Commerce

Crude oil is known to have an impact on people's life of both producers and consumers of crude oil countries. A producer country's socio-political impact will be different from a consumer country's socio-political impact. This paper aims to show that crude oil price has a socio-political impact on global countries through descriptive analysis. The study found that there were similarities in the movement of crude oil price and change in GDP of both India and United States and further Russia and Venezuela have had crude oil impact on their respective GDP's, which has made them take policy reforms. The paper identifies changes in the policy framework due to influence of crude oil price and eventual changes in existing socio-political environment. Taking oil producing countries such as Russia and Venezuela as examples, this paper suggests that policy reforms are the key to having a stable socio-political environment. Russia shows us that having a flexible monetary policy can keep the budget dependence on crude oil reduced in the short term. On the other hand, for oil consuming countries, having a stable supply and moving to new energy sources is the key to tackle the influence of crude oil price on the socio-political environment of global countries.

The main objective of this study is to find out has GST had an impact on CPI and also to know the percentage variations that has occurred in CPI basket after the implementation of GST. The data has been collected from secondary sources like Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. CPI data from July 2016 to July 2018 were taken. The study found out that every group of the CPI basket have had an increase after the implementation of GST.

India has emerged as the number 1 consumer for gold, globally. India is heavily dependent on gold imports to meet its demand. The New Economic Policy 1991 and globalization have increased the risks of buying gold due to increased volatility in prices. The government of India introduced gold option futures with the aim that option futures on gold will be fundamentally used for hedging the risks associated with gold price changes. But there is a question whether that gold option contracts are effective in hedging price. The paper tries to answer this question. The paper aims to find the hedging efficiency of gold option contracts in Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). The paper uses Simple linear regressions (OLS model) for testing hedging efficiency. The paper found that there is significant relationship between the spot prices and gold option prices and the R2 shows that there is a hedging efficiency of 88%. The result of this paper shows the attractiveness of the gold derivative markets as a platform for hedging price risks. The paper also see that there should be adequate awareness needed for the major stakeholders in realising the major benefits of option contracts, there by using the exchange traded platforms and derivative instruments to its full potential.

This paper aims to examine and compare the efficiency position of public factoring companies in India. The efficiency ratios are employed to ascertain the company's efficiency and utilize its assets. The secondary data has been collected from the annual reports of the concerned companies. The average total assets turnover ratio indicates that all public factoring companies do not show efficiency in utilising total assets. The Canbank Factors and IFCI Factors have higher efficiency in equity turnover, which indicates that these factoring companies have utilised the equity capital properly to earn more revenue. The working capital turnover ratio explains that Canbank Factors have proper management in controlling the short-term assets and liabilities. The ANOVA results show that there is a significant difference in the efficiency position of public factoring companies, except for an insignificant difference concerning the total assets turnover ratio. Canbank Factors and IFCI Factors have better efficiency in terms of equity turnover and working capital turnover ratio.

The Internet is playing a vital role in changing the lives of people by interconnecting with each other to work, learn, and spend time. Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) is a set of Information Technology (IT) designed for the interaction between the factoring institutions and customers through computer systems to play an essential role in making the human resource skillful and knowledgeable. This technology helps the factoring institutions and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in avoiding wasting time, human resources, and financial cost. This paper attempts to describe the overview of the role of TReDS technology in human resource management. This new technology helps the factoring institutions to reach unreached customers i.e., MSMEs and vice versa. This paper focuses on the newly developed technology i.e., TReDS regarding utilization of the factoring businesses for MSMEs in removing the communication barriers, mechanization and standardization of information etc.

The main objective of this paper is to examine and compare the solvency position of private factoring companies in India. Solvency denotes to the capacity of the business to meets its long-term commitments. To assess the company's ability to pay its long-term debt obligation includes an in-depth analysis of capital structure components of the business. To assess and examine the solvency position of private factoring companies, solvency ratios have been used. The select private factoring companies (i.e., India Factoring and Finance Solution Pvt. Ltd., Pinnacle Capital Solution Pvt. Ltd., and Bibby Financial Service (India) Pvt. Ltd., have been taken to carry out the research work for the five years from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The secondary has been collected from the annual reports of the concerned companies. The analysis of the study reveals that India Factoring & Finance Solution Pvt. Ltd., capital structure composed of more debt rather than equity, whereas of Bibby Financial Service (India) Pvt. Ltd., has more equity in its capital structure. The Interest coverage ratio of Bibby Financial Service (India) Pvt. Ltd., is more as compared remaining both private factoring companies.

