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Ecofunomics, founded on February 16th, 2018, is more than just an annual peer-reviewed journal—it’s a beacon illuminating the world of economics and management with engaging, accessible content. Our mission is to infuse the study of economics with excitement and accessibility. Through insightful articles, academic papers, and research, we aim to demystify complex concepts using relatable examples and straightforward language.
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Year – 2025-26| Volume 8 | Issue 1
| Paper 1 | A Meta-Analysis on Gamifying Sustainability for Ecological and Economic Transformation: A Green HRM Perspective in the BANI World Prof. Dipa Mitra, Associate Professor Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management, Kolkata. dipamitra@iiswbm.edu Mitra, D. (2025). A Meta-Analysis on Gamifying Sustainability for Ecological and Economic Transformation: A Green HRM Perspective in the BANI World. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A1. Category: Featured Article DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17230565 Abstract In the era of BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) world, organizations are feeling more than ever before that they are under pressure to ensure that the concept of sustainability is incorporated in the main strategy of the organization. The empirical literature is systematically synthesized in a meta-analysis to estimate the effects of the Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) on the ecological and economic performance. Basing our discussion on the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm, we explore how Green HRM practices can result in providing the required employee talents and organizational routines to generate sustainable competitive advantage. In addition, we examine how gamification, rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), can be used as an instrument of strategic enhancement of employee involvement in green efforts. The current analysis of 48 quantitative studies (N = 21,450 employees in different industries) demonstrates that there is a significant positive association between Green HRM and environmental performance and financial performance. Importantly, the results also reveal that gamified interventions mediate this association, with a considerable boost in the engagement of employees and their engagement with sustainability programs in general. Whether operating in the fluidities of the BANI world, this paper offers strong, evidence-based information to those in leadership positions to help them achieve substantial ecological and economic change through a strategic gamification of HRM. Keywords: Green HRM, Sustainability and Performance, Gamification and Employee Engagement JEL Classifications: M12, Q56, O15 |
| Paper 2 | A Cross-Country Analysis of Mobile Money Drivers and Inclusion Outcomes Riti Prabhu Greenwood High, Bangalore, India riti.prabhu@gmail.com Prabhu, R. (2026). A Cross-Country Analysis of Mobile Money Drivers and Inclusion Outcomes. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A2. Category: Research Article DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18182033 Abstract This study examines socioeconomic factors that shape financial inclusion through mobile money services across 102 low- and middle-income countries between 2017 and 2021. This research was motivated by persistent gaps in access to formal financial systems. The variables of research are education, employment, economic development, and digital connectivity influence the adoption and use of mobile money. Using World Development Indicators data, the analysis uses descriptive statistics, correlation patterns, and log-log OLS regression models to capture different phases of digital financial expansion. The results show that education and mobile access were the strongest drivers of inclusion in 2017. This in turn underscores the importance of basic literacy and connectivity in early adoption. By 2021, these effects weakened as digital penetration increased (all while broader structural factors became more influential). The findings suggest that financial inclusion significantly changes/evolves over time. This may be because when digital access becomes widespread, progress depends less on connectivity and more on economic conditions, institutional quality, and demographic structure. The study contributes to ongoing policy discussions by emphasizing that sustainable financial inclusion requires coordinated investments in education, digital infrastructure, and economic opportunity, particularly in low-income/rural settings. Keywords: Mobile Money, Financial Inclusion, Education, Employment, Digital Access, Developing Economies. JEL Classifications: O33, G20, D31, I32, O57 |
