Nisha Prakash

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Sustainable finance, climate finance, CSR

Scopus Publications

The impact of Covid-19 on the capital structure in emerging economies: evidence from India
Nisha Prakash, Aditya Maheshwari, and Aparna Hawaldar
Emerald
PurposeCapital structure is an important corporate financing decision, particularly for companies in emerging economies. This paper attempts to understand whether the pandemic had any significant impact on the capital structure of companies in emerging economies. India being a prominent emerging economy is an ideal candidate for the analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes three leverage ratios in an extended market index, BSE500, for the period 2015–2021. The ratios considered are short-term leverage ratio (STLR), long-term leverage ratio (LTLR) and total leverage ratio (TLR). A dummy variable differentiates the pre-epidemic (2015–2019) and pandemic (2020–2021) period. Control variables are used to represent firm characteristics such as growth, tangibility, profit, size and liquidity. Dynamic panel data regression is employed to address endogeneity.FindingsThe findings point out that Covid-19 has had a significant, negative effect on LTLR, while the impact on STLR and TLR was insignificant. The findings indicate that companies based in a culturally risk-averse environment, such as India, would reduce the long-term debt to avoid bankruptcy in times of uncertainty.Research limitations/implicationsThe study covers the impact of the pandemic on Indian companies. Hence, generalization of the findings to global context might not be valid.Practical implicationsTo maintain economic growth in the post-crisis period, Indian policymakers should ensure accessibility to low-cost capital. The findings provide impetus to deepen the insignificant corporate bond market in India for future economic revival.Originality/valueDeveloping countries are struggling to revive the economies postpandemic. This is particularly true for Asian economies which are heavily reliant on banks for survival. This research finds evidence to utilize bond market as a source of raising capital for economic revival.


Investigating the Determinants of Financial Well-Being: A SEM Approach
Nisha Prakash and Aparna Hawaldar
SAGE Publications
Studies reveal that the financial well-being of employees has a direct bearing on their productivity and overall well-being. The wellness initiatives organized by the information technology (IT) companies operating in India have also started focusing on the contributing aspects of financial well-being. In this context, the article explores the determinants of financial well-being of IT professionals in India. The article utilizes confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the analysis. The study employs a survey questionnaire covering financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial fragility. It also attempts to recognize the influence of gender and job roles (technical or managerial) in ascertaining financial well-being. The sample data used in the study include 237 professionals employed in the IT sector. The study uses partial least squared structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to understand the connection between the determining factors. The results indicate that financial well-being is positively influenced by financial literacy and financial behavior while financial fragility has a substantial negative impact. The financial literacy and financial fragility are significantly different between technical and managerial roles. Gender appears to have a sizeable impact on the financial behavior and financial fragility levels—women employees performed better in both the factors. Interestingly, financial literacy levels of the two genders are not significantly different. The results show that there is a need to focus on literacy, behavior, and fragility in financial wellness programs organized by the IT industry. Further, the study recommends offering tailored financial wellness training modules created based on the job levels and gender instead of following “one program, fits all” standardized approach.


Role of management education in adapting the Indian public sector to market-based economic reforms
Nisha Prakash and Aparna Hawaldar
Emerald
PurposeIn 1991, India embarked on market-based economic reforms initiatives pillared on liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG). The reforms exposed the public sector enterprises to competitive market forces, raising the need to identify and develop the competencies necessary for survival. Executive training programs were initiated to prepare public enterprises for the market-based reforms. Three decades later, the reforms especially privatization is witnessing renewed interest under the current administration. In this context, the article takes a closer look at the structure of management education provided to public sector officers in India. The article also identifies barriers for implementing the learnings from the management courses in the workplaces and suggests approaches for closing the gap.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a thematic approach based on unstructured interviews of senior executives of Indian public sector enterprises covering oil and gas, aeronautical, power and transportation sectors. New public management (NPM) is used as a yardstick of “business-like” characteristics of public sector enterprises.FindingsDespite heavy investment, trainings have had only partial success in implementing the core objective of NPM, i.e. to provide quality services in a professional manner to meet citizen requirements. The study found that though concepts of NPM are introduced at multiple management training programs, the public enterprises lag in the implementation of NPM. The ingrained hierarchical and procedural culture of the enterprises was often highlighted as the challenge to its implementation.Practical implicationsThe study will be of significance to Indian policymakers in designing management education programs to public sector employees. It brings out – (1) various models of management education provided to public servants across industries, (2) provide evidence on the extent of NPM implementation, (3) identify barriers for transitioning the learnings from the management courses to workplace and (4) suggest changes for improving effectiveness.Originality/valueThe existing research on LPG in India covers the economic transformation post-implementation and the factors contributing to the success of its implementation. This study adds to the limited literature available on the management education of public servants in the country.