The main objective of this paper is to examine and compare the solvency position of public factoring companies in India. Solvency states the ability of the business to meets its long-term commitments. To assess the company’s ability to pay its long-term debt obligation includes an in-depth analysis of capital structure components of the business. To assess and examine the solvency position of public factoring companies, solvency ratios have been used. The select public factoring companies (i.e., SBI Global Factors, Canbank Factors, and IFCI Factors) have been taken to carry out the research work for the five years from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The secondary has been collected from the yearly reports of the concerned companies. The analysis of the study reveals that IFCI Factors capital structure composed of more debt rather than equity, whereas SBI Global Factors has more equity in its capital structure. The Interest coverage ratio of IFCI Factors is more as compared remaining both public factoring companies.

This paper aims to examine and compare the efficiency position of public factoring companies in India. The efficiency ratios are employed to ascertain the company's efficiency and utilize its assets. The secondary data has been collected from the annual reports of the concerned companies. The average total assets turnover ratio indicates that all public factoring companies do not show efficiency in utilising total assets. The Canbank Factors and IFCI Factors have higher efficiency in equity turnover, which indicates that these factoring companies have utilised the equity capital properly to earn more revenue. The working capital turnover ratio explains that Canbank Factors have proper management in controlling the short-term assets and liabilities. The ANOVA results show that there is a significant difference in the efficiency position of public factoring companies, except for an insignificant difference concerning the total assets turnover ratio. Canbank Factors and IFCI Factors have better efficiency in terms of equity turnover and working capital turnover ratio.

Ecotourism is an approach to tourism development to meet the sustainable development initiative globally. In order to meet the sustainability through resource appropriation a clear and well-knitted framework is very essential. The present study made a detailed investigation on destination management with reference to Thenmala Ecotourism Project, India's first planned ecotourism. Further, it evaluates the competencies of institutional arrangements to meet the policy objectives of ecotourism through SWOT analysis of the destination. The study shows that the destination level framework is (a). Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) at the administrative level and (b) community based organizations like Eco Development Committees (EDC) under Forest Development Authority (FDA) and Self Help Groups (SHG) under Kudumbashree Programme at the operational level which have certain operational weakness leading to sustainability failures. Study further suggests for an integrated efforts to revitalize these grass root level institutions.

Micro finance is considered as a viable tool for reaching the unreached. It has accessed in all societies in developmental activities where hitherto over looked because of various reasons. The inclusion of the 'neglected' in to the mainstream of the society through micro finance initiative has widely recognized in all most all parts of the world. This paper seeks to identify the role of micro finance in the changing tourism development scenario as it is considered as the one of the viable option for the inclusive growth. The investigation is to unravel tourism options in micro finance not only to the destination facilitation but travel enhancement among the low-income people through an exploratory study on tourism sector by citing the case studies from Kerala. Even though both models of destination facilitation and travel enhancement found to be viable, destination facilitation model is more conducive to employment generation, gender development and inclusive growth. INTRODUCTION Globalization and present growth trajectory brought about new challenges of widening inter personal and inter regional disparities with greater rural urban divide in India. In order to tackle these challenges and achieve broad based balanced development financial inclusion 1 (FI) and self-help groups 2 (SHG) are emerging as viable strong alternatives. The Indian economy has been growing at a steady rate of 8.5 % to 9% about five years till 2006-07.The potential for growth in the primary and SME sectors is enormous. Limited access to affordable financial services such as savings, loan, remittance and insurance services by the vast majority of the population in the rural areas and unorganised sector is believed to be acting as a constraint to the growth impetus in these sectors. Access to affordable financial services-especially credit and insurance-enlarges livelihood opportunities and empowers the poor to take charge of their lives. Such empowerment aids social and political stability. Apart from these benefits, FI imparts formal identity, provides access to the payments system and to savings safety net like deposit insurance. Hence FI is considered to be critical for achieving inclusive growth; which itself is required for ensuring overall sustainable growth in the country. Tourism is emerging as a major tool for economic development in many countries its role in the economy varies from country to country depending on the stage of development as well as the degree of tourism infrastructure and attractions. As a global industry tourism employs one out of every fifteen people across the world and has contributed substantial share to the world economy in terms of income generation. Innovations in tourism sector included eco tourism, rural tourism, cultural tourism, monsoon tourism, diamond tourism, wildlife tourism, Geo tourism, etc. are to meet varying needs. This paper attempts to discuss implications of micro finance in tourism development and inclusive growth with special reference to emerging micro models in the state of Kerala.

