Preface

The principal goal of the advanced world is to achieve high commercial growth. The critical requirement for achieving this objective is the presence of a sufficient and high-quality set up within a country. Infrastructure has a pivotal role in driving socio-economic development. Bad infrastructure not only hampers economic growth but also leads to various socioeconomic issues such as unemployment and saturating the living standards. Certainly, economic growth stands as a primary objective for the developing world. In numerous emerging nations like India, the condition of infrastructure in various sectors such as market dynamics, banking, agriculture, energy, transportation, and utilities, significantly falls short of the needs of the respective countries. Despite the rapid rise in infrastructure demand, the supply remains largely unchanged. In this context, it is anticipated that the private sector will contribute to the necessary investments through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Additionally, sustainable economic growth relies on maximizing the efficient utilization of scarce resources. Capital, being one of the scarcest resources, plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable economic growth in any nation. Recent advancements in finance play various roles in advancing the economic growth of a country.

Emerging technological innovations and the application of AI for sustainability and corporate growth serve as a crucial research source of fast-tracking business growth through technical advancements and knowledge generation. Numerous predominant trends indicate that the global economy is in the era of a new industrial revolution. The prolonged universal economic crisis of the early 21^st century and the failure to resolve it using existing economic system mechanisms underscore the collapse of the previous technological paradigm's potential. In the realm of industrial production, this crisis initially manifested as a surplus of industrial goods, leading to challenges in selling them within domestic economies or on international markets. Globalization has expanded the present business emerging market and increased tough competition. To survive, businesses must develop cultural competence to compete in diverse regulatory environments. Again human capital is a very crucial and critical component in the knowledge economy. Effective personnel management practices that prioritize employees’ well-being, and employee upgradation and engagement are the essential driving force for sustainable growth.

Innovation stands as a widely recognized global imperative for socioeconomic advancement. Over the past few decades, researchers from diverse nations have conducted studies resulting in the emergence of new technologies, predominantly focused on production technologies (technological innovations) that target the real sector of the economy. This book is the culmination of an international initiative aimed at consolidating multi- and interdisciplinary research that optimally supports innovation. This volume has focused on presenting a variety of practical applications, tools, skills, practices, models, approaches, and strategies that are proving themselves in practice demonstrating effectiveness in managing diversity and innovation.

Chapter 1 discussed that In India, crowdfunding is transforming fundraising by leveraging digital innovation and technology to support inclusive socio-economic growth. It bridges funding gaps, raises grassroots awareness, and promotes CSR initiatives in education, health, poverty alleviation, renewable energy, and gender equality. The Companies Act of 2013 mandates CSR, resulting in Indian companies raising over ₹9,300 crores for social projects since 2015. This paper examines the synergy between crowdfunding and CSR from 2015–2023, focusing on education, health, environmental sustainability, and women's empowerment. It evaluates the impact of socially driven crowdfunding on sustainable development, success rates, challenges, and policy implications for maximizing societal welfare.

Chapter 2 focused that Understanding the role of social antecedents in shaping employee intention-to-stay remains a significant challenge, particularly in India's IT sector, where research has predominantly emphasized organizational, psychological, and contextual factors. Social antecedents, including co-worker relationships, supervisor support, organizational culture, and work environment, play a critical role in influencing employee retention. Positive social interactions foster commitment, while negative experiences contribute to dissatisfaction and attrition. This study addresses the research gap by exploring how social factors—such as supervisor support, co-worker support, external social networks, and broader social interactions—impact employee retention in IT companies in the Delhi region, offering insights for improved HR strategies.

Chapter 3 investigates The rapid growth of the technology and healthcare sectors has intensified the production of medical and electronic waste, posing significant environmental and health challenges. Sustainable natural resource management offers a holistic approach to address these issues through waste minimization, resource recovery, and circular economy principles. This study examines challenges, innovative solutions, and best practices in managing medical and e-waste, utilizing literature reviews, case studies, and empirical analyses. By integrating environmental, social, and economic perspectives, it provides actionable insights for policymakers, industries, and researchers, fostering resilient waste management systems and advancing global sustainability objectives through practical, resource-efficient strategies.

