Ashish Kumar’s research while affiliated with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and other places

Purpose This study aims to examine the evidence and magnitude of the sector-specific herding behaviour in the Indian equity market, focusing on the COVID-19 epoch. Design/methodology/approach This study uses high-frequency daily data of the 11 sector indices of the National Stock Exchange from January 2010 to December 2022. Cross-sectional absolute deviation and quantile regression estimation methods using dummy variables are used to capture herding in skewed time series distribution across a range of return quantiles and sub-periods corresponding to the COVID-19 epoch. The magnitude of beta herd strength and variation in intensity to decipher the impact of COVID-19 is examined. Findings The statistical results are significant at lower returns across the entire sample period, implying evidence of herding. Notably, pre-COVID-19 herding during high returns in stocks of Public Sector Banks and post-COVID-19 herding during low returns in the information technology (IT) stocks was observed. However, regression estimates were significant across all sectors during the phase of COVID-19, with the IT sectors exhibiting the maximum increase in beta herd strength. Research limitations/implications Robust statistical techniques of quantile regression and beta dispersion to decipher herd behaviour provide insights for practitioners to broaden the understanding of market efficiency for actionable responses. Furthermore, the findings emphasise regulatory monitoring to prevent speculative bubbles and advocate for targeted investor education programmes to mitigate panic-driven investment decisions. Originality/value This paper is a pioneer in providing an alternative understanding, in contrast to the traditional one, into the micro-level analysis of herding phenomenon from the lens of the COVID-19 epoch. The results are instrumental in broadening the understanding of the market dynamics in turbulent periods, highlighting the importance of informed investment decisions.

This study is anchored to assimilate the body of knowledge on herd behavior in financial markets to understand the evolution of the subject, focal concepts, and core areas researched in the past, as well as present the agenda for future research. The data involved carefully selecting 214 research articles published from 1994 to 2023 in journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. The paper examines the evolution and growth of the subject. It performs thematic review of the top 100 most influential articles to identify six focal concepts and areas discussed in the past. The findings are synthesized into three primary themes to develop a comprehensive intellectual structure for the future. The results reveal that most studies examine equity market herding in developed countries. Additionally, theoretical and empirical studies are disconnected, resulting in a partial understanding of the determinants of herd behavior. Further, there is a dominance of empirical-based studies that are inadequate in explaining the complex herd behavior. This study makes significant academic contributions through thematic review by identifying the research gaps and developing a structured framework for future research agenda complemented with the proposed methodological approach that can be used as a reference for forthcoming research.

Energy poverty (EP) presents a significant contemporary challenge affecting developed and emerging nations. The staggering statistic that over 2 billion people across the globe are energy-deprived is appalling. Hence, it is incumbent upon regulators and international agencies to address this issue as a critical responsibility, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). This study contributes significantly to the goal of clean and affordable energy for all, as outlined in SDG-7, by examining the hypothesized nexus between EP and its antecedents for the panel of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries using robust panel regression and causality models. The temporal scope of the study spans from 1990 to 2022. The study’s empirical findings, which have the potential to guide policy decisions, indicate that income inequality (IEQ) and energy intensity (EI) exacerbate EP, while foreign direct investment (FDI), gross domestic product (GDP), government spending (GS), and trade openness (TRD) help mitigate it. The panel causality test signals a bidirectional causality between EP and FDI, IEQ, and EI, while GDP and TRD demonstrate unidirectional causality toward EP. The study is robust under different model formulations and provides valuable insights for enhancing energy accessibility and affordability. To reduce income disparities and subsequently ease the problem of EP the study recommends policymakers prioritize social welfare initiatives like education, health promotion, and job creation to lower IEQ and ease EP. In addition, economies can also leverage resources and knowledge to foster a sustainable energy ecosystem for future generations via enriched transnational alliances, technology sharing, and undertaking research initiatives. Graphical abstract

The present study explores the intersection between green finance (GF) and environmental sustainability (ES) with the help of comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis techniques, unveiling new perspectives on this synergy and contributing novel insights to the field. By synthesizing a wide range of literature, this study provides an important understanding of the dynamics of GF and its implications for ES. The bibliometric analysis helps identify key trends, emerging themes, influential contributors, prominent journals, and institutions contributing to the field of GF. For analyzing the co-citations of authors, publications, journals, and generation of keywords VOSviewer software has been used. Based on an extensive exploration of past research, this study synthesizes the academic literature and offers a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of GF. The findings of our study reveal that GF fosters ES through green innovation, public spending, private participation, and digital finance. These results broaden the current state of GF and provide significant implications for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders in navigating the complexities of GF and its role in promoting sustainable growth. Through its interdisciplinary approach and rigorous analysis, this manuscript enriches the growing body of knowledge on GF and its role in fostering a sustainable future. Furthermore, the study points out several limitations and knowledge gaps, suggesting avenues for future research to address these gaps.

