http://dspace.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/5741 2026-05-15T14:19:40Z http://dspace.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/14753 Technology adoption among women entrepreneurs of the Global South: a systematic literature review and research agenda Annu; Kashyap, Anil Kumar; Sharma, Sahil; Dwivedi, Amit Kumar Purpose – The review study aims to reveal the pathway, more specifically barriers, enablers and impact of technology adoption, among women entrepreneurs of the Global South. We analyzed the existing literature to provide insights and recommendations for future research. Design/methodology/approach – PreferredReporting Itemsfor SystematicReview and Meta-Analysis and the theories, contexts, characteristics and methods (TCCM) frameworks are used to analyze 73 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, published between January 2014 and June 6, 2025. Findings – Socio-cultural constraints, inadequate infrastructure, skill and literacy gaps and limited access and affordability hinder technology adoption among women entrepreneurs in the Global South. Enablers include capacity-building,supportsystems and facilitating conditionsthatstrengthen women’s capability of technology adoption. Consequently, the improvements in market access, income stability and empowerment are visible. However, online harassment, platform dependence, risk of cyber fraud, etc. are the emerging concerns. Practical implications – The barriers, enablers and impacts are integrated into a capability pathway (contextual conditions→ barriers and enablers→ mediating mechanism→ adoption→ outcome→ feedback), which can guide researchers, policymakers, institutions and governments of the Global South to design interventions that target not only skills and infrastructure but also safety, household constraints and institutional supports. Originality/value – This study advances understandings about technology adoption among women and explains why adoption trajectories and outcomes differ for women entrepreneurs in the context of the Global South. 2026-04-14T00:00:00Z http://dspace.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/14749 Shaping the Future of Environmental Sustainability in SMEs: A Hybrid NGT and Grey AHP Approach Chakraborty, Arpita; Ranjan, Deepak; Singh, Manvendra Pratap The manufacturing sector is crucial for sustainable development, with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constituting 90% of businesses and aiding exports and job creation. This study examines environmental sustainability challenges in manufacturing SMEs and ranks standards and disclosures using Modified Nominal Group Technique (M-NGT) and Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process (Grey-AHP). The research produced a materiality matrix for environmental challenges and proposed benchmarks for SMEs' sustainability standards. Reporting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics is expected to provide strategic environmental solutions. This is the first effort to create a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) compliant environmental reporting framework for Indian manufacturing SMEs. The study enhances understanding of SMEs' role in national sustainability by integrating the materiality matrix with environmental needs. It highlighted the importance of environmental reporting in promoting awareness, accountability, and compliance understanding. Smaller enterprises will learn to recognize climate change and meet environmental standards. These efforts will help mitigate the costly ESG reporting process, especially Scope 3. This research is one of the first in India to utilize NGT and grey theory for developing sustainability reporting standards and protocols for manufacturing SMEs, using the GRI framework. Chakraborty, A., D.Ranjan, and M. P.Singh. 2026. “Shaping the Future of Environmental Sustainability in SMEs: A Hybrid NGT and Grey AHP Approach.” Sustainable Development1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70969. 2026-04-04T00:00:00Z http://dspace.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/14748 Cradle-to-grave supply chain for sustainable municipal solid waste management: developing nation perspective Ranjan, Deepak; Thakur, Vikas; Prashar, Sanjeev Rapid urbanisation, evolving consumption patterns and industrial development have led to environmental deterioration and pose a threat to sustainable development through the generation of significant volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW). The MSW management (MSWM) has thrust the world economy into an unparalleled challenge position, underscoring the need to mitigate its effects. This research analyses the components of a sustainable supply chain for MSW management using a comprehensive methodology that integrates total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) with fuzzy-MICMAC (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification) analysis. The investigation conducted in this study identifies 17 key factors essential for a sustainable supply chain in MSWM, drawing insights from field research, existing literature and inputs from stakeholders. Subsequently, a hierarchical digraph of the 17 factors is constructed based on their interrelationships utilising the TISM approach. Moreover, a fuzzy-MICMAC sensitivity analysis categorises