Shahid Husain

Despite the growing importance of the concept of circular economy, the case of developing countries remains under-explored. Against this backdrop, the present research aims to examine the association between the constructs of total quality management (TQM) and organizational sustainability (OS) with the mediating effect of knowledge management (KM) from the perspective of a circular economy. The data were collected from the manufacturing sector of a developing economy (n = 510) to serve the purpose of the current research through a self-administered questionnaire (paper-pencil technique). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for hypothesis testing of the current survey. Six TQM dimensions were drawn from the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award (MBNQA) model. OS is composed of economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and KM is composed of four dimensions including acquisition, creation, sharing, and application of knowledge. The empirical examination sugges...

Life Insurers are operating in the public and private sectors in India. A substantial number of policyholders have invested their income in these companies. A company with a proper investment policy and profitability along with the safety of the funds will grow and sustain in the long run. This study aims to help prospective policyholders in choosing a growing life insurer to ensure the safety of their premium money and increased bonus at the time of maturity/claim. Moreover, the present study may provide useful tips for the newly added private sector companies in the industry. The current study reflects on Private Sector Life Insurers to learn from the consistent and smooth growth in profitability of the Public Sector and search for solutions. This paper also compares the investment profitability and profit analysis of the private and public sector insurance companies located in India. Profitability was measured using investment yield and income as two variables. Data collected from life insurance companies operating in India from 2010-11 to 2020-21 was compared. The secondary data was obtained from the companies' annual reports for analysis and comparison. Data was analyzed by using T-Test and significance was determined at 5% confidence. Equal and unequal variances were determined by using the F-Test. The results showed growth in the amount, income, and yield of investment of the Public and Private sectors, but the two sectors did not significantly differ in their investment. By observing the pattern of growth and consistency of public sector, private sector life insurance companies can improve themselves. The study particularly belongs to India but the results and findings can be used by other life insurance companies operating in different countries as well.

Efficient financial systems play a crucial role in promoting economic growth and development. This study explores the impact of judicial efficiency (JE) on financial system efficiency (FSE) and its components, financial institutions efficiency (FIE) and financial markets efficiency (FME), across 108 countries over the period from 2004 to 2020. Utilizing a fixed effect regression for our baseline analysis and a two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression to address endogeneity, we find robust evidence that JE has a positive and significant effect on FSE and its components, FIE and FME. Moreover, we find that JE's positive impact on FSE and its components holds across different levels of per capita income, including high-income, low-income, and emerging market economies. Our findings, which are confirmed by several robustness checks, highlight the universal importance of a well-functioning, efficient judicial system in driving FSE regardless of a country's economic context. The results show that countries should prioritize reforms to strengthen judicial institutions and enhance efficient contract enforcement. An efficient legal framework and judicial process are conducive to creating an environment in which an efficient financial system can develop, paving the way for sustainable economic growth.

Infrastructure is one of the favorite projects of every developed and developing nation. Construction industry occupies a prominent place in the infrastructure development of a country. Cement is one the elementary material components in the construction industry. Saudi Arabia has shown a weaker performance in generation of revenue over a period of five years from 2015 to 2019. In a situation of economic slowdown it becomes a challenge for the business concerns to maintain their profitability. The present study is designed to analyze and compare the profitability position of cement companies in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia during this period. The study belongs to top five cement companies in terms of market value and revenue generation in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To measure the profitability gross profit ratio, operating ratio, operating profit ratio, net profit ratio and return on investment have been used as variables. One way anova has been used to test the hypotheses. The stu...

In the data-driven world, data is created in huge volume and then analyzed by several organizations to get benefit from them. Smart city is one of the examples to use big data to offer improved services for its resident and tourist. However, some countries face certain obstacles to analyze the big data integration for sustainability in smart city development. Therefore, the purpose of this research paper is to identify and analyze the significant barriers related to sustainable smart city development. To accomplish this objective, fourteen barriers of big data analytics are selected through the combined approach of literature review and expert input. After that, these barriers are evaluated using the best worst method for obtaining deeper insights. The result of this study reveals that the most significant barrier is 'lack of technologies for BDA', 'lack of BDA framework', 'nature of big data', and 'low availability of analytics platforms for big data'. These barriers need to address on priority to develop a sustainable smart city. This study is helpful to the urban planner, government, and consultancy agencies to decide on the adoption of BDA for sustainable smart city development. Further, they can also optimize their resources in the best possible manner to achieve the sustainable development of the existing smart cities.

