This paper summarizes empirical findings on servant leadership (SL) in the academic domain. Using PRISMA guidelines, the study identified pertinent studies from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 20 quantitative studies that were published between 2020 and 2024 were selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive and thematic analyses were employed to interpret the selected studies, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was applied to ensure methodological rigor. The results have shown that SL produces a significant improvement in faculty engagement, commitment, and job satisfaction. It also shows positive relationalities between SL, psychological empowerment, and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The implementation of SL principles leads to a favorable school climate, academic success of students, better performance, engagement, and extra-role behaviors of the staff, especially in crisis periods. The majority of studies used Liden et al.’s (2008, 2015) servant leadership scale, whereas the theoretical framework shows the dominance of social exchange theory, social learning theory, and leader-member exchange theory. These insights can be used by educational administrators and policymakers to design new educational settings that can strengthen faculty motivation and institutional performance. Nevertheless, the search is restricted to English-language articles included in two databases, which limits the review in terms of examining cultural implications or causal relationships. The study is the first synthesis through PRISMA particularly focusing on SL in education that demonstrates its great effect on teachers, students, and institutions.

Microfinance has been a silver bullet with a noble goal of assisting impoverished people by providing small loans. Lately, claims are coming that MFIs abandon their social objective and focus more on financial sustainability. Most of the impact assessment of microfinance is based on randomized control trial (RCT) and conventional econometrics approaches. Only a very few impacts of microfinance loans have been evaluated using qualitative methodology that significantly present an in-depth understanding of the issue of over-indebtedness and its consequences. The outbreak of COVID-19 and movement restriction made it difficult to contact the respondents to collect in-depth data. Moreover, data triangulation and trustworthiness have also became challenging. Under such circumstances, the researcher has to rely on digital means. The digital methodological approach could successfully be utilized due to the rapid expansion of internet and smartphone. Nevertheless, the question remains as to what extent the digital platform can be trusted.

The informal economy is vital in developing countries by providing income opportunities to marginalized populations. The COVID‐19 pandemic intensified existing vulnerabilities, causing severe income loss and heightened insecurity. The study aims to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on informal workers’ income and livelihoods, explore their adaptation strategies, and assess the role of social networks and social protection in enhancing resilience. Using a pragmatist paradigm and an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the study collected qualitative data through 12 in‐depth interviews and quantitative data from 500 survey respondents, selected via purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis and regression models were employed to interpret the findings. Results show that over 50% of informal workers experienced income decline, with many adopting coping strategies such as taking on additional jobs, reducing expenses, and seeking informal credit. Only 10% accessed formal social protection. Strong social networks proved vital, offering financial and emotional support. Regression analysis confirmed that income loss significantly increased financial insecurity ( β = −0.45, p < 0.01), whereas social networks ( β = 0.40, p < 0.01) and social protection ( β = 0.35, p < 0.01) positively influenced resilience. The study also found that respondents with access to informal credit networks or community organizations fared significantly better than others. The study highlights the urgent need for inclusive social protection, vocational training, and community‐based support to enhance the informal sector's resilience. Findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and development actors working toward sustainable recovery.

This study aims to quantify the determinants that impact consumer satisfaction and consumer loyalty within the sweetmeat food industry. The current study finds that food quality, food safety, pricing, and trust have a substantial impact on consumer satisfaction and loyalty which is supported by the theory of planned behavior, S-O-R, and equity. A convenient sampling method was employed to collect survey data from 279 participants who are engaged in the sweetmeat industry in the northern region of Bangladesh. Subsequently, the raw data was analyzed by adopting symmetric (PLS-SEM) and asymmetric (fsQCA). The study reveals that while food safety doesn't significantly impact consumer satisfaction, high food quality, price, and trust boost satisfaction. Pricing and trust don't significantly impact loyalty. fsQCA supports PLS-SEM results, highlighting nine causal configurations for high consumer loyalty.