these factors into four clusters according to their driving forces and dependencies. The findings highlight the significance of adhering to solid waste management (SWM, 2016) regulations, enhancing local governance policies, and raising social awareness of MSW to foster a cleaner urban environment with reduced waste. Effective waste segregation, formal collection procedures, and efficient transportation and tracking systems are crucial for optimising the MSW supply chain. All the factors of a sustainable supply chain for handling MSW have been verified by the field investigation and experts’ opinions in Odisha, India only; hence, generalizability needs to be validated. Ranjan, D., Thakur, V. & Prashar, S. Cradle-to-grave supply chain for sustainable municipal solid waste management: developing nation perspective. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 27, 4015–4030 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-025-02352-y 2025-08-07T00:00:00Z http://dspace.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/14694 Entrepreneurial innovativeness in tribal communities: evidence from grassroots enterprises in North-East India Basu, Analjyoti; Hasnaoui, Jamila Abaidi; Bharti, Pankaj; Alexandre, Laurice Purpose – This study examines the innovativeness of tribal entrepreneurs in North-East India. This study aims to understand how individual attributes (age, gender and marital status) and business characteristics (enterprise age and ownership structure) influence innovation practices. This research is positioned within a broader effort to explore how entrepreneurship functions in underserved regions, where tribal communities rely on self-employment and local knowledge to sustain livelihoods. The objective is to contribute to ongoing discussions on grassroots entrepreneurship, focusing on how innovation supports business performance and community resilience in areas marked by limited institutional support. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts an exploratory design based on primary data collected from 164 tribal entrepreneurs across four districts: Aizawl, Churachandpur, East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi. Innovativeness is assessed using composite scores derived from two dimensions: idea nurturing and lateral/ abstract thinking. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Statistical methods, including correlation analysis, t-tests and analysis of variance, were applied to examine relationships between innovativeness and selected variables. Sampling followed a stratified approach, focusing on enterprises with at least three years of activity and a minimum of three employees. Findings – The analysis reveals no significant association between innovativeness and either the entrepreneur’s age or the age of the business. However, gender, marital status, proprietorship type and district-level location are all significantly related to innovation scores. Female entrepreneurs, married individuals and those operating sole proprietorships report higher levels of innovativeness. Regional differences also emerge, with higher innovation scores recorded in Ri- Bhoi and Aizawl. These results suggest that innovativeness is shaped more by social and contextual factors than by demographic characteristics alone. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study are based on a cross-sectional dataset limited to four tribal-majority districts, which may affect generalisability. The use of self-reported measures introduces the possibility of response bias. This study does not account for informal networks, institutional quality or longitudinal dynamics. Future research could explore how innovation capabilities evolve over time and how local governance, infrastructure and collective entrepreneurship shape innovation trajectories. Comparative studies across regions and countries would further enhance understanding of innovation within tribal or indigenous contexts.Practical implications – The results may inform support mechanisms for tribal entrepreneurship. Public and private initiatives that strengthen individual creative capacities – especially among women and sole proprietors – could enhance innovation outcomes. Tailored training programs that promote idea development and adaptive thinking may be particularly relevant in geographically and culturally diverse regions. Recognising the heterogeneity of tribal territories is essential for the design of policies that foster inclusive and place-based entrepreneurial ecosystems. Stakeholders may also consider reinforcing community-based platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing and peer learning. Originality/value – This study addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on the determinants of innovativeness among tribal entrepreneurs. This study contributes empirical evidence from North-East India, a region that remains underrepresented in entrepreneurship research. The analysis highlights how innovation practices emerge at the intersection of individual characteristics and local contexts. By examining how innovation supports entrepreneurial survival and community engagement, this paper adds value to debates on inclusive development and offers insights relevant to scholars, practitioners and policymakers working in peripheral or marginalised settings. 2026-03-13T00:00:00Z