International Journal of Finance, Economics, and Management Studies
International Journal of Finance, Economics, and Management Studies (IJFEMS) is a scholarly platform that typically publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed research focused on the latest developments and emerging trends in the fields of finance, economics, and management. The journal aims to foster intellectual exchange among researchers, policymakers, and professionals in these disciplines, offering insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of the subjects. The main objective of IJFEMS is to offer a worldwide platform for the dissemination of new research in finance, economics, and management. The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and stimulating new research integrating these disciplines to solve both emerging issues and enduring problems of the global economic and business environment.
Study on Personal Budgeting Habits of Undergraduates and Postgraduates
Personal budgeting can be defined as an integral part of financial management, where individuals manage their income and expenses and try to make themselves financially stable. In the case of students, proper budgeting becomes an important activity that allows them to manage their finances and form appropriate financial behavior. The current study attempts to identify the financial habits of students and the determinants that affect their decision-making processes concerning finance. The aim of the study is to analyze the budgeting strategies, expenditure, saving tendencies, and difficulties associated with the financial activities of students. For this purpose, primary data collection was carried out with the help of a survey questionnaire distributed among 100 students. Both primary and secondary data sources have been used for the research. Analysis of the collected data has been performed through percentage analysis, tables, and graphs. These results demonstrate that a high number of students rely on assistance from their parents as a primary source of finance and allocate a substantial part of their money to buying food and spending on studies. Although most students use the fundamentals of budgeting and monitor their expenses, unforeseen expenses, impulse buying, and increasing living costs can influence students' inability to manage their budget efficiently. In addition, the importance of financial technologies and mobile applications for the budgeting behavior of the respondents is shown. In conclusion, personal budgeting is a powerful tool in improving financial management and financial discipline of students. It stresses the necessity of conducting financial literacy courses aimed at promoting the development of money management skills among students.
Effect of Inflation on Household Expenses
Rising prices impact product costs, limiting shopper buying capacity and personal economic stability. Personal finance research aims at assessing how inflation impacts household budgets and expenditure shifts alongside saving patterns among customers. Specific study goals measure economic pressure regarding expenses covering food, living shelter, transportation, health, or schooling. A Methodologic plan used descriptive analysis where facts were collected through secondary sources. Researchers collected secondary reports, providing qualitative data in-depth, and gathered primary feedback through polls with expert willingness to represent one hundred participants of differing wealth. Though published results show inflation at a low level was serious enough that households focused on essentials rather than non-essential leisure. In balancing limited monthly financial holdings, the middle-income class will be significantly affected by socioeconomics. Data observation leads academic study to boldly assert structural inflation alters homeowners' expenditure in laud ways, necessitating large optimization prior to civil suffering inflicting permanent damage further down national lines. Households need continuous support to keep up with their basic cost of living requirements since persistent waves of inflation stunt growth. And every economy needs stability in the long term for humanity to prosper. Currency price remains crucial given the disruptive way erratic markets shake up every day lived experience as a matter in October of 2023. It is managing your assets that provides the only line of defense against currency collapse across collapsing environments today. Clear governmental intervention offers the sole pathway forward, ensuring stability remains possible.
Beyond the Piggy Bank: An Analysis of Student Investment Behaviour
Digital investment platforms provide a way for people to access the financial markets like never before. Understanding how young adults particularly those in school invest is becoming increasingly important as more and more people use these tools to invest their money. Students used to save their money in simple ways, like putting coins into a piggy bank or depositing their savings into a bank account, but today they have access to a variety of different types of investments, including individual stocks, mutual funds, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs. This study takes a look at how students perceive, feel about, and participate in these types of investments. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used, including the use of surveys and semi-structured interviews with undergraduate and graduate students. This study looks at the different factors that play a role in students’ investment behaviours, including financial literacy, risk appetite, parental guidance, peer influence, and access to digital investments. The results of the research show an interesting disconnect between being aware of opportunities to invest and actually acting on these opportunities. Many students are aware of the different options that are available to them, but relatively few of them engage in any type of investment activity at all. The primary barriers faced by students when trying to invest include: not having enough money, worrying about losing money, and not having received practical financial education. Conversely, there are also a lesser number of students, who are primarily self-educating using online resources and investment groups, and who exhibit a greater level of financial literacy and sophistication with regards to their investments than the average student.
