Journal of Management Science Research Review
The Journal of Management Science Research Review (JMSRR) is a double-blind peer-reviewed scholarly journal that publishes high-quality empirical and theoretical research articles in all areas of management science. The journal is committed to publishing rigorous and relevant research that makes a significant contribution to the field of management science.
Sociology of Digital Control: Datafication, Online Surveillance, and Gendered Norms in Everyday Life in Higher Education in Pakistan
This qualitative study examines the sociology of digital control by exploring how datafication, online surveillance, and gendered norms shape everyday life, particularly within higher education contexts. Using thematic content analysis, secondary literature was systematically reviewed from multiple databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and institutional repositories. Purposive sampling was employed to select studies related to AI applications in higher education, such as learning analytics, automated assessment, and surveillance, alongside themes of digital inequality, and governance, with emphasis on Pakistan and comparable Global South settings. Through inductive-deductive analysis, nine major themes emerged, highlighting the mechanisms of digital control, gendered experiences of surveillance, and the role of digital platforms in reinforcing social norms. The findings indicate that digital technologies function as instruments of both governance and inequality, where data-driven systems intensify visibility, normalize monitoring, and reproduce gendered expectations. The study concludes that whereas digital control is pervasive, individuals and communities exhibit forms of resistance and agency, underscoring the need for ethical governance and gender-sensitive digital policies to ensure equitable participation in digital spaces.
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A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of Digital Transformation and AI in Driving Resilience and Sustainability of Construction Firms
This paper is a multi-dimensional evaluation of how digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) can increase the resilience and sustainability of construction companies. Based on empirical evidence gathered among construction organizations of various maturity stages, the research determines the impact of the digital capabilities, analytics powered by AI, and integrated information on the operational stability, environmental performance, and long-term competitiveness. Quantitative data show that highly transformed digital firms are characterized by around 35-45 greater operational resilience (manifested by better response time to disruption, proactive risk management and continued initiation of projects). The further impact of AI usage is the 30 percent efficiency of resources and the 25 percent decrease in the overruns, which is achieved through predictive maintenance, data-based scheduling, and real-time decision support. The results of sustainability indicate that there was a decrease in material waste by 28% and a decrease in carbon-related inefficiencies by 22% in digitally mature firms, which seemed to be closely connected between AI-enabled digital processes and environmental performance. A Digital Resiliency and Sustainability Index (DRSI) was created based on the weighted scores of digital integration (0.35), AI capability (0.30), organizational adaptability (0.20), and sustainability governance (0.15). Companies with a score of the index above 0.70 showed a substantially greater financial stability and ESG performance than the low-scoring ones. The results prove that digital transformation and AI are complementary enablers of resilience and sustainability and not separate technological interventions. The research paper adds to the literature of construction management as it provides empirical support and a systematic examination framework in order to drive strategic digital investment and the design of policies in the built environment sector.
Advancing Business Intelligence Adoption for Macroeconomic and Productivity Growth: An Econometric Assessment of Data Driven Decision Making in the U.S. Financial Sector
It is an empirical study of the macroeconomic and operational effects of Business Intelligence (BI) implementation in the banking industry of the United States, in terms of productivity and GDP. The study connects a multi source quantitative model that integrates information from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), and 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to construct a longitudinal data set covering 2023 to 2025. The paper examines the relationship between the intensity of BI, as measured in actual terms by a new text analytics based BI Index, and economic consequences using log-linear econometric models, and finds that the two variables are related. The findings show that the relationship between the adoption of BI and the growth in sectoral GDP is strong (R2 = 0.999), and that increasing the strength of BI by 50% points results in a 1.6% increase in GDP, or a 16.6 billion dollar increase in economic activity. Nonetheless, the relationship between business intelligence and productivity has been slow and nonlinear, with short term inefficiencies caused by transitional changes as well as costs associated with technology integration. The findings support the Resource Based View (RBV) and Technology Performance Chain (TPC) models, demonstrating that Business Intelligence (BI) systems are advanced resources capable of transforming data resources into economic value through alignment with organizational strategy and the promotion of organizational learning. According to the research as a manager, competences such as analytics expertise, data management skills, and organizational readiness are key to realizing the benefits of business intelligence over time. The policy implications are that national digital policies and goals, such as the United States' AI and Data Strategy 2030, must incorporate the development of BI adoption indicators in order to support long term productivity gains and boost innovation competitiveness. This study addresses a gap in existing empirical data on the disconnect between a country's digital transformation efforts and its operational results in terms of overall performance by conducting the first multi source econometric analysis of BI in relation to the final performance criteria. It recognizes business intelligence as a vital economic driver that will put the United States at the forefront of the world's data driven economy.
Relating Emotional Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership, Quality of Life: A Study among Health Care Professionals across Azad Kashmir
The articles provide an overview of healthcare professionals emotional intelligence and its impact on their professional quality of life. Inclusive leadership act as an interlinking role between professional’s quality of life and their emotional intelligence. For fulfilment of current study, authors comprised total 286 health care professionals across Azad Kashmir. Data has been gathered through self-administrative adopted questionnaires. For this data analyzed by using statistical tests. The statistical analysis included normality, descriptive, frequency, correlation and regression. There is a favourable correlation among all variables that indicated further causal relationship. Findings showed that emotionally intelligent professionals significantly related with their quality of life. Moreover, inclusive leadership demonstrated full mediation between emotional intelligence and professional’s life quality. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership, Professional Quality of Life, Healthcare professionals.
Comprehensive Analysis Of Digital Transformation In Pakistan’s Banking Sector For Improving Operational Efficiency
The purpose of this research is to explore current status of digital transformation for the operational efficiency of banks in Pakistan in the advanced technological environment of the world. Primary and secondary data is collected from the 10 branches of Al Baraka Bank from selected 15 staff members and 15 customers for 300 samples in the year 2025 from June to September 2025. Aside, Digital services of Bank of America are also discussed as a control variable. Researcher selected Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited as case study to examine the banking environment as role model from South Asia Middle East to compare with the standards of International Banks. The research employs quantitative methodology which includes survey from employees, customers and financial performance data, operational data. Data Analyses is based on 5-point Likert Scale and descriptive statistics is checked by standard deviation. The finding of the study shows significant drift in digital services due to customer’s behaviour changes and technological innovation to reshape the operational services of banking. This transformation is absolute demand of digital era in competency to the developed world for payment services by providing active digital platforms to enhance operational efficiency for facilitating national and international customers. The results of this research lead to the recommendations for upgrading digital financial performance of Banks to prioritize the management services for boosting national economy. The study focuses on the development of cutting-edge technology solutions to contribute towards elevation of the Pakistan’s economy and fostering a banking experience resulting in customer convenience. The study focuses on the development of cutting-edge technology solutions to contribute towards elevation of the Pakistan’s economy and establishing multi-channel digital services for domestic and international customers to conveniently transact for trade business without the hassle of geographic boundaries and limitations. The study focused on modernization of traditional branches to reduce congestion in workflow and opening financial avenue for the nation. This transformation has reengineered the working attitudes environment of the Bank and bridged the gap between customer and Bank by providing smart & convenient Digital Banking Solutions.
Investor Sentiments and Stock Returns: A Study on Noise Traders
The concept of investor sentiments aims to access the interest of market players or their anticipation towards their investments. Investor sentiments hold a crucial role in trading, however, the task of measuring it is complex as it involves the quantification of emotions. Additionally, varying sentiments may exist among individual investors. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that investor sentiments are integral element of stock market dynamics along with genuine explanatory power. Sentiments serve as ambiguous elements in economic activities, shaping investors' subjective outlook on future returns. Consequently, this influences their investment behavior, ultimately making a substantial impact on the market. This study aims to analyze the impact of investor sentiments on stock returns. This research is the first one to study investor sentiment proxies instead of a joint index with some novel proxies i.e. share mispricing, bond yield spread, and gold bullion in the context of Pakistan. This study uses panel data of 49 non-financial firms taken on quarterly basis from 2012-2019 covering 1467 observations of the unbalanced panel. The Generalized Least Squares model is used in the study for hypotheses testing. The results for all five hypotheses of investor sentiments’ proxies are accepted i.e. about gold bullion, survey data indicator, turnover and the two technical analysis indicators. Additionally, the findings are consistent with the literature studies conducted on the developed and developing economies. However, this study has some limitations, which can become part of future studies for having an in-depth analysis of investors’ sentiments in the Pakistan stock market. The policy implication of this study is for the policymakers to direct the policies in consideration of investors’ noise trading behavior by understanding the stock market biases. Keywords: Investor sentiment, stock returns, noise traders, rational investors, gold, turnover, technical indicator
Decoding Startup Beginnings: How Founders, Resources, And Ecosystems Interact in the Stand-Up Stage
Purpose: This study examines how entrepreneurial profiles, resources, and ecosystem support interact to shape the sustainability and growth of incubator-based stand-up stage of the startups. The fragile phase when ventures move from concept to operational reality. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV), this study investigates how internal resources, and external institutional conditions jointly influence early-stage performance. By bridging micro-level entrepreneurial characteristics (skills, mindset, leadership, experience) with meso-level ecosystem supports (incubator infrastructure and services), the study reveals how individual capabilities, and contextual factors combine to determine sustainable startup trajectories. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design was applied using stratified probability sampling to ensure representation across stand-up stage ventures in incubators. Data were collected from 302 founders and co-founders via structured surveys. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modelling were used to assess the effects of entrepreneurial, resource, and ecosystem factors. Findings – Entrepreneurial Ability (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) found a strongest predictor of stand-up stage performance, followed by Entrepreneurial Philosophy (β = 0.18, p < 0.01) and Basic Infrastructure (β = 0.15, p < 0.01). Entrepreneurial Leadership, Human Resources, and Training & Capacity Building also showed positive and significant associations (p < 0.05). Other factors, including Entrepreneurial Experience, Financial Resources, Knowledge Support Systems, Funding & Investment Opportunities, and Business Development Services, had positive but non-significant effects. Research limitations/implications – The study extends RBV by demonstrating how micro and meso interactions influence stand-up stage outcomes in an emerging economy. The findings are specific to incubator-based startups in Pakistan, pointing to future research on macro-level ecosystem dynamics and cross-country comparisons. Originality/value – This research identifies the precise skills, resources, and ecosystem supports that matter most in the stand-up stage, offering both theoretical contributions and practical guidance for entrepreneurs, incubator managers, and policy makers aiming to improve early-stage startup survival.
