Abstract: Investment patterns among salaried individuals are influenced by various factors, including income levels, financial awareness, risk appetite, and socio-economic conditions. This study aims to analyze the investment preferences of salaried professionals in Dehradun, focusing on their choice of financial instruments such as fixed deposits, mutual funds, stocks, insurance, and real estate. The research examines the factors affecting investment decisions, including risk tolerance, savings behavior, tax benefits, and long-term financial goals. A structured survey was conducted among salaried individuals from diverse professional backgrounds to gather primary data. The findings reveal a preference for low-risk investment options, with a significant inclination toward fixed deposits and insurance, while younger investors show a growing interest in mutual funds and equity markets. The study also highlights the role of financial literacy in shaping investment behavior. The insights from this research can help financial institutions, policymakers, and advisors tailor investment solutions that align with the financial goals of salaried individuals in Dehradun. Additionally, the study underscores the need for enhanced financial education programs to encourage informed investment decisions.
Abstract: This research paper compares pre-merger financial performance of selected public sector banks with that of post-merger financial performance. The financial performance is measured by nine different variables that are business per employee (BPE), profit per employee (PPE), net interest margin (NIM), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), CASA ratio, capital adequacy ratio (CAD), gross non-performing asset(GNPA) and earning per share (EPS). The research is purely based on data collected from annual reports of selected banks. This data is analyzed by using paired t-test and the two tailed significance value is taken for hypothesis testing. The study found a negative impact of merger on financial performance of State Bank of India. While the financial performance of Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India and Indian Bank more or less improved post-merger.
All the banks except SBI showed a better utilization of human resource as the business per employee is increased significantly. Only Union Bank of India showed improvement in profit per employee variable and return one quity. Net interest margin of four banks namely Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India improved post-merger. It is observed that overall funding cost benefits that are measured by CASA ratio is seen in State bank of India and Indian Bank. The capital adequacy ratio increased in case of Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India. No major benefit of merger is seen on gross NPA except in case of Canara Bank. Earnings per share of all six banks did not show any significant impact of merger.
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly central to both economic progress and modern business practices. While much public discussion has centered on the societal and ethical dimensions of AI—particularly in relation to data privacy and human rights—there has been comparatively less attention on how AI is transforming traditional workplace dynamics, especially in the area of occupational health and safety. Although concerns about human rights and gig economy conditions are well-documented, the potential implications of AI for day-to-day worker safety remain underexplored. This paper seeks to fill that gap by introducing a conceptual framework for an AI Work Health and Safety (WHS) Scorecard. This tool is designed to help identify and manage workplace risks linked to AI deployment. Drawing from a qualitative, practice-oriented research project involving organizations actively implementing AI, the study outlines a set of health and safety risks derived from aligning Australia’s AI Ethics Principles and Principles of Good Work Design with the AI Canvas—a tool traditionally used to evaluate AI’s commercial value. The study’s key innovation lies in a newly developed matrix that maps known and anticipated WHS and ethical risks across each stage of AI adoption, offering a structured approach to evaluating AI’s workplace impact.
Abstract: Previous studies explain lots of insights on hotel management in terms of service quality, challenges, issues, and problems faced in the inns. However, there is a gap in bridging the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of hotels common faces. This study addressed the gap by approaching the customer-centric viewpoint. The study looks to ascertain the strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) of the hotel management from a customer perspective and to find the connection among the hotel facilities and frequency of customer visits for staying. The results enlighten that there is significance between the hotel amenities, price affordability, and frequency of the visit of customers. Therefore, amenities consistently give guests a comfortable space to remain longer and foster a positive perception of the hotel. The research's results are restricted to the study region; they may vary over time and between regions. From a competitive perspective, service quality contributes to the hotels by increasing their strengths and opportunities and decreasing weaknesses and threats.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic, which began as a global health crisis, quickly escalated into a far-reaching economic disruption, significantly impacting industries across the world. The Indian sugar industry—one of the country’s most critical agro-based sectors—was no exception. As a key contributor to rural livelihoods, employment, and the national economy, the industry found itself grappling with unprecedented challenges across its entire value chain. The impact was observed from the very first stage of sugarcane cultivation, which faced labor shortages and transportation issues, to the subsequent phases of processing and manufacturing, which suffered from reduced mill capacities and supply chain constraints.
Ethanol production, a major revenue source through the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, experienced demand fluctuations tied to global oil market volatility. Moreover, marketing and export activities came to a near halt due to domestic lockdowns and international trade restrictions, resulting in inventory surpluses and financial stress across the sector. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted disruptions caused by the pandemic. It highlights the systemic vulnerabilities exposed during the crisis, the operational and financial challenges encountered by stakeholders—ranging from farmers to mill operators—and the mitigating measures undertaken by both the government and industry associations.
In addition, the research proposes a strategic recovery roadmap focused on diversification, supply chain resilience, policy adaptability, and long-term sustainability. By exploring these dimensions, the study aims to contribute to the development of a more robust and crisis-resilient Indian sugar industry in the post-pandemic era.
Abstract: Corruption is characterized as the exploitation of entrusted authority for personal advantage, often taking the form of illegal acts, deceit, or bribery, and is broadly regarded as harmful to economic progress. Although some research indicates that corruption might enhance certain economic activities, it is primarily perceived as a major obstacle to sustainable development on a global scale. The research question of this study is: What is the effect of corruption on GDP per capita in South Asian nations between 1995 and 2016? This investigation examines the link between corruption, as assessed by the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and GDP per capita in South Asia. By employing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model, the study seeks to analyze the impact of corruption on GDP per capita. The results reveal a significant negative association between corruption and GDP per capita, indicating that corruption hinders economic growth in the region. Therefore, it is crucial for the governments of these nations to adopt effective strategies to address corruption and foster sustainable economic development.