Responsible tourism is a sustainable tourism approach, which encompasses all forms of tourism and seeks to minimize negative economic, environment and social impacts. It generates economic benefit to local people and enhances the wellbeing of host communities. It also makes positive contributions to the conservations of natural and cultural resources. Implementation of responsible tourism among different tourism players is considered as a tiresome task before the policy makers. This article is an attempt to develop a mechanism for implementing responsible tourism from a destination oriented approach to tourism development. It also examines the role of different stakeholders for catering the basic concept of sustainable tourism development like conservation, local level resource management, equitable sharing of resource

Contribution of Handicraft exports is well acknowledged due to its valuable contribution to India in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment potential. (6.77 million In 2006-07). The sector has been expanding and witnessing significant growth of 3% annually. This paper has attempted to explore the entrepreneurial possibilities in Handicrafts with specific reference to tourism destinations of Srikalahasthi, Venkatagiri, Madhavmala (3 destinations of Andhra Pradesh) known for tourism as well as for Handicrafts which has the status of Geographical indicators. Many tourists visiting these destinations spend a substantial amount of money on Kalamkari work (Sri Kalahasthi), Venkatgiri sarees (Venkatgiri) Woodcarving (Madhavmala); thus entrepreneurial opportunities are seemingly abundant. The initial part of the study, attempts to map these possibilities and the second part of the study deals with the evaluation of these possibilities (prospects in specific destinations), which are destination specific in nature. Classical Ethnographical method of research is adopted in exploring the possibilities and the prospects. Keywords: Entrepreneurs, ethnographic method, Matrix method

The nexus between Tourism and Handicrafts is well established; owing to which contribution of handicrafts is substantial towards revenue from tourism. Therefore identification of skill requirements of artisans working in handicrafts is relevant in this context. As women artisans outnumber men in handicrafts, this study has attempted to identify the skill requirements of women artisans working in handicrafts.
The present study adopted an exploratory sequential method. The study identified three skill related requirements among women artisans with regard to tourism. Study identified these as tourism specific skills, job skills and communication skills. Women centric factors have been identified as women artisans by virtue of being women could be facing some challenges and possible link between these factors and skill requirement is examined through a model, for a comprehensive study in this domain.

The purpose of this paper is to identify existence of various community intervention strategies (CIS) and its’ dimensional orientation of community based ecotourism (CBE) destinations of India. The study adopted exploratory sequential method. Employed focus group, interview, and structured questionnaire for primary data collection. Exploratory factor analysis was done for identifying dimensions of CIS. Data gathered from four Protected area (PA) based ecotourism destinations of Kerala, India, viz Thenmala, Periyar, Parambikulam and Wayanad. The result indicate that there are 16 intervention strategies widely practiced in CBE destinations of India. All these 16 intervention strategies has three distinct dimensions consist of governance, ecodevelopment and commercial, which underline the diversified way of intervening in resource management practices at ecotourism destinations.

Proper measurement and monitoring is sin qua non for reducing unsustainable consumption of resources. This is very pertinent in case of environmentally sensitive destinations. This paper is an attempt to bring ecotourism destinations under the framework of environmental accounting in the context of Indian ecotourism scenario. The study suggests a destination based framework to undertake environmental accounting as a pre cursor to the environmental auditing at destinations. The framework suggests destination and enterprise level accounting system under the supervision of local self government, forest and wild life authorities. Study also cites the probable intervention areas of such mechanism and future directions to ensure destination sustainability.

Micro finance is considered as a viable tool for reaching the unreached. It has accessed in all societies in developmental activities where hitherto over looked because of various reasons. The inclusion of the 'neglected' in to the mainstream of the society through micro finance initiative has widely recognized in all most all parts of the world. This paper seeks to identify the role of micro finance in the changing tourism development scenario as it is considered as the one of the viable option for the inclusive growth. The investigation is to unravel tourism options in micro finance not only to the destination facilitation but travel enhancement among the low-income people through an exploratory study on tourism sector by citing the case studies from Kerala. Even though both models of destination facilitation and travel enhancement found to be viable, destination facilitation model is more conducive to employment generation, gender development and inclusive growth.