Examining the Impact of Financial Innovation on Secure Transaction Management in Pakistan’s Banking Sector: A Case Study of Faisal Bank of Pakistan Using a PLS-SEM Approach
The rapid diffusion of financial innovation has fundamentally transformed transaction processing and service delivery in the banking sector, particularly in emerging economies such as Pakistan. While digital banking innovations enhance operational efficiency, accessibility, and customer convenience, they simultaneously introduce new challenges related to transaction security, data privacy, and fraud risk. This study examines the impact of financial innovation on secure transaction management within Pakistan’s banking sector, using Faisal Bank of Pakistan as an empirical case study. The research aims to provide robust evidence on how innovation-driven banking practices contribute to the effectiveness of secure transaction management mechanisms in a digitally evolving financial environment. Drawing on innovation diffusion theory and trust-based technology adoption perspectives, the study proposes a structural model in which financial innovation influences secure transaction management both directly and indirectly through digital trust. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to Faisal Bank customers actively using digital banking services. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to assess the measurement and structural models due to its suitability for predictive analysis and theory development in complex, multivariate research settings. The results indicate that financial innovation has a significant and positive effect on secure transaction management, suggesting that the adoption of advanced digital banking technologies strengthens authentication procedures, fraud detection capabilities, transaction reliability, and data confidentiality. Furthermore, financial innovation was found to significantly enhance digital trust, which in turn positively influences secure transaction management. The mediation analysis confirms that digital trust partially mediates the relationship between financial innovation and secure transaction management, highlighting the critical role of customer confidence in the effectiveness of secure digital transactions. These findings contribute to the existing literature by offering empirical evidence from a developing country context, where secure digital banking adoption remains underexplored. From a practical perspective, the study provides valuable insights for banking managers and policymakers by emphasizing the need to align financial innovation strategies with robust security frameworks and trust-building mechanisms. The results suggest that sustained investment in innovative financial technologies, coupled with transparent security practices and regulatory compliance, can enhance transaction security and support the long-term stability of Pakistan’s digital banking ecosystem.
Tax Revenue, Institutional Quality, and Sustainable Growth in Afghanistan (1996–2024): A Dual Source ARDL–ECM Analysis
This study examines whether domestic revenue mobilization is associated with sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan and whether institutional quality moderates that relationship in a fragile and conflict-affected setting. A reconciled dual-source annual dataset for 1996–2024 is constructed by harmonizing World Development Indicators with official Afghan fiscal and macroeconomic series, with observation-level provenance flags documenting source priority and reconciliation decisions. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds-testing framework and its error-correction representation are estimated to accommodate mixed integration orders, structural breaks, and a small annual sample. Political transitions are captured using regime-segmented indicators interpreted relative to the Taliban I baseline regime. Bounds tests support a stable long-run relationship between real GDP growth, tax revenue, institutional quality, and standard controls. The error-correction term indicates rapid convergence to equilibrium (ECT ≈ −1.24). In the long run, the tax revenue coefficient is positive but imprecisely estimated (1.54; p = 0.284). The interaction between tax revenue and institutional quality is positive and economically large (9.68; p = 0.180), suggesting that stronger institutions increase the growth payoff to taxation, although statistical support is indicative rather than definitive. Overall, the findings imply that revenue-led growth strategies in Afghanistan and comparable fragile contexts are more likely to be effective when paired with institutional improvements that enhance budget credibility, reduce leakages, and strengthen policy predictability and compliance.
Sustainable Supply Chain and Business Efficiency: The Impact of Strategy, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Resilience, and Green Human Resource Management
This study examines how sustainable supply chain practices affect business performance, where operational performance is one of the mediating variables. Particularly, it aims to explore how supply chain strategy (SCS), digital transformation (DT), supply chain resilience (SCR), and green human resource management (GHRM) collectively lead to organisational outcomes. The literature review showed that traditional supply chain models have been subject to major inefficiencies that are a result of recent disruptions in the world and pressure on the environment. Among the most important thematic areas, there will be the role of SCS as a comprehensive plan of monitoring activities, digital transformation, and integration of advanced technologies such as AI and ERP, and flexibility and recovery as the issues SCR is concerned with. In addition, the review examines the way in which GHRM integrates environmental values in recruitment and training to facilitate employee sustainable commitment. Besides, the study was a primary research study that used a quantitative research methodology to test hypothesised connections between quantifiable variables. Evidence was gathered based on a five-point Likert scale, with 101 valid responses to the questionnaire. The results were processed with the assistance of the two-step Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) of SmartPLS that comprised the testing of the measurement model, including the reliability and validity, as well as testing of the structural model. According to the analysis, it is possible to note that the most considerable positive impact is that of Supply Chain Strategy (0.369, p = 0.001) and then Green HRM (β= 0.183, p = 0.041). Remarkably, the direct effects of digital transformation and supply chain resilience on the operational performance were not statistically significant in this sample. However, operational performance was observed to be a strong and influential source of efficiency in the business (β= 0.560, p = 0.001). The validation of the hypothesis of indirect effect testing established that SCS and GHRM are effective in positively influencing the efficiency of the business by first increasing its operational reliability and flexibility. The result that improved operational outcomes are followed by high efficiency at the business level indicates that OP can be used as the endogenous mediator.
The Impact of Strategic Human Resource Practices on Supply Chain Resilience: The Roles of Workforce Agility and Supply Chain Integration
With a number of supply chain disruptions, geopolitical unpredictability and accelerating technological transformation, organizations are finding it a strategic level to utilize human capital to increase their supply chain resiliency. This paper explores how strategic human resource practices (SHRP) have an effect on supply chain resilience (SCR) through a mediating variable of workforce agility (WA) and a moderating variable of supply chain integration (SCI). Based on the Dynamic Capability Theory, we theorize workforce agility as a dynamic capability of the human level that converts HR investments into dynamic supply chain delivery. The respondents were 312 managerial level employees of manufacturing and service sector companies in an emerging economy setting. The performance was conducted in terms of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) which revealed that SHRP has a direct and indirect positive impact on SCR via WA. Besides, SCI plays a major role in enhancing the relationship between SHRP and WA, indicating the conditional nature of integrated supply chains in exploiting human-based capabilities. The results highlight the importance of the interaction between HR systems and workforce agility and structural integration in the creation of resilient supply chains and provide empirical evidence on what actions can be taken by managers and policymakers to find human-centered resilience solutions in volatile environments.
Examining Environmental, Social and Governance Role in Predicting Early Default Warning: A Machine Learning Perspective
The study has examined how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance can predict early warning in defaulting in an emerging market through the application of the advanced machine learning methods. The data used in the analysis is firm-level panel data (including 11,000 defaulted and non- defaulted firms across the emerging economies in the time frame 2010-2023 that is obtained through the use of the Refinitiv database. Combining ESG composite scores and pillar-specific indicators with traditional financial distress metrics, the study elaborates a holistic early warning framework in the determination of whether sustainability performance is informing on conventional accounting-based, as well as market-based risk measures. The study has been methodologically executed through various supervised learning algorithms such as the random forest, Extreme gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector machines models. The empirical evidence suggested that that the use of ESG measures enhances predictive accuracy compared to financial ratio-based models to a large extent. The quality of governance turns out to be the strongest predictor of early default risk, then exposure to environmental risk, and social factors are also heterogeneous across the industries. Machine learning models achieve better performances than the traditional econometric specifications in measuring nonlinearities and the complex cross-dimensional interactions. The research adds to the literature in the field of financial distress because it introduces sustainability risk in credit risk modeling in emerging markets. It has methodological insights in the form of interpretable machine learning methods and practical implications to investors, regulators, and credit risk practitioners who are interested in incorporating ESG data into early warning and risk management systems.
Local Community Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism Development: Evidence from Kalam Valley, Swat, Pakistan
This paper discusses the views of the local population to sustainable tourism development in Kalam Valley, Swat, Pakistan. Sustainable tourism has been widely considered as a way of ensuring economic growth is balanced with environmental conservation and cultural preservation but its development is largely reliant on the involvement and participation of local locals. Although Kalam has a lot of natural and cultural attractions, there is not much information about how the community perceives the sustainability agenda in Kalam. To fill this gap, primary data was collected via a structured questionnaire which was given to 75 local respondents using a simple random sampling technique. The survey took the Likert scale with 20 items touching upon four major dimensions, namely: sustainability, environment, socio-economic benefits and cultural heritage. The SPSS 20.1 was used to analyze data to determine trends and patterns in community perceptions. Results indicate that the older residents were more concerned about sustainability as compared to young respondents and that most local business owners were not willing to adopt sustainable practices. In addition, the respondents pointed out lack of participation of local government in implementation of sustainable tourism policies. Nevertheless, the community recognized that sustainable tourism had the potential of providing economic opportunities, cultural pride and environmental conservation in case it is managed well. The paper concludes that sustainable community participation, education, and collaborative governance of the valley may transform the Kalam Valley into a model of the sustainable tourism in Pakistan.
An Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Purchase Intentions: The Mediating Role of Consumer Brand Engagement in the Fashion Retail Industry
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a critical strategic and ethical dimension for organizations, influencing corporate reputation and consumer behavior. This study investigates the effect of CSR on Consumer Purchase Intention (PUR) and examines the mediating role of Consumer Brand Engagement (CBE) in this relationship. Grounded in stakeholder theory and the theory of planned behavior, CSR is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct encompassing economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities. CBE is operationalized as a multidimensional construct reflecting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement with brands, capturing the depth of consumer-brand interaction and commitment. A quantitative research design was employed, with primary data collected from 103 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using SmartPLS to test the hypothesized relationships and assess the measurement and structural models. The results indicate that CSR does not have a significant direct effect on PUR. However, CSR has a significant positive influence on consumer brand engagement, and CBE significantly predicts purchase intention. Mediation analysis confirms that CBE mediates the relationship between CSR and PUR, highlighting that CSR initiatives influence consumer behavior primarily by fostering cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement with the brand. These findings emphasize the critical role of engagement in translating CSR perceptions into actionable consumer behavior. Ethical, philanthropic, and environmental CSR initiatives particularly resonate with socially conscious consumers, enhancing brand loyalty, advocacy, and repeat purchase behavior. By integrating CSR, CBE, and purchase intention within a comprehensive SEM framework, this study contributes theoretically by elucidating the mediating mechanisms through which CSR affects consumer decision-making.
Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Fakhre Alam Siddiqui
Education, Empowerment, and Exploitation: An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Gender Disparities and Digital Inclusion on Child Labor and Trafficking
Child labor and child trafficking remain serious problems to sustainable development, especially in those areas that are highly structurally unequal and access to educational and technological facilities. Although earlier studies have mostly known about the economic factors of poverty, and the state of the labor market, relatively little focus has been given to the joint effect of gender inequalities in education and digital accessibility in making children susceptible to exploitative work practices. The paper is an empirical investigation of the impacts of female education, gender inequality, and digital inclusion on the results of child labor and trafficking based on a cross-country panel dataset of 2005-2022. The analysis uses the fixed effect and generalized method of moment’s estimators to study the direct and interaction impacts of gender differences as well as technological access in child exploitation indicators. The empirical results show that an increase in educational attainment of women is strongly linked to child labor participation decreases whereas the gender inequality increases the vulnerability of children to exploitative labor activities. Besides this, the phenomenon of digital inclusion also shows the mitigating effect as it minimizes the negative influence of gender differences on the outcomes of child labor, which implies that the better technological access is provided, the higher the level of education and information access. These findings confirm theoretical approaches based on human capital theory and the capability approach that emphasize the multidimensionality of vulnerability that is determined by social and technological inequalities. The research is an addition to the body of literature because it incorporates gender-based educational inequalities and digital inclusions in a single empirical model of child exploitation risks analysis. Policy wise, the results have highlighted the relevance of concerted efforts, which encourage both gendered education and equal opportunities in the growth of digital infrastructure to actually stem child labor and trafficking in the developing economies.
Too Much or Too Little Cash? Optimal Cash Holdings and Firm Value in Family-Owned and Shariah-Compliant Firms
This study examines whether deviations from optimal cash holdings affect firm value under different ownership and governance structures. Using panel data from 100 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange over the period 2009–2018, we employ a threshold model to capture the nonlinear association between corporate cash holdings and firm value. The results reveal a significant nonlinear relationship, confirming the existence of an optimal level of cash holdings that maximizes firm value. Deviations from this optimal level, either in the form of excess or insufficient cash are associated with a decline in firm value. Moreover, the negative value effects of such deviations are more pronounced in family-owned and Shariah-compliant firms, suggesting that concentrated ownership and religious governance frameworks intensify the costs of suboptimal cash policies. These findings offer important implications for corporate managers and policymakers, highlighting the need for carefully calibrated cash management strategies, particularly in firms characterized by family control and Shariah compliance. By providing evidence from a developing economy with relatively weak governance mechanisms, this study extends the cash holdings literature and uncovers previously overlooked moderating roles of family ownership and Shariah compliance in shaping the value consequences of corporate cash policies.
Determinants of Psychological Satisfaction towards Purchasing Counterfeit Green Clothing Brands in Karachi
This study is to investigate the mediation role of psychological satisfaction (PSAT) on purchase intention (PI) of counterfeit brands in the presence of psychological and attitudinal factors (PAF) of apparel consumers of Karachi. The target audience for the study is people from 18 to 65 years of age with buying power and knowledge of green fashion and counterfeits. A diverse sample of 312 respondents was collected through a combination of convenience snowball non-probability sampling methods to access consumers who may be hesitant to reveal counterfeiting purchasing behavior. The data were collected through structured survey with 5-point Likert scale. The analysis was done using PLS-SEM. These factors can significantly influence PSAT: FoMO, social-adjustive function, schadenfreude, similar perceptions, value-expressive function. Moreover, PI can be predicted through the PSAT. Also, the PSAT mediates their purchase intention. Managers of successful sustainable apparel brands must know how to nourish emotional engagement, social desirability, and digital presence and differentiate on product-related authenticity, design, and affordability. Officials advised to boost anti-fake campaigns consumer awareness. With these insights, it will be possible to decrease the consumption of counterfeit products and promote authentic sustainable fashion in Pakistan.
Resilience in Crisis: Examining the Impact of Interest Rates, Trade Openness, and Unemployment on Indonesia’s Economic Recovery from COVID-19
This paper attempts to capture the contribution of real interest rates, trade openness, and unemployment to Indonesia's economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. Using multiple linear regression on annual data from 2011 to 2023, the study examines the influence of the three variables on Indonesia's GDP growth throughout the recovery phase. By incorporating a dummy variable for the post-crisis period, the analysis captures shifts in economic dynamics after 2021. The findings show that trade openness and unemployment significantly impact GDP. Trade openness has a negative relationship with GDP, suggesting that reliance on international markets may have hampered recovery. Unemployment also shows a negative association with GDP, underscoring the importance of labor market stability in supporting economic resilience. Although real interest rates did not demonstrate statistical significance, they are main influential in shaping the economic environment, signaling the value of a balanced approach to monetary policy in crisis recovery. The study theoretically contributes to how economic resilience in emerging markets is viewed by highlighting the interactions between monetary, trade, and labor market variables. The findings also have some important implications for policymakers, who will be reminded that reducing unemployment and helping to boost local industry is important in fostering growth. Additionally, cautious adjustments in trade policy may enhance stability, particularly during times of global uncertainty. Future research could expand by examining sector-specific impacts, a more granular timeframe, or comparative.
Reviving the Human Touch: Managing the Conservation of Handwork Skills in the Era of Digitalization
The accelerating pace of digitalization has transformed workplaces across the service sector, reshaping tasks once performed manually into processes dominated by automation, artificial intelligence, and digital communication. While these changes enhance efficiency and productivity, they also exert pressure on the conservation of handwork skills, raising concerns about the erosion of creativity and craftsmanship. This study investigates the relationships between digitalization intensity, change management practices, employee emotional responses, and the conservation of manual skills in Pakistan’s service sector. A cross-sectional survey of 170 respondents was conducted using validated scales, with data analyzed through SPSS and Hayes’ PROCESS macro to test mediation effects. Results indicate that digitalization intensity negatively influences the preservation of handwork skills, whereas effective change management practices positively contribute to their conservation. Employee emotional responses emerged as significant mediators, shaping whether employees resist or embrace hybrid approaches that integrate human creativity with digital efficiency. The findings highlight that successful digital transformation depends not only on technological adoption but also on managing human emotions and fostering supportive organizational cultures. This study contributes to theory by integrating technological determinism, change management models, and affective events theory, while offering practical implications for leaders seeking to balance innovation with the human touch. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed, emphasizing the need for longitudinal and cross-sectoral studies.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Business Management: Optimising Decision-Making and Operational Efficiency through Advanced Computer Science Technique
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way organizations operate, offering significant potential to enhance business management, optimize decision-making, and improve operational efficiency. This research explores the application of AI in business management by examining how advanced computer science techniques, including machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation, contribute to organizational performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys of 150–200 business professionals with qualitative interviews of 20–25 managers and AI specialists. The study investigates both the measurable impacts of AI on decision-making and operational processes, as well as the practical experiences, challenges, and best practices associated with implementation. The results indicate that AI enables faster, more accurate, and evidence-based decisions while streamlining routine tasks, improving resource allocation, and reducing operational costs. Key challenges identified include data quality issues, system integration complexities, workforce readiness, and ethical considerations related to transparency and bias. The discussion highlights that successful AI adoption requires a holistic approach encompassing technological investment, strategic planning, employee development, and ethical governance. The study concludes that AI is not merely a tool but a strategic enabler that provides organizations with a sustainable competitive advantage, enhances overall efficiency, and positions businesses for long-term growth and resilience in increasingly dynamic and competitive markets.
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Dairy Businesses in District Dir Lower, Pakistan
This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on dairy businesses in District Dir Lower, Pakistan. Convenience sampling technique was used to select District Dir Lower, followed by the selection of two tehsils —Balambat and Timergara— due to ease of accessibility. Using purposive sampling, a total of 30 milk collectors were identified across the chosen tehsils. Primary data were gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire from literate respondents, while personal interviews were conducted for data collection from illiterate respondents. Descriptive statistics tools, frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data. For data analysis, binary logistic regression was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on dairy businesses. The results indicate that COVID-19 lockdown had a significantly significant impact on dairy businesses in District Dir. The study recommends that the government and local authorities should develop improved cold-chain infrastructure to stabilize milk supply and minimize losses faced by dairy farmers. Additionally, the concerned authorities should provide financial assistance to the most vulnerable families during crises like COVID-19.
Faith, Morality, and Compliance: Examining Tax Morale and Zakat Obligation in Pakistan’s Hospitality Construction Sector: Evidence from Lahore
Tax compliance remains a major concern in developing economies where informal practices often influence reporting behaviour. This study examines how faith-based obligations and moral considerations affect compliance behaviour in Pakistan’s hospitality construction sector. Specifically, the research investigates the role of tax morale and perceived zakat obligation in shaping compliance behaviour among contractors and developers involved in hospitality construction projects in Lahore. A quantitative research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 200 respondents including builders, contractors, and project supervisors working on hospitality-related construction projects. Data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling) to evaluate the relationships between the variables. The findings indicate that both tax morale and zakat obligation positively influence compliance behaviour. The results highlight the importance of ethical and faith-based motivations in encouraging voluntary compliance within the construction industry. The study provides practical insights for policymakers to integrate moral and religious awareness into tax compliance strategies in Pakistan.
Analyzation Of Financial Performance of Sector-Wise Life Insurance Companies of Pakistan: (With Special Reference to Public Sector and Private Sector Life Insurance Companies of Pakistan)
This study is looking at the life insurance market in Pakistan, especially the financial performance based on net premium growth of the top companies in the market. Public and private sector enterprises are the primary actors being targeted. The data for this study came from the financial reports of different public and private sector firms, as well as the financial statements analysis of financial sector 2017-2023 released by the statistics & DWH department, state bank of Pakistan - SBP. Inductive research is the research approach employed here, which implies that data is acquired first, and then a conceptual framework is constructed based on the collected data. This framework aided in the creation of a financial model, which was subsequently evaluated using regression analysis. The research intends to acquire insights into the financial performance of the life insurance business in Pakistan and how the major participants, both in the public and private sectors, have performed based on net premium growth from 2017 to 2021 by analysing these important variables. The regression analysis is most commonly used to identify links and patterns between variables, allowing for a better knowledge of the industry's dynamics and the elements that influence its financial performance.
