/approachThe unit of analysis for this study is 459 samples. Non-probability sampling technique has been used for this study. Schedule/questionnaires have been circulated among the women in each block cluster. Frequencies have been used to represent the data against each statement. Non-parametric chi-square test has been used to examine the relationship between empowerment and political, economic, social, technological factors and interpersonal skills.FindingsStatistical analysis shows that the Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana (DAY)-NRLM scheme has brought significant changes and development to women in political, social, economic and technological areas. It was observed that women are economically empowered and contribute to the economic upliftment of the family. Most of the respondents strongly felt that after being associated with DAY-NRLM, they were empowered to contribute efficiently to the social development process and activities.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study highlight the impact of DAY-NRLM implementation at block levels of a district in India. Subsequent research may be carried to measure the effectiveness of the capacity-building program conducted under the banner of DAY-NRLM.Practical implicationsWomen empowerment is not limited to awareness, whereas it needs a complete set of initiatives backed with support systems. Few critical interventions could be building strong networks, enhancing financial management, encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship among self-help group workers, providing easy access to credit, mentoring, handholding, continuous monitoring and evaluation.Social implicationsThis study focuses on the impact of the DAY-NRLM scheme on women's empowerment in the Morigaon district. The inferences from the study throw light on the empowerment of women vis-a-vis political, economic, social and technological factors.Originality/valueThis study is a primary study conducted in the Morigaon District of Assam. This is a new line of policy research that approaches the women empowerment with the PEST parameters.

The rapid growth of soybean cultivation in the world augurs well for achieving SDG2 of promoting sustainable agriculture, ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition. India started promoting soybean cultivation in the 1970s to combat dietary protein deficiencies and augment smallholders' incomes. However, soybean yield remains low and plateaued at one ton per hectare for the past three decades. This paper leverages a large primary dataset and explores the speed of soybean varietal change by applying survival functions and analyzing determinants of varietal turnover time employing a dynamic framework and harnessing duration analysis. The results show that adopting leading soybean varieties has reached saturation and that policy intervention can have an immediate impact. The weighted average age of soybean varieties in farmers' fields is relatively high at 15.6 years, implying a slower varietal change rate. The lack of improved varieties with desirable traits, poor information flow, and growers' preference for traits beyond yield-hamper faster varietal substitution. Further, analysis indicates regional variations in driving the speed of varietal replacement. The findings have significant implications for spurring soybean yields through investments in varietal development, leveraging modern molecular methods for long juvenility and photo-insensitivity, disseminating information, and institutional changes enabling the private sector participation in crop breeding.

Purpose - The present study uses a meta-analysis technique to explore the association between corporate governance and dividend policy. The extant literature delivers inconclusive findings on the relationship between corporate governance and dividend policy. Therefore, this study aims to resolve the issues and deliver comprehensive results. Design/methodology/approach - The study involves a meta-analysis of 53 research studies using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and population, intervention, comparison, outcome and study design approaches. The paper examines the impact of moderators: corporate governance structure (Anglo-American, communitarian or emerging system) and dividend distribution metrics (dividend over net income, dividend over total assets and absolute amount of dividend/dividend per share). The study involves subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis to examine the impact of moderators. Findings - The study's results specify that board size and percentage of female directors significantly impact the dividend decisions of the company. In addition, subgroup analysis and meta-regression results demonstrate that dividend measurement proxy moderates the association between corporate governance and dividend policy. Originality/value - Based on the existing literature surveyed, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first to conduct a meta-analysis on the relationship between corporate governance and dividend policy. This paper is unique and the first one of its kind (to the best of the authors' knowledge) to cover all these moderating variables under an umbrella and consolidate the results to understand the existing knowledge and direct future research in the area of corporate governance and dividend decisions.

Globally, financial well-being has received considerable attention from researchers and policymakers as an indicator of financial health in the aftermath of financial shocks. Additionally, financial inclusion has been a priority for developing countries in their efforts towards poverty alleviation and bringing vulnerable populations into the mainstream financial system. Moreover, the shift in digital technologies and financial services has overcome access and usage barriers through the acquisition of digital financial literacy. This paper develops novel multidimensional indices and investigates the relationship between financial well-being, financial inclusion, and digital financial literacy. The study utilizes data from InterMedia's Financial Inclusion Insight (FII) 2016 Survey conducted in India. The results indicate that both financial inclusion and digital financial literacy have a significant positive impact on financial well-being. However, considering the potential endogeneity bias, instrumental variable 2SLS regression reveals that financial inclusion plays the most crucial role in defining financial well-being. Our findings help policymakers recognize the importance of demand-side financial inclusion and digital financial literacy in promoting financial well-being, which may be achieved through robust financial and digital literacy programs. Additionally, the study contributes to the financial well-being literature by incorporating essential attributes of financial inclusion and digital financial literacy.