Does Gender and Family Income Impact Stock Trading of B-School Students? Findings from a Stock Simulation Exercise
Nisha Prakash and Subburaj Alagarsamy
SAGE Publications
Educators across the globe utilize online stock market simulation games to introduce students to trading in the stock market. The primary objective of the simulation exercise is to expose students to the practical application of financial theories on fundamental analysis, stock selection, building an optimal portfolio, monitoring the risk-return characteristics and continuously improving the portfolio based on changing realities. This article utilizes the trading data from a simulation exercise conducted by a leading B-school in India. The exercise was conducted as part of Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (SAPM) course offered by the B-school. The objective of the article is to understand the role of gender and family income in the trading patterns of students in the simulation exercise. The article covers 163 students who were part of the simulation exercise in 2019. The results indicate that male students trade more aggressively than female students, both in terms of number of trades and the number of companies traded. However, the female students reported higher stock trading performance, measured in stock returns. This is observed to be true at all the quartiles, with the largest magnitude of the difference in the mid-quartiles. The study also indicates that the students from wealthier families perform better than those from poorer backgrounds. However, family income is an insignificant differentiating factor. Further, regression analysis indicates that gender is a significant determinant of stock returns. Based on these findings, the authors argue that gender has a significant role in the stock trading performance of B-schoolers. The article contributes to the field of behavioural finance, especially on the literature of gender and performance in financial markets.


Demographic characteristics influencing financial wellbeing: a multigroup analysis
Nisha Prakash, Subburaj Alagarsamy, and Aparna Hawaldar
Emerald
PurposeThe study attempts to understand the factors impacting the financial wellbeing of IT employees in India using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). It utilizes well-established survey instruments to assess the impact of financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial stress on financial wellbeing. The study also attempts to understand the role of demographic factors (age, gender, monthly income, job category and work experience) in determining financial wellbeing through multigroup analysis.Design/methodology/approachStructured equation modelling (SEM) is used to study the link between the determinants. The study also attempts to understand the role of demographic factors (age, gender, monthly income, job category and work experience) in determining financial wellbeing through multigroup analysis. Data used for the analysis covers 237 employees working in the IT sector.FindingsWhile financial literacy and financial behaviour have a significant positive impact on financial wellbeing, financial stress has a significant negative impact. Financial behaviour and financial stress were found to have a mediating role in the relationship between financial literacy and financial wellbeing. The demographic variables significantly moderate the relationship between the factors leading to financial wellbeing.Originality/valueThe results show the need for financial wellbeing programs to focus on enhancing financial knowledge and improving financial planning. Further, it suggests offering customized financial wellbeing programs based on the employee's demographic characteristics rather than following a “one program, fits all” approach.