Exploring the effects of Industrial Digital Technology on Sustainable Firm’s Performance with a mediating role of Green Supply Chain Management Practices in FMCG Industry of Pakistan
This study investigates how Industry 4.0 digital technologies contribute to Sustainable Firm Performance (SFP) in Pakistan’s FMCG manufacturing sector, emphasizing the mediating role of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices. Despite the global shift toward digital and sustainability-driven operations, empirical evidence from developing economies remains limited, particularly regarding how technological capabilities integrate with green practices to enhance triple-bottom-line performance. Addressing this gap, the study draws upon the Practice-Based View (PBV) and Information Processing Theory (IPT) to propose a comprehensive conceptual model. A structured survey was administered to FMCG manufacturing firms, and the data were analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that core Industry 4.0 technologies—such as IoT-enabled monitoring, big data analytics, AI-based decision systems, and blockchain-supported traceability—significantly strengthen multiple GSCM dimensions, including green design, green information systems, green procurement, internal resource development, and reverse logistics. However, green manufacturing did not exhibit a significant direct effect. The results further demonstrate that GSCM practices play an essential mediating role, indicating that digital technologies create sustainable value primarily through enhanced coordination, cleaner processes, and improved supply chain transparency. Sustainable Firm Performance showed strong positive effects on economic, environmental, and social outcomes, confirming its importance as an integrated measure of organizational sustainability and competitiveness. Moreover, the mediation analysis highlights that governance design and structured process facilitation partially transmit the influence of digital technologies toward improved sustainability outcomes, reinforcing the need for effective governance mechanisms. Overall, the study provides valuable empirical evidence that digital transformation aligned with green supply chain strategies can significantly enhance long-term sustainability in resource-constrained developing economies. The findings offer meaningful guidance for managers, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to strengthen sustainable and digitally enabled supply chain ecosystems.
Development and Initial Validation of a Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire- Assessment of Purchase Intentions Towards Products Associated with CRM Campaign
In recent years, increasing social awareness and ethical concerns among consumers have significantly influenced marketing strategies adopted by organizations. Consumers today are not only motivated by functional benefits such as price and quality but are also increasingly attentive to the social and moral implications of their purchasing decisions. As a result, cause-related marketing (CRM) has emerged as a prominent strategy that integrates corporate objectives with social responsibility by linking product purchases to charitable or social causes. Despite the growing adoption of CRM campaigns by organizations, consumer responses toward such initiatives remain complex and require deeper empirical investigation. he Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides a well-established theoretical framework for understanding how beliefs and perceptions influence individual intentions and actual behavior. TPB proposes that behavioral beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and intentions collectively shape consumer decision-making. Although prior studies have applied TPB in various ethical and socially responsible consumption contexts, limited research has focused on developing and validating a TPB-based measurement instrument specifically tailored to assess purchase intentions toward products associated with CRM campaigns. This gap highlights the need for a context-specific questionnaire that can reliably capture consumer perceptions and behavioral responses in CRM settings. The primary objective of this study is to develop and initially validate a Theory of Planned Behavior–based questionnaire to assess purchase intentions toward products associated with cause-related marketing campaigns. Specifically, the study examines the relationships among behavioral beliefs, perceived behavioral control, purchase intention, and purchase behavior within a CRM context. The research aims to provide empirical evidence on how consumers’ beliefs and perceived control influence their intentions and actual purchasing behavior toward cause-linked products. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve the objectives of the study. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated scales in prior literature and modified to suit the CRM context. The questionnaire utilized a five-point Likert scale to measure respondents’ perceptions of the study variables. Data were collected from a sample of 250 respondents who had exposure to cause-related marketing campaigns. A convenience sampling technique was used due to time and accessibility constraints, which is consistent with similar MBA-level behavioral research studies. The collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS software. PLS-SEM was selected due to its suitability for predictive research models, moderate sample sizes, and complex relationships among constructs. The data analysis involved a two-stage approach, including measurement model assessment and structural model evaluation. Reliability and validity were assessed using indicator loadings, composite reliability, average variance extracted, and discriminant validity measures. The structural model was evaluated using path coefficients, coefficient of determination (R²), effect sizes, and hypothesis testing through bootstrapping procedures. The findings of the study indicate that behavioral beliefs have a significant impact on perceived behavioral control toward products associated with CRM campaigns. This suggests that consumers who believe their purchases contribute positively to social causes feel more confident and capable of engaging in such purchasing behavior. Furthermore, perceived behavioral control was found to have a significant influence on purchase intention, highlighting the importance of minimizing barriers related to affordability, accessibility, and convenience. The results also demonstrate that purchase intention significantly affects actual purchase behavior, confirming the central assumption of the Theory of Planned Behavior that intention is a key predictor of behavior. Overall, the study provides empirical support for the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior in explaining consumer responses to cause-related marketing campaigns. The development and initial validation of a TPB-based questionnaire contribute to the existing literature by offering a reliable measurement instrument for future CRM-related research. From a practical perspective, the findings offer valuable insights for marketers and organizations seeking to design effective CRM campaigns by strengthening consumers’ beliefs and perceived control. The study concludes by highlighting its limitations and suggesting directions for future research, including the incorporation of additional variables and the use of longitudinal research designs to further explore consumer behavior in socially responsible consumption contexts. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Academic Libraries, AI-Driven Services, Library Automation, Information Services, User Satisfaction, Emerging Technologies, Digital Libraries, Technology Adoption, Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18943057
Evaluating the Impact of Construction Project Management Techniques on Building Quality
Construction projects are inherently complex and depend heavily on effective project management techniques to achieve high-quality outcomes. Despite growing interest in improving efficiency, sustainability, and durability, the connection between project management practices and building quality has not been sufficiently explored. This study addresses this gap by synthesizing recent literature on the impact of construction project management techniques on building quality. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of ten studies published between 2020 and 2025. The review identified key themes, such as planning and scheduling, risk management, safety, and quality assurance, with technology integration emerging as a crucial factor for enhancing construction outcomes. Projects that utilized systematic management approaches and computer-based tools demonstrated superior performance in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and overall quality. In contrast, poor coordination and inadequate planning had detrimental effects on project success. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating modern project management frameworks and technologies to improve building quality, sustainability, and performance. This study provides valuable insights for practitioners, emphasizing the need for standardized methodologies and effective communication to optimize project outcomes.
Behavioral Biases and Market Reaction to Public Information
This study examines the impact of behavior biases, public announcements and information asymmetry on the stock market reaction in the context cement sector companies listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during the period of 2018-1023. The dependent variable of the study is cumulative average abnormal return (CAAR). The independent variable of the study are public announcements which is measured through different types of disclosures such as earnings announcements, dividend declarations, mergers, and other corporate disclosures. The other variable is Information asymmetry which is measured using the bid-ask spread and Albert S. Kyle price impact model. Behavioral biases are measured using proxy variables such as herding behavior which is captured through concurrent trading patterns and unusual increases in trading volume around the announcement period. Investor sentiment is analyzed through media tone, analysts’ reports, and overall media coverage. Regression analysis has been used to determine the relationship between information asymmetry, investor behavior and stock price adjustments. The results of the study show that information asymmetry has a positive and statistically significant relationship with the dependent variable, cumulative average abnormal return (CAAR). Similarly, public announcements, behavioral biases and liquidity have been found to have a positive and significant relationship with the dependent variable. However, firm size shows a negative but statistically significant relationship with CAAR, indicating that larger firms experience relatively smaller abnormal returns. The R-square value of the model is 0.47, which indicates that 47% of the variation in the dependent variable (CAAR) is explained by the independent variables included in the study. These findings contribute to the literature by demonstrating that market efficiency is affected not only by public information but also by differences in investor interpretation and cognitive biases. The study underscores the need to consider both informational and behavioral factors when analyzing stock market reactions to public disclosures. Keywords: CAAR, Public Announcements, Behavioral Biases, Information Asymmetry.
“The Role of Leadership Support in Mediating AI Adoption and Employee Engagement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Pharmaceutical Industry”
The study is based on the effect of the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employee engagement in the pharmaceutical sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and the moderating influence of leadership support. The purpose of the study is to know the role of leadership in employee engagement in the process of AI integration, particularly in a new market. The quantitative method was employed where data was collected by surveys of 200 workers in the pharmaceutical industry. The results indicate that AI implementation has a beneficial impact on the level of engagement among employees, and this effect is enhanced by leadership support. Active engagement by leadership in the AI adoption by providing clarity and training can minimize the resistance and improve job satisfaction. The research comes to the conclusion that the successful implementation of AI requires pharmaceutical companies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to focus on leadership support, training of employees, and clear organizational culture.
Negotiation as an Alternative Approach to Resolve Disputes out of Court: A Case Study of Negotiations in BRT, Project Peshawar
In construction projects, disputes are common and the project heads and leaders need to resolve them for the timely resolution of conflicts. The formal process of litigation and court proceedings require effort, time, and money and often the relationships are also compromised. Alternatively, the significance of alternative dispute resolution in such projects is beneficial as it is cost effective, maintains confidentiality, preserves relationships, and saves time and resources. There are many out of court approaches to dispute resolution. Arbitration, mediation, and negotiations are the approaches that build mutual consensus and resolve the dispute by reaching a compromise. Of these alternative dispute resolution approaches, negotiation is the most favorable, as it saves time and resources. The findings from this study reveal that in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, Peshawar, efforts were made to reach agreeable solutions out of court and many stakeholders were compensated with negotiation and mutual consensus. It saved resources, costs, time, and relations among the stakeholders. Keywords: Negotiation, Alternative Dispute Resolutions, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, Peshawar
Investigating the Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility in Local Community Development: A Case Study of Pakistan Beverages Ltd SITE Area Hyderabad
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increasingly been identified as a significant tool whereby organizations play their part in societal well-being on the one hand, and sustainable development on the other in contexts where developing nations still have fatalities as far as services by the state go. This paper discusses the practice and perception of CSR in Pakistan Beverages Ltd. (PBL), SITE Area Hyderabad, and how it is perceived to develop the local communities. Because of the non-test approach, the qualitative, interpretivist approach, as well as the single-case study design, is employed. Direct observations together with review of documents were used to complement the primary data that are presented as 10 in-depth and unstructured interviews that are conducted with the purposely chosen employees of various levels of the organization. To determine recurring themes and patterns, the qualitative content analysis was applied. It is reported that CSR at PBL is perceived as a multi-dimensional concept that involves community-oriented, including educational support, charitable activities, partnerships, and internships, as well as internal CSR which is regarded as employee welfare, occupational health and safety, rewards, healthcare benefits, and volunteering. It is important to note that the theme of internal CSR became prevalent, indicating that employees have a strong connection of corporate responsibility to the daily workplace practices that can make them feel well, safe, and satisfied with their jobs. The study also shows that although CSR activities are seen to bear significant direct and indirect benefits in the community, there is still a room to mature CSR in terms of, making the environmental responsibility more responsible and more systematic CSR reporting. The proposed findings make a contribution to a body of literature in CSR by demonstrating the developmental applicability of internal CSR and providing context-driven results within the manufacturing industry of Pakistan.