Chapter 4 focused the Augmented Reality (AR), which integrates computer-generated elements into real-world settings, has become vital in e-commerce, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While e-commerce offers convenience and efficiency, its lack of physical touchpoints is a limitation. AR addresses this by enabling consumers to virtually interact with products, enhancing understanding and satisfaction. This systematic review, drawing from secondary data sources, highlights AR's impact on improving purchase decisions and fostering trust. However, it also reveals overlooked technical limitations, including reliance on device hardware and connectivity. As e-commerce expands, AR emerges as a critical tool for enhancing customer experiences and maintaining market competitiveness.

Chapter 5 focused that Technological innovation in the automotive sector drives advancements in automation, connectivity, energy efficiency, safety, and performance, utilizing artificial intelligence, sensors, electric propulsion, and advanced materials. This study explores global consumer attitudes toward self-driving and electric vehicles, emphasizing safety, media influence, and trust. By analyzing secondary data from journals, research papers, and case studies, it highlights the role of sustainability and environmental awareness in shaping consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Manufacturers align with these preferences to develop hybrid vehicles, alternative fuels, and advanced features, ensuring competitiveness. The synergy between innovation and consumer needs fosters sustainable growth in the automotive industry.

Chapter 6 aims at This study investigates the impact of social media on hotel brand image and its role in retaining loyal customers. It examines how social media influences customer preferences in hotel selection, ultimately enhancing satisfaction. Using conventional sampling and multiple regression analysis, the study evaluates the effects of social media attributes such as e-WOM (Electronic Word of Mouth), e-Ads (Electronic Advertisements), and e-Community (Electronic Community) on brand image and loyalty. Data from prior research and structured questionnaires reveal a positive correlation between these attributes and customer loyalty. The findings offer strategic insights for hotel management to leverage social media for enhanced brand value and profitability.

Chapter 7 focused the Job satisfaction is a key metric for assessing employee commitment and organizational belongingness, while productivity reflects the efficiency of inputs like employee effort, technology, and resources in achieving organizational objectives. The integration of technology and digitization significantly influences employee satisfaction, fostering retention and enhancing workplace happiness. In the context of West Bengal's higher educational institutes, this study examines employee satisfaction and productivity, leveraging existing data to analyze trends. The research aims to uncover factors shaping employee satisfaction in the digital age, offering insights into how organizations can optimize retention and productivity for long-term sustainability in a competitive environment.

Chapter 8 discussed that In the evolving digital marketplace, consumer shopping habits have transformed significantly, with AI-powered personalized product recommendations becoming a cornerstone of e-commerce. This study investigates the influence of AI-driven purchasing applications on consumer repurchase intention using a mixed-method approach. Data collection involved Likert’s 5-point scale, with factor and multiple regression analyses applied for interpretation. The findings shed light on the relationship between AI tools and customer loyalty, addressing existing research gaps. This study provides valuable insights for the e-retail sector, helping businesses enhance user experiences, foster repurchase intentions, and adapt to dynamic consumer behaviors in the digital age.

Chapter 9 Forecasting stock market returns remains challenging due to financial markets' volatility and non-linear behavior. This research focuses on predicting the closing prices of FAANG companies (Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Alphabet) using advanced machine learning models. Eight models—Linear Regression, KNN Regression, Decision Tree Regression, Random Forest Regression, AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and CatBoost—are evaluated using R², MAE, MSE, and RMSE metrics. Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and CatBoost demonstrate superior performance, while Linear Regression is effective only for Meta and Alphabet. KNN underperforms due to data variability. The findings provide financial analysts and investors insights into selecting efficient prediction models.

Chapter 10 focused on Over the past two decades, financial inclusion has garnered significant attention from scholars and policymakers as a driver of economic growth. Rooted in earlier research linking financial development to improved resource allocation and productivity, financial inclusion enhances capital accumulation and economic output. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contribute significantly to employment, GDP growth, and industrial advancement. In India, digitization has accelerated financial inclusion, particularly through Udyam Registration, formalizing MSMEs. Trend analysis of initiatives like PMEGP, MSME Samadhan, and GeM Portals reveals mixed results in advancing financial inclusion. This study underscores the critical role of MSMEs in economic transformation.

