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Grounded theory (GT) is a very crucial qualitative tool in research inquiry. It embraces systematic, inductive, and comparative inquiry method to construct a theory. GT is mostly appropriate to investigate organizational phenomena, which involves a change process. In this chapter, the authors focus on the emergence of GT as a research inquiry tool with the focus how GT evolves from classis grounded theory to constructivist ground theory. In the detailed method of GT, a focus is given on coding method along with theoretical sampling and theoretical saturation points. Despite being a powerful technique, GT has drawn a number of criticisms. Majority GT researchers consider the technique as an inductive method with a few exceptions, where it has been deliberated as a deductive method. However, in the line of Corley (2015), it can be argued that GT should be considered as a methodological approach to study inductive phenomena having less understanding of theoretical perspective. Chapter concludes with identifying future scope of study in the field of GT.

The purpose of this study to add to the body of knowledge by examining and discussing school choice trends through the perspective of rational choice theory. This qualitative research explores rationale behind the choice of government schools by middle-class parents in contemporary India. This research will also shed light on the features of the schools that parents consider while making school selection process. Finally, research focuses upon the process and context of decision-making and dynamics involved therein. In other words, the attempt is being made to understand what is the yardstick used by parents to differentiate “good” and “bad” school.

This qualitative research was conducted in two government (central and state) schools in Lucknow, India. The findings of the study are based on 22 qualitative interviews conducted with parents of school-going children, and principal or headmaster of the school. The interviews were unstructured and open-ended and were supported by observations. The observation was not only made of the social setting but also the reaction of the participants. The idea was to develop an emic view of the subject by exploring valid narratives. Pseudonyms were used to report the finding so as to maintain the confidentiality of the research subjects.

This research found that the majority of the parents chose school according to their social class, that is, the lower middle-class parents sent their wards to state government primary school, while the middle-class parents preferred to send their wards to central government school (Kendriya Vidyalaya). This study, therefore, lends credence to the contention that the middle class is a variegated social category and the dynamics of school choice vary across its subcategories. This lends credence to the contention that school choice decision is not solely a utilitarian choice and may be guided by emotion as well.

The originality of the research lies in the fact that the authors are extending the arguments made by the rational choice theory. The theory proposes that individual makes rational decisions motivated by self-interest and people look for the finest product or service and in pursuing them attempt to maximize their overall utility. Derivatively, Indian parents rationally make school choice decisions for their wards, gathering information and weighing various options and subsequently choose the “best” school for their children. This study moves beyond the prevailing perception that public schools offer low-quality education, and nobody attends such schools out of choice.

Frugal innovation focuses on the core functionalities with the highest stakeholder benefits and directly targets user requirements. It has been widely adopted in developing countries, and extensively researched from both consumer and sustainable perspectives. However, few studies on frugal innovation consider “quality”, a seminal business management concept. This study focuses on this gap and uses a quality lens to understand frugal innovation.

This study adopts a mixed methodology. The Delphi focus group method is first applied to identify two cases of frugal innovation in the construction industry and a cross-case analysis done. Then, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to examine eight product quality dimensions to draw the final conclusions.

From Garvin’s concept of quality, frugal innovation focuses on performance and conformance. Furthermore, it prioritises a value-based approach the most.

This study examines frugal innovation from quality perspective. This opens up a new line of research which contributes to both streams. The study is based on construction which is a limitation of the study.

A quality-based frugal innovation understanding can be helpful in the conceptualisation, implementation and acceptance of the frugal innovation business model. It can provide clarity on the innovation's value proposition and also help in operationalisation of the business model.

Frugal encourages social entrepreneurs and understanding of the concept from quality perspective shall facilitate the operationalisation will become easier for them.

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study at the interface of frugal innovation and quality management. Furthermore, the use of AHP to prioritise equality approaches and dimensions is an original contribution.

Circularity has acted as an essential phenomenon for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies, pressuring entrepreneurs to its adoption in their businesses. During the adoption and implementation of circularity, entrepreneurs or circular entrepreneurs (to be precise) are facing various challenges to its effective functioning. However, the scholarly literature has offered limited research into this phenomenon. Thus, the purpose of this research is to identify the various barriers and sub-barriers for circular entrepreneurs to adopt circularity in SMEs of emerging economies.

A combined qualitative and quantitative approach was employed to achieve the objectives of the study. In the first stage, through an extensive literature review, a list of barriers was identified and in the second stage, a deductive approach was employed to finalize the barriers. Finally, Best-Worst Method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method, was used to analyse the significant importance of the barriers.