The Impact of Legal Resource Factors on Social Entrepreneurship
This study is a quantitative research study exploring the impact of legal resources on social entrepreneurship in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The legal resources, including regulatory frameworks, intellectual property rights, contract enforcement and government legal support are very important in defining the operational environment of social enterprises. A total of 246 respondents who represented different social entrepreneurs all over KPK were used to collect data using a structured questionnaire. The study employed statistical methods such as correlation and regression analysis to determine the degree to which the social entrepreneurship growth and sustainability are dependent on the legal factors. The results indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between the factors related to the legal resources and social entrepreneurship, which implies that the favorable legal systems boost the entrepreneurial activity with the social aim. The research will be very helpful in informing the policy makers and development practitioners to enhance legal frameworks that promote a favorable environment in the region to promote social innovation and enterprise development.
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DEEP LEARNING AND SENTIMENT-DRIVEN MODELS FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY PRICE PREDICTION
The very high volatility and fast evolution of cryptocurrency markets have revealed the weaknesses of conventional price-based forecasting models, and more behaviorally informed and adaptive predictive models are required. This paper is a systematic review, which aims to assess the connection between deep learning and sentiment based models and their improvement of cryptocurrency price prediction through the integration of investor psychology, market stories and nonlinear dynamics. The research will attempt to synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness of models, current trends in methodology, and applicability to the real world based on fragmented previous research. The systematic review of the literature was done according to PRISMA guidelines. The predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to retrieve peer-reviewed journal articles via Scopus, targeting the articles that were published between 2019 and 2024. It is a review of the empirical and conceptual literature utilizing deep learning architectures (e.g. LSTM, CNN, GRU) and methods of sentiment analysis (e.g. transformer-based models and topic modelling e.g. BERTopic). The results indicate that sentimental deep learning models are reported to be more effective than traditional statistical and machine-learning models in the case of predicting the cryptocurrency prices, especially when the market is volatile. Sentiment activity based on social media and news information are very useful in generating more accurate forecasts, volatility alerts and risk sensitivity in various studies. This paper provides a systematic thematic research synthesis of sentiment-based deep learning studies that have been conducted in the cryptocurrency markets, along with theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions. It offers a basis to the further studies in the field of explainable AI, cross-market validation, and responsible application of predictive analytics in digital finance. Keywords: Cryptocurrency price prediction; Deep learning; Sentiment analysis; BERTopic; Behavioral finance; Systematic review.
Trust, Empathy, and Cultural Relevance in AI Chatbots: Insights from Pakistani E- Commerce Consumers
The growing use of AI chatbots as the face of customer service in Pakistan e-commerce, as e-commerce markets develop and reliance on them increases, has implications for trust, empathy, and cultural sociality design around the matter of consumer / user experience. This research explores the importance of relational aspects relating to chatbot interactions, namely empathy, trust and culture, perceived by Pakistani consumers. Structured questionnaire was administered on 200 active Daraz users to measure perceived empathy, assurance, cultural fit and their joint effect on customer satisfaction. Findings indicated that although 62% of individuals appreciated the presence and effectiveness of chatbots, only 47% believed that chatbots were empathetic, with just 44% feeling confident in the accuracy and confidentiality of responses provided by a chatbot. Cultural relevance was found to be a strong determinant, where 58% participants wanted the interaction to be localized and bilingual (Urdu-English) for more natural end-user communication. Results of the regression analysis showed that character strengths were a significant negative predictor of bad days (β = - 0.74, p <.01), with cultural relevance being the most prominent predictor; followed by trust and empathy, which were still moderate but also strong predictors of TMF’s satisfaction (all p <0.05). These insights emphasize the recognition of chatbot effectiveness but also demonstrate that relationship deficits in empathy and reassurance are barriers to consumer adoption. The results suggest that embedding cultural sensitivity and transparent trust mechanisms into chatbot design can enhance consumer engagement and loyalty in Pakistan’s e- commerce sector.
From Environmental Commitment to Green Innovation: The Mediating Role of Green Absorptive Capacity in SMEs
Environmental sustainability has become a strategic priority for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing increasing ecological pressures and competitive demands. However, the mechanism through which environmental commitment translates into green innovation remains insufficiently understood. Grounded in the Natural Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capability Theory, this study examines the direct effect of environmental commitment on green innovation and investigates the mediating role of green absorptive capacity. Data were collected from 535 managerial-level employees of manufacturing SMEs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa using a structured questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested using Andrew Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 4) with bootstrapping to assess direct and indirect effects. The findings reveal that environmental commitment significantly and positively influences green innovation. Moreover, environmental commitment enhances green absorptive capacity, which in turn significantly promotes green innovation. The mediation analysis confirms that green absorptive capacity partially mediates the relationship between environmental commitment and green innovation, highlighting its role as a key transformation mechanism. The results emphasize that strategic environmental orientation alone is insufficient unless supported by knowledge-based capabilities that enable firms to absorb and apply environmental knowledge effectively. This study contributes to sustainability and innovation literature by integrating strategic commitment with capability development in the SME context and provides practical implications for managers and policymakers aiming to strengthen green innovation performance. Keywords: Environmental Commitment, Green Absorptive Capacity, Green Innovation, Natural Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capability Theory
Online Financial Fraud and the Role of Financial Technology in Mitigation
This study examines the potential of FinTech innovations to minimize online financial fraud through an integrated model of behavioural biometrics and decentralized self-sovereign identity (SSI) systems. The evaluation examines cyber fraud tactics that exploit weaknesses in traditional authentication while assessing whether behavioral authentication and decentralized identification mechanisms can enhance digital trust without compromising usability. A mixed-method research approach was employed in this study while the data of 100 financial services firms was collected through a structured survey. These organisations encompass banks, FinTech companies, and payment service providers for the evaluation of their acceptance trends, perceived fraud mitigation, and implementation obstacles. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression approaches in Python were implemented for examining the survey results. Qualitative validation of the data was performed via structured interviews with 10 industry experts and chosen fraud victims for the contextualization and to substantiate the findings qualitatively. To enhance fraud detection analysis, machine learning algorithms of K-means clustering for user segmentation and Random Forest, XGBoost and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for classification were utilized. Research indicates that behavioural biometrics exhibits significant adoption potential and robust perceived efficacy. After analyzing the data, 65% of institutions indicate either they have implemented or have imminent plans, while their average fraud reduction score is 4.2 on a 5-point scale. Decentralized identity systems demonstrate a moderate perceived efficacy of 3.8 while exhibiting a relatively low adoption rate (20%) due to the uncertainties of regulations and interoperability constraints. Privacy issues and ongoing model recalibration are significant obstacles to the implementation of behavioural biometrics. The findings indicate a synergistic method of behavioural biometrics and distributed identification that can facilitate a multi-tiered fraud prevention strategy. The system may be beneficial in the short term; however, its long-term efficacy relies on governance, regulatory harmonization, and transparent, privacy-preserving implementation tactics.
Impact of Subcontractors on Project Performance of IT Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has experienced a fast development of its IT industry due to the implementation of Vision 2030 plans of digital transformation. Subcontracting has also emerged as a common practice in IT projects in order to capitalize on expertise in particular fields. The presence of subcontractors however brings complexities that may affect project performance like cost, schedule, quality and the success of the project in general. This research article aims at discuss the complex role of the subcontractors on Saudi’s IT project performance by analyzing empirical data and literature. The study finds that regarding subcontracting the risks including coordination problems, delayed payments, and lack of quality is likely to cause project overruns in construction projects modified to IT environments. Through mixed methodology, incorporation of surveys of 150 IT project managers in Riyadh and Jeddah, and statistical analysis, the results demonstrate a positive correlation between the effective management of subcontractors and the increase in project success. The paper explains ways to reduce risks, including effective contractual frameworks and online collaboration tools, and also notes such drawbacks as data void in IT-related subcontracting. This research offers practical advice to policymakers, project managers, and contractors in the blossoming IT sector of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that requires balanced subcontracting to ensure sustainable output of projects. Keywords: Subcontractors, IT Projects, Project Performance, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19035941
Leadership Style Innovation Capability Knowledge Management and Firm Growth in Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises
Digital transformation has become a strategic priority for financial institutions seeking sustainable performance in increasingly competitive environments. This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on organizational performance in Pakistan’s banking sector, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of customer satisfaction and employee engagement. Using survey data collected from banking professionals, the study employs Structural Equation Modeling to examine the proposed relationships. The empirical findings indicate that digital transformation has a significant positive effect on organizational performance, both directly and indirectly. Customer satisfaction and employee engagement are found to partially mediate this relationship, highlighting their critical role in translating digital initiatives into performance outcomes. The results suggest that effective digital transformation enhances service quality, operational efficiency, and workforce involvement, thereby strengthening overall organizational performance. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence from an emerging economy context and offers practical insights for banking managers and policymakers aiming to leverage digital innovation for sustained competitive advantage.
The Impact of Cold Chain Logistics Risks on Firm Performance: Assessing the Mediating Roles of Data Analytics and Human Factor Capabilities under Environmental Dynamism
Thermal integrity as a concept in cold chain logistics is a decisive factor of success in companies dealing with perishable goods, but these companies are experiencing growing operational risks and environmental unpredictability. This study examines how Cold Chain Logistics Risks (CCLRs) affect Firm Performance (FP), in addition to considering the roles of internal capabilities, namely data-driven decision making and workforce training in the context of environmental dynamism. The data was gathered using a quantitative research design, where a structured survey was used to gather empirical data of 105 professionals associated with cold chain companies in Karachi, Lahore, and Sahiwal, Pakistan. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the conceptual framework in SmartPLS software. The descriptive findings point out to a strongly male dominated workforce (91.42) with a majority of them being at the age bracket of 26-30 years and are primarily working in large sized companies (45%). The structural analysis affirmed the existence of positive important relationships along the hypothesized directions: CCLR has a significant impact on Environmental Dynamism and Internal Capabilities. Most importantly, Internal Capabilities became one of the most effective Firm Performance predictors, which means that the value of the technical and human resilience assets is the main force behind the ROI and market share. These results conclude that operational pressure caused by logistics risks is effective but the strategic implementation of ICT infrastructure and multi-skilled workforce fills the gap amid risk exposure and organizational success. This paper is a roadmap that managers can use to develop strength in unstable markets by investing in technology and human capital.
