Does The Spouse Matter? A Scoping Review on Spousal Support for Working Population

Purpose: The review aims to discover and report the literature on spousal support provided to working population (men/women) and the predictors, outcomes, mediators and moderators found in relation to spousal support.   Theoretical Framework: Support at home (or spousal support) is vital for a married men or women so that they can invest more energy at work. The concept is proposed and supported by a number of theories, such as spousal support theory, human capital theory, and was utilized to choose only working population for this review.   Design/Methodology/Approach: A scoping review research model was used to systematically search for and report the empirical literature on spousal support in context of working population. Scopus database was used to search for literature on the topic, with no limit on time and discipline of publication. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) flow diagram for scoping review was used to show the search and filtering process used.   Findings: A total of 706 empirical articles were obtained from Scopus database, out of which 699 articles were removed while matching the title and abstract of literature with selection criteria. Further, 149 articles were excluded because of incompatibility of full text article with eligibility criteria, this left us with 61 articles to be reviewed on the topic of interest.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study aimed to examine spousal support among working population (men and women) and its associated predictors, outcomes, mediators and moderators.   Originality/Value: In the past, review has been conducted on spousal support but no effort was made to look for study characteristics, sample characteristics, or detailed methodological features, especially in context of working population. Hence, the present review will be first to give an initial idea on the way spousal support has been described, measured, the country where and when the topic has been studied most and other sample and methodology related choices

Does the merger improve the operating performance of the company? Evidence from the beverage industry in India [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background There is fierce market competition both locally and globally. Every organisation seeks to maintain itself and, more crucially, to develop quickly through inorganic means. The expansion of a company through mergers and acquisitions is an inorganic process. Organic growth takes a very long period and is time-bound, but inorganic growth through mergers may be achieved quickly. This research aimed to determine whether the operating results of Indian beverage firms have improved after the merger or not. Methods In order to assess merger-related advantages to the acquiring firms, this study used the operating performance technique, which contrasts the pre-merger and post-merger performance of corporations using accounting data. Secondary data were used to carry out this study. The operating performance was assessed on six operating parameters (ratios) i.e. Operating Profit Margin, Gross and Net Profit Margin, Debt-Equity, Return on Net Worth and Capital Employed. The comparison was done for three years pre and post-merger period of these operating ratios. Results The findings demonstrate that mergers do not seek to increase owner wealth. This finding shows that rather than just becoming larger and achieving covert goals, managers should pay more attention to post-merger integration challenges in order to produce merger-induced synergies. Conclusion This study shows that the M&As have not had a good effect on a company’s operating performance, especially for the chosen beverage companies in India. Since financial measures cannot fully account for the influence of mergers on business performance, future research may create other metrics for merger-related gains. Research that provides profound insights into the causes and trends of post-merger business performance through the different types of mergers and industries would also be beneficial

Corporate social responsibility & students’ perceptions: evidence from Indian higher education institutions [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: For many, the understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) may sound a rather new topic, but it has been pondered upon by great thinkers of the world for many decades. The initial form of CSR was more of philanthropic which has become more of mandatory norm in Indian context. We believe the future of a nation are the youth of the nation and their perceptions on the matter of CSR are of great importance. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the many viewpoints that students have about CSR and to determine whether or not socioeconomic characteristics (gender, age, professional experience, and academic degree) influence these views. Methods: The research methodology comprises of utilization of an accepted scale (PRESOR) for collecting data of perception on CSR. Data was collected using an online questionnaire, distributed to students at Higher Educational Institutes of Northeast India. Responses from 272 students were received out of which we rejected unengaged responses of 25 students, and we continued with responses from 247 students. We have utilized Factor Analysis, Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), t-test for the scrutinizing the collected data. Results: The perceptions of students show a variety of dimensions, which may be categorised as: (a) value CSR, (b) against CSR, and (c) neutral to CSR. It is also found that the sociodemographic variables have a statistically significant influence on students' notion of CSR. Conclusions: This study is one of the first investigative works that has utilized modified PRESOR model for examining the perception of CSR in Indian context. The model was found to be fit to be used in Indian context. The study concluded that sociodemographic variables such as Age, Education, Professional Experience influences perception of CSR

A STUDY ON PROFILE OF ALLERGENS SENSITIVITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN NASO-BRONCHIAL ALLERGIC PATIENTS

Background: Prevalence of nasobronchial allergy is increasing globally. Several genetic, environmental and other associated factors are responsible for this increase. This study is designed to investigate profile of different allergens sensitivities and associated factors involved in the prevalence of naso-bronchial allergy. Methods: 4312 skin prick tests with 77 allergens in 56 patients of nasobronchial allergy were studied using parameters like age, temporal association between asthma and allergic rhinitis, most common type of allergens, age of onset,  sex, residence and family history of atopy. Results: It was found that the age groups 12-40 years are more prone to nasobronchial allergy. 75% patients have shown temporal association between asthma and allergic rhinitis. Most common offending allergens were insects (33.3%), followed by pollens (30.3%), fungi (13.6%), dust (8.3%), non-juicy foods (6.8%), juicy foods (4.16%) and dander (3.03%). Males have shown more prevalence of nasobronchial allergy than that of the females. 32% patients have shown genetic disposition. Conclusions: Overall, this study unravels different associated factors and profile of allergens in patients’ of nasobronchial allergy which will be helpful in diagnosis, management and treatment of asthma