Chitra Krishnan – författare

This book examines the state of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL)-based secondary education in India. ODL-based education has been a key resource for children in India who can neither cope with nor avail of regular schooling opportunities due to economic, health and disability, or other constraints. The volume uses large-scale empirical data collected from various Indian states and a sensitive theoretical framework to study the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the State Open School (SOS). Highlighting the roadblocks and barriers in terms of its reach, inclusion, and delivery, particularly to the marginalised, this book explores whether ODL has a potential of being a sustainable and effective option at the secondary and senior secondary level in India. Thus, it seeks to generate policy discourse around delivery mechanisms and effectiveness of ODL in developing countries.First of its kind, this comprehensive volume will be useful for scholars and researchers of education, education policy, public policy, and political studies.

This book examines the state of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL)-based secondary education in India. ODL-based education has been a key resource for children in India who can neither cope with nor avail of regular schooling opportunities due to economic, health and disability, or other constraints. The volume uses large-scale empirical data collected from various Indian states and a sensitive theoretical framework to study the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the State Open School (SOS). Highlighting the roadblocks and barriers in terms of its reach, inclusion, and delivery, particularly to the marginalised, this book explores whether ODL has a potential of being a sustainable and effective option at the secondary and senior secondary level in India. Thus, it seeks to generate policy discourse around delivery mechanisms and effectiveness of ODL in developing countries.First of its kind, this comprehensive volume will be useful for scholars and researchers of education, education policy, public policy, and political studies.

Many contemporary business models are now completely based on the idea of a circular economy or sustainability, where they extensively use technology to save resources, become more efficient, and leave a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. Thus, this book aims to bring the discussion of global business transformation, which is a need of the hour, to the forefront and highlight the use of modern technology in actively aiding businesses to become more sustainable.Global Business Transformation: Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability showcases the emerging economy context where innovation and technology are extensively used for business transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It serves as a comprehensive resource to study the different dimensions of technology, such as AI, data mining, and machine learning from businesses that utilize disruptive technology to achieve sustainability. The book addresses a variety of challenges in the pursuit of global business transformation, which policymakers and experts at all levels of society need to understand well. It also provides an outline of the most pertinent issues and effects that Industry 4.0 is expected to bring to global organizations in the near future and highlights the role of government in streamlining the alignment between SDGs and technology during strategic business transformations globally. It further analyses the possible implications for international business practice and theory and examines the wider repercussions on employment, development, and ethics.Apart from being a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals involved in the corporate business, manufacturing, and industrial engineering sectors, this book will also be of interest to those in fields related to economics, psychology, management, strategy, political science, government bodies, sociology, NGOs, and other industrial organizations.

This new volume provides a broad yet in-depth examination of the workplace challenges faced due to COVID-19 through the lens of emotional intelligence and the roles of leadership. Offering multiple perspectives—theoretical, philosophical, qualitative, and quantitative, this volume brings together many voices from leadership experts on how to effectively apply emotional intelligence principles and strategies to navigate the mental and psychological challenges facing the workforce as well as those in management roles.The book covers:How to use emotional intelligence as a tool to manage conflict, emotions, and behavior during crisisHow to adapt—and even thrive—in the "new normal"How to gauge and enhance emotional resilience of leadership and the workforceHow to practice ethical leadership in crisis managementHow to use mediative fuzzy logic to deal with inconsistent information, providing a solution when contradiction existsHow to encourage self-care approaches during the pandemic COVID-19How to build a supportive organizational culture that helps to promote encouragement, strong team connections, continuous education, and investments in staff developmentThe thoughtful and creative studies and solutions presented here will be of immense value to those in leadership roles in all kinds of workplaces. It will be valuable for human resource and organizational behavior management professionals, government policymakers, educators, and many others.

This timely volume throws light on the challenges faced by the higher education industry during the disruption from the pandemic and offers solutions for the future of higher education. It discusses methodological approaches that look at how the pandemic fostered the rise of e-learning, blended and virtual learning, and teachers’ changing roles. The book examines the role of teaching-learning practices in the era of COVID-19, the impact of digital learning on students, and the psychological and emotional impact on students from digital learning and blended learning during the pandemic.

With the goal to facilitate advancing gender equality in challenging times, this volume investigates gender inequality in several areas and advocates for equality of rights for men and women as a prerequisite for a peaceful, wealthy, and sustainable world.

Empowerment of women has been identified as being central to the advancement of sustainable development. Generally, empowering women has thousands of positive effects on economic and social development and fosters improvement of the environment all over the world. This new book, Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Future, presents a thoughtful collection of important voices and research studies on women by scholars and activists passionate about the cause of women.The volume documents the progress of women empowerment across a range of sectors and geographic regions and the struggles that are associated with the process of change. Drawing upon compelling research, real-life case studies, and personal narratives, this book sheds light on the obstacles women face and the transformative power they possess. It addresses historical and contemporary challenges, from gender discrimination and unequal access to opportunities to societal stereotypes and cultural biases. Through these insightful discussions, the book demonstrates the urgent need for gender equality as a key catalyst for global progress.The volume addresses economic independence and empowerment, microfinance, women in trade and leadership, and empowering women through education and skill development, providing real-life solutions for addressing the challenges that hinder progress. Topics include fintech, homophobia, women’s work-life balance and imbalance, women entrepreneurs, government policies and programs, women leaders in education, women self-help groups, and much more.Providing a comprehensive analysis of women empowerment and its significance in sustainable development, this volume makes a powerful appeal to policymakers, business professionals, faculty and students, and social activists. By detailing these challenges and opportunities across sectors and geographies, it aims to mobilize change and pave the way for a more inclusive society.

