In an era when consumers believe that businesses should engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is vital to understand how it affects consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for the goods and services offered by such businesses. There is a need for an in‐depth study into the relationship between CSR and WTP, and to identify the mediators and the moderators affecting this relationship. To investigate this, we conducted a systematic literature review based on a preliminary search result of 116 unique articles indexed on this topic in four bibliographic databases—Scopus, Google Scholar, Dimensions and Web of Science—published over the previous seven decades. The findings confirm the overall positive effect of CSR on WTP. This study also reveals the indirect effect between CSR and WTP, mediated by variables like Brand Trust, Brand Loyalty, Brand Love, Customer Satisfaction, Brand Attitude, Purchase Intention and Brand Equity. The relationship is impacted by moderators, including demographics, cause‐based aspects, company characteristics, personal aspects and types of products. The theory explaining the evidence of each of these aspects provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between CSR and WTP, and the intervening variables. Based on these, a conceptual framework of this relationship involving all the variables is developed. The Theory, Context and Method (TCM) framework is employed to identify gaps and systematically make recommendations for future research. The findings of this study will aid marketers in developing pricing strategies based on a thorough understanding of consumer behaviour in terms of CSR perceptions. Scholars can use this study's conceptual framework to examine previously unexplored relationships. As the literature on CSR and its influence on consumers' purchase behaviour grows, this comprehensive systematic literature review on the effects of CSR on WTP fills an important gap.

The digital divide is an important issue in developing nations, especially during Covid-19 times. The notion of the digital divide gained prominence in the 1990s. The characterization of the idea of the digital divide has evolved with time and is currently recognized as “lack of knowledge, access or infrastructure.” It can be comprehended as a barrier for the general masses, particularly in developing countries. Information and communication technology (ICT) now occupies a significant role in our lives (especially in Covid-19 times). India is known for its social diversity. However, some groups and categories of people have historically been excluded and continue to be excluded today. This study focuses on the assessment of the impact of the digital divide on Indian society, specifically on the phenomenon of social exclusion because of the digitalization of almost all aspects of our lives. The research gap observed is that the digital divide can have serious concerns for future growth since it impedes social mobility, creates impediments, and exacerbates social inaccessibility for disadvantaged groups. To obtain an adequate sample size, respondents are chosen using simple random sampling technique of probability sampling. Statistical techniques such as validity and reliability analysis, T-test, ANOVA, and correlation-regression are used to present quantitative data. The study's expected outcome will be to provide a vigilant roadmap for policymakers and public institutions to strengthen nationhood among the masses while promoting social inclusion. Modern Indian society should strive for inclusion, and there should be no discrimination in terms of digital accessibility, which could paralyze the developing nation.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and impact of state regulation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending on company actions and to examine whether making mandatory CSR encourages businesses to engage in social welfare projects. Additionally, the authors also investigate whether these CSR expenditures can enable India to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Design/methodology/approach CSR expenditure data from the government repository of 22,531 eligible companies in India were studied from FY2014–2015 to FY2019–2020. CSR spending is further classified according to development areas of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, and mapped with the SDGs to see which ones the corporations have prioritized. Findings CSR spending increased from INR 10,066 crore in 2014–2015 to INR 24,689 crore in 2019–2020. Companies have prioritized CSR expenditure on education, followed by health care and rural development. The number of companies spending more than the mandated expenditure increased by around 75% from 2014–2015 to 2019–2020. However, the “comply or explain” approach of the law has led to a major number of companies spending zero on CSR. Companies have generally concentrated on moving CSR funds to designated funds rather than using them for capacity development to instill social responsibility culture. Originality/value This study provides evidence of the impact of mandatory CSR expenditure on welfare activities and SDGs. Unlike previous research, the results of this study are based on CSR expenditures rather than voluntary CSR scores.

Social innovation is the search for new and conclusive solutions to social problems aimed at improving the welfare of individuals and communities. Studies on social innovation and its implementation, especially with regard to the importance of gender equality and the impact of the gendered perspective on the implementation of such social innovations, are still scarce. Based on Gabriel Tarde’s social theory, our study shows the urgency of addressing pressing social problems. The research objective is to statistically assess the implementation of social innovation in India, specifically from a gendered perspective. 400 responses were collected in August and September 2021 through a structured survey questionnaire which used simple random sampling of probability sampling method. The responses came from the northern states of India (especially Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh). The data analysis was done by means of statistical tests (using the SPSS 25 program) after validating the concepts, and was based on the results of frequency and percentage distribution of responses, one-sample t-test, ANOVA and correlation-regression tests. The study concludes that gender plays an important role in the implementation of social innovation in India, and gender equality must be incorporated into every facet of social innovation to reach its full potential and benefit everyone.

The energy sector is one of the most important sectors as it is the producer and supplier of fuel to run other industries and economies. This research aims to present an intertwined structure of risk exposure measuring the performance of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Energy Index and selected companies from the constituents while taking into account two scenarios of risk, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, in a manner appropriate for energy stock investors, energy companies, and the economy through hedging against investment risk, diversification in operations securing the continuation of energy production, and the risk of fluctuating prices in the energy market, respectively. The research problem is observed as the requirement to choose the representative stocks of the S&P (BSE) Energy Index to evaluate their situations during the period of the two crisis scenarios and to provide the current risk exposure to India’s energy sector. The methodological approach was through the process of selecting the stock market, the reason behind selecting the energy sector, analyzing the crisis situation, and finally providing the risk exposure matrix. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the index and stocks only in the beginning when the market was scared psychologically. The Russia–Ukraine conflict is considered to measure the stock status showing the effect on the index and the effect on selected stocks showing a deviated performance. All ten companies representative of the S&P BSE Energy Index ranked in the increasing order of risk exposure comparatively and concludes a high potential growth and return.