Volume 7 Issue 6 Nov-Dec 2025

In today’s digital world, social media isn’t just about staying in touch—it’s increasingly about being sold to. This paper looks into how users really feel about the rise of advertising across platforms like Instagram, YouTube. We surveyed 1,200 users and spoke with 50 individuals in depth to get a clear picture of how ads are shaping their habits, attention, and trust. The results paint a mixed picture: while some ads catch attention and feel useful, many users find the constant barrage tiring and invasive. This paper explores these experiences, offering practical suggestions for how advertisers and platforms can strike a better balance between profit and user satisfaction.

This study critically compares the effectiveness of the microfinance-based “Self-Help Group (SHG) model”, particularly those linked to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and “direct-benefit transfer government schemes” in fostering holistic women’s empowerment in East Medinipur, West Bengal. Using a mixed-methods approach involving a quantitative survey of “300 women” (150 from each intervention type) and qualitative interviews, the research measured empowerment across economic, socio-political, and psychological dimensions. Quantitative results demonstrated that “SHG members achieved significantly higher scores in socio-political and psychological empowerment” (p < 0.01), reporting greater involvement in household decisions, local governance participation, and enhanced self-confidence due to their “group-based, process-oriented approach” that builds social capital and collective agency. Conversely, government schemes provided a pronounced, albeit short-term, economic cushion through direct asset and cash transfers. The study concludes that while government schemes offer crucial “immediate welfare support”, the “SHG-PACS model provides a more robust pathway to holistic and sustainable empowerment”, recommending a synergistic model where schemes provide capital infusion and welfare security, and SHGs serve as the platform for implementation and social mobilization for optimal, long-term impact.

The article examines the development of algorithms for evaluating the efficiency of investment projects using the STEM approach and machine learning methods. It analyzes the need to shift from traditional valuation methods based on discounted cash flows (NPV, IRR, PI, DPP) to intelligent models that ensure adaptability and reproducibility of calculations. It is emphasized that the integration of scientific, engineering, technological, and mathematical components enables the formalization of evaluation processes and improves forecasting accuracy. The practical section presents modeling based on project data processed using XGBoost and LSTM algorithms, which demonstrated increased NPV forecasting accuracy and reduced computation time. The results confirm the effectiveness of the STEM-oriented approach in investment analysis.

The care sector—comprising health, social care, childcare, and unpaid domestic work—forms the invisible backbone of economies worldwide. Yet, the disproportionate representation of women and the undervaluation of their labor sustain entrenched gender inequalities. This research paper, based on secondary data from the International Labor Organization (ILO), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), and OECD, examines the socio-economic dimensions of equity in the care sector and its role in empowering women. The study finds that women represent nearly 70% of the global care workforce but continue to face wage gaps, poor working conditions, and an overwhelming unpaid care burden. The paper concludes that equitable reforms—through investment in care infrastructure, pay equity, formalization of care work, and redistribution of unpaid care—are critical to transforming care from an inequality trap into a platform for empowerment

Stress in the workplace has been affecting the performance of employees in health institutions by leading to absenteeism, high employee turnover, poor employee-client relationships and poor productivity. There is no empirical evidence on whether counselling programs in Kenyan county hospitals have been effective in dealing with these challenges despite the introduction of counselling programs in these hospitals. The general objective was to investigate the influence of counselling on employee performance in the health workers in Narok County referral hospital. Basing on the Person-Centered Approach, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Social Efficacy Theories, the research took a descriptive research design whereby the researcher sampled 303 employees with a sample of 91 respondents sampled by stratified random sampling. The data collection was done by questionnaires and interviews and analyzed with the help of the descriptive statistics, correlation and regression. The results showed that personal counselling influenced employee performance significantly in a positive way (r = 0.563; p = 0.014) whereas disciplinary counselling described 46.3% of the performance change. There was also a positive relationship between career counselling and better staff motivation and commitment. Overall, counselling interventions improved time management, teamwork, and employee-client relations as well as service delivery. The research finds counselling to be very important in reducing stress related inefficiency and enhancing employee performance in healthcare. It suggests the need to institutionalize and enhance counselling programs, make them available to all health professionals and to incorporate them in the human resource policies of hospitals.

