International Explore Journal of Business and Management

Effect of social identity, moral obligation, perceived social impact, mentorship on social entrepreneurship readiness among higher education institution students in India

Dr. Priyadarshini V — 2026-06-15

Social entrepreneurship serves as an effective mechanism for addressing societal challenges by facilitating the introduction of products and services and creating markets for issues that require attention. In doing so, it also generates employment opportunities and contributes to economic development. Initiatives and efforts within higher education institutions can effectively cultivate student involvement in social enterprises. The current study employs Social Identity Theory (SIT), Norm Activation Theory (NAT), and Social Cognitive Theory to elucidate the primary dimensions of social entrepreneurship. This study identifies social identity, moral obligation, perceived social impact, and mentorship support as predictors of social entrepreneurship readiness (SER). The primary objective of this study is to address the gap in the existing literature regarding the social and intrinsic factors that influence students' preparedness for engaging in social entrepreneurship. A descriptive research design and convenience sampling technique, with a sample size of 283, were employed, alongside Partial Least Square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), to examine the relationships between the variables. Data analysis revealed that all four indicators exerted a positive effect on social entrepreneurship, with mentorship exhibiting the strongest effect, followed by moral obligation, perceived social impact and social identity. This study has several managerial implications that will assist policymakers, educational institutions, and social entrepreneurship initiatives in India.

Role of Employee Attitude in Shaping Brand Perception: A Study of Aavin Customers in Villupuram District

Dr. C. Arun — 2026-06-15

This study is based on the project titled "Impact of Showcasing Employee Attitude Towards Work on Aavin’s Brand Perception Among Customers at Villupuram District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd." The research examines how employees’ attitudes and workplace behavior influence customers’ perceptions of the Aavin brand. It identifies the key factors that shape brand perception, customer satisfaction, and loyalty, including service quality, employee responsiveness, professionalism, and customer interaction experiences.Primary data were collected from 117 respondents through a structured survey questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using statistical tools such as percentage analysis, Chi-square test, and correlation analysis to understand the relationship between employee attitude and customer perception of the brand.The findings provide valuable insights into customer behavior, satisfaction levels, and the role of employee attitudes in strengthening brand image and customer trust. The study emphasizes the importance of fostering positive employee attitudes and customer-oriented service practices to enhance brand perception, improve customer loyalty, and maintain a competitive position in the dairy industry. The research also offers recommendations for management to develop strategies that align employee performance with organizational branding objectives.

Financial Literacy of Women Street Vendors: A Micro-Level Study

Rajesh A — 2026-06-15

Purpose: This study examines the financial literacy levels and financial behaviour patterns of women street vendors, with a focus on identifying the socio-economic determinants that influence their financial knowledge and practices.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 103 women street vendors using a structured questionnaire. A composite Financial Literacy Score (range 0–8) was constructed from eight behavioural indicators. Data were analysed using Chi-Square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Fisher’s Exact Test, and Spearman rank correlations at the 5% significance level.

Findings: Education emerged as the strongest predictor of financial literacy (ρ = 0.47, p < 0.001), with scores rising from 3.0 (no formal education) to 7.3 (higher secondary/graduate). Women who attended financial literacy programmes were 10 times more likely to prepare business budgets (OR = 10.20, p = 0.0002). Digital payment adoption was significantly associated with education (p = 0.005), and government scheme awareness was strongly linked to vendor formalisation (p = 0.0002). Notably, daily income and vending experience did not significantly influence financial literacy.

Originality: This study provides empirical evidence from an under-researched population at the intersection of gender, informality, and financial inclusion. The construction of a composite financial literacy score and the finding that experience alone does not improve financial knowledge offer novel contributions to the literature on financial literacy in the informal economy.

Employee Motivation and Job Performance: A Study at Chemfab Alkalis Ltd., Puducherry

Dr. C. Arun — 2026-06-15

Employee motivation is a critical determinant of organizational effectiveness, employee retention, and workplace productivity. This study examines the level and determinants of employee motivation at Chemfab Alkalis Ltd., Puducherry. The research adopts a descriptive design and uses primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 129 employees selected through simple random sampling. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, weighted average method, correlation, chi-square analysis, and SPSS were used for interpretation. The findings indicate that employee motivation in the organization is generally positive, especially in relation to salary timeliness, workplace welfare, and infrastructure. A majority of employees expressed satisfaction with compensation benefits, and a strong positive relationship was identified between employee motivation and satisfaction with the performance appraisal system. The study also highlights areas requiring improvement, including retirement benefits, insurance, rewards, appraisal transparency, and certain welfare facilities. The paper concludes that sustained attention to both financial and non-financial motivational factors is essential for strengthening employee engagement and organizational performance.

Key words: Employee motivation; compensation; performance appraisal; workplace welfare; organizational behaviour; chemical industry

Mapping the Financial Literacy Deficit Among Student Entrepreneurs in Higher Educational Institutes: A Study of Colleges in Hyderabad

Sruti S V S N — 2026-06-15

India's higher educational landscape is producing thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs every year. Yet, a troubling question persists beneath the surface of this startup optimism: do these young, ambitious individuals actually understand the financial language of the business world they so eagerly wish to enter? This study attempts to answer that question honestly and empirically, with a ground-level focus on colleges in Hyderabad — one of India's fastest-growing tech and startup hubs.

This paper maps the financial literacy deficit among students enrolled in higher educational institutes (HEIs) in Hyderabad, with particular attention to two critical dimensions: the structural failures in entrepreneurship curricula that leave students financially underprepared, and the emerging role of digital financial literacy in shaping entrepreneurial risk-taking and venture creation. Drawing on primary survey data from 205 student respondents, literature from emerging economies, and the contextual backdrop of India's current economic environment — including SEBI's push for investor education, the UPI-driven fintech boom, and the Startup India ecosystem — the study reveals a meaningful and concerning gap between entrepreneurial ambition and financial competence.

The findings underscore the urgency of embedding finance-integrated learning within entrepreneurship programs at Hyderabad's colleges, and offer recommendations for both institutional curriculum design and policy-level intervention.