This research examines time management challenges unique to the service industry, where labour is the primary cost driver and efficiency directly impacts customer satisfaction. Drawing on five distinct case studies across healthcare, hospitality, IT services, call centres, and field services, this analysis identifies a common finding: effective time management depends less on individual employee discipline and more on systemic process design. In healthcare, unstructured digital work (e.g., patient messaging) was mitigated through dedicated scheduling slots, reducing physician burnout. Data-driven staffing software in hospitality was also a killer app, cutting idle time and expensive overtime by matching labour to demand. Ticket resolution time dropped by 62% for IT services: Centralized documentation and automation combine to erase information scavenger hunts. A searchable FAQ tool was built directly into a call centre's CRM, which freed it up from operational friction, allowing the business to reduce handle time by 19% while increasing satisfaction from 67% to 85%. Finally, a field services provider solved last-minute delays through minute-by-minute operational tracking and over $2.5 million in annual savings further added up. Across all cases, three strategic interventions emerged: structural (allocating time for invisible tasks), process (reducing wasted motion) and predictive (aligning labour with demand). The research concludes that service organizations seeking sustainable productivity gains must prioritize system-level friction reduction over individual time management training alone.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) Compliance
BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) and Its Effect on Debt Perception & Saving Habits of Gen Z Students in India
The rapid proliferation of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services across India's digital financial landscape has fundamentally altered consumption patterns among younger demographics. This study investigates how BNPL adoption shapes debt perception and saving behaviour among Generation Z (Gen Z) students in India, a cohort whose financial attitudes are simultaneously malleable and consequential for national economic health. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional research design, primary data were collected from 86 fully complete responses filtered from 109 total submissions via a structured questionnaire administered through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence and reliability analysis (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77) were conducted to identify trends from a total of 25 survey items, including demographic profiling data along with BNPL usage behaviour, debt consciousness, as well as saving discipline over the 25 questions surveyed. The key findings show that 79.1% of the respondents are aware of BNPL services; there is a significant association between their frequency use for BNPL and erratic savings habits(Hypothesis III) (χ² = 21.39, p=0.011); level concern with debt being an important predictor to debt perception as such information appear in correspondence results (Hypothesis II)(χ² =25-06,p<001). The average Likert score on impulsive buying tendency is 3.77/5, indicating a significant degree of susceptibility to unplanned purchases, with an ease drawn by BNPL. The study presents essential findings from a comparatively neglected but digitally ubiquitous consumer group, and guides policymakers as well as fintech creators towards actionable insights.
Awareness of Digital Payment Apps among Students
The rapid proliferation of smartphones and internet connectivity has dramatically reshaped the financial behaviour of young consumers, particularly university students. The purpose of this research is to study the awareness level, usage behaviour and perception regarding digital payment applications among students studying in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management and technical institutions. The online survey of 100 student respondents conducted via a structured questionnaire captures perceptions about some of the most popular electronic wallets, including PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm and Amazon Pay. In this study, the analysis used in interpreting both descriptive and inferential findings includes percentage analysis using a five-point Likert scale and Chi-Square tests. Results show an astonishing awareness rate of 90+ % for major PPP (payment platforming apps). Real everyday use, however, is much lower than that, a clear reflection of the adoption gap on cyber issues/network reliability/or lack of financial literacy in digital terms. The study also reveals that course of study and nature of academic programme are the major determinants of app preference, whereas gender does not have a statistically significant relationship with frequency. Again, for adoption, there was more response on cashbacks and peer influence as motivational factors; the most frequent deterrents were security anxiety and poor connectivity. The study finds that despite widespread access, students lack motivation to use digital payment options continuously and argues that targeted learning programs with tighter consumer-protection rules are needed for the two factors awareness and consistent usage –to meet. This study adds to the literature on fintech adoption in emerging economies, particularly through a lens of Indian higher education.
