Institutional Repository

Scholar@UOC is the primary academic repository of the University of Calicut.

This repository is aimed to collect, preserve and distribute the research output of the members of our University. This is an open access system hosted and managed by the University Library.

@Designed by BiZkettE1 / Freepik

Departments in the repository

Select a department to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 38

Recent Submissions

Mass media, political communication and transformation: a study on Kerala
(Department of PoliticalScience,University of Calicut, 2025) Nishanth N; Zacaria T V
Challenges and prospects of environmental reporting with special reference to automobile industry in south India
(St.Joseph'sCollege ,Irinjalakuda, 2025) Remya S; G S Sandhya Nair
Environmental Accounting involves measuring, recording and disclosing the impact of corporate environmental activities on its financial status through specialized accounting systems. Environmental Reporting, on the other hand is the disclosure of environmental information in the annual reports or by some other medium like environmental policy statements or corporate environmental reports. This study examines the challenges and prospects of Environmental Reporting in Automobile industry – a sector playing a dominant role in global economic development, and contributing towards environmental degradation. The respondents of the study include top and middle level employees and chartered accountants and energy auditors. The primary objectives of the study were to identify the determinants of Environmental Disclosure, assess the recent trends of Disclosure and examine the constraints and benefits associated with Environmental Reporting.The study also explored the impact of financial performance on Environmental Reporting. The main reason for selecting South India is due to the presence of large number of automobile manufacturing units. The findings indicate that various determinants significantly influence Environmental Reporting practices of the firms as perceived by the employees and external auditors. The employees viewed CSR report as the most frequent form of disclosure whereas chartered accountants and external auditors reported more frequent use of sustainability reports. The employees demonstrated higher level of perception of Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines whereas chartered accountants and external auditors opined sectoral guidance as the most frequent reporting format. The environmental information was most frequently disclosed in the Director’s report. The study observed that financial performance had a significant impact on corporate environmental disclosure and performance practices. The respondents believed that companies with high profitability were more likely to prioritize environmental issues, gain a competitive advantage, and contribute to the welfare of stakeholders. The study pointed out that training programs for employees emerged as a significant predictor of corporate environmental performance, suggesting that investments in employee training will contribute to improved environmental outcomes. The challenges encountered while disclosing environmental information include lack of expertise, lack of legal requirement, improper enforcement of planning and environmental legislation, huge capital investment and difficulty in comparison when different methods are followed by the firms. Despite these challenges, the firms reported several benefits from proper disclosure of environmental information such as eco efficiency, investor attraction, increase credibility, long term survival of organisation and risk management. The study helps to enhance the understanding of disclosure practices and thereby helps to frame a standardised disclosure index covering all performance indicators. The majority of the automobile manufacturing units in South India disclose environmental information due to stakeholder pressure and to improve the financial performance. The chartered accountants and external auditors perceive higher barriers and favour conservative approach. On the other hand, employees stress on ethical motives and tangible benefits. The proper investment in training, adoption of standardised framework and regular audit of environmental accounts helps to reduce the perception gap of stakeholders, reduce cost and turn Environmental Reporting into a strategic advantage for long term sustainability and investor trust. The study concluded that Environmental disclosure is becoming an essential part of corporate accountability and sustainable development. Environmental reporting is perceived by many companies as a compliance requirement rather than a strategic tool for stakeholder engagement and long-term value creation. The various concerns like growing public awareness on environmental issues, increasing pressure from investors and regulatory bodies and integration of sustainability are driving greater attention to Environmental Reporting. The recent advancements in digital technology, data analytics and reporting frameworks also provide valuable tools to enhance transparency and comparability. The study underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, capacity building for organisations and collaboration between public and private sectors to fully harness these prospects. The proper disclosure of environmental information is not only important for corporate transparency but also necessary for achieving broader environmental and sustainability goals in the face of climate change and resource degradation.
Surveillance of Groundwater Quality in Relation to Geochemistry in Selected Districts of Kerala, with Special Reference to Fluoride and Arsenic Contamination,
(Department ofBotany, University of Calicut, 2024) Sheeja K.M.; Harilal,C. C.
Groundwater is considered the safest source of drinking water, and 89% of the world's population relies on it. India is one of the largest consumers of groundwater worldwide, accounting for around one-fourth of the global share and exceeding 230 km3/annum. Globally, and particularly in India, arsenicosis and fluorosis are two emerging health problems linked to groundwater. Fluoride and Arsenic are present in the earth's crust, but elevated concentrations in the groundwater are the result of human-triggered activities. The combination of Fluoride and Arsenic may cause health consequences. Fluoride, Arsenic, salinity, and heavy metals were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively in this study under various climatic, geological, and topographical circumstances. This study evaluated the occurrence and distribution pattern fluoride, arsenic, salinity, and heavy metals in distinct climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. The study also focused on the quantitative availability of groundwater reserves in the two Districts. The groundwater availability in Palakkad District is 434.17 MCM and 249.32 MCM in Malappuram District during the study period. Fluoride contamination is severe in the eastern part of the Palakkad District and south eastern part of the Malappuram District. Arsenic pollution is also dominant in these regions. In contrast to the coastal system, the inland system has a higher salinity. Mg-Ca-HCO3 type water predominates due to rock-water interaction in the Palakkad District, while precipitation-induced calcium sulphate type water predominates in the MalappuramDistrict. Heavy metal contamination was severe in both Districts, and Cd and Pb pollution were dominant. The mean heavy metal pollution index (HPI) indicates that the highest heavy metal incidence occurred in the Pr period and the least during the Po period in the study area. Cd, Pb, and Ni have concentrated in urban areas in the study area, whereas iron-mediated issues are higher in coastal region associated with fluvial deposits. The metal index was high in Malappuram and highly concentrated along the coastal line. WQI indicates 48% of the groundwater is poor in Palakkad,while the majority of the Malappuram groundwater is of good quality. 