Abstract: Countries participating in a regional trading arrangement (RTA) are typically heterogeneous, as evidenced by their variations in geographic size, population, gross national product (GNP), economic systems—reflected in the various types of commodities and services manufactured when traded — and the policy instruments employed through monetary, financial, and trade-related measures that affect national production and trade activities. The diverse attributes of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) members significantly impact their benefits from a Regional Trade Agreement (RTA). The South Asian nations within the SAFTA distinctly illustrate their intrinsic disparities while also highlighting an unsettling situation about the inequitable distribution of prospective benefits from through regional collaboration initiative. Although the members of SAFTA members have low-income and the nations are developing, among these —Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives, —are classified as least developed countries (LDCs) due to many significant challenges that impede their business expansion and development. Thus, the extent to which these issues may impact the SAFTA agreement and the measures India must implement is a crucial inquiry, which serves as the primary purpose of this article.
This research also considers the influence among the SAARC members. Analysis of data from several pertinent sources covering the period from 2016-17 to 2022-23 reveals that commerce among SAFTA members has not expanded as considerably as anticipated. The statistical analysis conducted validates the suspicions of numerous scholars, indicating that the SAFTA countries are not genuine trading partners; instead, they frequently compete by exporting identical product categories. Given that this context renders significant growth in mutual trade improbable, the paper finishes with views on enhancing India's regional commerce.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption across sectors, rapidly restructuring Indian e-commerce. AI is a critical enabler of operational efficiency-from planning supply chains to automating customer support. The study attempts to understand post-COVID transformations in AI-related employment trends in various e-commerce subsectors in India. While AI threatens entry-level, routine applications, it creates a demand for professional jobs further involving AI development, data science, and digital operations. The study, thus, employs mixed methods, using secondary data sets and qualitative case studies, to comprehend the sectoral landscape of AI impacts on employment. It attempts to understand the potentials and challenges of AI, drawing on assessment of its socio-economic impact so as to arrive at recommendations on reskilling policies and inclusive employment strategies.
Abstract: This study examines pawnbroking's impact on social entrepreneurship and its implications for social development. It posits that Pawnbroking aids vulnerable entrepreneurs, often excluded from formal credit, in accessing quick financial resources, thereby enhancing social entrepreneurship. Through a meta-analysis and literature review, including three case studies from Bangladesh, the findings indicate that, despite exploitative practices, pawnshops are vital for providing the impoverished with financial access and supporting social welfare. However, risks such as asset loss, debt cycles, and exploitation of desperate borrowers are also highlighted. The study emphasizes the need for regulatory oversight and more accessible financial systems that protect borrowers while maintaining accessibility. Overall, pawnbroking offers both advantages and challenges for local communities in Bangladesh, necessitating a balance between quick cash access and consumer protections to promote healthier community dynamics.
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: This study was aimed to identify the effect of social intelligence on the academic burnout among college students who were studying in different faculties (Science, Commerce, Arts). The data was collected from different colleges situated in Meerut city. A total 300 students studying different colleges under CCS University were participated. Burnout was measured by Copenhagen(2012)’s Burnout Scale while Social Intelligence by Chadda and Ganeshan (2009). Multiple Regression was used to find our predictors for the burnout among college students. Regression Analysis revealed that social intelligence was emerged as important predictor of burnout. Further T test also revealed significance difference between groups. It was found that female students were having more burnout problems as compare to male participants. Students’ social intelligence is a Type a perceiving ability to understand social cues and effectively navigate social situations. It is ability to cope with burnout or stressors and maintain balance between academic and personal life. In this paper the present study has social applied application Academic Achievement, Mental health and general wellbeing can all be affected by social intelligence. Thus the present study is to examine low social intelligence affects college’s student abilities to handle their burnout problems.
Abstract: Bangladesh is one of the most prominent developing country in the world, the RMG sector is one of the prime earning sources of Bangladesh. Now Bangladesh is listed one of the gigantic garment exporters of the world. The garment industry is around Eighty four percent of total exports zone of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh more than four million people are worked in this garments industry. Around eighty percent (that is, 3.2 million workers) of the garment workers are female in Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the female garments workers are victim of high prevalence of violence and injustice in the work place. The violence and injustice the female garments workers are faced are adversely affect their physical and mental state. This research paper discusses the complication of gender dimension, fitness, well being and protection matters and hurdle of female garment workers of Bangladesh. Here the author used regression analysis, chi-square test, pearson R test, independent T test in order to explain the factors affect safety issue of female garments workers and the injustice towards them.