Implementation of E-logistics in Supply Chain Operations
The rapid growth of e-commerce has intensified pressure on supply chains to improve speed, reliability, and customer responsiveness, particularly in emerging economies such as Pakistan. While prior research has examined digital transformation and logistics technologies, limited empirical evidence explains how smart warehousing and last-mile delivery translate into performance outcomes. This study addresses this gap by investigating the mediating role of operational efficiency and the moderating influence of dynamic capabilities in the relationship between digital logistics practices and e-commerce supply chain performance. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from e-commerce firms and logistics service providers operating in Pakistan. The proposed model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) integrated with machine-learning- enhanced analysis to assess reliability, validity, mediation, moderation, and predictive power. The results show that digital transformation (β = 0.312, p < 0.001), technology integration (β = 0.326, p < 0.001), and dynamic capabilities (β = 0.247, p < 0.001) significantly improve operational efficiency, while organizational resources exhibit a non-significant effect. Operational efficiency strongly influences organizational performance (β = 0.825), customer satisfaction (β = 0.826), and competitive advantage (β = 0.774), explaining 76.2% of its variance. This study provides robust empirical evidence that operational efficiency is the primary mechanism through which digital logistics practices enhance e-commerce performance. By integrating mediation and moderation within a machine-learning- enhanced SEM framework in a developing-country context, the study advances digital supply chain theory and offers actionable insights for managers and policymakers.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Adoption on Managerial Decision-Making Effectiveness
The fast adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies by organizational processes has changed the way decisions are made and implemented by managers. This qualitative research paper takes a glimpse into the daily life of managers in various sectors to know how the aspect of AI implementation impacts the effectiveness of decision-making. Based on semi-structured interviews with 25 middle and senior-level managers of multinational organizations, the study explores the views of AI on the accuracy of judgment, decision-making speed, and the ability to generate strategic thoughts. Thematic analysis indicates access to real-time data and prediction insights, empowered evidence-based decision making, and lightened cognitive load when solving complex problems. Nonetheless, the research also indicates that over-reliance on automated suggestions and growing ethical issues around information disclosure and the requirement to inject human interpretative reasoning to contextualize AI outputs are some of the challenges. Respondents observe that critical thinking, technology awareness, and ethical reasoning are managerial traits that determine the highest use of AI to achieve the desired results of a decision. The work would add to the literature on management by de-juridicising the complex interaction between human agency and AI systems by providing pragmatic guidance on how organizations can maximize the use of AI in management practices. Conclusions on the leadership development, technology training, and organizational culture include implications, which give a guide in future study on how the AI capabilities can be aligned to human strategic oversight.
Eco-Performance of SMEs in Pakistan: Nexus of Eco-Friendly Human Resource Management Practices and Eco-Friendly Business Strategies
The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of Eco-friendly human resource management (HRM) practices on eco-performance (EP) of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Additionally, it has been investigated how eco-friendly business strategies (EFBS) as a mediator affect the relationship between eco-friendly HRM practices and EP. Data was collected form chief executive officers (CEOs) and mangers of 137 manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan. These manufacturing SMEs include: leather goods, plastic products, wooden furniture, auto parts and PVC pipes. For the purpose of gathering data, convenience sampling was utilized. Data analysis techniques such as linear regression and structural equation modelling were used. Results show that eco-friendly HRM practices have a considerable, favorable influence on eco-friendly business strategies (EFBS). Furthermore, there is a considerable positive association between EFBS and EP. The findings of this study show that EFBS mediates the association between eco-friendly HRM practices and EP. Additionally, it is discovered that stakeholder engagement (SE) as moderator strengthens the direct effect of eco-friendly HRM practices on EFBS. The study presents valuable and practical implications to top management, managers in practice and policymakers for ensuring the commitment of human resources towards adoption and implementation of eco-friendly business strategies to achieve eco-performance. Keywords: Eco-friendly Human Resource Management practices, Eco-performance, Eco-friendly business strategies, Stakeholder Engagement, Manufacturing SMEs
Fintech Adoption, Financial Inclusion and Technological Infrastructure as Drivers of Sustainable Performance: An Integrated Perspective from Ecological Modernization and Resource-Based Theories
Purpose – The study examines the role of fintech adoption, financial inclusion, and technological infrastructure in sustainable performance within the SMEs. Based on the Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT), the Resource-Based View (RBV), and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), the paper investigates the hypothesis of the interdependence between modernization mechanisms and internal technological capabilities to contribute to better economic, environmental and social sustainability achievements.Study Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative research design was employed and the data which was gathered through the structured survey among SMEs was used. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data to determine both measurement and structural models. The reliability, convergent and discriminant validities as well as multicollinearity analysis were performed before hypothesis testing was conducted. Findings – The findings reveal that the fintech adoption, financial inclusion, and technological infrastructure have a meaningful and positive impact on sustainable performance on its three dimensions. The effect of financial inclusion on social sustainability is relatively high, although technological infrastructure has a significant impact on environmental performance. The use of fintech yields positive results of uniform economic, environmental, and social impact. The results highlight the significance of digitalizing the preparation of infrastructures in line with digital finance projects to attain multidimensional sustainability. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional design suffers from a lack of causal inference and the perceptual measures can create bias in response. However, it goes a step further to integrate theory by placing technological infrastructure as one of strategic performances that play an important role in digital finance and sustainable performance. Practical implications – The policy makers and the SME managers are advised to enhance digital infrastructure and inclusive finance programs to achieve optimum sustainable development. Originality/value –The study also adds value to the literature by combining the perspectives of EMT, RBV, and TBL and provides a broad perspective on the manner in which the digital finance and infrastructural capabilities co-lead to sustainable performance in SMEs. Keywords: Fintech Adoption; Financial Inclusion; Technological Infrastructure; Sustainable Performance; Triple Bottom Line; Ecological Modernization Theory; Resource-Based View; SMEs.
The Effect Of Behavioural Biases On The University Budget Estimates: Evidence From Public Sector Universities Of Pakistan
This study examines how behavioural biases affect budgeting estimates in the public sector universities. Traditional models of budgeting assume that financial decision-makers are rational and they make their decisions based on objective financial data. Still, the experience of Behavioural Finance and Organizational Budgeting showed that decision-makers are often exposed to cognitive and affective biases which can mislead the financial judgment. This study, therefore, analyses how these behavioural biases influence the budgeting that are carried out by the university administrators and financial managers charged with the responsibility of planning and distributing the institutional resources in Public Sector Universities. A random sample of 439 treasurer and budget officers’ data collected through structure questionnaire. This study focused on salient cognitive biases (Anchoring, Overconfidence, and Confirmation Bias), and affective biases (Loss Aversion and Status Quo Bias). The results highlighted the importance of the fact that behavioural biases significantly deteriorate the budget estimates and promote resources misallocation, budgetary slack, and operational inefficiencies. These distortions eventually put the financial performance and long term sustainability of the public sector universities at risk. This research adds value to the knowledge on the financial decision-making in institutions of higher learning by including the behavioural-based aspects in the study of institutional budgeting.
Impact of Green Digital Campaigns on Green Brand Attitude: An Empirical Study of the Fast-Food Sector in Pakistan
The growing impetus for environmental sustainability has encouraged fast-food brands in particular to incorporate green messages in their digital marketing endeavors, especially in emerging economies. The present study investigates the impact of green digital campaigns on green brand attitude in the fast-food industry in Pakistan while assessing mediating roles of brand trust, brand authenticity, and customer engagement. The study adopts the Stakeholder Theory and customer-based brand equity models. The study is based on a quantitative cross-sectional approach. The perception of sustainability-oriented digital marketing by fast food brands was measured using structured research instruments administered among 205 undergraduate students in Lahore. The relationships were tested through Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for the direct and indirect effects between the constructs. The findings show a significant and positive influence of green digital campaigns on green brand attitude. Apart from this, the brand trust, brand authenticity, and customer engagement are found to act as partial mediators. It is evident that greenwashing and transparency within sustainability communication have great significance to consumers. The current study empirically confirms the green marketing and digital branding literature theory from a psychological perspective that defines how green digital communication affects sustainable consumer attitude towards it in emerging markets. From a practical perspective, the results indicate that fast-food brands should consider communicating their sustainability initiatives in transparent, authentic, and engaging ways in order to nurture trust and positively enhance green brand attitudes. The research also suggests directions for future research such as extending the demographic coverage and using longitudinal designs to capture long-term effects of sustainable digital marketing.
Strengthening Sustainable Sales Performance through Digital Sales Capability and Adaptive Selling Behavior: Evidence from Pakistan’s Textile Export Industry under Market Uncertainty
This study investigates how digital sales capability and adaptive selling behavior jointly contribute to strengthening sustainable sales performance within Pakistan’s textile export industry under conditions of heightened market uncertainty. The textile export sector represents a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, yet it faces persistent challenges stemming from global demand volatility, technological disruption, shifting buyer expectations, and intensified international competition. In response, exporting firms are increasingly compelled to transition from traditional relationship-based selling approaches toward digitally enabled, data-driven, and adaptive sales practices. Drawing upon sales capability theory, adaptive selling theory, and uncertainty management perspectives, this research develops and empirically tests a comprehensive conceptual framework that positions digital sales capability as a strategic enabler of adaptive selling behavior, sales innovation capability, and ultimately sustainable sales performance, while explicitly accounting for the moderating influence of market uncertainty. Keywords : Digital Sales Capability; Adaptive Selling Behavior; Sustainable Sales Performance; Market Uncertainty; Sales Innovation Capability; Textile Export Industry; Pakistan; B2B Sales; Export Performance; Sales Strategy; Customer Analytics Utilization; Sales Training Effectiveness; Intrinsic Motivation; Work Enthusiasm; Sales Force Effectiveness; Digital Transformation; Emerging Markets; Competitive Advantage; Sales Sustainability; Export Marketing https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18464490
Navigating Influencer-Driven Brand Trust: The Role of Social Media Influencer Experience and Consumer Engagement Intention
The growing popularity of social media influencers has radically changed the relationship between consumers and brands in the internet sphere. Influencer attributes, including credibility, expertise, and attractiveness, in the fashion industry, have been the focal point of the previous scholarship; little has been done in terms of experiential elements of influencer interaction and its effects on consumer trust. This gap in the research is particularly relevant to the context of emerging economies, where the influencer marketing process is rapidly developing, and the customers respond to it in ways that are not necessarily similar to the trends detected in developed markets. The current research study is located in the theoretical frameworks of the Flow Theory and the Social Exchange Theory, where the brand trust is affected by social media influencer experience, and the intentions of further engagement serve as a mediating variable. The article also explores the mediating role of brand innovativeness and brand-influencer fit. A quantitative approach was used to identify data of 300 active users of social media. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0 was used to test the hypothesis model. The findings show that experience of influencers has a strong positive impact on the intention of consumers to continue engagement. However, the desire to keep engaging with the brand does not directly increase brand trust. In addition, brand innovativeness is a significant modifier of the indirect correlation between the experience of the influencer and the brand trust, but the brand-influencer fit exhibits a small moderating effect. This study contributes to the prior influencer marketing research, highlighting the importance of experiential and brand-level determinants in building trust and providing useful information to develop effective influencer marketing strategies in new markets.