11% of the groundwater in Palakkad is unsuitable for irrigation. High Mg ion concentration, high alkalinity, and a lengthy groundwater residence period in the aquifer are the factors that enhanced the solubility of Fluoride. Silicon oxide is the dominant component in mineral samples. The XRD and XRF data reveal that the hornblende-biotite gneiss is indicative of the Fluoride source. Moreover, the trace amounts of Fluorite and Arsenic in the mineral sample are indicative of these contaminants in the study area. The mineralogical study of Fluoride and Arsenic contaminated areas demonstrated that the causes of Fluoride and the majority of Arsenic contaminations were geological in nature.
Monsoon in colonial malabar: Histories, memories and everyday life
(Department of History Farook College, 2025) Febin Sithara, C.; Anaz, C.A.
Today, climate change has emerged as the most important environmental issue worldwide. climate influences all aspects of life on the earth. The monsoon circulation dominates the climate of India and Kerala in particular. “monsoon” comes from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ meaning season. It describes a seasonal wind shift over a region that is usually accompanied by a dramatic increase in precipitation. The South Asian monsoon, also known as the Indian summer monsoon, is one of the most spectacular phenomena of the global climate system occurring with remarkable regularity year after year. Any changes in monsoon seasonal rainfall can impact the socio-economic conditions of the densely populated country. Kerala’s agricultural economy largely depends on monsoon rainfall, and the changes in rainfall and temperature badly affected farmers' enthusiasm and Initiative for cultivation. Therefore, there is a need to study rainfall and temperature trends across the state in detail and their impact on the production of crops in Malabar. The monsoon has long shaped the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Malabar, influencing both historical and everyday experiences. This study explores the role of the monsoon in colonial Malabar, analyzing how it intersected with imperial policies, agrarian economies, maritime trade and local livelihoods. Drawing from archival records, oral histories and indigenous narratives, the research examines how colonial governance responded to and was challenged by monsoonal rhythms. It also delves into the memories and lived experiences of communities, revealing how seasonal changes were embedded in daily practices, belief systems, and resilience strategies. By bridging environmental history with social memory, this thesis offers a nuanced understanding of the monsoon’s enduring significance in shaping colonial and postcolonial Malabar. The monsoon in colonial Malabar was far more than a seasonal weather phenomenon -it was a force that shaped governance, economy and everyday life. This study has highlighted how the monsoon influenced colonial policies, disrupted and sustained agrarian and maritime economies, and became deeply embedded in the cultural memories of local communities. By analyzing historical records and oral traditions, the research underscores the resilience and adaptability of Malabar’s people in the face of monsoonal uncertainties. Contemporary analysis highlights how shifts in monsoon behaviour, influenced by climate change, have transformed livelihoods, societal structures and cultural practices. This inquiry demonstrates that the monsoon is not merely a climatic event but a pivotal force shaping human existence. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates that the monsoon was not just a backdrop to colonial history but an active agent in shaping the lived realities of the region, leaving an enduring impact on both its colonial past and postcolonial present.
Green business practices of event management firms in Kerala
(Government College Madappally, 2025) Shajim, M. S.; Udayakumar O.K.
The event management industry is one of the fastest-growing service sectorsworldwide, and in India, it has expanded rapidly, creating numerous jobs andentrepreneurs. Despite this growth, the industry remains resource-intensive,consuming substantial materials, energy, water, and transportation, raising significantenvironmental concerns amid increasing climate pressures driven by human activities.As a result, adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has becomeessential for industries with large environmental footprints. The current study, titled"Green Business Practices of Event Management Firms in Kerala," examines theextent of Green Business Practice (GBP) adoption, the key drivers and barriersinfluencing this adoption, the level of sustainable performance of these firms, and therelationships between drivers, barriers, GBPs, and Sustainable Performance. Thestudy uses descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and PartialLeast Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) based on primary datacollected from 226 event management firms in Kerala via a structured questionnaire.Results show that firms exhibit a moderate level of GBP adoption, with notablestrengths in waste management, green managerial commitment, and green marketing.However, practices related to energy efficiency, water conservation, and greentransportation are comparatively weak. The study also finds that certain drivers, suchas Environmental Awareness, Organizational Values, Stakeholder Pressure,Technological Expertise and Infrastructure, and Regulatory Mechanisms, have astrong positive influence on GBP adoption, indicating that values, expectations, andsupportive systems encourage firms to go green. Conversely, barriers liketechnological and infrastructural challenges, lack of knowledge, financial constraints,stakeholder support issues, and weak regulatory systems negatively impact GBPadoption, highlighting persistent structural, financial, and informational hurdles tosustainable change. Regarding performance, social sustainability is relativelystronger, economic performance is moderate, and environmental performance remainsweak. The analysis confirms that practices such as Green Waste Management, GreenManagement and Strategy, and Green Marketing have the most significant impact onoverall sustainability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers,sector organizations, and industry players interested in promoting green eventmanagement practices in Kerala.