The present study is to analyze and compare the profitability position of public and private life insurance companies in India over a period of five years from 2016 to 2020. To measure and compare the profitability operating expense ratio, investment income to premium ratio, investment yield, insurance margin and return on net worth have been used. In order to the test hypotheses and to conclude the statistical results T-Test has been used. Investment Income to Premium and Insurance Margin of Life Insurance Corporation of India significantly differs from those of private life insurance companies in India. However, there is no significant difference between public and private life insurance companies with reference to Incurred Claim Ratio, Combined Ratio and Investment Yield. This research can be used by insurance sectors to monitor the profitability position of their own as well as to take necessary measures to improve it.

Infrastructure  is  one  of  the  favorite  projects  of every  developed  and  developing  nation.  Construction industry  occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the  infrastructure development  of  a  country.  Cement  is  one  the  elementary material  components  in  the  construction industry.  Saudi Arabia  has  shown  a  weaker  performance  in  generation  of revenue over a period of five years from 2015 to 2019. In a situation  of  economic  slowdown  it  becomes  a  challenge  for the  business  concerns  to  maintain  their  profitability.  The present study  is  designed  to  analyze  and  compare  the profitability  position  of  cement  companies  in  the  kingdom of Saudi Arabia  during  this  period.  The  study  belongs  to top  five  cement  companies  in  terms  of  market  value  and revenue  generation  in  the  kingdom  of Saudi Arabia.  To measure the profitability gross profit ratio, operating ratio, operating  profit  ratio,  net  profit  ratio  and  return  on investment have been used as variables. One way anova has been used to test the hypotheses. The study shows that these companies  do  not  differ  significantly  from  one  another  in terms  of  gross  profit,  operating  profit  and  net  profit  but they  differ  significantly  when  return  on  investment  is compared.    Cement    companies    can    increase    their profitability  by  improving  the  components  of those ratios that have been the cause of decline in profitability.

A few year ago a VAT system was introduced whereby every next stage dealer used to get credit of the tax paid at earlier stage against his tax liability. This reduced an overall liability of many traders and also helped to reduce inflationary impact. Similar concept came in the duty on manufacture- The Central Excise Duty, much before it came for sales tax. The CENVAT credit scheme (earlier known as MODVAT) also allowed setting-off credit of excise duty paid at input against the liability of excise on removal of goods. To a great extent the cascading effect of taxes was resolved by these measure. However, there are still problems with these systems as the credit of VAT is not available against excise and vice versa. The GST is introduces to combat this problem among many others in India. There was a huge hue and cry against it implementation. Even now the concepts, structure and the rationale of implementation GST is not very obvious. This would, therefore, be interesting to understand the various pros and cons of its implementation. This paper is an attempt to find out the opportunities and challenges if any, after the implementation of GST in India.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the statistical significance of the impact of working capital management on profitability of the selected listed agriculture and food companies of Saudi Arabia. Besides, the research aims at finding out the relationship between the components of working capital management and the profitability of firms. A sample of three firms engaged in agriculture and food services listed in the stock exchange (Tadawul) is used for a period of 6 years (2009-2014) with a total observation of 18 firm years. Data were extracted from the annual reports and financial statements of the companies. Correlation and Regression Analysis (Ordinary Least Square) were used to draw conclusion of the study. Gross Operating Profit as dependent variable and Average Collection Period, Average Payment Period, Inventory Turnover in Days, Cash Conversion Cycle as independent variables were used. The regression analysis revealed that there is no significant impact of working capital management on profitability of the selected listed agriculture and food companies of Saudi Arabia.