The Role of Social Media in Promoting Sustainability
Since its inception, social media has fundamentally changed the way that organisations, governments and individuals communicate with one another and perceive environmentally sustainable practices. This paper explores how various platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok influence awareness of sustainability among consumers and help to drive their buying decisions. The analysis will be based on secondary data, a review of the literature, and a survey of 200 individuals from diverse backgrounds within India. The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which social media can be considered a credible, effective and scalable medium for the purpose of promoting sustainability. The results show that social media has a major impact on increasing public interest in sustainability, primarily for 18- to 35-year-olds. Environmental messages perform best on sites where short-form video content can be found, like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The paper also points out that LinkedIn and Twitter are important channels for companies disclosing their sustainability practices to their stakeholders. The research highlights concerns with 'greenwashing' deceptive sustainability claims and how social media can support, as well as help stop, companies from using this form of deception. Strategic recommendations for companies to utilise social media as a way to create an environmentally conscious culture and develop authentic sustainability communications will be provided. These recommendations will add value to the body of knowledge that exists at the intersection of Digital Marketing and Environmental Management.
Beyond Oil Prices: Import Dependency and Macroeconomic Fundamentals as Drivers of Exchange Rate Stability in Indonesia
Exchange rate stability is a key pillar of macroeconomic resilience in emerging economies, particularly those with growing dependence on imported energy. Despite extensive research on the relationship between energy and exchange rates, previous studies have predominantly emphasized oil price shocks while paying limited attention to the structural vulnerability arising from energy import dependence. This paper fills these gaps by analyzing the EIDR effect on the rupiah exchange rate in Indonesia during 1996–2023, with economic growth, trade openness, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) included in the model. The data were annual, collected from the World Development Indicators (World Bank), and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) by means of a series of classical diagnostic tests. The findings demonstrate that exchange rate dynamics in Indonesia are predominantly influenced by domestic economic fundamentals and the systemic reliance of the Indonesian economy on imported energy. Higher EIDR gives a positive and statistically significant influence on the Rupiah exchange rate, meaning stronger depreciation pressures will occur as foreign currency demand increases for energy imports, intermediate goods and capital goods. Conversely, the appreciation of exchange rates is primarily driven by economic growth and trade openness through better external balances that give rise to greater foreign currency receipts. We also find that FDI has no direct statistically significant impact, implying the importance of indirect effects through improved productive capacity and competitiveness in a long-memory context, as this type of capital flow is not necessarily an immediate foreign exchange inflow. These findings emphasize that attracting foreign investment is not sufficient to stabilize exchange rates. Policies should focus on lowering reliance on imported energy, speeding up the growth of industrial downstreams and high-value-added manufactured export ventures while enhancing domestic-industry-FDI linkages. This paper makes a contribution to the literature by introducing the Energy Import Dependency Ratio as a structural forms of external vulnerability that give more explanation of the dynamics of the exchange rate by using a conventional oil price channel appropriate for energy-importing emerging economies.
Scale Inefficiency in Village Fund Utilization: Evidence from Data Envelopment Analysis and Benchmarking across Papua and Maluku, Indonesia
This data, despite not yet being a full-fledged led type of development, has succeeded in proving that even with massive Village Fund transfers, welfare improvement is still inequitable across Indonesian regions like Papua as well as Maluku, which indicates the ineffectiveness of local governments in transforming fiscal resources into real socio-economic outcomes. Using an output-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) (VRS), the present study investigates the efficiency of Village Fund usage in improving welfare and reducing poverty simultaneously among 61 regencies and cities located within Papua and Maluku during 2020–2022. The independent variable (Village Fund) is treated as input, and the outputs are defined as the proportion of non-poor Population; inverse Poverty Gap Index; and inverse Poverty Severity Index. Results show that most of the local governments registered a relatively high level of DMU VRSTE, indicating suitable managerial performance. Nevertheless, weaker CRSTE and SE scores indicate that inefficiency is mostly linked to imperfect operational scale rather than technical proficiency. Findings: In 2020, only 4 of the 61 DMUs (6.56%) were fully efficient, while this number rose to 8 DMUs by using VRS in only one year (2021), and decreased to 5 DMUs (8.20%) again through the years, as seen within VRS model output between two other years with similar efficiency scores, with a Q3=5; Table 2. Over the observation period, there were eight regencies/cities that were able to achieve the efficiency frontier: Ambon City, Jayapura City, North Halmahera Regency, South Halmahera Regency, Morotai Island Regency (Morotai), Taliabu Island Regency, Tidore Islands City, and Sula Islands Regency. Out of these regions, Ambon City has a position as the main benchmark in 2020 and 2022, and North Halmahera Regency and Taliabu Islands Regency served primarily as the main benchmark in which years. These results suggest that better performance with the Village Fund has two components: not only do regions need adequately sized fiscal transfers, but they also have to wisely use funds and strengthen the mechanisms for inter-regional learning and emulate efficient practices from other regions. This study contributes to the literature on fiscal decentralization by demonstrating that operational scale is a more dominant source of inefficiency than managerial capacity in underdeveloped regions. Furthermore, the DEA benchmarking framework provides practical guidance for local governments that are not yet efficient in formulating improvement strategies based on the characteristics of comparison regions with better performance. However, since DEA measures relative efficiency based on an observed sample and does not explicitly incorporate factors such as governance quality, institutional capacity, or the composition of Village Fund usage, future research is recommended to integrate governance variables and a dynamic DEA approach to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the efficiency of Village Fund management.
