Transformation Process Research Articles

Employee Ownership and Firm Digital Transformation

AbstractThe development of digital technologies has triggered the digital transformation of organizations, enabling business model innovation. With the rise of a human‐centred view of digitalization, previous studies have been devoted to exploring how leadership drives digitalization, overlooking the role of employees as a key stakeholder. Motivated by this gap, based on agency theory, we investigate how employee ownership affects digital transformation in firms. Further, we identify vital contingencies based on heterogeneity in human resource management under the ability–motivation–opportunity framework. Analysing data on Chinese listed firms from 2015 to 2021, we find that the adoption of employee ownership promotes firms’ digital transformation, and that this positive effect is moderated by R&D personnel (ability), female CEO (motivation) and state ownership (opportunity). Our findings reveal the role of employees in the digital transformation process, which deepens our understanding of the literature on employee ownership and business model innovation.

Advanced Supply Chain Management Using Adaptive Serial Cascaded Autoencoder with LSTM and Multi-Layered Perceptron Framework

Supply chain management is essential for businesses to handle uncertainties, maintain efficiency, and stay competitive. Financial risks can arise from various internal and external sources, impacting different supply chain stages. Companies that effectively manage these risks gain a deeper understanding of their procurement activities and implement strategies to mitigate financial threats. This paper explores financial risk assessment in supply chain management using advanced deep learning techniques on big data. The Adaptive Serial Cascaded Autoencoder (ASCA), combined with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Multi-Layered Perceptron (MLP), is used to evaluate financial risks. A data transformation process is used to clean and prepare financial data for analysis. Additionally, Sandpiper Galactic Swarm Optimization (SGSO) is employed to optimize the deep learning model’s performance. The SGSO-ASCALSMLP-based financial risk prediction model demonstrated superior accuracy compared to traditional methods. It outperformed GRU (gated recurrent unit)-ASCALSMLP by 3.03%, MLP-ASCALSMLP by 7.22%, AE-LSTM-ASCALSMLP by 10.7%, and AE-LSTM-MLP-ASCALSMLP by 10.9% based on F1-score performance. The SGSO-ASCALSMLP model is highly efficient in predicting financial risks, outperforming conventional prediction techniques and heuristic algorithms, making it a promising approach for enhancing financial risk management in supply chain networks.

Synthesis and Local Characterization of CoO Nanoparticles in Distinct Phases: Unveiling Polymorphic Structures.

The advancement of functional nanomaterials has become a major focus of recent research, driven by the exceptional properties these materials display compared to their macroscopic (bulk) counterparts. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO-NPs) stand out primarily for their catalytic and magnetic properties, which can enable a range of technological applications, such as advanced catalysts, drug delivery systems, implants, prosthetics, sensors. However, in addition to the dependence on factors such as size, morphology, and functionalization, the properties of CoO-NPs are significantly influenced by the crystal structure. Therefore, local investigation into the polymorphic structures of CoO at the nanometric scale may provide new insights into the local structural and magnetic characteristics of these systems. In this report, we address the synthesis and local characterization of cobalt oxide (CoO) nanoparticles in the rock-salt cubic fcc-CoO and Wurtzite hpc-CoO phases, obtained through thermal decomposition. We analyze the influence of oleylamine and oleic acid ligands on the structural and morphological control of these systems. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using conventional techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Local characterization was carried out by the perturbed angular correlation (PAC) nuclear technique using the radioactive tracer 111In(111Cd). Measurements were conducted at 295 and 10 K to investigate possible magnetic phase transitions in these systems. XRD results confirmed the formation of fcc-CoO and hcp-CoO phases. The phase fcc was obtained with the pair of oleylamine and oleic acid ligands, while the phase hcp phase was synthesized using only oleylamine. Additionally, nanoparticles synthesized with oleylamine and oleic acid exhibited better morphological control compared to those produced with only oleylamine. Raman spectroscopy analyses suggest a phase transformation process resulting in Co3O4. PAC results for hyperfine interactions at the 111In(111Cd) probe nucleus, indicate that the hcp-CoO phase shows smaller hyperfine magnetic interactions (B hf = 1 T) compared to the fcc-CoO phase (B hf = 17 T). This suggests the mechanism of superexchange interactions, which are strongly influenced by the Co-O-Co bond angle, which is 110° for the hpc-CoO phase and 180° for the fcc-CoO phase due to the geometries of the systems.