The study focuses on statistical significance of the relationship of Selling & Marketing Expenses with profitability of all the listed Telecom companies in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a period of 4 years (2011-2014), with a total of 16 firm years. Multiple Correlation & Regression Analysis were used to test the effectiveness. Gross Operating Profitability (GOP) is used as dependent variable. Four independent variables were used. There is a positive correlation among all the independent variables i.e. the selling and marketing expense, dealers' commission, advertising expenses and salary, wages, employee benefits paid to the selling and marketing staff of these companies. There is no significant impact of Selling & Marketing Expenses on Gross Operating Profitability. However, other components of Selling and Marketing Expenses viz. dealers commission, advertising expenses, salary, wages and employees benefit expenses have significant effect on the profitability of the these firms.

Insurance sector was opened to publicize insurance product as a sign of investment. The Government of India decided to undertake structural changes in the insurance sector in 1993 and it took steps to open up this sector for private participation. As a result, on December 7, 1999 parliament passed the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act which initiated granting licences to private insurance companies. Since the opening up of the sector is now an established fact, the LIC of India has to review its working results for the growth of its business in a competitive environment. The present study is an attempt to examine the growth of LIC's business during recent years.

Many a people associate life insurance product with death and not as a tool of investment. Insurance sector was opened to publicise insurance product as a sign of investment. Around 1993, the Government of India decided to undertake structural changes in the insurance sector and took steps to open up this sector for private participation. Consequently, on December 7, 1999 parliament passed the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act which paved the way for granting licences to private sector insurance companies. After privatisation of the insurance sector more than twenty life insurance companies have entered the business. Therefore, monopoly of LIC of India has come to an end and the Corporation has to perform in a competitive environment. The present study is an attempt to examine the growth of LIC of India in the competitive scenario.

Insurnace and Banking are coexisting financial institution while complementing and supplementing each other. They can serve the economy in a very effective manner. Banking institutions have got the opportunities to enter the insurance business. Bancassurance is a strategy adopted by banks or insurance companies arming to operate in the financial market in a more or less integrated manner. It is inter-linkage of different financial services as well as distribution of these products. The present study is an attempt to appraise the pros and cons of bancassurance as a distribution channel of insurance products.

With the entry of new players in insurance sector, the competition has many increase manifold. The marketing scene continues to change at an unprecedented rate.  A life insurance company's success reflects the consolidated effort of all its activities particularly marketing, investments and administration. To tap the vast insurance market of India private insurance companies are concentrating on marketing the insurance products through various distribution channels. Of these distribution channels bancassurance is gaining importance in the growing global insurance industry. The present study is an attempt to examine the growth and prospects of bancassurance as a distribution channel of insurance products.

Most of the Asian countries with the exception of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan  have  a  low  insurance  penetration  as  compared  to  developed  countries. India  is  an  agricultural  country.  The  earnings  of  many  of  our  people  are  not enough for their livelihood. So they are unable to make investments in savings. They  give  priority  to  their  food,  medical  attention  and  education.  They  think  of savings for the future. The main aim of the most of the investors is to gain  tax relief. So many people lack knowledge of the necessity of insurance.  The Life Insurance Industry has come a long way since independence, and Indian  consumers  till  recently  had  been  dealing  with  only  one  life  insurance player-the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in the public sector.  After  the  liberalization  of  the  insurance  sector, more  than  a  dozen companies  have  entered  the  business.  This  study  attempts  to  assess  the awareness of insurance in Varanasi Division and the level of investment.

Due to the spread of the pandemic COVID-19 across the world since December 2019, every sector, field, and organization has faced a severe lockdown. The education sector that was following the traditional method of learning has been affected worst. The interaction between the instructor and learner was not possible in such a situation. Their learning process was completely stopped due to social distancing during the lockdown. However, the educational institutions running on the virtual model could continue to work and promote learning. Viewing the uninterrupted teaching-learning process of such institutions in this scenario, the traditional institution also tried to adopt the virtual learning mode. Apart from the advantages, numerous virtual (online) mode challenges hinder the effectiveness and learning outcomes. These obstacles of the virtual (online) mode of learning can be removed primarily when they are identified. So, the first and foremost objective to overcome these obstacles is to find them. This chapter attempts to elaborate on various facets of these challenges: technical, Economic, Security, Practical or Experimental, Assessment or Evaluation, etc.