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This paper delves into the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector, providing a framework tailored for adoption in India, a rapidly advancing digital economy. The current literature does not go into detail on industry 4.0 technology in the context of agile manufacturing. Addressing this critical gap in the literature, we identify 15 criteria across six categories, leveraging the entropy method to compute their weights. We prioritize Industry 4.0 technologies in the context of agile manufacturing using a comprehensive analysis that employs the TOPSIS and Fuzzy DEMATEL methodologies. Results indicate that cybersecurity, Cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are the most commonly used technologies in agile manufacturing. The fuzzy DEMATEL-based framework identifies cybersecurity, Big data, Cloud, simulation, augmented reality, and IoT as 'cause' technologies, while additive manufacturing, robotics, mobile devices, and systems integration are identified as 'effect' technologies. The paper proposes practical strategies for managers in India to facilitate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, thereby enhancing firms' agility in the digital age. By highlighting the specific technologies critical to agile manufacturing, our study not only addresses a notable gap in the literature but also provides a roadmap for their practical implementation, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digitalized landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in environmental awareness and personal well-being has led to a shift in menstrual product preferences. This research, focusing on women from India, utilizes a mixed-methods approach underpinned by the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) framework to investigate the transition from sanitary napkins to menstrual cups. Data from 894 menstrual product users from India were analyzed utilizing PLS-SEM. The study found that health concerns and perceived costs were significant push factors, while minimalism and environmental considerations acted as pull factors. However, social stigma and perceived complexity served as mooring factors. This study extends its practicality to product manufacturers, marketers, and health educators, providing actionable strategies to promote menstrual cups with the aim of surmounting prevailing hindrances. The outcomes underscore the importance of this transition in supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) — thereby underlining its contribution to the environmental sustainability narrative and cleaner production ethos. • This pioneering study utilizes the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) theory and a mixed-method approach to investigate the switch from traditional sanitary napkins to menstrual cups. • Pull factors, including health concerns and perceived cost-effectiveness, are found to be influential in attracting users to menstrual cups. • Users are driven away from traditional sanitary products by push factors such as environmental considerations and a desire for minimalism. • The switch, however, is impeded by mooring factors like social stigma and perceived complexity in using menstrual cups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the world has witnessed a sudden rise in population and rapid urbanization. This has led to an increase in the water demand and consequently an upsurge in wastewater. Water scarcity, coupled with untreated wastewater, has become a major concern throughout the world. Municipalities are challenged with the task of treating wastewater and meeting domestic, agricultural, and industrial demands. Mismanagement of wastewater results in economic, social and environmental loss. The high concentration of population, lack of sanitation and water security, reduced awareness, and evident pollution have made India a home full of opportunity and innovation in the wastewater management (WWM) business. The paper gives a comprehensive review to understand the wastewater management and business approach. The research uses Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) to identify, acknowledge, and interpret the major factors for the stakeholders and for future companies who wish to venture into the wastewater management business. The study provides insight into developing a circular economy solution and gives a vivid framework highlighting the relevant factors for a successful WWM business. The study also provides direction to the practitioners who are involved in the WWM industry and helps evaluate their options, prioritizing resource-efficient solutions. [Display omitted] • Develop a strategy for an efficient wastewater management business framework. • Identifying the factors crucial for the success of a wastewater management business. • An integrated multi-attribute interpretive structural decision approach is proposed. • Provides a pragmatic business framework with dependent and driving factors. • Managerial implication & policy insights for implementing the model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite several research evaluating the connection between sustainability and the bottom line of firms, the existing research is inconclusive. In addition, most studies focus on multinational firms based in the United States or Europe, while research in the context of emerging economies is scant. This paper endeavours to investigate the strength of the association between Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure scores and the financial performance of 272 Indian firms listed on National Stock Exchange for the period 2015 to 2021 by employing panel data regression techniques. The results indicate that