Soil Microorganism Interactions under Biological Fumigations Compared with Chemical Fumigation.

Biological fumigation, a potential alternative to chemical fumigation, shows a wide range of prospective applications. In this study, we carried out biological fumigation experiments to evaluate its effect on alleviating consecutive cropping problems (CRPs) when compared with chemical fumigation. We designed five treatments, namely, CR (no treatment), LN (chemical fumigation with lime nitrogen), Ta (fumigation with marigold), Ra (fumigation with radish), and Br (fumigation with mustard), for soils for replanting eggplant and measured the crop's growth status, soil bacterial and fungal communities, and soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that the Br and Ra treatments formed similar microbial communities, while the Ta treatment formed unique microbial communities. The genera Olpidiomycota and Rozellomycota could be used as indicator species for the transformation process of soil microbial communities after the Br and Ta treatments, respectively. When compared with the CR and LN treatments, the soil's physicochemical properties were optimized under the Br treatment, and the soil organic matter content increased by 64.26% and 79.22%, respectively. Moreover, under the Br treatment, the soil's biological properties enhanced the bacterial and fungal alpha diversity, and the saprotrophic fungi increased with the depletion of pathotrophic fungi, while some specific probiotic microorganisms (such as Olpidiomycota, Microascales, Bacillus, etc.) were significantly enriched. In contrast, under the Ta treatment, soil nutrient levels decreased and the soil's biological indices deteriorated, whereas the bacterial diversity decreased and the pathogenic fungi increased. Among these three biological fumigation methods, the Br pre-treatment was the best way to alleviate the crop's CRPs and may be a good substitute for chemical fumigation in some situations. However, the Ta treatment also had some risks, such as the loss of land quality and reduced productivity.

Industry 4.0 and Agile Project Management: Evolution of Leadership Concepts and Roles

This study examines the impact of Industry 4.0 on the concept of leadership approaches. The research aims to compare leadership theories before and after Industry 4.0, determine how leadership roles have evolved in agile project management, and identify effective leadership styles. The study employs literature review and qualitative research methods, specifically using focus group studies. Two separate focus group studies were conducted through online meetings and face-to-face sessions to thoroughly examine the approaches of executives from companies who have mature project management offices in Turkey. Data were obtained by transcribing the audio recordings of discussions during focus group sessions and comparing them with researcher notes. The study extensively examines the impacts of identified leadership styles, determined through literature review, on the management of agile project teams. Findings indicate that leadership styles such as visionary, organizing, relational, and social leadership play significant roles in agile project management. Additionally, leadership personality traits observed in each of these styles have been identified. The results underscore the need to redefine leadership approaches and highlight the effects of Industry 4.0 on project management. By linking the characteristics of leadership styles and their impacts on agile teams with the literature, the study contributes to future leadership research and practices. In this context, it emphasizes the development of technological competencies for organizations to succeed and the need for flexible and innovative organizational structures. Furthermore, it suggests that leaders in the digital transformation processes brought by Industry 4.0 should possess skills to facilitate their employees' adaptation processes. This study contributes significantly to academic literature and business by exploring leadership evolution in Industry 4.0 and redefining roles in agile project management, emphasizing ongoing focus on development and innovation in leadership.

Social-Ecological Urbanism as a Research Perspective to Analyse Transportation Inequalities in the Region of Łódź, Poland

The systems perspective enables the understanding of complex transformations which take place in urban regions. Social-ecological urbanism is an analytical methodology that integrates the systems perspective and unpacks relationships between the social-ecological and socio-technical subsystems of urban regions. In this article, we look for the most suitable approach to analysing the transformations of a tramway system and its impacts on public transportation inequalities in the metropolitan region of Łódź, Poland. As a departure point, we use the classic methods of communicative planning theory. The presented method uses a detailed case study analysis that carefully follows all the activities, stakeholders, and processes. We complement this approach by looking at the ongoing transformations of transportation equity through the lens of socio-ecological urbanism and by analysing the stakeholders’ roles and attitudes within the process. Our analysis indicates the role of public participation in the process, which affected and strengthened the transformations. This approach is greatly enhanced by the application of the social-ecological urbanism framework, with its analysis of services performed by various system components. Understanding their specific roles helps in planning future redevelopment. Our key finding is the necessity of combining communicative planning methods with strategic planning of the systems transformation process.