This study investigated the risk perception of travellers in Nashik regarding online payments made to major platforms, such as MakeMyTrip, and local hospitality businesses for booking services. The rapid digitalization of the hospitality sector necessitated an examination of customer security concerns, which often temper the convenience of digital transactions. A quantitative research design was employed, and primary data were collected through a structured survey from a sample of 125 travellers who had recently used online platforms for hospitality bookings. The research identified and measured the key dimensions of perceived risk, namely Financial, Privacy, and Security risks. The results indicated that Security Risk Mean= 4.12 on a 5-point scale was the most significant deterrent, followed closely by Privacy Risk. Furthermore, a relationship was established between travel frequency and the level of perceived risk. The findings provided actionable insights for online platforms and local hospitality businesses in Nashik, recommending enhanced security protocols and transparent communication to mitigate customer risk perception, thereby fostering greater trust and encouraging the continued adoption of digital payments.

This research paper evaluates DLF Limited’s financial performance over FY2021–FY2025 using comparative (horizontal) analysis, common-size analysis, and ratio analysis. The study draws on consolidated financial statements from audited annual reports and market intelligence databases, incorporating trends in revenue, net profit, liquidity, leverage, and profitability margins, supported by visual charts and statistical validation. Findings reveal robust revenue growth at a CAGR of ~10%, a fourfold increase in net profit driven by lower finance costs and non-operating income (e.g., from joint ventures and associates), disciplined leverage (debt-to-equity ratio declining from 0.19x to 0.10x), and sustained liquidity (current ratio above 2x for most years, dipping to 1.85x in FY2025). However, margin volatility, particularly in FY2025 due to rising costs, and dependence on non-operating income highlight risks. A statistical regression analysis confirms that finance costs and other income are more significant drivers of net profit than revenue growth alone. The paper concludes that DLF is well-positioned for growth but should monitor margin sustainability and non-operating income volatility

This study examines the level of financial inclusion, awareness of financial products, and investment decisions among women employees in Telangana, with a focus on socio-economic factors such as age, education, and type of employment. Younger respondents exhibit higher financial inclusion, though age is not statistically significant. The study also found a wide gap in awareness between traditional and modern financial products, with respondents being more familiar with savings accounts, insurance, and gold, while lacking knowledge about shares, mutual funds, and derivatives. Investment behaviour is positively associated with financial inclusion, indicating that those with diversified investments tend to have better financial access. The study highlights the need for targeted financial literacy programs and policy support to promote broader and more inclusive financial participation.

Entrepreneurship is crucial because it creates jobs, innovates, and expands possibilities, all of which contribute to economic progress. Entrepreneurs frequently provide services to underprivileged communities and create goods that enhance local quality of life. Creating a business with the dual goals of making a positive social or environmental impact and making money is known as social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs evaluate their success based on both social impact and financial sustainability, in contrast to traditional entrepreneurs who prioritise profit. In this research paper the researcher based on the secondary data made an attempt to analyse the concept of social entrepreneurship, its significance and attributes.

Retirement has long been viewed as the end of professional engagement, yet in recent years it has increasingly emerged as a new beginning for entrepreneurial pursuits. Retired employees, enriched with decades of knowledge, professional networks, and managerial skills, possess significant potential to transition into entrepreneurship. This paper adopts an exploratory mixed-method design, drawing upon secondary data, case illustrations, and proposed survey/interview methods, to examine the feasibility of retirees in India starting post-retirement enterprises by leveraging their accumulated human capital. Indicative findings suggest that while financial necessity is a motivating factor, psychological and social drivers such as purpose, identity, and dignity play an equally strong role. Retirees are particularly successful in knowledge-driven sectors (consultancy, education, healthcare, digital platforms), whereas ventures in capital-intensive or volatile markets face higher failure risks. The study concludes that with targeted policy and institutional support, senior entrepreneurship can become a significant contributor to inclusive growth and active ageing in India