This article examines the effects of tariff and non-tariff reductions on firm-level productivity of large as well as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India's manufacturing sector for the 1999-2009 period. We calculate input and final goods tariffs, effective rates of protection and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) for broad product groups using information from India's Exim Policy of 1997-2003 and 2004-2009 to examine this impact. We use a balanced as well as unbalanced firm-level panel data set, while accounting for firm, industry, state and time-specific factors. By using fixed effect models and Heckman's two-step estimation procedure, we find that trade liberalisation is associated with improved firm-level productivity for large firms but not in the case of MSMEs. We posit that this might be due to the relative disadvantages that Indian MSMEs face which prevent them from benefiting from trade liberalisation. We also find that productivity gains arising from the sourcing of imported inputs have been greater than those arising from increased product competition and that NTB liberalisation has had a greater impact compared to tariff liberalisation on firm-level productivity. Changes in MSME legislation and the classification of firms are also found to have a bearing on firm performance. Our study contributes to the literature by confirming the need to focus specifically on constraints faced by MSMEs if they are to benefit from trade liberalisation. It highlights the importance of liberalising trade in intermediates as well as the role of MSME classification in enabling productivity gains.JEL Codes: L6, D24, L1, F13

Multimarket competition with multiple firms is crucial for marketers in product decisions. Despite its importance in marketing decisions, empirical research on product line configurations in multimarket contact (MMC) is limited. Utilizing panel data from the fast-moving consumer goods from four geographic zones encompassing 80,000 households in urban and rural markets, the authors empirically confirm that as MMC with rivals increases, focal firms tend to become more aggressive by adjusting their product line configurations. Moreover, when the focal firm holds a high market share and resource centrality in the focal market, it exhibits deterrence by maintaining the status quo. Similarly, when examining the interaction effect of MMC with focal market profitability, we observe that the focal firm becomes aggressive and adjusts its configuration. This study extends current research on product line configuration decisions, especially when the boundaries of physical markets are becoming increasingly blurred with the rise of e-commerce and hyperlocal models increasing multimarket contacts.

Purpose - This study reviews the literature on institutional theory in international business and examines the institutional factors behind the success or failure of multinational corporations (MNCs) in emerging markets.Design/methodology/approach - This systematic literature review analysed 116 peer-reviewed articles published in leading journals between 2005 and 2022. The R package Bibliometrix and VOSviewer visualization software were used for analysis. A hybrid methodology combining bibliometric and content analyses was utilized to obtain a descriptive evaluation of the publication impact along with a keyword co-occurrence map, context-specific institutional effects and subsidiary strategies.Findings - The Journal of International Business Studies, along with influential authors such as Mike W. Peng, Klaus Meyer, and Mehmet Demirbag, have taken the lead in advancing institutional theories for MNC internationalization in emerging markets. The clusters from the co-word analysis revealed dominant MNC entry modes, institutional distances and MNC localization strategies. The content analysis highlights how the institutional environment is operationalized across the macro-, micro- and meso-institutional contexts and how the MNC subsidiary responds in emerging markets. Meso-level interactions emphasize the relational aspects of business strategies in emerging markets.Practical implications - Contextualizing subsidiary strategies and institutional forms can help managers align their strategic responses to the dynamic relationship between subsidiaries and the institutional environment. The review findings will enable policymakers to simplify regulatory policies and encourage MNC subsidiary networks with local stakeholders in emerging markets.Social implications - Legitimacy strategies such as corporate community involvement in emerging markets are crucial for enhancing societal support and removing stakeholders' scepticism for MNC business operations in emerging markets. Moral legitimacy should be implemented by managers, such as lending support to disaster management efforts and humanitarian crises, as they expand to new business environments of emerging markets.Originality/value - This study is the first to explore institutional diversity and subsidiary strategic responses in a three-layered institutional context. The findings highlight the relevance of contextualizing institutional perspectives for international business scholars and practitioners as they help build context-specific theoretical frameworks and business strategies. Future research recommendations are suggested in the macro-, micro- and meso-institutional contexts.

Leadership engrosses multiple actors and unique contexts that unfold along different timescales. The purpose of this study is to review the literature on authentic leadership, principal leadership, and distributed leadership and examine the current trends due to the pandemic and the growth of information and communication technology in higher educational institutions (HEI). This qualitative study adopted a literature review and in-depth interviews of 10 educational faculty, 10 students, and 9 non-HEI organisational leaders in India, predominantly based on a semi-structured script. Our study used the approaches of purposive sampling and inductive analysis. Employing social cognitive theory, our study reports on participants' perceptions of existing leaders and discusses organisational behavioural attributes that need focus for leadership development. The hybrid multi-layered model of leadership styles is suggested as a practical approach in India. This study contributes to the educational leadership development literature by highlighting the expectations of students and non-HEI organisational leaders on the fundamental role of educational leaders and behavioural necessities.