India's digital dividend: A strategic opportunity and challenge

India has been on a digital growth trajectory for a few years, prompted by its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy by 2025. The Indian digital revolution has resulted in a new wave of digital consumption and dividends. This manuscript examines the transformative journey of India's digital revolution, highlighting the strategic opportunities and challenges it encompasses. The Digital India initiative, a cornerstone government policy, has been instrumental in this transformative process, aiming to digitize various aspects of life and governance. Despite a significant increase in internet users and the successful launch of numerous digital projects, a substantial digital divide remains, characterized by disparities in mobile phone ownership, internet access, and digital literacy across different genders, geographical locations, and income groups. Using a qualitative research methodology, this study investigates the economic impact of digitalization on the Indian economy and identifies factors contributing to the digital divide. An extensive literature review and qualitative content analysis identified five primary themes: the digital profile of India, digitization and economic growth, digitalization and economic variables, digitalization across sectors, and the digital divide. These themes elucidate India's progress in digital literacy and financial inclusion, the economic advantages of digitalization, and the obstacles to achieving digital inclusivity. The manuscript proposes a developmental framework with recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders to mitigate the digital divide and maximize the benefits of digital dividends. It underscores the necessity of a comprehensive digital strategy, the enhancement of digital infrastructure, the development of digital human resources, the promotion of digital literacy, and the fostering of digital entrepreneurial capacity.

Application of a Photothermal Microscope To Study the Process of Cutaneous Lesion Formation of Malignant Melanoma.

In this study, we applied a photothermal microscope to study the process of malignant melanoma formation. We analyzed benign papilloma tumors, their metastatic carcinomas, and metastatic melanoma on the preparation of mouse skin using a gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) method. Based on the analysis of nine GLCM parameters investigated, the characteristics during the degenerative and metastatic processes are clarified by the investigation. The determination of characteristic parameters corresponding to three processes before, during, and after the degeneration indicated that this investigation enables the detection of the malignant transformation and related processes.

Neural Network Algorithms in Current Processes of Transformation of Traditional Worldview and Ideological Systems.

This study is devoted to identifying potential risks, challenges, and threats of intensive development and active implementation of artificial intelligence technologies and in particular self-learning neural network algorithms in the current practice of socio-political communications associated with active information impact on mass consciousness. This study proves that contemporary digital technological transformations and the active spread of digital technologies most directly influence the transformation of traditional worldview systems and ideologies. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that with the help of digital tools, there is a significant information and communication impact on mass consciousness in terms of influencing traditional worldview and ideological systems. In this regard, the author puts forward the thesis about the need to form and maintain the digital sovereignty of contemporary states as a key conclusion. It is viewed as a critical condition for preserving and protecting national worldview and ideological spaces in the conditions of current global technological transformations

From ''Dependent Translation" to "Creative Translation'' by Taha Abdurrahman

This paper undertakes a critical and analytical examination of the transformative dimensions of translation as conceptualized by the Moroccan philosopher Taha Abdurrahman. Central to Abdurrahman’s intellectual project is the call to transcend the pervasive Eurocentrism that characterizes contemporary translation theories. Abdurrahman offers a nuanced critique of the translation methodologies employed during the Abbasid period, particularly the uncontextualized appropriation of Greek philosophy. He contends that this approach led to the marginalization of Islamic philosophy, reducing it to a mode of mere transmission and dependency, initially on ancient Greece and subsequently on the modern West. To address these historical inadequacies, Abdurrahman advocates for an innovative translation strategy termed taʾṣīliyya, which translates literally to “authenticating.” This strategy emphasizes a transformative process whereby the source text is integrated into the receiving culture, aligning with its specific epistemic and cultural needs, irrespective of the original context. Abdurrahman posits that this method is essential for fostering an autonomous Arab/Islamic philosophical tradition, one that is not subsumed under external theoretical paradigms, even if this necessitates deviating from conventional criteria of accuracy and faithfulness. This paper critically engages with the theoretical foundations and proposes practical applications of Abdurrahman’s translation paradigm. It situates his framework within the broader historical trajectory of translation in the Arabic intellectual tradition and contemporary translation studies. Furthermore, it interrogates the theoretical and methodological ramifications of eschewing conventional norms of fidelity and accuracy, notwithstanding their entrenched and restrictive nature.

