Journal Press India^®

Navigating Sustainability, Technology, and Human Well-being: Emerging Perspectives in Commerce and Management Research

It gives me immense pleasure to present the January–June 2026 issue of MANTHAN: Journal of Commerce and Management. The contemporary business landscape is witnessing unprecedented transformations driven by technological innovation, sustainability imperatives, financial market evolution, and changing consumer and workforce dynamics. Researchers are increasingly called upon to address complex societal and managerial challenges while contributing to evidence-based decision-making. The articles featured in this issue reflect these evolving priorities and collectively advance our understanding of commerce and management in a rapidly changing world.

A notable theme emerging from this issue is the growing significance of sustainability and responsible business practices. The article on ESG and sustainability in Initial Public Offerings by Ankush Wadhwa, Sanjay Nandal and Tamanna Bansal provide a comprehensive synthesis of the expanding literature examining how environmental, social, and governance considerations influence IPO outcomes and investor behaviour. Complementing this perspective, the study of Manisha Joshi and Mohd. Hanif on green banking awareness highlights the increasing role of financial institutions in promoting sustainable development and environmentally responsible financial practices. Together, these contributions underscore the growing integration of sustainability concerns into mainstream financial and business decision-making.

Financial systems and markets continue to occupy a central place in economic development discourse. This issue includes the study conducted by Prachi Agarwal and Swami Prasad Saxena examine the influence of External Commercial Borrowings on India’s macroeconomic outcomes, offering valuable insights into the long-term implications of international capital inflows on economic performance. Another notable contribution by Srinivasa H. T. and Venkidasamy K. analysed the growth trajectory of India’s health insurance industry and raises important questions regarding the relationship between premium growth and financial sustainability. Further enriching the financial technology discourse, Narsis I. and Bhuvaneswari N. examined retail investor satisfaction in fintech-enabled stock trading exploring how technological adoption, trust, and security perceptions shape investor experiences in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem.

The issue also addresses critical concerns related to risk management and agricultural resilience. In the bibliometric review of crop insurance research Prashant Sharma, Raj Kovid, Dinesh Kumar Sharma and Modish Kumar maps the intellectual structure of a field that remains vital for agricultural sustainability and farmer welfare. By identifying major themes, influential contributors, and future research directions, the study offers a valuable roadmap for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers working at the intersection of agriculture, insurance, and risk management. Consumer behaviour in digital environments represents another important focus of this issue. Padmanaban R. and K. Vijayakumar in their study highlights Generation Z consumers’ attitudes and behavioural intentions towards Online Food Delivery Applications contributes to our understanding of technology-mediated consumption behaviour. The findings illuminate how perceived benefits and risks shape attitudes and intentions among digitally native consumers, offering important implications for platform developers and service providers. Similarly, Monika and Chaman Lal investigated customer loyalty in rural retailing enriches retail marketing literature by highlighting the embedded role of satisfaction within service quality perceptions, thereby offering a nuanced understanding of loyalty formation in rural markets.

Beyond markets and consumers, organizations and institutions increasingly recognize the importance of human capital and employee well-being. Interestingly, Arun Kumar S., Jegan P. and R. Vasanthagopal assess the effectiveness of police training in Kerala provides valuable evidence on the role of training interventions in enhancing service delivery and organizational performance. Navninderjit Singh solely contributed an equally significant research by examining hope and optimism as protective factors against occupational stress among university teachers. In an era characterized by heightened workplace pressures and growing concerns regarding mental health, the findings emphasize the importance of positive psychological resources in fostering employee resilience and well-being.

Taken together, the contributions in this issue illustrate the breadth and diversity of contemporary commerce and management research. The articles span multiple sectors, methodologies, and disciplinary perspectives while addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing businesses, policymakers, and society. Themes such as sustainability, financial inclusion, technological transformation, consumer behaviour, organizational effectiveness, and psychological well-being converge to demonstrate the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of management scholarship. As Editor, I extend my sincere appreciation to all authors for their valuable contributions and to the reviewers whose rigorous and constructive evaluations ensured the quality of the published work. I also acknowledge the dedication of the editorial board and the publishing team whose efforts continue to strengthen the journal’s academic standards and scholarly impact. We hope that the research presented in this issue stimulates meaningful discussions, inspires future investigations, and contributes to advancing knowledge in commerce and management. We invite scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage with these contributions and continue exploring innovative solutions to the complex challenges of contemporary business and society.

Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Anil Kumar Kashyap

Associate Editor
Dr. Manisha Gupta