Best Paper Award
| Mandara SM |
| Affiliation |
School of Commerce and Management, SVU |
| Country |
India |
| Subject Area |
Business |
| Event |
Best Paper Awards |
| ORCID |
0009-0006-6234-7618 |
Mandara SM
Mandara SM of the School of Commerce and Management, Shri Venkateshwara University (SVU), India, is recognized in connection with the Best Paper Award for research examining work–life balance within peripheral and informal labour markets. The recognized publication, “Reconstructing Work–Life Balance in Peripheral Labour Markets: Structural, Sectoral, and Gendered Realities of Informal Employment in Chikmagalur District,” investigates work–life balance across informal employment sectors in Chikmagalur District, Karnataka, with attention to structural, sectoral, occupational, and gender-related conditions. The article was published in Advanced International Journal for Research, Volume 6, Issue 6, in 2025, and is identified with DOI 10.63363/aijfr.2025.v06i06.2270. [1]
Abstract
The recognized research examines work–life balance among workers employed in informal sectors of Chikmagalur District, Karnataka. The study considers five major areas of informal employment—construction, agriculture, textiles, hotels, and department stores—and investigates how working hours, job security, physical strain, income stability, and gendered responsibilities shape workers’ ability to maintain work–life balance. It uses a mixed-method approach incorporating structured surveys and focus group discussions to examine the experiences of informal workers. The reported findings indicate substantial sectoral differences, with construction and agriculture associated with more difficult work–life balance conditions, while textile and hotel employment showed comparatively more balanced outcomes. Gender differences were also reported, with women experiencing additional pressures arising from the combination of paid employment and domestic responsibilities. [1]
Keywords
Work-Life Balance, Informal Labour, Peripheral Labour Markets, Gendered Employment, Informal Economy, Occupational Stress, Labour Welfare, Employment Conditions, Chikmagalur District, India.
Introduction
Work–life balance is an important dimension of employment quality because working conditions influence how individuals allocate time between paid employment, household responsibilities, rest, and other aspects of personal life. In informal labour markets, these relationships may be particularly complex because employment can be characterized by variable working hours, limited employment security, fluctuating income, and comparatively fewer formal workplace protections. The recognized study focuses on these conditions within the context of Chikmagalur District in Karnataka, India. [1]
Research Profile
Mandara SM is affiliated with the School of Commerce and Management at Shri Venkateshwara University and is associated with research in Business and related areas of commerce and management. The supplied recognition information identifies India as the researcher’s country and provides ORCID identifier 0009-0006-6234-7618. Scopus identification and bibliometric values for documents, citations, and h-index were not supplied with the award profile and are therefore not stated as verified metrics on this page.
Research Contributions
The principal contribution of the recognized study is its examination of work–life balance within peripheral and informal labour markets at a district level. Rather than treating informal employment as a homogeneous category, the research compares conditions across construction, agriculture, textiles, hotels, and department stores. This sectoral approach allows differences in work intensity, employment security, income conditions, and scheduling practices to be considered in relation to workers’ reported work–life balance. [1]
The study employs a mixed-method research design combining structured surveys and focus group discussions. This approach permits quantitative assessment of employment-related factors while also incorporating workers’ experiences and perceptions. The publication reports that working hours, job security, physical strain, income stability, and gendered responsibilities are relevant factors in understanding differences in work–life balance among informal workers. [1]
Publications
The principal publication associated with this recognition is the following peer-reviewed journal article:
- Mandara, S. M., & Sahoo, S. (2025). Reconstructing Work–Life Balance in Peripheral Labour Markets: Structural, Sectoral, and Gendered Realities of Informal Employment in Chikmagalur District. Advanced International Journal for Research, 6(6). DOI: https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2025.v06i06.2270. [1]
Research Impact
The research contributes to the study of informal employment by providing a localized assessment of work–life balance in Chikmagalur District. Its focus on several occupational sectors provides a basis for comparing the employment conditions experienced by workers in different parts of the informal economy. Such sector-specific analysis can help distinguish common labour-market pressures from conditions that are more closely associated with particular forms of employment. [1]
Award Suitability
The Best Paper Award recognizes scholarly work demonstrating research quality, methodological clarity, relevance, and a meaningful contribution to its field. The publication associated with Mandara SM addresses a clearly defined issue in business and labour research by investigating work–life balance among informal workers in a specific regional labour market. Its examination of structural, sectoral, and gendered dimensions provides a multidimensional framework for understanding the subject. [1]
Conclusion
Mandara SM’s research profile, as presented for the Best Paper Award, reflects scholarly activity in Business and related areas of labour and management research. The recognized publication examines work–life balance among informal workers in Chikmagalur District and considers the structural, sectoral, occupational, and gendered factors that influence employment experiences. [1]
External Links
References
- Mandara, S. M., & Sahoo, S. (2025). Reconstructing Work–Life Balance in Peripheral Labour Markets: Structural, Sectoral, and Gendered Realities of Informal Employment in Chikmagalur District. Advanced International Journal for Research, 6(6), published December 3, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2025.v06i06.2270.
- Advanced International Journal for Research. (2025). Reconstructing Work–Life Balance in Peripheral Labour Markets: Structural, Sectoral, and Gendered Realities of Informal Employment in Chikmagalur District. Publication record and article information. Publisher Article Page.
- Advanced International Journal for Research. (2025). Reconstructing Work–Life Balance in Peripheral Labour Markets: Structural, Sectoral, and Gendered Realities of Informal Employment in Chikmagalur District. Full-text publication record. Publication PDF.