A review of innovative bond instruments for sustainable development in Asia
Nisha Prakash and Madhvi Sethi
Emerald
Purpose Advancing the economies in Asia toward meeting sustainable development goals (SDGs) needs an unprecedented investment in people, processes and the planet. The participation of the private sector is necessary to bridge the financing gap to attain this objective. Engaging the private sector can contribute significantly to attaining the 2030 agenda for SD. However, the financial markets in Asian economies are yet to realize this potential. In this context, this paper aims to discuss the state of finance for SD in Asia and identifies innovative financial instruments for attracting private investments for SDs in these economies. Design/methodology/approach This study relies on published articles, reports and policy documents on financing mechanisms for SD. The literature review covered journal data sources, reports from global institutions such as the UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and think-tanks operating in the field of climate change policies. Though the topic was specific to financial market instruments, a broader search was conducted to understand the different sources of sustainable finance available, particularly in Asia. Findings The investments that are required for meeting the SDGs remain underfunded. Though interest in sustainability is growing in the Asian economies, the financial markets are yet to transition to tap the growing interest in sustainable investing among global investors. This paper concludes that to raise capital from private investors the Asian economies should ensure information availability, reduce distortions and unblock regulatory obstacles. It would also need designing policies and introducing blended financing instruments combining private and public funds. Research limitations/implications Though the study has grouped Asian economies, the financing strategy for SDGs should be developed at the country-level considering the domestic financial markets, local developmental stage, fiscal capacity and nationally determined contributions. Further research can focus on developing country-specific strategies for using innovative financial instruments. Originality/value Mobilizing funds for implementing the 2030 Agenda for SD is a major challenge for Asian economies. The paper is addressed to national policymakers in Asian economies for developing strategies to raise capital for SD through private participation. It provides opportunities for revisiting national approaches to sustainable finance in these economies.


Investigating the foreign trade-emission nexus in RCEP
Madhvi Sethi and Nisha Prakash
Inderscience Publishers



Digital financial literacy among adults in India: measurement and validation
T Ravikumar, B Suresha, N Prakash, Kiran Vazirani, and T.A. Krishna
Informa UK Limited
Abstract The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has considerably promoted the usage of Digital Financial Services (DFS) in India. Therefore, exploring the various determinants influencing the DFS users is crucial for the DFS providers to understand their customers better. This study aims to identify, measure, and validate the determinants of Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) from the Indian adults who use Digital Financial Services. A sample of 384 adult DFS users from India was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire in 2021. A multidimensional scale was developed to measure the Digital Financial Literacy in this study. The results exhibit that Digital Knowledge, Financial Knowledge, Knowledge of DFS, Awareness of Digital Finance Risk, Digital Finance Risk Control, Knowledge of Customer Right, Product Suitability, Product Quality, Gendered Social Norm, Practical Application of Knowledge and Skill, Self-determination to use the Knowledge and Skill and Decision Making are the determinants of DFL among the adults in India. Further, the users of DFS without DFL will face numerous challenges such as inability to complete the transaction, financial loss and privacy breach, etc. Hence, the study concludes that DFL is prerequisite to use DFS effectively.


Determinants of adoption of digital payment services among small fixed retail stores in Bangalore, India
T. Ravikumar and N. Prakash
Inderscience Publishers



Behavioural drivers of access-based consumption among millennial and generation Z in India
T. Ravikumar, M. Sriram, N. Prakash, G.M. Divakar, and D. Halaswamy
Inderscience Publishers



Smartphone Usage, Social Media Engagement, and Academic Performance: Mediating Effect of Digital Learning
T. Ravikumar, R. Anuradha, R. Rajesh, and N. Prakash
Springer Singapore



Market Reaction to Dividend Announcements During Pandemic: An Event Study
Nisha Prakash and Yogesh L
SAGE Publications
This study analyses the difference in stock market reactions to dividend announcement during the pandemic. The thirty constituent stocks of Sensex, the index of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), is used for analysis. This allows cross-industry comparison of the market reaction. The study examines stock market reactions covering 44 days around the dividend announcement dates. The primary objective of this study is to understand whether the price adjustment linked to the dividend announcement news during the pandemic was different from the earlier years. This empirical study employs the conventional event study methodology using abnormal returns (ARs) to examine the stock market reaction to dividend announcement. The market reaction to dividend announcement was increasingly positive during the pandemic, compared to previous years. The statistical pooled t-tests showed there was a significant relationship between the pandemic and ARs. The findings also indicate that the difference in the market reaction to dividend announcement was more prominent in services stocks than that in manufacturing. Further, the results also verify the weak-form of efficiency of Indian stock exchange.