Determinants of Private Commercial Banks’ Lending in Ethiopia
Choosing seven senior private commercial banks using judgmental sampling, this study used an explanatory research approach to examine the factors affecting private commercial banks' lending in Ethiopia. Using bank-specific and macroeconomic indicators based on audited financial statements; microeconometric analysis & secondary panel data from National Bank of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance for the period 2008–2022. Statistical methodsIn the current study, data were analyzed by utilizing both descriptive statistics and a fixed-effect panel multiple linear regression model with STATA 16. The results indicate that bank size, deposit volume positively influenced private commercial banks' lending while cash reserve requirement, lending interest rate and management efficiency as well as inflation had negative statistically significant effects. On the other hand, lending had negative and statistically weak association with liquidity ratio and GDP respectively. These findings lead the study to advise Ethiopian private commercial banks to prioritize asset size growth and more effective deposit mobilizing techniques. Moreover, when extending loans, they ought to handle liquidity and lending activities by thoughtfully weighing internal variables, present economic circumstances, the larger macroeconomic environment, legal actions, and their intended clients.
The Effect of Local Original Revenue, General Allocation Funds and Special Allocation Funds on Economic Growth and Capital Expenditure as Intervening Variables in Central Kalimantan Province
This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of local original revenue, general allocation funds, and special allocation funds on economic growth and capital expenditure as intervening variables in Central Kalimantan Province 2019–2024. This study uses a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods. The population consists of 14 districts/cities and a sample of 84 (14 districts/cities x 6 years). The data used are secondary data from library research techniques, and hypothesis testing uses path analysis techniques. The data is processed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) application. The results of this study indicate that local revenue, general allocation funds, and special allocation funds have a positive and significant effect on economic growth in Central Kalimantan. The implementation of sharia principles in the management of DAU will not only support economic growth, but also the welfare of society as a whole. Collaborative efforts between the government, society, and the private sector are needed to achieve this goal.
A Study on the Impact of Insurance Awareness on Buying Behaviour among the General Public in Arunthavapulam, Nagapattinam District
Insurance plays a vital role in financial planning and risk management, yet its penetration remains low in many developing economies, including India. This study examines the relationship between insurance awareness and buying behavior among the general public, with a focus on understanding how knowledge, perception, and access to information influence insurance purchase decisions. The study explores key dimensions of insurance awareness, such as policy types, premium structures, claim processes, and regulatory frameworks, and investigates how different levels of awareness influence consumer intent, product selection, and purchase frequency.
Driving Consumer Action through Fear: A Regional Analysis of Television Commercials
This study investigates the effectiveness of fear appeal in television advertisements and its impact on consumer purchase intention. The research examines two advertisements, HDFC Life Insurance (AD 1) and Sensodyne India (AD 2) to analyze how fear-based messaging influences consumer behavior. The independent variables include Perceived Severity, Perceived Vulnerability, Fear Arousal, and Ad Valence, while the dependent variable is Purchase Intention. A descriptive and cross-sectional survey design was adopted, with primary data collected from 150 respondents using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Statistical tools, including Reliability Analysis (Cronbach’s Alpha), Pearson Correlation Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression, and Chi-Square Test were employed using IBM SPSS. The findings reveal that all fear appeal elements are significantly positively correlated with purchase intention for both advertisements. For AD 1, Perceived Severity (r = .389) was the dominant predictor, whereas for AD 2, Ad Valence (r = .433) and Fear Arousal emerged as the strongest predictors. The regression model explains 17.6% of the variance for HDFC (R² = .176) and 24.6% for Sensodyne (R² = .246). These findings highlight that fear appeal strategies must be tailored according to product category for maximum effectiveness.
