Journal of Advanced Research in Operational and Marketing Management

Bridging the Gap: The Role of Distance and Online Education in Enhancing Skill Development and Employability of Divyang Persons in India

Dr. Trilok Kumar Jain — 2025-12-01

Purpose: This study investigates the transformative impact of distance and online education on the skill development and employability of Divyangs (persons with disabilities) in India. While these educational modalities offer unprecedented access, significant barriers remain in translating education into sustainable employment. This research aims to identify the key enablers and obstacles within this ecosystem and propose a strategic framework for improvement.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed. Data was collected through 25 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Divyang students and graduates from various Indian distance education institutions, supplemented by focus group discussions with 10 experts from academia, disability NGOs, and corporate HR.

Findings: The findings reveal that online education significantly enhances access to education and the development of digital and self-management skills. However, a critical "skills-employability gap" persists, driven by a lack of tailored career services, inadequate industry-specific skill training, persistent societal and workplace stigma, and insufficient accessibility features in many online platforms.

Research Limitations/Implications: The study's qualitative approach provides depth but limits generalisability. Future research should include quantitative surveys across broader geographical regions.

Practical Implications: The findings urge educational institutions to integrate robust, personalised career guidance, industry-aligned practical modules, and stronger corporate partnerships into their online offerings. Policymakers are called upon to incentivise inclusive hiring and fund assistive technology.

Originality/Value: This paper moves beyond access to education, focusing on the under-researched linkage between online education and tangible employment outcomes for Divyang persons. It proposes a novel, multi-stakeholder framework to bridge the skills-employability gap, offering significant value to educators, policymakers, and employers.

The Future of Sustainability Reporting: How ESG Metrics Are Reshaping Corporate Valuation and Investment Strategies Across Global Markets

Mbonigaba Celestin — 2025-05-08

Purpose
This study examines the evolving role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting in corporate valuation from 2020 to 2024, focusing on its impact on financial performance, investor behavior, and consumer trust.

Design/Methodology/Approach
A mixed-method approach was employed, combining regression analysis, correlation studies, and machine learning-based sentiment assessments. The sample included 250 publicly traded firms across major industries, with data analyzed to quantify ESG transparency’s influence on market performance and stakeholder perceptions.

Findings

Financial Performance: A strong positive correlation exists between ESG transparency and stock market performance (r = 0.995, p< 0.001). ESG-focused firms outperformed traditional investments, delivering an average annual return of 22% versus 10%.
Profit Margins: Regression analysis revealed that every $100 billion invested in ESG initiatives increased profit margins by 2 percentage points (R² = 1.000, p< 0.001).
Consumer Trust: High ESG-compliant firms achieved 85% consumer trust, compared to 50% for low ESG performers.
Challenges: Persistent issues include standardization gaps, data reliability concerns, and the need for AI-driven verification mechanisms.

Originality/Value
This study pioneers the integration of machine learning for sentiment analysis in ESG contexts and provides empirical evidence linking ESG transparency to quantifiable financial gains. It advances the discourse on ESG-driven governance by proposing novel frameworks for embedding sustainability into core financial reporting.

Practical Implications

Regulatory Action: Mandate third-party ESG audits and harmonize global reporting standards to enhance comparability.
Corporate Strategy: Incentivize sustainability through tax benefits and reduced financing costs for high-ESG firms.
Investor Guidance: Develop AI-powered tools to verify ESG claims, mitigating greenwashing risks and improving decision-making.

Conclusion
The findings underscore sustainability as a critical determinant of long-term financial success, urging stakeholders to prioritize ESG integration in valuation models and governance frameworks.

Beyond the Purchase: Unpacking Consumer Behaviour and Its Environmental Impact

Dr. Madhavi Sripathi — 2025-12-01

This research, "Beyond the Purchase: Unpacking Consumer Behaviour and Its Environmental Impact," investigates Indian consumer post-consumption activity—namely how they are eliminating packaging waste via reuse, recycling, or dumping. Focused on Andhra Pradesh's Krishna and Guntur districts, the research examines how knowledge, attitudes, feelings, and infrastructural determinants drive recycling behaviour. Conclusion : From a cross-sectional survey supplemented with secondary data extracted from neighbourhood and government records, the article finds discernible trends in packaging waste disposal practices. The findings show although the majority of individuals are sensitive to environmental impacts and responsive to behaving sustainably, an awareness–behaviour gap exists—triggered by poor infrastructure, information shortcomings, and being price-sensitive. The research focuses on policy adjustment convergence, behavioural economics, and improved recycling design to smooth the transition towards circular economy trends. The paper concludes that Indian post-consumption buying behaviour has a huge influence on environmental conditions and that good communication, emotional connection, and infrastructure development are necessary to bridge the intention–action gap.

Industrial Productivity and Growth Nexus in India: An Empirical Perspective

N.Karunakaran — 2025-12-01

Productivity serves as the fundamental catalyst for accelerating India’s developmental trajectory. Nevertheless, several structural and institutional challenges impede the nation’s capacity to rapidly elevate the living standards of its vast population to a desirable level. A sustained and significant enhancement in productivity would strengthen the competitiveness of India’s manufacturing sector by enabling it to achieve a more prominent position in international export markets. Improvements in productivity would further facilitate the country’s integration into global value chains and enhance its resilience against competitive pressures arising from imports that challenge domestic industries. Additionally, higher productivity is indispensable for improving the efficiency and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly within the manufacturing domain. It would stimulate greater value addition across diverse economic activities, leading to increased profitability, which in turn would encourage higher levels of investment and result in better remuneration for workers. Collectively, these developments would accelerate economic expansion and foster greater prosperity among the Indian population.

Sustainable Practices in Operations and Marketing Management: A Review of Emerging Insights

Nisha Tripathi — 2025-12-01

Sustainability has become a strategic imperative for organisations worldwide, urging firms to integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations into both operational and marketing practices. This review synthesises recent literature on sustainable operations management (OM) and marketing management (MM), highlighting emerging trends, integration opportunities, and challenges. The study explores drivers, enablers, and barriers to sustainability adoption and proposes a conceptual framework linking sustainable operational practices to marketing outcomes. Empirical examples illustrate how companies achieve competitive advantage, enhance brand reputation, and foster long-term organisational resilience through integrated sustainable strategies.