Journal of Advanced Research in Sustainable Urban Development and Community Empowerment Initiatives

Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Employment, Economic Growth, and Poverty Alleviation

K. Ganga Raju — 2025-12-20

The majority of the population in India lives in villages. The village is the backbone of the country. Village or rural industries play an important role in the national economy, particularly in rural development. Rural entrepreneurship is not only important as a means of generating employment opportunities in the rural areas with low capital cost and raising the real income of the people, but also for its contribution to the development of agriculture and urban industries. Rural entrepreneurship can be considered one of the solutions to reduce poverty, migration, economic disparity and unemployment and develop rural areas and backward regions.

To study Gen Z's vision for the future of work on flexibility and work-life balance among people living in Ahmedabad city.

Harsh Khamar — 2025-12-20

This study explores Gen Zâ€™s vision for the future of work, with a specific focus on flexibility and work-life balance among individuals residing in Ahmedabad city. As workplaces evolve due to technological advancements and shifting cultural values, understanding the expectations of Gen Zâ€”the newest generation entering the workforceâ€”is essential for employers and policymakers. The research was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 202 respondents across various age groups within Gen Z. Data were analysed using chi-square tests to examine the relationship between age and a series of attitude-based statements on flexible work and work-life priorities.

The findings reveal that age has no significant association with most of the work-related preferences studied, suggesting that Gen Z as a cohort demonstrates consistent values regarding flexibility, autonomy, and mental well-being, regardless of age. However, a statistically significant association was found between age and the belief that employers should prioritise mental health, indicating a growing emphasis on emotional well-being in the workplace. The correlation strength across all variables was weak, emphasising the generational uniformity in workplace expectations.

These results have strong practical implications for employers seeking to attract and retain Gen Z talent. Integrating flexible work models, prioritising mental health, and promoting work-life balance are not optional but essential strategies for future-ready organisations. The study also provides a foundation for future research on cross-generational work trends.

A Story About the Problems and Strengths of Women Who Work as Gig Workers

Janardhana C. — 2025-12-20

The gig economy is growing quickly, which has made it easier for people to work flexibly. However, it has also made women who work on platforms more vulnerable. This article looks at the specific problems that women gig workers face, such as not being able to count on their income, not having any social safety, algorithmic bias, workplace harassment, and having to do both paid and unpaid care labour. It also looks at ways to fix these systemic problems. The paper examines the structural and socio-cultural elements that exacerbate women's precariousness in gig employment, utilising existing research, policy analysis, and stakeholder perspectives. It also suggests a multi-level structure for dealing with these issues by improving platform administration, making labour laws more responsive to gender issues, adding more social protection measures, and creating collective support systems like worker organisations. The article's goal is to help shape legislative debates and make gig-economy ecosystems more fair and open by focusing on women's real-life experiences.

Scope and Challenges in the Management of Women-led SMEs

V Basil Hans — 2025-12-20

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) run by women are becoming more and more important for economic growth, job creation, and social development. These businesses still have a unique set of problems that make it hard for them to do well and stay in business for a long time, even though they have a lot of potential. This article looks at the range and contributions of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) while also critically looking at the many problems they confront when it comes to management and growth. Utilising contemporary literature and empirical data, the study underscores enduring obstacles, including restricted financial access, gender biases within entrepreneurial ecosystems, limited market connections, insufficient managerial training, and pressures related to workâ€“life balance. It also looks at new options that can make businesses more competitive and resilient, such as digitalisation, supporting governmental frameworks, and business networks for women. The paper stresses the importance of focused interventions, inclusive legislation, and capacity-building programmes to help women become better entrepreneurs. The report lays the groundwork for stakeholders to come up with plans that will help women-led small and medium-sized businesses develop and stay in business by talking about both the opportunities and the problems.

A Comparative Study of Online and Offline Food Delivery Systems

V Basil Hans — 2025-12-20

The food service sector has changed a lot because of the quick growth of digital technologies. Now, there are online food delivery systems that work alongside traditional offline ways. This study offers a comparative comparison of online and offline food delivery systems concerning user convenience, service efficiency, cost-effectiveness, customer happiness, and operational issues. The study assesses variations in ordering procedures, delivery duration, service dependability, payment adaptability, and consumer inclinations through surveys, secondary data, and performance metrics. The results show that online systems are more convenient, offer more food selections, allow for real-time tracking, and have more payment alternatives. However, offline systems are still favored because they are thought to be fresher, allow for more personalized interactions, and are more reliable in places with restricted digital connectivity. The study finds that both models have their pros and cons. It also recommends that combining digital platforms with traditional service features might improve the client experience and make operations more efficient. These ideas help make food delivery systems that are more flexible and focused on the needs of the client.