A Study on Workplace Stress and Productivity among BPO Employees in Chennai Region
Workplace stress has become a major challenge in the modern Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry due to heavy workload, long working hours, strict deadlines, and pressure to achieve organizational targets. This study examines the impact of workplace stress on employee productivity among BPO employees in the Chennai region. The study aims to identify the major causes of stress, analyze how stress affects employee performance, and evaluate the effectiveness of stress management practices adopted by employees and organizations. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected from 150 BPO employees through a structured questionnaire using a convenience sampling technique. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean score analysis, correlation analysis, chi-square test, and regression analysis were applied for the interpretation of data. The findings reveal that workload, long working hours, and lack of managerial support are the major factors causing workplace stress. The study also found that increased stress negatively affects employee productivity, concentration, motivation, and work efficiency. The research concludes that effective stress management practices, supportive management policies, flexible working conditions, and employee wellness programs can significantly improve employee productivity and organizational performance.
A Study on Sports Person’s Buying Behaviour Towards Sportswear and Accessories in Nagapattinam Region
This study examines the buying behaviour of sports persons towards sportswear and accessories. The objective is to identify the factors influencing purchase decisions, including brand awareness, product quality, price, comfort, and advertisements. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from sports persons. Statistical tools such as Percentage Analysis, Chi-Square Test, Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, and One-Way ANOVA were used for data analysis. The findings reveal that product quality, comfort, and brand image significantly influence purchasing decisions. The study concludes that sports persons prefer sportswear and accessories that provide better performance, durability, and comfort. The findings offer useful insights for sportswear manufacturers and marketers.
A Study on the Impact of Online Ratings and Reviews on Consumer Buying Decisions in Karaikal Region
The rapid expansion of the digital marketplace has significantly transformed traditional consumer decision-making processes, reducing dependence on physical product evaluation and increasing reliance on electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). This empirical study examines the influence of online ratings and reviews on consumer buying decisions across product- and service-based e-commerce platforms. Primary data were collected through purposive sampling from 150 active online shoppers in Karaikal using a structured questionnaire designed to analyze the relationship between customer feedback indicators and purchasing behavior. To ensure statistical validity, analytical tools such as the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to examine the association between online review factors and consumer purchase decisions, as well as variations across different educational groups. The findings indicate that online ratings and reviews play a substantial role in shaping consumer purchase behavior and influence decision-making patterns across diverse consumer segments. The study concludes with practical managerial implications for enhancing digital marketplace strategies and highlights emerging dimensions that can support future research in online consumer behavior.
A Study on Customer Perception Towards Gold Loan Service at Nagore
This study examines customers’ perceptions of gold loan services offered by banks and non-banking financial institutions. Gold loans have become one of the most preferred financial services due to their quick processing, easy accessibility, minimal documentation, and immediate financial support. The main objective of this study is to analyse customer satisfaction and the factors influencing customers’ preferences for gold loan services. The study also focuses on important aspects such as interest rates, loan processing time, repayment facilities, safety of pledged gold, service quality, and trust towards financial institutions. The research is based on primary data collected through structured questionnaires from customers who use gold loan services, and secondary data from journals, websites, articles, and financial reports. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean score analysis, chi-square analysis, correlation, and one-way ANOVA are used to analyse and interpret the collected data. The study is expected to reveal that factors such as quick loan approval, gold security, efficient customer service, and flexible repayment options significantly influence customers’ perceptions and satisfaction with gold loan services. The study concludes that maintaining transparency, reasonable interest rates, and quality service are essential for improving customer satisfaction and building long-term trust in gold loan services.