Digitally Enabled Collective Frugal Entrepreneurship: A Configurational Approach to Women Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Growth
This study investigates how women’s frugal entrepreneurial capabilities translate into entrepreneurial orientation within resource-constrained environments, focusing on the mediating role of fintech self-efficacy and the moderating influence of social capital. Drawing on social network theory and the resource-based view, the study proposes and empirically tests a moderated mediation model using data from 664 women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results confirm that fintech self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between frugal innovation capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation. Women with high confidence in using digital financial tools are more likely to transform their frugal capabilities into proactive, risk-taking, and autonomous entrepreneurial behavior. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that social capital, comprising structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions, moderates the strength of this indirect relationship. Higher social capital amplifies the effect of fintech self-efficacy by enhancing access to peer support, knowledge exchange, and shared entrepreneurial norms. These findings highlight the importance of both psychological and relational enablers in fostering digital entrepreneurship among women in informal and resource-limited contexts. The study contributes to digital entrepreneurship, gender, and development literature by offering a nuanced understanding of how fintech and social dynamics interact to empower women’s entrepreneurial trajectories. Policy and platform design implications are also discussed. Keywords: Frugal innovation, Fintech, social capital, women empowerment.
Mediating Influence of Emotional Intelligence in Between Psychological Capital and Employee Performance: A Study on Medical Institutes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In modern workplace psychology, it is critical to comprehend the complex processes influencing worker performance. The relationship between Psychological Capital (PsyCap), Emotional Intelligence (EI), and employee performance within the healthcare organizations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is examined in the present investigation. Although PsyCap and EI have been shown to affect work-related consequences, little research has been done on how they mediate in the context of hospitals, especially in Pakistan. Utilizing a positivist empirical methodology, information was obtained from 298 doctors and paramedics working in healthcare institutions. The analysis used in the paper included structural equation modeling (SEM) via a parallel mediation framework. The results show a strong positive link between employee performance, EI, and PsyCap. Furthermore, the EI mediates the link between PsyCap and performance. In addition, the study highlights the significance of specialized HR methods that are in line with the organizational and cultural quirks of the area to improve worker performance and general well-being within healthcare institutions of Pakistan. Keywords: Psychological Capital, Employee Performance, SEM.
Comparative Analysis of Media Access and Knowledge Gap between Rural and Urban Public Relations Management Students at Walter Sisulu University
Introduction: The digital divide between the rural and urban populaces has supplemented educational disparities in many parts of the world. It is quite evident at South African universities, where access to media and digital resources is an added advantage to students originating from urban areas over those from rural areas. The study compares media access and the knowledge gap of rural and urban Public Relations Management students at Walter Sisulu University. This difference in access to media influences their academic performance and engagement. Purpose and Objectives of the Study: The research explored how media access and academic achievement differ among rural and urban students. In this context, the following specific objectives were put forward by the authors: a) assess the differences in media access between rural and urban students; b) investigate how differences in media access relate to acquiring knowledge; and c) determine how media access has influenced class participation and academic performance as a whole. Methodology of the Study: A quantitative research design was used that aimed to collect information from the respondents on demographic information, media access, knowledge engagement, and academic performance through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses, such as t-tests were used. In this regard, the study quantified media access in terms of daily or weekly internet access, ownership of smartphones and laptops, and access to digital libraries. Results: The result showed that there was a significant difference in the level of media access among the rural and urban students. While 45 urban students reported having access to the internet daily, only 10 rural students reported having such access. Similarly, while 48 urban students owned a laptop, only 12 rural students had any such access. In fact, even the academic performance mirrored these gaps when 35 students with daily access to the internet scored grades of 70% and above while only 3 students without any such access scored similar grades. However, a t-test showed there was no significant difference in academic performances, since t-statistic = -0.74 and p-value = 0.461. Class participation is also better related with media access since 35 urban students participate in class frequently compared to 12 rural students. Conclusion: While the results showed that access to media was not a statistical factor in academic performance, it played a very important role in shaping student engagement. With urban students having better access to digital tools, they were more likely to participate actively in class and be more engaged in educational content. The findings identify the need to address the digital gap to bring about equal academic opportunities. Recommendations: This therefore suggests that any serious government or educational institution interested in reducing the knowledge gap between the rural and urban student must make investments toward improving the quantity and quality of digital infrastructure in the rural areas.
The Centrality of Corporate Communication in Change Management and Organizational Value creation (A Case of Textile Sector in Pakistan)
The study centered its focus to check the significance of corporate communication (CC) in the process of managing change after the mergers in the textile sector of Pakistan that is based on Employee readiness (ER) to change as well as Employee Openness (EO) to understand the concept of change in light of their behavioral adjustment. With the help of structural equation modeling and Kurt Lewin’s three-step model, the data was analyzed and it is found that the centrality of corporate communication (CC) cannot be ignored in order to develop a strong and effective relationship with employees who will encourage Employees Engagement (EE) in the change process in the most important and leading textile sector of Pakistan. Communication with two-way directions bridges the communication gap among all levels of management in an organization which not only supports employees to have a timely voice to participate in decision making as well as to confidently inspires the employees to minimize the uncertainty that is indispensable to establish readiness to change and the outcome is in the form of successful implementation of change. There are many aspects of changes in an organization but it is key to understand that change should be backed by the willingness of the employees that will, on one side enhances the interest level of the employees in understanding change and on the other hand, improves their behaviors for the future challenges. Hence, all these factors will boost up the entire organization’s value/ shareholders wealth, which is the real purpose of any organization behind its existence.
Monitoring Sedimentation Dynamics Through SBAS-InSAR for Sustainable Management
Sedimentation is a critical geomorphological process that influences the sustainability of river systems, reservoirs, floodplains, and coastal environments. Accelerated sediment deposition driven by natural processes and human activities can lead to reduced storage capacity, increased flood risk, and degradation of ecosystems and infrastructure. Effective monitoring of sedimentation dynamics is therefore essential for sustainable environmental management. This study investigates the potential of the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique to monitor sedimentation dynamics through the analysis of surface deformation. Multi-temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar data were processed using the SBAS-InSAR approach to generate deformation velocity maps, cumulative displacement patterns, and deformation time series for the study area. The results reveal spatially coherent subsidence patterns concentrated in sediment-rich environments such as river floodplains, reservoir margins, and depositional zones. Temporal analysis indicates predominantly gradual and sustained deformation, with variations linked to hydrological conditions and sediment supply. These deformation trends are interpreted as indicators of sediment loading and consolidation processes. The findings demonstrate that SBAS-InSAR provides reliable indirect information on sedimentation dynamics over large spatial extents and long time periods. By integrating remote sensing-derived deformation data with environmental context, this approach offers valuable support for sediment risk identification, resource planning, and sustainable management. The study highlights the potential of SBAS-InSAR as a complementary tool to conventional sediment monitoring methods, particularly in data-scarce regions and under changing climatic conditions.
STRATEGIC BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ENHANCING TOURISM UNDER CPEC: A CROSS-BORDER PERSPECTIVE
This study quantifies how strategic business and management practices can unlock tourism potential along the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Using a 2015-2023 panel of 378 district-year observations and a cross-section of 1,822 tourism SMEs, we estimate a Spatial Durbin Model and double-hurdle revenue equation. Results show that a 1 % increase in road density raises district tourist arrivals by 0.46 % and spills over 0.21 % to neighbours (p < 0.01), while heritage density amplifies the total effect to 0.49 %. PPP intensity, visa facilitation and digital-platform adoption exert significant positive elasticities. Stakeholder surveys reveal that 54 % of SMEs cite regulatory uncertainty and 82 % of Chinese operators demand one-stop digital licensing, whereas 63 % of local communities insist on KPI-linked revenue sharing. Two pilots confirm policy impact: a tri-sector governance board in Gilgit-Baltistan lifted satisfaction by 18 % and cut poaching by 35 %, while a Gwadar Blue-Economy PPP achieved 72 % occupancy and created 400 local jobs. Simulations indicate that joint visa and PPP reforms could raise arrivals 12.8 % and yield a USD 2.3 billion net present value over five years. The study concludes that CPEC hardware must be complemented by governance software—digital platforms, heritage-linked PPPs and community revenue-sharing—to generate inclusive, sustainable tourism growth.