Green Bonds Driving Sustainable Transition in Asian Economies: The Case of India
N. Prakash and Madhvi Sethi

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Moderating role of firm characteristics on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance: evidence from India
N Prakash, A Hawaldar
Journal of Economics and Development 26 (4), 346-361 2024



Emissions-foreign trade nexus: establishing the need to harmonize environment and economics in RCEP
N Prakash, M Sethi
Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences 40 (1), 130-141 2024



The impact of external debt on economic growth in emerging economies: investigating the role of capital formation
N Prakash, SR Panigrahi
International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies 19 (1), 1-14 2024



Investigating the Determinants of Financial Well-Being: A SEM Approach
N Prakash, A Hawaldar
Business Perspectives and Research 12 (1), 11-25 2024



Relationship between fixed capital formation and carbon emissions: Impact of trade liberalization in India
N Prakash, M Sethi
Cogent Economics & Finance 11 (2), 2245274 2023



The impact of Covid-19 on the capital structure in emerging economies: evidence from India
N Prakash, A Maheshwari, A Hawaldar
Asian Journal of Accounting Research 8 (3), 236-249 2023



Role of management education in adapting the Indian public sector to market-based economic reforms
N Prakash, A Hawaldar
International Journal of Public Sector Management 36 (4/5), 315-332 2023



Does Gender and Family Income Impact Stock Trading of B-School Students? Findings from a Stock Simulation Exercise
N Prakash, S Alagarsamy
Vision 26 (4), 454-460 2022



A review of innovative bond instruments for sustainable development in Asia
N Prakash, M Sethi
International Journal of Innovation Science 14 (3/4), 630-647 2022



Demographic characteristics influencing financial wellbeing: a multigroup analysis
N Prakash, S Alagarsamy, A Hawaldar
Managerial Finance 48 (9/10), 1334-1351 2022



Investigating the foreign trade-emission nexus in RCEP
N Prakash, M Sethi
International Journal of Green Economics 16 (3), 219-234 2022



Market reaction to dividend announcements during pandemic: An event study
N Prakash, L Yogesh
Vision, 09722629211066288 2022



Green bonds driving sustainable transition in Asian economies: The case of India
N Prakash, M Sethi
Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 8 (1), 723-732 2021

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Demographic characteristics influencing financial wellbeing: a multigroup analysis
N Prakash, S Alagarsamy, A Hawaldar
Managerial Finance 48 (9/10), 1334-1351 2022
Citations: 51



Green bonds driving sustainable transition in Asian economies: The case of India
N Prakash, M Sethi
Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 8 (1), 723-732 2021
Citations: 44



A review of innovative bond instruments for sustainable development in Asia
N Prakash, M Sethi
International Journal of Innovation Science 14 (3/4), 630-647 2022
Citations: 25



The impact of Covid-19 on the capital structure in emerging economies: evidence from India
N Prakash, A Maheshwari, A Hawaldar
Asian Journal of Accounting Research 8 (3), 236-249 2023
Citations: 24



Market reaction to dividend announcements during pandemic: An event study
N Prakash, L Yogesh
Vision, 09722629211066288 2022
Citations: 13



Relationship between fixed capital formation and carbon emissions: Impact of trade liberalization in India
N Prakash, M Sethi
Cogent Economics & Finance 11 (2), 2245274 2023
Citations: 8



Investigating the Determinants of Financial Well-Being: A SEM Approach
N Prakash, A Hawaldar
Business Perspectives and Research 12 (1), 11-25 2024
Citations: 3



Emissions-foreign trade nexus: establishing the need to harmonize environment and economics in RCEP
N Prakash, M Sethi
Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences 40 (1), 130-141 2024
Citations: 2



Does Gender and Family Income Impact Stock Trading of B-School Students? Findings from a Stock Simulation Exercise
N Prakash, S Alagarsamy
Vision 26 (4), 454-460 2022
Citations: 2



Moderating role of firm characteristics on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance: evidence from India
N Prakash, A Hawaldar
Journal of Economics and Development 26 (4), 346-361 2024
Citations: 1



The impact of external debt on economic growth in emerging economies: investigating the role of capital formation
N Prakash, SR Panigrahi
International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies 19 (1), 1-14 2024
Citations: 1



Investigating the foreign trade-emission nexus in RCEP
N Prakash, M Sethi
International Journal of Green Economics 16 (3), 219-234 2022
Citations: 1