Shanlax International Journal of Economics

Environmental Endeavors of Corporate Social Responsibility and Firms Performance in Nepalese Companies

Sudip Wagle — 2025-12-01

Purpose: This study explores how corporate social responsibility (CSR) environmental concerns influence firm performance after it became mandatory in Nepal. Methodology: This study employed descriptive and causal research design, utilizing empirical data through a comprehensive questionnaire survey. Of the 186 companies, only 127 contributed. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to conclude the results. Findings: The results showed that CSR environmental endeavours, such as keeping the environment greener (CSR-KEG) and promoting paperless service/product operations (CSR-PPS), positively and significantly influence firm performance. However, the results showed a negative relationship between producing/preferring eco-friendly products, using low-polluting technologies (CSR-PEF), and firm performance, although this was statistically insignificant. Practical Implications: Unlike prior research on corporate social responsibility, these outcomes encourage firm executives to be more concerned with their environmentally friendly products, processes, and management in the future. Originality: This study presents a model for firm executives by exploring how the environmental endeavours of corporate social responsibility enrich firm performance, mainly in the context of Nepal, where limited research has been conducted. Future Research Direction: It is recommended on cross-sections of listed and non-listed companies to ascertain whether analogous results would be reported.

Center-State Fiscal Relations and Educational Equity in Tamil Nadu

L. Ganesan — 2025-12-01

This study investigates the influence of Center-State fiscal relations on educational equity and quality in Tamil Nadu through a mixed-methods approach. Utilizing government budget data, policy document analysis, and demographic surveys, the research highlights the critical role of state fiscal supplementation amid conditional central funding. Quantitative analysis exposes stark disparities in resource distribution between rural and urban districts and ongoing infrastructural deficits despite increased budgets. Qualitative insights reveal the impacts of delayed central funds on state policy autonomy and curriculum implementation. The study proposes reforms emphasizing flexible fiscal arrangements, decentralized resource management, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to tackle persistent inequities and improve educational outcomes. Tamil Nadu’s case offers valuable lessons for evolving India’s fiscal federalism to support equitable education.

Changes of Consumption Pattern in India Villages: Snippets from The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24

B. Gandhimathy — 2025-12-01

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the changes in consumption pattern of Indian villages. The money devoted on food and nonfood items has changed considerably during the study period of 1972-73 and 2023-24. Consumption of cereal has decreased dramatically from 42 percent to five percent. It was observed marginal increase of consuming milk, egg, fish and meat items on food categories. Spending more money on education, health care and durable goods indicates economic development. Income inequality across the Indian villages needs attention of the policy makers. Average monthly per capita consumption expenditure was highest in south zones, and lowest in central zones.

Dynamics of Major Spices in India: An Overview

A. Kumudha — 2025-12-01

Spices have substantial medicinal value owing to their rich content. There is no better linctus than the ones that come from shrubberies. It’s time we shift to an improved and better lifestyle with our domestic herbs and spices. The top six spices; red chillies, garlic, turmeric, coriander, cumin and black pepper are taken for analysis in this study on the basis of area. This study has studied the growth and instability in area, production and yield of major spices in India from 2011-12 to 2020-21. There was a significant increase in the area of pepper, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.68 percent, followed by cumin at 3.00 percent. There was also a significant increase in the production of Pepper and Garlic at 13.85 percent and 13.66 percent, respectively, and a significant increase in the yield of Coriander and Cumin at 7.69 percent and 7.14 percent, respectively, according to the projected trends in the area, production, and yield of millets using the semi-log function. The Cuddy-Della Valle index provided the best estimations, and instability was found more in the area of pepper (30.71%), followed by coriander (12.61%); production of pepper (24.20%), followed by coriander (21.03%); and yield of pepper (19.72%), followed by coriander (13.34%). This study reveals that the instability was high in the area, production and yield Pepper 52.77 percent, 56.41 percent and 49.64 percent respectively by using Coppock’s instability index. There is more possibility for growing all varieties of spices to promote throughout India, which is desired to blow in years to come.