Non-Banking Financial Institutions (Nbfcs)
A Study on Online Review Authenticity and its Impact on Consumer Purchase Decisions in Nagapattinam District
This study examines the role of online review authenticity and its direct impact on consumer purchase decisions within emerging e-commerce frameworks in Nagapattinam District. Relying on a primary data pool of 149 valid respondents, primarily comprised of consumers aged 18–25 (91.9%) and dominated by female users (79.2%), the research focuses heavily on platforms like Meesho (55.0%), Amazon (18.8%), and Flipkart (19.5%). Advanced statistical tools, including descriptive percentage metrics, Spearman's Rho Correlation, Simple Linear Regression, and Pearson's Chi-Square tests via SPSS, were applied for data analysis. ​The empirical findings reveal that verified purchase badges strongly reinforce user trust and directly give confidence in active product usage. However, the Chi-Square test indicates no significant structural association between filtering reviews using verified badges and experiencing product returns due to misleading feedback (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the regression model highlights that text-based verified reviews alone are insufficient, indicating that a vast majority of the variance in consumer confidence depends on multimedia elements like uploaded buyer photos and videos. The paper highlights strategic implications for digital storefronts to enhance validation mechanisms.
A Study on Personal Financial Planning Behaviour for Salaried Employees
Financial planning plays an important role in improving the financial stability and future security of individuals. This study aims to analyze the financial planning behaviour and investment decisions of employees. The study mainly focuses on savings habits, budgeting practices, investment preferences, insurance awareness, and long-term financial goals among employees. Primary data was collected from 130 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, ANOVA, chi-square, and regression analysis were used for data interpretation. The findings of the study reveal that most respondents maintain monthly budgets, prefer long-term investments, and believe that financial planning helps in managing future expenses and improving financial stability. The study concludes that proper financial planning and financial awareness encourage better saving and investment practices among employees.
Bipolar Economy: Diverging Economic Trajectories between Privileged and Working Classes
The contemporary global economy exhibits characteristics of a "bipolar economy," marked by two increasingly divergent economic systems operating simultaneously within advanced and developing nations. This study examines how privileged households benefiting from capital ownership, asset appreciation, and financialization have experienced sustained wealth accumulation over the past fifty years, while working- and middle-class households have faced wage stagnation, declining purchasing power, and escalating costs of living. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative trend analysis of longitudinal economic data with qualitative synthesis of scholarly literature, this research analyzes wealth distribution statistics, wage trends, productivity metrics, and cost-of-living indices from OECD countries and emerging economies spanning 1980-2023. Data sources include the World Inequality Database, OECD statistical databases, national labor statistics, and Federal Reserve surveys. Through comparative analysis and correlation studies, this research demonstrates that aggregate economic indicators such as GDP growth and stock market expansion obscure the lived economic realities of wage-dependent populations. The findings reveal that productivity gains have systematically decoupled from wage growth, creating structural economic precarity for working-class households despite overall economic expansion. This bifurcation has been accelerated by financialization, labor market restructuring, declining unionization, automation, and regressive tax policies. The study concludes that contemporary economies increasingly function as dual systems where asset-owning classes benefit from capital appreciation and passive income generation, while wage-dependent populations experience reduced social mobility, debt dependence, and rising economic insecurity.
A Study on How Social Media Makes the Recruitment Process Easy and Effective in Trichy District
This paper examines how social media platforms simplify and enhance employee recruitment. Networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram enable organizations to reach a large pool of applicants both active and passive job seekers within a short time frame. By facilitating rapid communication and streamlined application processes, social media reduces recruitment costs and time. Moreover, it supports employer branding and assists organizations in identifying qualified candidates, thereby making the recruitment process more efficient and effective.
Purchasing Behavior of Generation Z Consumers: An Empirical Study in Nagapattinam District
Generation Z has emerged as a significant consumer segment with unique purchasing behavior influenced by digital exposure and evolving lifestyle patterns. This study aims to analyze the purchasing behavior of Generation Z consumers in Nagapattinam District and identify the key factors influencing their buying decisions. The study also examines the role of digital platforms, promotional activities, and brand-related factors in shaping consumer behavior. A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 200 respondents using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, correlation, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings reveal that most respondents exhibit moderate purchasing behavior and are highly influenced by digital platforms, social media, and promotional activities. Factors such as price, product quality, and brand reputation also significantly impact purchase decisions. The study concludes that digital influence and promotional strategies are the key drivers of Gen Z purchasing behavior. The study provides valuable insights for marketers to design effective, digital-focused strategies to attract and retain Generation Z consumers.