organisations having better ESG performance outperform their industry peers financially and are valued more by the market. Moreover, the data indicates that financial markets for lenders consider ESG disclosure when determining creditworthiness. In accordance with this, businesses can examine their operations and become more aligned with eco-friendly methods. Even though ESG disclosure appears to be associated with improved financial success, this is not the case across all industries and during COVID-19 pandemic. This study is relevant due to the growing significance of sustainability and the role of emerging nations in international commerce. It helps managers prioritize resource allocations to ESG-related activities that may affect financial performance differently across industry sectors, thus adding to the literature on the financial effects of ESG disclosures, particularly industry-specific aspects. This research represents a pioneering effort by assessing the impact of ESG disclosure on the profitability, market value, and cost of financing of Indian firms using both aggregation and disaggregation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the emerging landscape of Industry 5.0, the integration of innovative technologies such as Cognitive Digital Twins (CDTs) is pivotal for steering industrial processes towards sustainability and inclusivity, particularly in developing nations striving to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study explores the transformative capabilities of CDTs in Industry 5.0, concentrating on India's quest for inclusive and sustainable industrialization in alignment with SDGs. The inclusion of the TOE-HOT framework enriches the research's analytical foundation, providing a nuanced perspective to investigate the multifaceted dynamics of technology, organization, environment, and human aspects within the sphere of industrial evolution. By employing the Best-Worst Method (BWM), Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM), and MICMAC analysis, the study delves deep into the synergies between industrial strategies, technology, and sustainable development. The findings reveal the paramountcy of the Technological Dimension, emphasizing CDTs strategies like real-time optimization and data analytics, which are instrumental in dynamically adjusting manufacturing processes and fostering alignment with market demands. The research also stresses the roles of various CDTs strategies like strategic alignment, change management, job security, skill augmentation, and environmental compliance in industrial sustainability and inclusivity. The paper concludes with invaluable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, emphasizing the necessity for a holistic, interconnected approach to fully harness the potential of CDTs in realizing the aspirations of Industry 5.0 and contributing to India's sustainable industrial advancement by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of soybean cultivation in the world augurs well for achieving SDG2 of promoting sustainable agriculture, ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition. India started promoting soybean cultivation in the 1970s to combat dietary protein deficiencies and augment smallholders' incomes. However, soybean yield remains low and plateaued at one ton per hectare for the past three decades. This paper leverages a large primary dataset and explores the speed of soybean varietal change by applying survival functions and analyzing determinants of varietal turnover time employing a dynamic framework and harnessing duration analysis. The results show that adopting leading soybean varieties has reached saturation and that policy intervention can have an immediate impact. The weighted average age of soybean varieties in farmers' fields is relatively high at 15.6 years, implying a slower varietal change rate. The lack of improved varieties with desirable traits, poor information flow, and growers' preference for traits beyond yield-hamper faster varietal substitution. Further, analysis indicates regional variations in driving the speed of varietal replacement. The findings have significant implications for spurring soybean yields through investments in varietal development, leveraging modern molecular methods for long juvenility and photo-insensitivity, disseminating information, and institutional changes enabling the private sector participation in crop breeding. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world struggles to cope with the pressing matters of global warming, rising temperature, and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable practices has become more urgent than ever for individuals and other establishments. Organizations across industries recognize the importance of adopting sustainable practices, not only to meet societal expectations but also to achieve long-term success. This research paper studies the influence of sustainable marketing on customer loyalty, focusing on the consumer electronics sector in India. A mixed-methods approach incorporating descriptive and causal research methods was used; with data collected from 302 participants from India's capital, Delhi and its nearby regions. Structural equation modeling was employed to establish multivariate relationships and Smart PLS 4 was used to analyze the data. The results suggest that sustainable marketing practices positively influence brand image and loyalty. Additionally, brand image acts as an intermediary between sustainable marketing and customer loyalty. These results provide valuable insights for managers aimed at fostering customer loyalty through sustainable practices, particularly in the consumer electronics sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]