Kurikalyanam: An Informal Insurance Mechanism

E.P. Abhirami — 2025-12-01

The traditional practice of Kurikalyanam, deeply rooted in the Malabar region of Kerala, offers more than just an indigenous microfinance system—it reflects a way of life built on trust, mutual aid, and social cohesion. Unlike modern banking that often burdens borrowers with lifelong debt, Kurikalyanam operates on a simple yet profound principle: communal support without interest or collateral. This study thoughtfully explores how this once-thriving system, also known as Panampayattu, is now fading into obscurity. It is evident that multiple forces are at play here. On one hand, economic transitions like the expansion of formal banking, migration, and rising incomes have reduced the community's dependency on Kurikalyanam. On the other, behavioral shifts such as declining social trust, weakening interpersonal bonds, and the rise of individualism are pulling the practice further into the margins of rural life. That said, the real concern isn’t just the financial aspect—it’s the slow erosion of a community-based safety net that once empowered ordinary villagers to manage life’s major expenses without exploitation. This raises another point: could systems like Kurikalyanam be modernized and institutionalized to meet today’s economic needs while retaining their ethical core? The research, using primary data from 50 participants in Kozhikode’s Vadakara taluk and secondary sources from extensive literature, identifies both the virtues and vulnerabilities of Kurikalyanam. It suggests that reviving this tradition will require not just procedural tweaks but a broader societal shift toward cooperation and shared responsibility. In a world increasingly driven by profit margins, reintroducing such interest-free, trust-based systems might seem utopian. Yet, in my opinion, this is precisely why their regeneration is more necessary than ever.

A Study on the Economic Benefits of E-Vehicle Usage in Kollankoil Village of Erode District

R. Manikandan — 2025-12-01

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining attention as cleaner and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional petrol vehicles, especially in the face of rising fuel prices and environmental concerns. Developing and developed countries are focusing more on the adaptation of renewable sources such as EV and solar energy. Rural areas were the beginners in the adaptation of resources. The Kollankoil village of Erode district have been chosen for this study. This study aimed to determine the environmental benefits, satisfaction level,s and suggestions for improving the adaptation of EV. The primary data will be collected for this study and the snow ball sampling method will be used. The primary data was collected from 42 respondents in the Kollankoil village, Erode district. The collected data were analysed using basic statistical tools such as percentage, mean, and chi-square method. Result thus, the EV offers a notable environment benefit, many of the respondents were happy to use the E-Vehicles but many of them facing charging problem and other mechanical problems. The government should focus on subsidies, charging areas, and proper knowledge of using renewable energy.

Sustainable Management Practices to Mitigate Oil Spillage on Seashore Andcoastal Areas

M. Barani — 2025-12-01

Oil spills pose serious environmental, economic, and public health challenges, particularly in coastal regions where communities rely on marine resources for their livelihoods. This study examines the impact of an oil spill affecting the coastal settlements of Kattukuppam, Thazhanguppam, Chinnakuppam, EnnoreKuppam, and MugathwaraKuppam in North Chennai. A sample of fishing-dependent households was surveyed to assess the extent of environmental disruption and community-level impacts resulting from oil spills. The findings indicate that the affected population experienced noticeable health complaints, including respiratory discomfort, skin irritation, headaches, fatigue, and eye irritation, primarily due to exposure to contaminated seawater, crude oil residue, chemical dispersants, and fumes. Beyond health impacts, the oil spill significantly affected livelihood activities, particularly fishing and related income-generating occupations, leading to reduced income stability and altered household expenditure patterns. Overall, the results reveal strong interconnections between environmental degradation, public health concerns, and socio-economic vulnerability in coastal communities affected by oil spills. These findings emphasise the need for effective emergency preparedness, community-level health monitoring, compensation frameworks, and sustainable spill response systems. Future research should explore improved prevention strategies and advanced response technologies to manage, reduce, and prevent oil spills while assessing long-term environmental, socioeconomic, and health outcomes.