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Title: Best Practices in Microcredit Governance: Lessons from Bangladesh

Abstract: The performance of two prominent microcredit providers—Grameen Bank and BRAC NGO—is examined in this paper, with particular attention paid to their different organizational structures and governance frameworks. As a borrower-owned cooperative, Grameen Bank promotes member involvement in decision-making, which, through group lending, encourages ownership and peer support but may also lead to social pressure. BRAC NGO, on the other hand, employs a centralized governance model and offers a thorough approach to micro credit that is in line with its larger social development initiatives. Although this strategy provides comprehensive assistance, it may not be as flexible to meet the needs of each borrower. Although borrower choices and economic conditions have an impact on their effectiveness, both groups aim to increase loan attachment and reduce poverty. While BRAC depends on a combination of donor money and revenue-generating operations, Grameen Bank places a higher priority on self-sufficiency. The impact and sustainability of microcredit systems might be improved by fusing the advantages of both models—BRAC's integrated approach and Grameen Bank's borrower ownership.

By Tahmina Akhter, Shanzida Hassan
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Study on Investment Pattern of Salaried Class People with Special Reference to Dehradun City

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.

By Pankaj Kumar, Subhash Chandra
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Artificial Intelligence and Employment Shifts in India’s E-Commerce Sector: A Sectoral Post-Covid Analysis

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.

By S.K.S. Yadav, Samreen Khan
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: An Analytical Study of Impact of Merger and Acquisition on the Financial Performance of Selected Indian Banks

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.

By Deepak Verma, Manoj Kumar Agarwal
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Islamic Banking in Bangladesh: A Case Study of FSIBL and Implications for Indian Islamic Banking Prospects and Societal Banking

Abstract: Islamic banking is reshaping Bangladesh’s financial landscape by offering a Sharia-compliant alternative to conventional banking, particularly through innovative community-driven micro-savings and micro-investment models. This qualitative study analyzes First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL), Bangladesh’s first full-fledged Islamic bank (est. 1999), to draw insights for India’s emerging Islamic banking sector. FSIBL’s success in applying profit-loss sharing (PLS) models—such as Mudarabah-based micro-savings pools converted into agricultural investments and Bai-mode financing for SMEs—alongside mobile banking-enabled societal banking initiatives, demonstrates how Islamic finance can bridge financial inclusion gaps in developing economies. The bank’s CSR-linked community investment programs, which transform small deposits into Waqf-funded local projects, offer a replicable template for India. However, recent governance lapses and liquidity crunches highlight systemic risks in scaling these models without robust safeguards. The study addresses two questions: (1) How does FSIBL’s integration of microfinance with Islamic principles validate its viability in emerging markets? (2) What lessons can India adopt to leverage societal banking wings for grassroots capital formation while avoiding governance pitfalls? Findings reveal that participatory micro-investment frameworks require three pillars: strong Sharia governance (e.g., community oversight committees), depositor protection mechanisms (e.g., taka ful-backed micro-savings), and adaptive asset-liability management (e.g., blockchain-tracked PLS ventures). By examining FSIBL’s journey, the paper proposes actionable strategies for India to harness Islamic banking’s dual social-commercial mandate, advocating for regulatory sandboxes to pilot community savings-to-investment chains and tax-neutrality for micro-investment products. The study concludes that India’s vast SHG networks and digital infrastructure position it to outperform Bangladesh’s model—if integrated with ethical resilience and operational transparency.

By Abu Sayed, Nabila Aktia Chowdhury
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Ethical AI Integration and the Future of Employee Rights at Work

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.

By Kanika Maheshwari
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1

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