Chapter 11 mentioned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a transformative role in reshaping investment behavior in the digital economy. This study explores how AI-driven algorithms can optimize individual investment strategies, recognizing patterns in human behavior and enhancing decision-making. A systematic literature review of 26 articles, selected from 150, was conducted using PRISMA software to structure the research. Three key themes were developed to analyze AI's impact on investment behavior. The findings indicate that AI can significantly influence investment decisions, strengthening the financial sector in the digital economy. The study also highlights limitations and offers insights into future research directions to expand the scope of AI in investment strategies.

Chapter 12 Pattachitra, an ancient art form of India and West Bengal, is crafted by artisans known as patuas, primarily from the Midnapore and Bankura districts. However, these artisans face significant challenges in marketing their work, lacking fixed selling spaces and being adversely affected by globalization. This study explores sustainable business development strategies to support patuas, including Artisans to Businessman (A2B), Artisans to Tourists (A2T), Artisans to Intermediaries (A2I), Artisans to Government (A2G), and Government to Tourists (G2T). A SWOT analysis of these strategies provides insights into how they can help preserve and promote pattachitra, ensuring its continuation and growth in the modern marketplace.

Chapter 13 focused on Leniency is a discretion exercised by competition regulators globally, allowing reduced penalties for cartel conspirators who provide substantial disclosure. The American Supreme Court has referred to cartels as the "supreme evil of antitrust." During the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises in essential sectors like pharmaceuticals and groceries were allowed to share information, exempt from penalties due to public interest considerations. However, the Commission granted leniency to cartel participants in railway procurement and the domestic industrial automotive bearing markets, despite their non-essential status. This paper examines the broader implications of such leniency and its applicability under the Competition Act 2002, highlighting the complexities of public interest defenses.

Chapter 14 mentioned that This study explores the dynamics of customer behavior in interactions with service robots, focusing on metaperception processes. Through bibliometric analysis and visualization, the research identifies key themes, influential figures, and emerging trends in the field, highlighting the impact of discomfort in service interactions on customer experiences. The analysis reveals the overlooked role of discomfort and its connection to metaperception, affecting customer satisfaction. Additionally, the study examines the contributions of prominent journals, authors, and nations to the academic discourse, offering novel insights into the evolving relationship between service robots and consumer behavior. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these complex interactions for enhancing customer experiences.

Chapter 15 This study examines the impact of stressed assets on the banking sector in India, highlighting their detrimental effects on both the banking industry and economic growth. It identifies bank ownership as a significant determinant of stressed asset levels and emphasizes the importance of an effective regulatory framework for timely stress recognition. The research focuses on factors such as GNPA, NNPA, restructured loans, provisions, and total advances, which influence Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) in public and private sector banks. Utilizing secondary data from the RBI portal and regression analysis via SPSS, the study reveals the challenges in NPA recovery and asset quality management.

Chapter 16 focused on While everyone is busy trying to find a balance or equilibrium between work and personal life in the twenty-first century, many of them were unable to do so. The idea of work-life integration emerged as a result of everyone's desire to keep the two aspects of their lives apart. The idea of work-life integration, however, also represents a compromise for those of us attempting to strike a balance between our personal and professional lives. However, as highlighted in Donna Haeger and Lingham's (US) 2014 book, the notions of work-life fusion are already grabbing hold of society as a whole, particularly influencing Millenials. And managing professional and personal responsibilities at the same time is the essence of this work-life integration. In light of this context of work- life, fusion needs to wire both work and life.

Chapter 17 mentioned This study explores the critical role of employee training in enhancing skills, knowledge, and attitudes within the tea industry, which is one of the largest labor-intensive sectors in India. The tea sector relies on a skilled workforce for various specialized tasks, from tea picking to packing, directly impacting the quality of the product. Despite its importance, the sector has struggled with quality issues, resulting in a loss of market share abroad. The study surveyed 33 tea estates and used SPSS to analyze data, with findings and recommendations developed through the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, emphasizing the need for effective worker training to improve tea quality.

Chapter 18 mentioned This study delves into the significant role of business models in addressing the high failure rate of startups and achieving unicorn status. Startups, globally evolving through government measures and data-driven strategies, face challenges in balancing efficiency and valuation. A business model, which outlines value creation, delivery, and benefit capture, is proposed as a potential solution. The research uses PRISMA methodology to analyze literature on business models and startups, identifying critical components that influence sustainability. The study also examines the concept of "unicorn" as a benchmark, aiming to bridge gaps in existing business model literature and proposing avenues for further research.