This new volume explores the intricate relationship between gender dynamics and effective leadership in various contexts. Drawing on research and real-world examples, the book offers insights into how fostering gender equality can enhance leadership effectiveness, promote inclusive organizational cultures, and drive positive societal change. It goes beyond theoretical discussions, offering practical strategies and case studies that illustrate how gender-inclusive leadership positively impacts organizations and communities. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of not only empowering women leaders but also dismantling systemic barriers that perpetuate gender disparities. This book is a mosaic of voices, experiences, and viewpoints bound by a single goal: creating a society where gender no longer determines one’s prospects, rights, or influence.

Delving into ChatGPT’s architecture and ability to generate human-like text, chapters go beyond technical explanations, exploring the factors contributing to ChatGPT's widespread adoption and its significance in society and industry. The work showcases how ChatGPT has transformed conversational experiences, revolutionizing customer service, streamlining business processes, and enhancing user engagement across various domains. Authors address the potential pitfalls and ethical concerns associated with ChatGPT. They delve into bias, misinformation, and the potential amplification of harmful content that may arise, as well as revealing insights into responsible AI practices, transparency, and accountability, emphasizing the importance of mitigating these risks and ensuring fairness in AI-driven conversations. Thoroughly examining the impact of ChatGPT on the workforce and the potential for job displacement, the need for upskilling and reskilling, and the importance of balanced integration of human oversight in chatbot interactions, the concept of collaborative human-AI systems is explored, where ChatGPT works alongside humans to enhance conversation quality and foster trust.The ChatGPT Revolution is essential reading for AI researchers and academics interested in the technical intricacies of ChatGPT, industry professionals in AI and NLP seeking practical insights for real-world applications, and ethics and responsible AI practitioners focusing on mitigating ethical concerns.

As with any digital technology, there are concerns about how new advancements may affect our health, safety, security, privacy, and economy. The metaverse has potential, but as with any other universe, whether it be physical or digital, it also faces challenges. It is currently undefinable; neither good nor bad can be applied to it, falling under a spectrum that can be either advantageous or harmful to those who engage in it.Focusing on the main issues presented by the metaverse, including implementation, governance, ethical decision-making, sustainability, safety and security, intellectual property, and acceptable behavior issues, The Metaverse Dilemma explores a balanced viewpoint of the metaverse from both a theoretical and practical mindset, examining the challenges and opportunities faced when adopting and implementing the metaverse in business and everyday scenarios.Contributing to the fields of technology and sustainability through the lens of the metaverse, The Metaverse Dilemma is essential reading for entrepreneurs, start-up enthusiasts, students, researchers, and practitioners looking to understand the broader implications of the metaverse on the future of global society.

The academic world is undergoing a silent, rapid revolution. As the global education landscape shifts with the impact of technology, the ability to keep pace with evolving skill sets and emerging technologies is the new standard for a faster, more flexible, and more adaptable learning process. Powering Global Academic Landscapes explores how technological advancements are dismantling traditional barriers to knowledge. From institutions navigating digital transformation to the rise of borderless, cross-border collaborations, this book reimagines the very essence of teaching and learning. The book discusses how digital tools have democratized education, allowing learning to happen at any pace, in any place. By examining the transformative power of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Big Data, Cloud Computing, etc., this work demonstrates why these business innovations are the essential architects of education’s future. Supported by a wealth of real-world case studies and expert analysis, this book provides a strategic roadmap for administrators, educators, policymakers, and tech innovators ready to lead the global shift in education.

This book provides a comprehensive guide on integrating sustainability into organizational strategy, HR practices, and overall business growth. It begins by highlighting the importance of aligning business strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve a balance between economic progress and environmental responsibility. The shift from traditional HR to sustainable HR is a central theme of the book. It explores how companies can prioritize long-term workforce well-being, adapt to remote work, and support a sustainable work culture. Another key focus of the book is leveraging sustainability in employer branding and talent acquisition. By embedding sustainability into their values, organizations can attract and retain talent aligned with their commitment to social responsibility. The book also emphasizes the role of women in leadership, particularly in virtual environments, for fostering inclusive, gender-diverse, and resilient teams. Additionally, it explores sustainability reporting practices, with case studies on tech companies showcasing how they measure and communicate their environmental and social impact. Finally, the book looks ahead at future trends and challenges in sustainable HR, including work-life balance, well-being, and the integration of sustainability into workforce management. This is an essential read for HR professionals, business leaders, and sustainability advocates seeking practical strategies to support sustainable development and create meaningful impact.