Abstract: Community healthcare workers (CHWs) play a critical role in providing vital healthcare services, particularly in the field of reproductive and sexual health, as well as maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition (RMNCHN) in India. Functioning at the intersection of healthcare system and local communities, CHWs not only facilitate access to care but also foster trust, acceptance and sustained engagement among beneficiaries. In this context, it becomes imperative to critically assess the motivational factors and the systemic conditions that shape the performance and aspirations of -Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi Workers (AWW), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM)-as these factors directly impact the efficacy and sustainability of health interventions. Objective: The study aims to investigate the intricacy of motivations, barriers and systemic challenges that may shape the performance of community health workers, specifically ASHAs, ANMs, and AWWs-working on the frontlines of healthcare services in the urban slums of Noida-Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Methodology: This study employs a cross-sectional design with a qualitative methodology, drawing on in-depth personal interviews and focus group discussions to capture the complex, lived experiences of community health workers. The array of qualitative data was systematically coded and analysed using NVIVO software, yielding deep insights into the motivational landscapes and contextual determinants that impact performance dynamics on the ground. Conclusions: Lack of organisational support emerges as a critical constraint in the operational landscape of community health workers (CHWs) in India. This study underscores the dichotomy at the centre of grassroot healthcare delivery: CHWs remain indispensable to public health interventions among India’s marginalised and underserved communities, yet they continue to be overburdened, underpaid and structurally undervalued. Despite the scarcity of resources and institutional neglect, these frontline workers demonstrate a strikingly high degree of performance motivation. Intriguingly, their motivation is not primarily driven by material incentives but is deeply embedded in affective and symbolic realms—morality, religious and spiritual conviction, personal identity, and a sense of autonomy. Nonetheless, the absence of institutional recognition, limited financial compensation, insufficient infrastructural support, and inadequate appreciation from supervisory bodies significantly undermine their morale and long-term sustainability. The findings call for a reimagining of organisational frameworks that move beyond tokenism to genuinely support, recognise, and empower these vital agents of change.

The rapid advancement of technology is disrupting traditional leadership paradigms, challenging leaders to adapt to new ways of thinking and operating. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things are revolutionizing industries, creating a pressing need for leaders who can navigate this digital landscape effectively. However, many leaders need to gain the knowledge and skills to harness these technologies to their full potential, leading to missed opportunities and ineffective leadership practices. Impact of New Technology on Next-Generation Leadership offers a comprehensive solution to this pressing challenge. This book provides a deep dive into how emerging technologies reshape leadership roles and responsibilities, offering practical insights and strategies for leaders to thrive in this new era. Through detailed case studies and expert analysis, this book equips leaders with the tools and knowledge to leverage technology for strategic advantage, enhancing their decision-making and organizational effectiveness. Readers will thoroughly understand the latest trends and expectations in leadership, enabling them to anticipate and adapt to future changes. This book is essential reading for graduates, post-graduates, and professionals in management and related fields, as well as academics and researchers seeking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving leadership landscape. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a budding leader, Impact of New Technology on Next-Generation Leadership provides the insights and guidance needed to succeed in the digital age.

While the project of the European Union (EU) incorporated gender equality as one of its foundational objectives and its institutions have been mandated to integrate gender equality into all of their policy areas, the EU has fallen short of materializing these objectives. Gender inequality at the EU level is perpetuated through a process in which the EU, as a structure anchored in economic considerations, interfaces with androcentric institutions and member states. This substantially determines the policy instruments, tools and mechanisms within and outside its periphery, rendering ‘gender’ to be co-opted, secondary and subdued policy areas. While the discourse on gender equality policy has evolved through ‘equal opportunity’, ‘positive action’ and ‘gender mainstreaming’ approaches, the policies mostly focus on auxiliary benefits such as maternity leave, childcare services and part-time work, aiming to assist women in reconciling their work and life situations. These benefits do not substantially transform conventional gender roles within the family or at the social-economic and political levels, which to a large extent perpetuate gender inequality at large. This article analyses the trajectory of gender equality policy at the EU, the inherent factors and processes that constantly define and determine it and how it implicates the larger EU policy discourse. Using a feminist standpoint, the article explores the extent to which the new female leadership in the EU has prioritized and problematized gender equality with corresponding initiatives and actions, and the major challenges it may face in contemporary times in order to meet its objectives. To this end, some existing labour market and family policies are taken up as case studies. Various EU policy documents, key EIGE reports, press releases and other existing literature have been used as reference points for the analysis.