Risk Premia and Credit Pricing For Female Borrowers in Informal Financial
This research focuses on exploring gender differences regarding credit pricing and risk evaluation in informal finance markets, where women represent potential customers. The analysis will draw upon both an overview of the literature available on the topic as well as an extensive survey of primary sources. Lenders tend to apply social criteria such as reputation, norms, and household characteristics instead of financial indicators when evaluating their clients' riskiness. As a result, there is a notable gap between perceived and real riskiness: although women prove to be relatively more reliable as debtors, they have to pay higher interest rates and meet more stringent terms. This can be attributed to such factors as occupational stereotypes, volatility in incomes, and lack of bargaining power resulting in a substantial risk premium. Hidden transaction costs also increase women's cost of obtaining credits as they include obligatory savings, mandatory group membership, and additional conditions not directly related to the monetary aspect.
Trade Integration and Economic Growth in ECOWAS: Evidence from Disaggregated Trade and Dynamic Causality Analysis
The relationship between trade integration and economic growth has been a central yet unresolved issue in development economics, especially in regional blocks in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the growth of regional trade agreements on the continent, there is little research on causal relationships between trade integration and growth in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This study fills this gap by investigating the causal-effect relationship between trade integration and economic growth in ECOWAS between 1995 and 2022. In particular, the paper identifies the difference between intra-regional and extra-regional trade in order to give a detailed perspective of the integration impacts. The paper uses time series and panel econometric analysis, such as the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and Wald coefficient test, to measure both short-term and long-term causal relationships. Empirical findings show that there is short-run causality that is one-directional (trade integration to economic growth), but no bidirectional causality in the long run between the aggregate variables. Nevertheless, in disaggregated form, both intra- and extra-regional trade have a strong long-run effect on economic growth, and there is no reverse causation. The results indicate that the growth-increasing impacts of trade integration in ECOWAS are mostly short-term motivated and conditional on the joint form of the trade flows. The paper concludes that regional integration in itself will not be able to support any substantial growth in the long-term unless accompanied by structural and institutional reforms. It therefore proposes policies that would enhance intra-regional trade, cut non-tariff barriers and enhance the quality of institutions. This paper contributes to the literature as it provides a detailed picture of the trade-growth nexus in ECOWAS by combining disaggregated trade measures with dynamic causal analysis.
Inflation and Consumer Demand Reallocation: Evidence from Retail Equity Performance in Metropolitan Houston
This study examines how inflation influences consumer purchasing behavior and the financial performance of retail firms within a large metropolitan economy. The analysis focuses on the Houston metropolitan market. It investigates whether rising prices alter the composition of demand between goods typically associated with higher-income consumption and goods that become relatively more attractive when household purchasing power declines. The research combines macroeconomic indicators, retail sales information, and stock market data covering the period from 2000 to 2025. An econometric framework is employed to evaluate the relationship between inflation, changes in consumer demand patterns, and the stock returns of retail firms. The empirical results indicate that periods of rising prices are associated with noticeable adjustments in household spending behavior. As purchasing power weakens, consumers shift a larger share of expenditures toward more affordable goods. Retail firms in these segments tend to experience stronger equity performance than those that depend more on discretionary spending. The findings highlight the importance of demand composition in explaining retail market outcomes during inflationary periods and provide insight for investors, policymakers, and researchers interested in the interaction between consumer behavior and financial markets.
Digital Transformation in SMEs: A Comparative Study of Developing and Developed Economies
Digital transformation has become a critical driver of competitiveness, productivity, and resilience for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, the extent and impact of digital transformation vary significantly between developing and developed economies due to differences in infrastructure, skills, institutional support, and resource availability. The purpose of this study is to comparatively examine the drivers, adoption levels, challenges, and performance outcomes of digital transformation in SMEs operating in developing and developed economies. The study adopts a comparative research design using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through structured surveys administered to SMEs in selected developing and developed countries, while qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews with SME owners and managers. Statistical techniques, including descriptive analysis and regression modeling, were used to assess the relationship between digital transformation initiatives and firm performance. The findings reveal that SMEs in developed economies demonstrate higher levels of digital adoption, supported by advanced digital infrastructure, skilled labor, and stronger institutional frameworks. In contrast, SMEs in developing economies face significant barriers such as limited financial resources, inadequate digital skills, and weak technological ecosystems. Despite these challenges, digital transformation positively influences operational efficiency, market reach, and innovation in SMEs across both contexts. The study concludes that while digital transformation offers substantial benefits for SMEs regardless of economic context, targeted policy interventions, capacity-building initiatives, and affordable digital solutions are essential to bridge the digital divide and enhance SME competitiveness, particularly in developing economies.
