Guna Raj Chhetri’s scientific contributions

This study looks at the opinions of investors in Chitwan, Nepal, about mutual funds as well as their general investing habits, risk tolerance, and decision-making variables. The study identifies drivers like yield, risk, liquidity, and security as crucial elements that impact investors’ choices, based on a sample of 101 respondents from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. It was shown that although most investors recognize the advantages of mutual funds, they still rely on brokers, suggesting that mutual fund accessibility and education might be improved. In addition, the respondents frequently mentioned issues like exorbitant prices, service delivery time, and branch distance, all of which could lower investor satisfaction and restrict the pool of potential investors. Mutual funds, particularly closed-ended ones, are drawing more comparatively younger and moderately earning investors, according to the report. Additionally, it was determined that digital sources, such as the internet, were the most efficient among all of the information sources. The Chitwan region may see a rise in mutual fund investors, according to this report, which is why businesses should focus on improving outreach and fixing service issues. These steps have the potential to boost investor confidence and have a big influence on the region’s access to financial inclusion and wider economic scenarios.

This study aims to examine the determinants of financial inclusion and investigate its influence on the financial well-being of marginalized street vendors in Chitwan, utilizing social capital theory as a theoretical framework. The research is based on quantitative analysis, with data collected from 205 respondents using structured questionnaires distributed through offline and online channels. Convenience sampling was employed to gather data. The study used descriptive and inferential statistical methods and analyzed the data using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Among the five dimensions of financial inclusion determinants, financial literacy, availability, usage, and affordability significantly influenced financial inclusion, whereas accessibility did not have a significant impact. The findings further revealed that financial inclusion significantly impacts the financial well-being of marginalized street vendors in Chitwan. The study is limited to marginalized street vendors in Chitwan and may not be generalizable to other contexts or populations. Future research should explore the interrelationships between individual financial inclusion and financial well-being in broader or comparative settings for a comprehensive understanding of this relationship. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and development organizations aiming to enhance financial inclusion and promote financial well-being among marginalized communities. It highlights the need for targeted interventions in financial literacy, service availability, usage, and affordability.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of reward satisfaction on job performance of employees. This research employs a descriptive research design. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed to seven insurance companies. The findings demonstrate a significant association between pay level satisfaction and job performance. They also show that salary administration has an important and positive effect on job performance. The findings indicate that raise satisfaction has a favorable and significant impact on job performance. They also demonstrate a positive and significant effect of benefits satisfaction on employee job performance. In fact, employee satisfaction with organizational rewards has a significant and favorable effect on job performance. Organizational rewards, both intrinsic (recognition, career growth chances) and extrinsic (bonuses, raises), have the potential to greatly increase enthusiasm. When employees believe their efforts are recognized and rewarded, they are more motivated to perform effectively. Rewards make employees feel valued and appreciated, which leads to increased job satisfaction. Employees who are satisfied with their rewards are more likely to be engaged and committed to their jobs. Therefore, today’s organizations must focus on effective rewards that satisfy employees and effectively improve their performance levels.

This study aims to explore major factors creating employee stress in Merged and Acquisitions (M&As) practices in the context of Bank and Financial Institutions (BFIs) in Nepal. It has followed a qualitative approach to present the factors creating employee stress in mergers and acquisitions. Using a purposive sample approach, 60 employees from Nepalese BFIs— including clerical to executive-level personnel—were chosen and were asked to participate in a number of interviews and talks to learn more about the effects of M&A procedures. These employees were personally contacted at the corporate, branch, and head offices of five merged BFIs of Nepal. The findings identify twelve significant elements that contribute to employee stress as a result of merger and acquisition practices in BFIs. They include changes to compensation and benefits, change in leadership, fear and uncertainty, cultural shifts, job security, prioritizing self-protection, increased workloads and responsibilities, future, lack of trust and confidence, impact on career progression, approval delays, and communication gaps. Direct, observable changes (such as leadership and salary) are linked to the highest levels of stress, whereas more general, abstract worries (such as cultural changes and future related anxiety) are ranked lower. Proactively addressing these variables can reduce stress and increase the M&As practices' success. In fact, employee job stress can be reduced by encouraging employees to participate in productive work and maintaining strong motivation and commitment levels. Employee interaction, mentoring and peer support, employee well being, key staff retention, and cultural integration are the most crucial HR initiatives for effective M&As incorporation. All of these will assist in decreasing job stress among employees as a result of the M&As practices.

The purpose of this research is to develop a knowledge management (KM) initiative framework for Nepalese higher educational institutions (HEIs). It takes into account both a descriptive and analytical approach. This study is based on a questionnaire survey of 105 Nepalese authorities and academicians from 21 HEIs. The findings indicate that the core functions of KM initiatives are the teaching-learning atmosphere, research works and projects, the use of modern technology, and the use of knowledge-based systems. Inappropriate institutional culture, lack of knowledge sharing practice, lack of use of contemporary technology, reuse of old knowledge, traditional technique of KM, reluctant to change an existing habit, lack of institutional efforts to create knowledge, poor motivation and enhancement practice for creating and utilizing knowledge, insufficient capture of process and legacy knowledge, and lack of funding for classroom preparation, library management, laboratories, and information technology are key the challenges. Knowledge flow and transfer, resource persons, and their expertise, consideration of the knowledge needed by stakeholders, making the understanding visible, the institutionalization of KM-related policy, and investment in infrastructure development are the fundamentals for implementing KM initiatives in HEIs of Nepal.

