mLAC Journal for Arts, Commerce and Sciences (m-JACS) ISSN: 2584-1920

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN THE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICE INDUSTRY: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY INVESTIGATION

MOUNTBATON JEBASINGH — 2025-03-10

Environmental sustainability has become a crucial focus across industries worldwide, including the transport and logistics sector. With the transportation industry being a significant contributor to carbon emissions and environmental degradation, there is a growing imperative for companies to adopt sustainable practices. This article is a case study that explores the environmental sustainability measures adopted by organizations in the transport and logistics service industry. The study explores various strategies, initiatives, challenges, and outcomes associated with these sustainability efforts through in-depth case studies of select organizations. The findings shed light on the diverse approaches adopted by companies to mitigate their environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and competitiveness. The report provides practical implications and offers recommendations for future research on the subject of environmental sustainability in transport and logistics.

ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY ON THE ROLE OF FPOS IN FARMER EMPOWERMENT

Siddalingaswamy M G — 2025-03-10

The agricultural sector is the backbone of rural economies, yet smallholder farmers often face persistent socio-economic challenges, including market inefficiencies, financial exclusion, and limited access to resources. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have emerged as transformative entities capable of addressing these issues by fostering collective action and promoting sustainable development. This conceptual study explores the role of FPOs in achieving economic independence and social upliftment for farmers, emphasizing their potential to drive empowerment and rural prosperity.

The paper examines the dual dimensions of empowerment economic and social enabled by FPOs. Economically, FPOs enhance farmers' access to inputs, credit, technology, and markets, allowing better price realization and reducing dependency on intermediaries. Socially, they contribute to building farmers' confidence, improving their bargaining power, and fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. By reviewing existing literature and integrating relevant theoretical frameworks, such as social capital theory and collective action theory, this study develops a conceptual model linking FPO activities to farmers' socio-economic empowerment.

The study highlights the critical mechanisms FPOs generate impact, including capacity building, market linkages, and policy advocacy. It also identifies potential barriers, such as governance challenges, limited scalability, and inadequate support infrastructure, which need to be addressed to maximize FPO effectiveness.

This research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable rural development by positioning FPOs as pivotal agents of change. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders seeking to enhance rural livelihoods and promote inclusive growth. Ultimately, this study underscores the transformative potential of FPOs in fostering economic independence and social upliftment for farmers, paving the way for more resilient and equitable agricultural systems.

A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) AWARENESS PROGRAMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON INNOVATION AMONG INDIAN YOUTH

Shaikh Sara Nazneen — 2025-03-10

This study investigates the impact of Intellectual Property (IP) awareness programs on the innovation potential of Indian youth. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 66 young adults across diverse academic backgrounds through a structured online questionnaire. The findings reveal that 72.7% of participants demonstrated moderate to high awareness of basic IPR concepts, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and geographical indications. Participation in IP programs significantly boosted confidence in protecting creative ideas (81.8%) and understanding their commercial value (78.8%). Moreover, 78.8% reported increased entrepreneurial motivation, while 80.3% advocated for integrating IP education into academic curricula. Despite these positive outcomes, only 47% of respondents had registered or planned to register IP rights, indicating a gap between awareness and practical application. The study concludes that enhancing procedural knowledge and expanding targeted awareness campaigns can further empower Indian youth to transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures, fostering economic growth and social advancement.

FINTECH AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE: IMPACT OF DIGITAL FINANCE IN PROMOTING GREEN INVESTMENTS

NAGESH K C — 2025-03-10

The intersection of fintech and sustainable finance drives significant changes in the global financial landscape by promoting green investments. Fintech comprises innovations such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and crowdfunding platforms. As the global community strengthens efforts to combat climate change and encourage sustainability, fintech offers scalable solutions to mobilize capital for green initiatives while upholding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Blockchain, for example, provides transparency by creating immutable ledgers that track investment flows and verify sustainability claims, helping to mitigate the risk of greenwashing. Additionally, fintech platforms democratize investment, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual investors to participate in sustainable projects via decentralized finance (DeFi) systems.

However, the rapid expansion of fintech in sustainable finance poses challenges concerning data security, regulatory uncertainties, and the potential for greenwashing. While fintech enhances ESG reporting through AI-driven analytics, the lack of standardized global frameworks complicates the regulatory landscape. Furthermore, the heavy reliance on digital platforms introduces risks related to cybersecurity and privacy. Despite these challenges, fintech remains pivotal in aligning capital flows with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by lowering transaction costs, accelerating investment processes, and expanding financial inclusion. This research will address regulatory gaps, long-term performance assessments of fintech-facilitated green investments, and their socio-economic impacts, especially in underdeveloped regions.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF OFFLINE AND ONLINE SHOPPING BEHAVIOR AMONG CUSTOMERS IN TIRUPATTUR DISTRICT

N. KARPAGAM KNK — 2025-03-10

The rise of online shopping, alongside advancements in technology, has reshaped the retail landscape, offering sellers efficient means to reach customers globally. Despite the prevalence of e-commerce attracting millions of consumers, traditional offline shopping persists, particularly among those who value tangible experiences. This study explores consumers' choices between online and traditional shopping during the information-gathering phase, recognizing the importance of understanding their preferences in a competitive market. While online shopping offers convenience and lower prices, consumers' decision-making hinges on selecting the channel that best aligns with their needs and preferences. Insights from this research can inform strategies for online shopping organizations, enabling them to address consumer demands effectively and identify target segments. Practitioners can utilize these findings to adapt their online shopping strategies, particularly in catering to the female demographic, which exhibits higher online purchasing behaviors.

Editorial Message

Dr. Sushil Kumar Middha — 2025-03-10

Dear Readers, Researchers, and Contributors,

In recent months, significant changes have reshaped the academic publishing landscape. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has discontinued the UGC CARE list, advising universities to independently select qualified peer-reviewed journals. This shift aligns with our vision—where premier institutions like ours offer high-standard journals such as mJACS to facilitate the dissemination of quality research through rigorous peer review.

We are also pleased to share that we have engaged with several indexing platforms to enhance the visibility of our published research. We anticipate sharing further progress in the next issue, reinforcing our commitment to academic integrity and accessibility. As a proud Crossref member, we ensure every submission undergoes similarity checks using iThenticate and a thorough peer review process to uphold the highest research standards. Our current indexing platforms, along with their logos, are displayed on our website.

The Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, publisher of mJACS, remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering intellectual inquiry, even amid evolving challenges. We also express our profound thanks to the management of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women. Without their unwavering support, this journey of academic excellence and research dissemination would not have been possible. Their commitment to fostering a strong research culture and providing the necessary resources has been instrumental in the growth and success of mJACS.

Your unwavering support fuels our mission to innovate and advance academic research. We thank you for being part of this journey and look forward to your continued engagement in shaping the future of scholarly publishing.

Warm regards,

Dr. Sushil Kumar Middha

Editor-in-Chief

mJACS

March 10, 2025