Differences in Nitrogen Sources and Contributions in Shallow Groundwater in Plateau Lake Area with Different Climate Types

Clarifying the concentration, major sources, and contribution differences of nitrogen in shallow groundwater in plateau lake areas with different climate types can provide a novel direction for the control of nitrate （NO3-） pollution in regional groundwater. Taking the shallow groundwater around Erhai Lake in the subtropical monsoon climate zone and Chenghai Lake in the dry-hot valley area of the Jinsha River as the research objects, using hydrochemical indexes and multi-isotope techniques （δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-, δ18O-H2O, and δ2H-H2O） combined with the stable isotope （SIAR） model； the differences in nitrogen concentration in shallow groundwater around Erhai Lake and Chenghai Lake were analyzed, the sources of NO3- were identified, and the contribution rates of each pollution source were calculated. The results showed that water quality of more than 33% and 5% of shallow groundwater sampling points around Erhai Lake and Chenghai Lake was worse than the groundwater Class Ⅲ quality requirements （GB/T 14848） of 20 mg·L-1 for nitrate nitrogen （NO3--N）, respectively. The δ18O-H2O and δ2H-H2O in shallow groundwater around Erhai Lake and Chenghai Lake were parallel to the global and Chinese atmospheric precipitation lines, and a large intercept was present, indicating that atmospheric precipitation was not the major recharge source of groundwater in the two regions. The contribution rate of different NO3- sources in shallow groundwater around Erhai Lake was the highest for soil organic nitrogen （53.77%）, followed by nitrogen fertilizer （21.75%） and manure and sewage （21.55%）, and atmospheric deposition nitrogen （2.93%） was the lowest. Denitrification occurred in the transformation process of nitrogen in groundwater. The contribution rate of different NO3- sources in shallow groundwater around Chenghai Lake was manure and sewage （44.88%） > soil organic nitrogen （37.03%） > nitrogen fertilizer （16.17%） > atmospheric deposition nitrogen （1.92%）, and nitrification occurred in the transformation process of nitrogen in groundwater. The climate type significantly affected the shallow groundwater level, altering the migration and transformation process of nitrogen, thereby affecting the nitrogen concentration in groundwater and the contribution of NO3- as the chief source. However, the major source of NO3- was not affected by the climate type； however was more affected by land use, agricultural activities, and manure treatment methods.

Transformation of Adults as Transformational Learners

Thesis. The aim of this study is to investigate at the ground level how transformational learning within the framework of adult education (andragogy) occurs in the lives of adults who experience this process. The research was designed as a qualitative study based on phenomenological approach and carried out with eight adult participants from Izmir-Turkey, Bratislava-Slovakia, Cersak-Slovenia and Lecce-Italy. Concept. Transformational learning is a process that enables individuals to question their feelings, thoughts and frames of reference and to gain a new perspective as a result of these questions. The research examined the stages and conceptual framework of this process based on Mezirow's transformational learning theory. Semi-structured interviews with participants were aimed at understanding how this learning process was triggered and how it was experienced. Results and Conclusion. According to findings adults went through a transformation process in line with the theoretical information obtained in the literature, experienced a dilemma before the transformation, gained a new perspective by criticizing the sources of feelings, thoughts and references they had in their previous lives, benefited from the experiences of people who went through this process, developed critical thinking skills, mostly made a plan, acquired new knowledge and skills, new roles according to their experiences, and it is understood that they have adopted a new worldview. The obtained data will contribute to the development of adult learning programs, the contribution of adult learning institutions to educational activities, researchers who will conduct research on adult learning and the literature in more detailed examination of transformational learning in adult learning.

Transformation in Beliefs and Religious Practices among Religious Followers in Present-Day Vietnam

Vietnam is a country with diverse religions. The transformation in beliefs and religious practices among religious followers in Vietnam is constantly influenced by global trends, the industrial revolution 4.0, the country’s achievements in renovation, international integration, and the Party and State’s religious policies. This context drives religious organizations to continually revive, develop both structurally and operationally, and diversify their activities. However, this dynamism also brings complexity and impacts various aspects of social life. This study sheds light on the current process of transformation in faith and religious practices among followers of different religions in Vietnam. Furthermore, it provides authentic information for relevant researchers to compare, contrast, and support scientific arguments. Ultimately, it offers reasonable grounds for Vietnam’s functional agencies to issue and enforce more effective policies related to religion.