The performance and decision-making of individual investors in Nepal are investigated in this study, with an emphasis on the behavioural aspects that affect their investing decisions. Determiners of investment performance and decisions, the interaction between market, firm, and risk-return variables, and their influence on investor choices are the objectives of the study. 110 respondents, including commercial banks, business owners, government employees, graduate management students, and stock market investors, were selected from the Bharatpur metropolitan area in the Chitwan district using a descriptive and causal comparative study approach. The results indicate that market trends have a considerable impact on investing confidence, as seen by the moderately positive correlation found between investor decisions and market-related variables (MRV). The significance of a company's performance metrics, management quality, and reputation is highlighted by the greater positive correlation found for company-related variables (CRV). Additionally, there is a moderately positive correlation between risk and return variables (RRV), indicating that people who are more confident in their investing decisions are more likely to be willing to face risks in exchange for larger returns or who prefer steady returns. According to the study's findings, investor decisions are significantly influenced by a variety of interrelated factors, including firm characteristics, market conditions, and risk-return preferences.

Investment decision-making is a critical aspect of financial management, influenced by cognitive biases, financial literacy, and past behavior. This study examines the impact of past behavior and financial literacy on investment decision-making among Nepalese investors, incorporating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Using SmartPLS 4, the study analyzes 426 respondents with at least three years of investment experience. The findings reveal that financial literacy significantly influences attitude and investment decisions, while past behavior impacts investment choices. However, perceived behavioral control does not significantly affect investment intention. The measurement model meets reliability and validity criteria, with R² values indicating weak to moderate explanatory power. The effect size (f²) ranges from small to medium, with one strong relationship (f² = 0.506). Q²predict values suggest attitude has higher predictive relevance than other variables. The study highlights the importance of financial education in enhancing investment participation and mitigating biases. Findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and investors to promote informed financial decision-making. Future research should explore additional psychological and market-related factors influencing investment behavior in emerging economies like Nepal.

The study examines the adoption of green banking practices among commercial banks in Chitwan and its impact on environmental performance. The researcher aims to assess the green banking practices employed by commercial banks, examining the relationship between these practices and bank performance, and analyse the impact of green banking on the perceived performance of commercial banks. The study employs an analytical research design to analyze the variables associated with green banking practices. The population comprises bankers from financial institutions across Chitwan, with a sample of 189 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Statistical tools were used to analyze the relationships between independent variables (employee-related practices, daily operation practices, customer-related practices, and bank policy-related practices) and the dependent variable (bank's environmental performance). The results showed that commercial banks in Chitwan generally have a positive view of their sustainability practices, with bank policy-relatedpractices showing the highest positive perception among employees. The study also found a positive correlation between green banking practices and environmental performance, with bank policy-related practices having the strongest relationship and customer-related practices the weakest. The study underscores the importance ofstrategic policy implementation and employee involvement in promoting sustainability within the banking sector.

This study examines the impact of brand love on brand loyalty, examining the moderating roles of self-esteem and susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) within the context of consumer behavior in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal. Utilizing a descriptive and causal comparative research design, the study employs a structured questionnaire survey, gathering primary data from 218 respondents through purposive sampling. The research aims to elucidate how brand love fosters brand loyalty and how self-esteem and social influences modulate this relationship. The findings reveal that respondents exhibit a moderate level of brand love, self-esteem, and susceptibility to normative influence, with brand loyalty also being moderately present. Correlation analysis indicates a significant, albeit weak, positive relationship between brand love and brand loyalty, suggesting that while emotional attachment to a brand enhances loyalty, other factors are also influential. SNI shows a weak positive correlation with brand loyalty, but this relationship is not statistically significant. Self- esteem, on the other hand, significantly negatively impacts brand loyalty. Regression results further highlight that brand love is a significant positive predictor of brand loyalty, whereas self-esteem negatively affects it. SNI does not significantly influence brand loyalty. These findings underscore the critical role of brand love in fostering loyalty and suggest that higher self esteem may reduce brand loyalty, potentially due to overconfidence or differing consumer priorities. The study contributes to understanding the dynamics of brand loyalty and the nuanced effects of psychological and social factors on consumer-brand relationships.

The major objective of the study is to analyze the effect of career development program, commitment and communication on employee’s productivity in Nepalese commercial banks. This study uses questionnaires survey method using multiple choice, ranking scale. Likert scale and other demographic information were used to collect primary data. The Likert scale on different variables like career development, commitment, communication, training, reward and work environment measured in 5-point Likert scale and weighted mean value of each variable were used to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables as for the study purpose. This study showed career development, commitment, communication, training, reward and work environment have positive impact on employee productivity in Nepalese commercial banks. This indicates that better career development program, commitment, communication, training, reward and work environment leads to increase employee productivity in Nepalese commercial banks. The study also concludes that training followed by reward and work environment is the most influencing factor that explains employee productivity in Nepalese commercial banks.