The present study examines the asymmetrical relationship among globalization (GLB), information communication and technology (ICT), and human development in India, where ICT is measured by mobile density (MCS) and internet density (INT). The human development index (HDI) developed by UNDP is taken as a proxy for human development. The study analyzes data from 1990 to 2022, to determine the asymmetric relationship among the variables by employing a nonlinear auto-regressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach. The findings of the study reveal that in the long run, positive and negative variations in MCS have favorable and unfavorable impacts on HDI respectively. Conversely, an increase in INT has plummeting effect on HDI, whereas a decrease in INT has a favorable impact on HDI. Also, positive tremors in GLB lead to a drop in HDI, whereas negative variations correspond to a rise in HDI. The findings are similar for the short-run period as well. Promoting human development in India necessitates a multifaceted strategy focused on important policy consequences. Based on our findings, the regulators must encourage ICT adoption and make integration into the global economy easier. This involves taking steps to promote trade liberalization and upgrade the internet infrastructure. Further, the regulators must implement policies to minimize the adverse impacts of GLB and ICT for fostering human development.

Purpose The Quadrilateral Group for Security Dialogues (QUAD), comprising Japan, Australia, India, and the USA, has experienced a noteworthy escalation in both environmental depletion and economic performance over the preceding 2 decades. Consequently, it becomes crucial to outline strategies through which the QUAD can attain a harmonious equilibrium between sustainable economic growth and ecological well-being. This research endeavors to dissect the intricate relationships among trade globalization, regulatory quality, and environmental sustainability within the QUAD for the period 1990–2021. The study checks for the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH), and Pollution Halo Effect Hypothesis (PHEH). Design/methodology/approach The long-run association is based on the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and bounds test approach to cointegration while divergence or convergence is studied with the help of decoupling index (DI). Results have been verified by applying serial correlation LM test, autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH), and cumulative sum of recursive residuals (CUSUM) tests to ensure the robustness and stability of the model. Findings The empirical results of this study affirm the applicability of the PHEH in the contexts of India, Japan, and the USA, whereas the PHH is validated in the case of Australia. Furthermore, the analysis reveals the existence of relative decoupling solely in the case of India. This testifies that the rate of growth of the Indian economy surpasses the rate of growth in ecological footprint (EF), indicating a relative reduction in the intensity of environmental impact per unit of economic growth. Research limitations/implications The empirical findings of our study suggest that countries with effective regulatory systems are better positioned to control and mitigate the potential adverse environmental effects resulting from increased global trade. Thus, policymakers are prompted to reassess the development policies for sustainable economic growth that will minimize adverse environmental repercussions. The implication of the negative relation between urbanization and EF is paramount for policymakers in developing countries seeking strategies for balanced urban development that aligns with environmental sustainability. Originality/value The present study is a unique exploration of the impact of trade globalization and regulatory quality on EF, specifically on PHH/PHEH in the context of QUAD.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formulated to accomplish highly required overall human development without depleting the environment for future generations. Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) aims for "Zero Hunger" with eight associated targets. These associated targets set in motion the overall development of agriculture that provides healthy food and raises the living standard of smallholder farmers while maintaining the natural base. SDG2 and other SDGs are intertwined, and achieving SDG2 targets will help accomplish other goals that have been weakening due to climate change, carbon emission, excessive use of chemicals, droughts, locust attacks, and pandemics. The essence of achieving SDG2 is directly linked to food production and access. The current food production based on conventional farming harms the environment and is unsustainable in the long run. Thus, the need for an alternative food production system that ensures sustainable development is emphasized. Organic farming is a food production system based on agroecological principles and promotes sustainable development. We reviewed the role of the present organic farming as a food production system to achieve SDG2. We analyzed the four targets of SDG2 and assessed whether organic farming can achieve the sub-targets of SDG2. Besides food security, organic farming ensures economic viability for small farmers, provides nutritious food and promotes biodiversity. Innovative research, practices, stakeholder partnerships, and a comprehensive framework are recommended. CONTACT Avinash

Japan is one of the developed nations in the Asian continent and holds enormous geographical and geopolitical importance in the cross-border movement of goods, services, people, and technology. Hence, it is important to analyze the impact of its de facto trade globalization and regulatory quality on ecological sustainability. Therefore, the study employs the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. Our results confirm that de facto trade globalization and regulatory quality positively impact environmental sustainability, whereas economic growth harms the sustainability of the ecology. The results validate that PHEH holds in Japan which means that it promotes environmentally safe trade and technology and its regulatory framework is firm enough in promoting clean trade. The relative decoupling situation is tantamount to an environmentally conscious society with rising economic performance.