Study on the relationship between Kumarajiva and Mahayana Buddhism in western regions of China

Kumarajiva is a Chinese Buddhist master who came from the western regions of China. His religious thoughts went through a conversion from Hinayana Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism. Based on the process of Kumarajiva’s thought transformation, this article creatively proposes the consistency between Kumarajiva’s thought transformation and the localisation process of Buddhism in the western regions of China. The article aims to explore Kumarajiva’s special historical status in Chinese Buddhism history, especially the important impact of his Buddhism thoughts on Mahayana Buddhism in the western regions of China, such as Kucha and Gaochang, etc.Contribution: This study reveals the thought transformation process of Kumarajiva, which is paralleled with the localisation process of Buddhism in the western regions of China. This study can offer references towards scholars in the field of religious history, especially in the field of Buddhist history in the western regions of China.

Urban Historiography and Graphic Reconstruction of a Historic Area in Valencia, Spain

The conservation of cultural heritage is a well-established fact recognized by public administrations, the scientific community, and society at large. Understanding this heritage strengthens the historical memory of communities. However, there is a type of heritage that, as it disappears or evolves over time, cannot be physically recovered: the urban fabric of historic cores. This article aims to implement a system for integrating historical urban data into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to enable the graphic recovery of urban evolution within a territory. This system facilitates the storage of alphanumeric and graphic data in a centralized database, providing a holistic view of the transformation process of a historic center’s landscape. This case study focuses on an area in the historic center of Valencia, a territory influenced by multiple cultures since the city was founded by the Romans. Each culture has altered the spatial structures within the area. Georeferenced documents from historical archives, historical cartography, and the scientific literature were utilized for this study. The results have been integrated into the current cartography of Valencia in the GIS, producing plans of successive urban stages through the overlay of historical maps and current cartography.

Effect of Temperature and Oxygen Concentration on Corrosion of J55 Steel in an O2/CO2 Environment

ABSTRACTThe corrosion product competition and transformation process of J55 under an O2/CO2 environment in the temperature range of 50–350°C and 0–1 MPa oxygen partial pressure range, respectively, were studied using electrochemical and surface analysis techniques as well as thermodynamic calculations to determine its corrosion rate change law and pitting corrosion phenomenon. This study demonstrates that the uniform corrosion rate of J55 with increasing temperature shows a trend of first increasing, then decreasing, and finally increasing. The transformation of its corrosion products, from FeCO3 into Fe3O4, is consistent with the altering corrosion rate law with increasing temperatures. J55 corrodes faster at 350°C as the O2 partial pressure increases. When the O2 partial pressure is low, the predominant kind of corrosion product that is obtained is FeCO3; when the O2 partial pressure exceeds 0.2 MPa, all corrosion products are transformed into iron oxides. As the oxygen partial pressure increases, J55's corrosion product film becomes increasingly less protective of the substrate, making the substance more vulnerable to corrosion reactions.

Co-creation and urban transformation: the application of design thinking for participatory solutions in Rio Tavares, Florianópolis

Cities face increasingly complex challenges that demand innovative and collaborative solutions. The lack of participatory urban planning and the need for more humanized approaches have generated negative impacts on the quality of life, including the loss of cultural identity, inadequate urban mobility, and environmental damage. This article analyzes the application of Design Thinking, focusing on the immersion and analysis stages, within a participatory urban transformation process in the Rio Tavares neighborhood of Florianópolis, Brazil. This growing neighborhood faces challenges such as the lack of urban infrastructure and the need for preserving cultural and environmental heritage. This study investigates how Design Thinking can engage the community in identifying and understanding these problems, promoting empathy, and gaining a clear understanding of local needs. The research employed an experience report methodology with data collection through a participatory mural at two cultural events held in the neighborhood. The results revealed the main challenges faced by the neighborhood and highlighted the importance of citizen participation in the urban transformation process.