Barriers to Technology Adoption Among Small and Medium Enterprises
This study examines the major barriers to technology adoption among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), focusing on financial, human, organizational, and infrastructural challenges that limit digital transformation. The goal of this research is to characterize and study the factors that prevent SMEs from adopting new technologies, and to evaluate how some of these barriers have an impact on their competitiveness and performance. A mixed-methods method is used, utilizing existing literature to form an argument supplemented by data collected from SME owners and managers using a survey, which is investigated in terms of description and themes. The results indicate that high implementation costs, lack of access to finance, insufficient technical capabilities, organizations’ resistance to change, poor infrastructure, and worry about data security are the major barriers to the adoption of technology. This research suggests that to support technology use and ensure the long-term growth of SMEs in an increasingly digital business space, addressing these challenges through supportive funded government policies, raising funding accessibility, capacity building on SME training, and improving digital infrastructure is paramount.
Factors Influencing Consumer Adoption of Digital Payment Systems: Exploring Demographic, Psychological, and Sustainability Dimensions
The financial landscape has been significantly altered by rapid advances in digital technology, with digital payment systems emerging as essential facilitators of financial transactions in modern economies. This research examines factors influencing customers' use of digital payment options, focusing on demographic, psychological, and sustainability characteristics. The study was quantitative, and the data were collected from 384 respondents using a standardized questionnaire design. The demographic characteristic indicated fairness across age, sex, and educational level. The relationships between the variables are evaluated with statistical techniques such as hypothesis testing and factor analysis. The findings show that invaluable customer, innovation, concern forthe environment, and sustainable business practices have a positive and significant influence on the acceptance of e-payment. Despite a negative correlation with perceived danger, the difference was not statistically significant. The research highlights the increasing importance of technological transparency and environmental consciousness in influencing customer choices. Implications of these findings apply to policymakers, Fintechs, and sustainability proponents in promoting digital payment adoption and fostering responsible consumption.
Driving Sustainable Growth: Exploring The Nexus Between Financial Innovation And Banking Sector Profitability In Nigeria
This paper investigates the effect of financial innovation on the profitability of the banking sector in Nigeria, with the new focus on the most popular mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technologies. It uses the data of 26 commercial banks available from the period of 2009 to 2024 to compare the profitability of them using return on assets ROA as the main measure. The data comes from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN which contains digital innovations such as Web Pay, Mobile Pay, NIP, NEFT, Remita, and Central Pay. The results show that mobile banking and blockchain technologies have a more significant positive effect on profitability than the impact of digital payments which is different. The study urges strengthening mobile platforms, replacing the existing digital infrastructure with the new one, and implementing blockchain technologies.
Quantum Economics: Reframing Value, Scarcity, and Exchange in the Digital Age
This paper introduces Quantum economics as a post-classical economic paradigm capable of explaining value formation, exchange dynamics, and behavioural change in digital environments. Traditional economic assumptions inherited from classical and neoclassical frameworks fail to capture the dynamics of twenty-first-century markets, which are dominated by intangible assets, algorithmic trading, platform monopolies, and network-driven value creation. Drawing on principles from quantum theory including uncertainty, entanglement, superposition, relational statehood, and wave-function collapse this paper develops a conceptual and empirical model of economic reality that treats value probabilistically, contextualises identity, and recognises relational dependencies. The digital economy exemplifies structural uncertainty, non-linear cascading dynamics, network amplification, and valuation processes governed by expectations rather than intrinsic scarcity. By synthesising evidence from high-frequency finance, cryptocurrency valuation, data markets, and behavioural psychology, this article demonstrates that economic systems in the digital age operate as quantum information systems rather than classical mechanical systems. Comparative tables are developed to contrast classical and quantum economic assumptions and to map digital market phenomena to quantum concepts. The paper concludes by outlining a research programme integrating complexity theory, network mathematics, and behavioural macroeconomics, proposing Quantum Economics as a foundational paradigm for twenty-first-century economic science