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Returns on informal and formal finance for Indian informal firms: A pseudo panel data analysis
No full textThe study investigates the differential impact of various sources of finance on informal firm performance. In the informal sector, where access to finance is limited, we investigate how productivity varies with different sources of finance. Given the data limitations, a pseudo-panel data design was used by combining the three only available, independent cross-sectional surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Office between 1999 and 2000 and 2015–16. Using formal and informal credit as two different sources of finance and total factor productivity (TFP) as the primary measure of firm performance, we find a positive relationship among them across all major industries; however, the impact of formal finance was higher than informal credit. Our results stand robust against alternative performance measures. Additionally, to address endogeneity concerns, dynamic panel data analysis was adopted. Obtained findings convey essential policy implications for intensification of financial inclusion and financial literacy
Tales of nation-building and heritage preservation in Singapore: roles of public and private heritage museums
No full textMulti-ethnic states in the Global South, that emerged from the shadows of colonialism, encountered several challenges during the course of nation-building. Amongst these, Singapore channelised her nation-building efforts by focussing on economic development and modernisation. It was only in the early 80s, that the state actively initiated efforts for preserving heritage. The present analyses showcases Singapore’s striving with heritagisation – museological initiatives that not only helped foster a sense of collective identity for Singaporeans but also contributed towards bolstering the nation-state’s claim for a distinctive regional identity
Evaluating Agricultural Labour Data Challenges : situation assessment survey data vs cost of cultivation of principal crops data
No full textMost national surveys, such as the NSS Employment-Unemployment Surveys and the Periodic Labour Force Surveys, discuss data on workers in agriculture. However, given the limited supply of land and a surplus of labour looking for opportunities to find work, it is critical to study labour use and labour costs in agriculture. Labour absorption or labour use is measured in terms of labour time. There are limited studies on labour use in agriculture, and the two major sources of large-scale national data on this issue are the Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) conducted by the National Statistical Office and the data collected under the Comprehensive Scheme for Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops (CCPC) by the Ministry of Agriculture. These two datasets provide valuable insights into labour use and labour expenditure statistics, though each has certain limitations. Taking a different approach, this paper focuses on examining the challenges and methodological issues in using these datasets to understand labour use and expenditure patterns in farming rather than presenting these estimates of labour use. Two primary issues are identified using SAS data: the absence of data on the number of labour days used in agriculture and the lack of detailed data on crop-wise expenditure on labour. However, the SAS data does give us an aggregate measure of labour expenditure (or costs) in crop cultivation. This aggregate measure is missing from the CCPC surveys, which collect detailed information on cost and labour days in agriculture, but the data are released crop-wise. Consequently, we have a situation where the SAS data provides an aggregate picture of expenditure on labour in crop cultivation, whereas the CCPC data gives us this information cropwise. This paper shows that the expenditure on labour so estimated using the SAS grossly underestimates labour costs in agriculture compared to the CCPC data and, thus, underestimates the total costs incurred in crop cultivation. This paper highlights the necessity of improving data collection methods to obtain a more accurate and detailed understanding of labour use and expenditure in agriculture, which is critical for formulating policies for the agricultural sector
Exploring relationship between digital dexterity, supply chain quality management, agility and performance – Empirical evidence from Indian B2B manufacturers
No full textThe advent of cutting-edge digitalization has introduced a range of organizational capabilities that have been proposed to assist business-to-business (B2B) manufacturers in attaining a strategic advantage within the intensely competitive global landscape. Nevertheless, the process of digitization poses multiple roadblocks in its execution, leading to a sense of scepticism among manufacturers in the B2B sector about its adoption for the purpose of enhancing their quality management and agility across the supply chain. The current research is a pioneering effort in examining the interplay between digital dexterity (DigDex), supply chain quality management (SCQM), supply chain agility (SCAG), and supply chain performance (SCP) within the distinctive sphere of B2B manufacturing. In order to gain a deeper comprehension of the efficacy of the interplay between various functional capabilities, this study investigates the effectiveness of regulatory governance in providing assistance to B2B manufacturers. This examination is conducted through empirical analysis utilizing data collected from a sample of 291 B2B manufacturers based in India. The research advances the understanding of the mechanisms by which DigDex, SCQM, and SCAG interact for bettering SCP. Practically, these findings guide practitioners to optimize digital capabilities judiciously, tailoring regulatory governance approaches for comprehensive supply chain enhancement in the dynamic B2B manufacturing landscap
Hate Speech Detection Research in South Asian Languages: a survey of tasks, datasets and methods
No full textSocial media has over the years emerged as a powerful platform for communicating and sharing views, thoughts, and opinions. However, at the same time it is being abused by certain individuals to spread hate against individuals, communities, religions, and so on. Such content can lead to serious issues of mental health, online well-being, and social order. Therefore, it is very important to have automated methods and approaches for detecting such content from the large volume of posts in social media. Recently there has been several efforts to develop computational approaches toward this end, however, most of these efforts are directed toward content in English language. Only recently studies have started focusing on low resource languages, including those from South Asia. This article attempts to present a detailed and comprehensive survey of hate speech related research in South Asian languages. The various definitions and terms related to Hate speech in different social media platforms are discussed first. The different tasks in the hate speech research, available datasets, and the popular computational approaches used in the South-Asian languages are surveyed in detail. Major patterns identified and the practical implications are presented and discussed, along with a discussion of challenges and opportunities of further research in the are
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in the Indo-Pacific Region
No full textThe Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative was launched in late 2019 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It proposes cooperation across seven maritime sectoral pillars – Ecology, Security, Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disasters, Technology, and Trade Connectivity. The proposal was well received despite the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific, and numerous, and often divergent, interests of regional countries.