A Novelly Hierarchical LDHs−Based Cathode with Reduced Deprotonation Barrier Toward High−Performance Alkaline Energy Storage

AbstractLayered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising electrode materials for alkaline electrochemical energy storage (EES). However, their low capacity, sluggish rate performance, and limited cycle life significantly hinder practical applications. This study unlocks the direct deprotonation reaction pathway for LDH materials through theoretical calculations. Guided by this insight, a novelly hierarchical composite (LDH−TPA) with various dimensions and components is fabricated by introducing terephthalic acid (TPA), serving as a superior cathode material for alkaline EES devices. Experimental results and theoretical investigations reveal the transformation process for metal–organic framework quantum dots (MOF−QDs) and the enhanced mechanism of reaction kinetics in the LDH−TPA electrode. Benefiting from the reduced deprotonation barrier, optimized electronic structure, and fast electrons/ions transport rates, the LDH−TPA1 electrode demonstrates a high specific capacity of 267 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and retains 167 mAh g−1 even at 20 A g−1, along with excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, an alkaline nickel−zinc battery (AZB) with LDH−TPA1 cathode is assembled, achieving a lifespan exceeding 3400 cycles, and a high energy density of 341.3 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1640.9 W kg−1. This study is expected to provide new insight into the modification of LDHs and the advancement of alkaline energy systems.

Effect of mineral additives and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria additions on physicochemical properties, nitrogen retention and microbial dynamics during vermicomposting of chicken manure and green waste

Vermicomposting is an effective technology to transform organic wastes into organic fertilizers. However, a large amount of nitrogen will be lost through ammonia (NH3) volatilization during verimicomposting. Herein, we investigated the effects of mineral additives (diatomite, zeolite) and exogenous ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosospira multiformis) added individually or combinedly on the physicochemical changes, the conversion of nitrogen, and the resident microbial community succession during chicken manure and green waste co-vermicomposting. The results showed that the combined addition of AOB and mineral additives significantly improved vermicompost quality and maturity in terms of humus, carbon/nitrogen ratio, humic acid/fulvic acid ratio and germination index. Compared with the control, jointly adding AOB and mineral additives reduced NH3 emissions by 65.72∼71.05 %, accelerated the conversion of NH4+-N to NO3−-N, increased total nitrogen content by 23.22∼25.21 %. The combination of AOB and mineral additives significantly increased the activities of ammonia monooxygenase, hydroxylamine oxidase, and nitrate oxidoreductase, and enhanced the amount of AOB community. Additionally, the combined addition of AOB and mineral additives increased bacterial richness and diversity, accompanied by increased relative abundances of Luteimonas, Cellvibrio, Saccharimonadales, and Pseudomonas. These microbial shifts were correlated with enhanced lignocellulose degradation, organic phosphate mineralization, and promotion of plant growth. Moreover, vermiompost-based growing media with mineral additives and AOB can significantly promote the growth of purple cabbage as compared to the vermicompost without additives. Overall, the synergistic use of AOB and mineral additives (diatomite, zeolite) was recommended as a favorable approach for reducing nitrogen losses and improving the efficiency of chicken manure and green waste vermicomposting. This study offers a novel approach to mediate nitrogen transformation processes and reduce nitrogen loss.

Re-Examining the Narrative of Structural Transformation: Insights from India’s Development Experience

The narrative of structural transformation, based on the experience of global North, posits that the process of development involves gradual ‘modernisation’ of the overall structure of the economy, where the traditional/low-productivity sectors give way to and support the modern/high-productivity sectors. However, much of the global South has not been able to experience this process along the anticipated lines, as a significant proportion of their workforce is still engaged in the low-productivity agriculture and non-agriculture informal sectors for their livelihood. We highlight that the dominant narrative does not take into account the importance of specific historical conditions, particularly the role of colonialism, that facilitated the process of structural transformation in the global North. The altered structural conditions in the post-colonial era, both at global and domestic level, question the possibilities of a similar process unfolding in the global South. In this regard, we analyse India’s development experience, both at macro and micro level, focusing on two villages of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, surveyed in 1994 and later in 2018. We illustrate that the process of labour and employment transition across sectors is highly complex and heterogeneous. Rather than being driven solely by productivity growth, the nature and direction of these changes are characterised by economic distress. We argue that the prevailing narrative, which presents a linear understanding focused on productivity differentials across sectors, is inadequate to understand the nature of this transition in the South. Instead, the process needs to be understood in the particular socio-economic and ecological context specific to a given space and time.