The findings of the study suggested the “financial barrier” as the first-ranked barrier in the adoption of Circular Business Models (CBMs), followed by the “regulatory and operational barrier” as the top second and third barriers. In terms of sub-barriers, “lack of access to funding and capital” has been identified as the top sub-barrier in the adoption of CBM, followed by “excessive regulations and red tape” and “challenges due to ambiguity of the concept”.

To transition from a circular to a linear business approach considerably quicker and smoother, entrepreneurs may utilize the findings of this study as a blueprint for the steps to overcome the barriers in a linear to a circular transition.

This research differentiates from other studies due to solicited input directly from the people who are most familiar with the challenges of making the transition from linear to CBM, i.e. the entrepreneurs themselves.

The objective of this research is to examine the connections between mindfulness, psychological empowerment and the manifestation of ostracism in the workplace, particularly instigated ostracism, among university professors.

The study relies on data from 746 professors from a renowned university located in northern India. The researchers utilized pre-established scales to measure latent variables, and a seven-point Likert scale for evaluation purposes. The data were analyzed using PLS-SEM.

The results indicate a positive correlation between mindfulness and psychological empowerment, explaining 42.20% of its variance. Additionally, a negative correlation between psychological empowerment and workplace ostracism is observed, accounting for 1.70% and 5.20% of their variances, respectively. These findings suggest associations but do not imply causality, highlighting the need for further research to explore these relationships.

Its focus on university professors limits the study’s insights from a specific region, potentially affecting the findings' generalizability. Future research should encompass a broader demographic and geographic range to enhance the applicability and relevance of the results across diverse academic contexts.

This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting a correlation between mindfulness and perceived psychological empowerment among university professors. It also suggests a potential association between psychological empowerment and reduced perceptions of the workplace and instigated ostracism. These preliminary findings, while not indicative of causality, could inform future research and the development of policies promoting mindfulness and empowerment in academic environments.

This study examines the correlations between mindfulness, psychological empowerment and ostracism within academic settings. It uniquely highlights the positive correlation between mindfulness and psychological empowerment and how this relates to reduced perceptions of workplace ostracism among university faculty. These findings suggest that universities could enhance work environments by focusing on these areas, potentially enriching higher education management practices.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted global supply chains, revealing dreadful gaps and exposing vulnerabilities. Retailers are challenged to tackle risks and organise themselves to fit into the “new normal” scenario. This global outbreak has established a volatile environment for supply chains; it has raised the question of survival in the market, forcing companies to rethink resilient strategies to be adopted for the post-pandemic situation to mitigate the long-term effects of this virus. This study explores the priorities for retail supply chains (RSCs) to align their business operations and strategies for the post-pandemic world.

This study has utilised integrated full consistency model (FUCOM) – best–worst method (BWM) for assessment of RSCs to enhance their business performance irrespective of pandemic disruptions. The FUCOM has been employed to identify the priorities of determinants enhancing business performance, whereas RSC strategies are evaluated using the BWM method.

The current study identifies “Collaboration Efficiency” as the main criterion for accelerating the performance of RSCs in a dynamic social environment. Also, the study concludes that “Order Fulfilment” and “Digital RSCs” are the most appropriate resilient business strategies to mitigate the long-term effects.

Supply-demand balancing is a challenging task at the moment, but highly significant for the future. The pandemic disruptions have placed intense pressure on retailers to deliver products as per consumers' changing behaviours towards the purchase of essentials and other products. Hence, “Order Fulfilment” and “Digital RSCs” should be adopted for meeting customer requirements and to ensure sustainability in the post-pandemic business world.

This work sets out a comprehensive framework which will be helpful for accelerating RSCs performance against pandemic disruption by adopting resilient strategies to mitigate the long-term effects.

This hypothetical case study aims to revisit the classical model given by Henri Fayol whereby he put forward a set of 14 principles to guide managers in decision-making across organizations. The case study showcases the dilemma in which the top manager of an automobile company finds himself when some of the very basic principles – on which the whole discipline of management is founded – are ignored. It will also serve as an aid for faculty members in B-Schools to teach students the significance of basic management principles postulated many years back which stand relevant even in contemporary times.

This case study is based on a hypothetical scenario in the corporate world. Different incidents in a fictitious automobile manufacturing firm are presented and the corresponding principles given by Henri Fayol are inferred.

This case study highlights that decision-making gets complicated if fundamental principles of management are not complied with. The decision taken during each and every situation which has been discussed in this case study is contrary to the correct course of action as propounded by Fayol. Modern-day managers must acknowledge the relevance and importance of these principles for achieving success in business.

This case study underscores that even in this volatile business environment where most of the management practices are technology-driven, we cannot disregard the most elementary rules of management. The managers working at different levels in the organizational hierarchy may be guided to make the right decisions in situations similar to the ones described.