This book considers an integrated framework to unify the seven pillars and opportunities for implementation across each pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. It makes specific recommendations under each pillar and identifies key drivers and mechanisms for integration. It is a novel outcome of an Australia-India academic collaboration, and a seminal contribution to implementing the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative. We hope that students, academics, policy makers and anyone else with an interest in the region will find this book useful
Adaptive AI in Metaverse Language Education
No full textThis chapter explores the integration of Adaptive AI in Metaverse language education, examining how AI-driven platforms and immersive virtual environments are revolutionizing language learning. By combining artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), the Metaverse offers personalized and interactive experiences tailored to individual learning needs. This chapter covers the evolution of language learning technologies, the potential benefits and features of Adaptive AI, and how it enhances language acquisition within the Metaverse. It also addresses key ethical concerns, challenges such as data privacy, accessibility, and AI biases, and the future trajectory of this educational approach. The future promises even more sophisticated learning environments, with emotionally intelligent AI tutors, real-time translation, and multilingual communication tools. This emerging paradigm reshapes how languages are learned globally, fostering accessibility and cross-cultural understanding
PCK and Cultural Competency in Multicultural Classrooms
No full textThis chapter explores the intersection of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and cultural competency in multicultural classrooms. It examines how integrating deep content expertise with an understanding of diverse cultural contexts can enhance teaching practices and student outcomes. The chapter addresses the theoretical foundations and historical development of PCK and cultural competency, highlights practical strategies for effective integration, and identifies key challenges and barriers. It also outlines future directions for advancing these practices, including technological advancements, expanded professional development, and a focus on equity and social justice. By emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive teaching, this chapter provides educators with insights and strategies to create inclusive learning environments that support the academic success and personal growth of all students
Shrinking pie in times of conflict: evidence from India’s Jammu and Kashmir
No full textThis paper analyses the economic repercussions of persistent terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and explores the role of credit supply as a transmission channel between terrorism and economic activity. First, we estimate the direct economic cost of terrorism by constructing a ‘synthetic’ counterfactual of J&K. Our findings indicate that, in the absence of terrorism, J&K’s economy would have been more than one and a half times its current size. This translates to a depressed annual growth of 2.4% of over a quarter-century and a starker loss of 3.7% in per capita terms. Second, we show that terrorism contracts credit supply leading to reduced economic activity captured by night lights data. We further estimate the implications of terrorism on sectoral credit allocation and regional heterogeneity – personal credit and agricultural credit contracted more than industrial credit and the Kashmir region suffered a greater impact of terrorism than the Jammu region
The Indian draft digital competition bill and report: a critical perspective
Get PDFThis legislative note critically examines India’s proposed Digital Competition Bill 2024 (“DCB”), a significant shift towards ex-ante regulation of digital markets. The note analyses the DCB’s key provisions, including the designation of Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises, their obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It draws comparisons with similar legislation in the European Union, United Kingdom, and Germany, highlighting the DCB’s alignment with global trends while noting its unique aspects. The note identifies potential challenges in implementation, including regulatory overlap, extraterritorial application, and impact on innovation. It offers recommendations for refining the DCB, emphasizing the need for clearer obligations, enhanced institutional capacity, and a balanced approach that fosters competition without stifling innovation. This analysis provides valuable insights into India’s evolving approach to digital market regulation and its implications for the global digital economy