| Paper 3 | Barriers to Female Education: An Indian Case Study Dreami Ghosh Indian Institute of Forest Management. dreamighosh27@gmail.com Ghosh, D. (2026). Barriers to Female Education: An Indian Case Study. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A3. Category: Case Study DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18627711 Abstract This study explores the barriers limiting female education in India, their socio-economic implications, and strategies for meaningful reform, situating national evidence within global development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG priorities. Women continue to face obstacles such as financial hardship, restrictive social norms, inadequate infrastructure, early marriage, and safety concerns, all of which restrict educational access. While curiosity and personal ambition motivate many learners, external factors—including maternal education, exposure to female role models, and cultural expectations—influence academic choices. Findings from a primary survey reveal that financial constraints remain the most critical barrier. Women’s college selections are shaped by institutional reputation, safety, faculty quality, career prospects, and proximity to home. The results further highlight the importance of last-mile infrastructure—particularly sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities—and safe learning environments in sustaining participation. Historically, gender roles confined women to domestic responsibilities, reinforcing dependency, but growing aspirations for self-reliance highlight education as a pathway to empowerment. Addressing persistent gaps requires improved policies, infrastructure, and supportive community engagement. Strengthening female education not only promotes gender equality but also accelerates economic growth and fosters long-term social transformation. The paper concludes that achieving SDGs 4, 5, and 10 requires policy approaches that move beyond enrollment metrics toward integrated strategies combining targeted financial support, gender-sensitive infrastructure, and norm change to translate rising aspirations into sustainable development outcomes. Keywords: Female Education, Barriers to Education, Socio-Economic Impact JEL Classifications: J16, I24, I30 |
| Paper 4 | Sustainability and Consumer Choices: Unveiling the Drivers of Eco-Friendly Purchases Kundu, S. (2026). Sustainability and Consumer Choices: Unveiling the Drivers of Eco-Friendly Purchases. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A4. Category: Case Study DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18655639 Abstract Sustainability has become a key concept through which modern-day consumption patterns are analyzed. In a developing country like India, where consumption patterns are rapidly evolving, it is essential to examine the factors influencing consumer choices regarding sustainable products. As environmental concerns rise and eco-friendly options expand, understanding these factors becomes crucial for consumer behavior research. This study explores the determinants of sustainable product purchases through primary research using a detailed survey questionnaire in the Indian market. The findings show that sustainability is the most significant factor, followed by cost and consumer awareness, highlighting a growing inclination towards sustainable consumption among consumers. Analysis of different factor combinations further supports these results, with sustainability, awareness, and cost emerging as the most influential, while factors such as influence play a relatively minor role. This research contributes to understanding consumer priorities in developing markets by providing useful insights for firms based on primary survey data, supporting firms in shaping sustainable products that resonate more effectively with consumer values and expectations. Keywords: Sustainability, Environment, Consumer behavior, Green Marketing JEL Classifications: Q56, D12, M3 |
| Paper 5 | Credit Constraints and Labor Availability: Effects of MGNREGA on Household Income Diversification Across Microenterprise and Livestock Ownership Lahiri, B. (2026). Credit Constraints and Labor Availability: Effects of MGNREGA on Household Income Diversification Across Microenterprise and Livestock Ownership. Ecofunomics, 8(1), A5. Category: Featured Article DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19247066 Abstract Households diversify income through activities that differ in required input intensities. When a policy shock alters households’ available endowments, it can change the composition across these activities. While existing literature typically examines how changes in a single input, such as capital or labor, affect participation in a specific activity like entrepreneurship, this study considers the MGNREGA work-for-wage policy that simultaneously affects both credit access and labor availability. Such a policy is expected to shift households’ allocation between labor-intensive and capital-intensive activities. By relaxing credit constraints while reducing the labor availability for other income-smoothing pursuits, the policy is predicted to decrease engagement in labor-intensive microenterprises and increase participation in livestock ownership, a relatively capital-intensive activity. This theoretical prediction is consistent with the intuition of the Rybczynski theorem from international trade. Using IHDS data, the empirical analysis implementing a system of equations approach supports these expectations, with results remaining robust across alternative specifications. Keywords: Credit constraint, Labor availability, MGNREGA, Household income diversification, Microentrepreneurship, Livestock ownership, Rybczynski theorem JEL codes: D13, J22, J43, Q12, H53 |
| Paper 6 | coming soon |
| Paper 7 | coming soon |
| Paper 8 | coming soon |
| Paper 9 | coming soon |
| Paper 10 | coming soon |