Developing a practical and feasible assembly sequence plan for industrial applications is still challenging during product design and planning. Because of the need for more consideration of practical uncertainties, most of the assembly sequence plans generated by planners are inapplicable to real industrial-based problems. We have considered a crucial practical uncertainty attribute, tool uncertainties, in the current research. A novel approach has been proposed to generate optimal robotic assembly sequence plans by combining tool accessibility and part geometry. This research introduces two essential assembly tool accessibility attributes: tool-integrated geometric feasibility and tool-swept volume. In addition, the automatic extraction of tool accessibility attributes has been proposed. The proposed method is explained with a proper model and essential details such as liaison data, tool-integrated bounding box coordinates, tool-integrated geometric feasibility, and tool-swept volume data. Finally, the practical feasibility of the proposed method is verified for a different product configuration.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper spans twofold. Firstly, to investigate Human Resource Management practices (HRMP) adopted by organisations during the pandemic. Secondly, to bundle similar HRMP into Human Resource Management (HRM) bundles that provided unhindered organisational support to employees during the crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted 39 in-depth interviews across industries using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thereafter, the authors transcribed the interviews verbatim and analysed them thematically using MAXQDA 2021.FindingsThe study identifies effective practices during times of uncertainty and how soft HRM practices helped organisations survive during a crisis. When bundled together, these practices enabled organisations to continue operations during the pandemic, keeping their employees engaged and motivated.Practical implicationsBased on the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic, the study provides a toolkit of HRMP bundles that organisations can adopt for future crisis management, enhancing the organisations' absorptive capacity.Originality/valueThe study investigates the practices incorporated during COVID-19, leading to the identification of soft HRM bundles. The study adds value to the existing domain of HRM by including a unique set of soft HRMP bundles that have not been discussed in earlier studies and could be of high utility to organisations during the crisis.

This study examines the factors that impact the purchase intention of electric vehicles (EVs) in emerging economies like India. By employing the Push, Pull, and Mooring (PPM) theory, this study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the factors influencing purchase intention of EVs. In the first stage of the study, twitter text mining was conducted to extract the main topics discussed about EVs. The second stage involved a focus group discussion to condense the identified topics into key factors influencing the purchase intention of EVs. Finally, choice-based conjoint analysis was employed in the third phase to comprehend the utility and prioritize the identified factors. Additionally, topic modelling can be valuable for marketing managers, product managers, and branding specialists in developing a brand image and positioning for EVs. Furthermore, the findings of this study can assist policymakers in creating regulatory frameworks to support the development of EV infrastructure.

In recent years, we have witnessed accelerated digital interactions among new technology users as a means of communication, leading to addictive behaviours owing to the overuse of smartphones and other new technological interfaces that have reshaped our daily routines. Thus, we adopted the social cognitive theory and the attachment theory to explore and understand the users' app adaptations and how mobile app characteristics, through their influence on smartphone addiction, impact mobile shopping behaviour. We designed an online survey to gather responses from 302 mobile app shoppers in India. We analysed the data using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. The results indicate that perceived privacy and security, personalization, contextual offers, and retailers' reputations trigger smartphone addiction. Moreover, the interaction between smartphone addiction and app incentives encourages mobile shopping intentions and frequent purchases. These findings would presumably enhance mobile app characteristics as the stimulus of a closer relationship between consumers and retailers. We present valuable avenues for practitioners to strategically manage their businesses' mobile app environment.

PurposeThis research aims to study the effects of mindfulness and self-compassion in addressing COVID-19 phobia issues. To date, not a single study has examined the influence of these constructs on COVID-19 phobia amongst frontline employees (FLEs) in the services sector. In this context, the present study examined the association between FLE's trait mindfulness and COVID-19 phobia and the mediating effect of self-compassion on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using 335 FLEs working in the Indian services sector, and the analysis was undertaken using the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2018).FindingsFLE's trait mindfulness was found to influence COVID-19 phobia negatively, and the mediation role of self-compassion was also noted. Findings for the COVID-19 phobia composite and its four facets are discussed.Practical implicationsCorporate leaders could encourage mindfulness and self-compassion training helping in buffering the negative issues associated with COVID-19 phobia among FLEs.Originality/valueIt is one of the few studies conducted in the South-Asian context that highlights how mindfulness can help enhance self-compassion among frontline service sector employees while guiding them to overcome COVID-19 phobia. This could be the first study to examine the mediating effects of self-compassion in the relationships between mindfulness and COVID-19 phobia.

A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) can be envisioned as an organization or society where its design, processes, and operational tasks are coded in the form of agreements or smart contracts, adhering to guidelines, values, and collective consensus. This paper underpins how organization design constructs (structure, strategy) and organization innovation constructs (innovation complexity, novel delivery) are related and sequenced to DAO transformation excellence (organizational excellence, organizational user expectation). An online survey of 262 blockchain DAO practitioners and researchers was conducted using SmartPLS to demonstrate empirical research findings (probably the first empirical research paper) on the implementation of blockchain DAO in organization design. The study focuses on understanding the role of blockchain DAO in organization design and innovation and how the users can leverage the technology, its substitutes, implementation readiness, and its impacts on organizations. Findings from the paper will help managers develop platforms and tools for various situations related to DAO-led organization design.