The Influence of Digital Transformation On the Re-configurability and Performance of Supply Chain: A Study of Home Appliances Manufacturing Industries in Pakistan
The proposed research aims at examining the effects of digital transformation on the performance of the supply chains using the mediating variables of supply chain integration, visibility and reconfigurability in the electronics, machinery and home appliances manufacturing sectors in Pakistan. Even though the digital transformation is now widely recognized as a competitive driver, there is a paucity of empirical evidence as to how digital features can be converted into quantifiable performance results in the developing economies. This study fills this gap with a proposed and tested integrated capability-based framework based on the dynamic capability theory. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was utilized based on survey data gathered on 250 managerial respondents within the Pakistani manufacturing companies. Measurement of constructs was done on validated multi-item Likert scales. The data were analyzed with the help of a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS to determine measurement validity, the structural relationships, mediation effects, and model fit. Findings show that digital management technologies and digital network connectivity have a positive impact on supply chain integration (β= 0.322; 0.336) and visibility (β= 0.284; 0.330). Integration of the supply chain can greatly lead to improvement in performance (β = 0.215, p =0.05) and visibility alone does not depict a significant direct effect. The model describes 62% of variance on performance of the supply chain (R2 = 0.620). The present study has its contribution by empirically demonstrating the re-configurability of supply chains as a central mediating dynamic capability between digital transformation and performance in an emerging economy setting, which can have both theoretical and practical managerial implications. Keywords: Digital transformation; Supply chain integration; Supply chain visibility; Supply chain re-configurability; Supply chain performance; Manufacturing industry; PLS-SEM; Pakistan; Dynamic capability theory
A Study On Impact Of Just-In-Time (J.I.T) In Supply Chain Management In Pakistan
The study on JIT supply chain management, implemented through manufacturing plan, logistics, and procurement and, sourcing, examines impact 3 factors of monitoring supply chain brains, as well as (CKM) Customer Knowledge Management skills, Knowledge Sharing and Cooperation. It also assesses impact the Just in Time Supply Chain Management on operational efficiency. Inside analyzing the pathway information together as of Production Firms, The focus is on theoretical and practical partnerships. JIT system, a mass of cards called “KANBAN” cards is exploited to give endorsement of manufacture. Cards used to control the production of products, and transfer of products between each supply chain step. Determining inventory levels through the supply chain in such a way as to achieve the desired objectives such as the effectiveness and responsiveness of the supply chain system. Organization Size and Age are incorporated into form manage the Company cognitive managing Capability. Imitation samples include two types of combustion, namely evacuation, and production to determine inventory levels, and batch sizes of delivery parts pro every period supply chain. Cover the supply chain concept in Just-In-Time. In the JIT supply chain, information is shared on the flow demand situation in the supply chain, which facilitates coordination.
The Pathway of Influence: How Digital Marketing Enhances Brand Equity Through Brand Awareness
This study investigates the effect of digital marketing on brand equity with brand awareness as a mediating variable in the unique context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. As digital penetration accelerates across emerging markets, understanding how digital strategies build brand value in institutionally complex environments becomes critically important. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 412 internet-active consumers across eight districts of KPK using a multi-stage sampling approach. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that digital marketing has a significant total effect on brand equity (β=0.182, p<0.05). Brand awareness partially mediates this relationship (β=0.487, p<0.05). Specifically, digital marketing significantly enhances brand awareness (β=0.694, p<0.05), which in turn positively impacts brand equity (β=0.702, p<0.05). The study contributes to digital marketing theory by validating and refining the mediation model in an under-researched regional context, offering practical insights for marketers navigating KPK's unique institutional and cultural landscape. It concludes that in emerging markets with institutional fragility, digital marketing must prioritize building legitimate, culturally congruent awareness as the primary pathway to sustainable brand equity.
Light Triad as a Personal Resource for Employee Well-Being: Evidence from Prosocial Behavior and Reciprocity
This study aims to investigate the effects of the Light Triad on employee well-being in Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) in the Multan and Bahawalpur regions of Pakistan. Specifically, the research examines how the Light Triad traits (Kantianism, Humanism and Faith in Humanity) influence teacher well-being through the mediation of prosocial behavior and reciprocity. This research draws on the Job Demands and Resources (JD-R) framework and Social Exchange Theory (SET). Data were collected using a cross-sectional approach from teachers in 32 institutions across the two regions. Out of 536 responses received, 514 usable questionnaires were retained for analysis. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in RStudio. Results reveal that Light Triad significantly predicts teacher well-being directly, with complex behavioral-relational pathways and context-sensitive patterns. Specifically, in the high-demand public school setting, prosocial behavior was found to have an unexpected negative relationship with generalized reciprocity and a positive relationship with negative reciprocity. It is suggested by these findings for benevolent teachers, "defensive reciprocity" serves as coping mechanism to prevent resource depletion. The study provides critical insights for HR practitioners by indicating benevolent traits are fundamentally dependent on the exchange climate in producing desired well-being.
The Impact of Climate-Smart Agriculture and CO2 Emissions on Food Security in Asian Developing Countries (2000-2023)
Asian developing countries face the challenge of food security. This persists under the pressure of rapid population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change that not only affect economic growth but also their agricultural systems. The paper examines the nature of the interconnection between the climate-smart agriculture (CSA), food security, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within the context of Asian developing countries from 2000 to 2023. Using fixed-effects models with strong standard errors, interaction analysis and Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality tests; it is found that the negative effects of CO2 emissions on food security are highly significant, not just in terms of reduced productivity but also in terms of long-term environmental externalities. CSA on the other hand will directly alleviate these adverse impacts as it will promote resource-use efficiency, climatic stress-resilience, and development in agricultural sectors that are sustainable. Policy implications emphasize the importance of the scaled adaptation of CSA, original integration of agricultural, climate, and trade strategies, and the need to invest in sustainable food systems to ensure zero hunger, climate action and sustainable production. Keywords: Climate Smart Agriculture, Carbon dioxide, Food Security
Integrated Cyber Defense Strategies for the Modern Digital Ecosystem: Evaluating Zero Trust Models, AI-Driven Threat Intelligence, and Secure Cloud Architecture for Resilient Infrastructure Protection
The rapid expansion of digital ecosystems, driven by cloud computing, interconnected networks, and data-centric operations, has intensified the need for advanced and adaptive cybersecurity strategies. This study evaluates the combined effectiveness of Zero Trust Architecture, AI-driven threat intelligence, and secure cloud infrastructure in strengthening organizational resilience against evolving cyber threats. Using simulated cyberattacks, access control analytics, intrusion detection logs, and cloud performance assessments, the research examines how each component contributes to proactive risk mitigation and enhanced system reliability. The implementation of Zero Trust principles demonstrated substantial improvements in access governance, reducing unauthorized lateral movement and limiting attack surfaces. Meanwhile, AI-based threat intelligence engines significantly improved detection accuracy, enabling real-time identification of anomalies and automated incident response. Additionally, secure cloud architecture—with its encryption layers, segmentation controls, and dynamic policy enforcement—proved essential in sustaining system performance while maintaining strict security compliance. The integrated approach produced measurable gains in threat prevention, resilience, and operational continuity across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. The findings confirm that traditional perimeter-focused models are insufficient for modern infrastructures and that a unified, multilayered defense strategy is crucial. This research concludes that organizations adopting intelligent, Zero Trust-aligned cloud frameworks can effectively navigate emerging threats and build a more robust, adaptable cybersecurity posture.
Accounting for words: Financial Performance as a driver of Managers’ Discussion in 10-Ks
This paper examines the impact of topics extracted from annual 10-K reports that are contextually focused by managers on the financial performance indicators of the firms. The paper goes beyond the conventional tone-based sentiment analysis and uses topic modelling to identify five economically significant themes in the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) section with the help of Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). We use a sample of publicly listed companies in the United States, and the dependence of financial ratios and managerial discussion content is investigated by a dynamic System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) model. The results indicate that the financial performance is selective in managerial disclosure. The profitability and efficiency indicators have a strong impact on the income, growth, and cost-related stories, whereas liquidity and solvency measures show a weak ability to explain. The performance in the market influences cost of operation discourses, as opposed to profitability discourses. Comprehensively, the findings reveal that the thematic organization of disclosures is strategically adjusted by the managers based on underlying financial conditions, which provides novel information about the role of narrative reporting in capital markets.
Green Supply Chain Integration And Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The Mediating Roles Of Green Innovation And Supply Chain Resilience, And The Moderating Roles Of Green Value Co-Creation And Absorptive Capacity
The research focuses on how the Green Supply Chain Integration (GSCI) affects the Sustainable Supply Chain Performance (SSCP) and the parallel mediating role of Green Innovation (GInv) and Supply Chain Resilience (RES) in particular, and the possible moderating role of Green Value Co- Creation (GVCc) and Absorptive Capacity (AC) in particular. The study was based on the resource-based view, relational view and the knowledge-based perspective, and had a quantitative approach where primary data was gathered through a web-based survey of managers engaging in the supply chain and sustainability practices working in different industries. The mediated- moderated conceptual model was empirically constructed and analyzed with the help of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS software. The results show that, the direct relationship between the three dimensions of GSCI, which include Green Internal Integration, Green Customer Integration and Green Supplier Integration and SSCP, was not found to be significant after adjusting some factors between them therefore indicating that the relationship between them is largely indirect. Green Customer Integration (= 0.345, p = 0.001) and Green Internal Integration = 0.210, p = 0.037) became significant positive predictors of Green Innovation and no significant impact of Green Supplier Integration was noticed. The direct positive impact of Supply Chain Resilience on SSCP was the most consistent and strong (β = 0.296, p = 0.001), which emphasized the importance of the latter in the attainment of sustainable results in unstable conditions. Absorptive Capacity turned out to be a critical organization competency, with a strong positive direct impact on both the Green Innovation (0.245, p = 0.019) and Supply Chain Resilience (0.444, p < 0.001), and a significant indirect impact on SSCP through the resilience pathway ( 0.131, p = 0.011). Green Innovation, in its turn, showed a comparably non-significant positive impact on SSCP (= 0.208, p = 0.092), and no mediation by Green Innovation was established. Also, the moderating effects of Green Value Co-Creation (on the GSCI–SSCP relationship) and Absorptive Capacity (on the GSCI–Green Innovation and GSCI–Resilience relationships) were not found as all terms of interaction were not statistically significant. In sum, the structural model was moderate to high in explanatory power, considering that it explained 47.8% to 52.4% of the variance in the endogenous constructs. The findings emphasize the fact that the role of green supply chain integration in sustainable performance is majorly indirect in nature with Supply Chain Resilience being the predominant means of transmission and Absorptive Capacity acting as an important enabling factor. These results criticize the simplistic direct-effect approaches and stress the strategic significance of building organizational resilience capacity and knowledge acquisition systems in making successful conversion of green integration initiatives into long-term sustainability benefits in a business world that is becoming more uncertain and disruptive.
The Impact of Digitalized HR Practices on Employee Work Performance: The Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Learning Culture
The technology of human resource management (HRM) has undergone a fast digitalization process in such a way that the traditional HR processes have changed into being strategic and technology-facilitated functions. The paper has examined the effects of digitalized HR practices (DHRP) on employee work performance (EWP) and knowledge sharing (KS), with knowledge sharing as a mediating factor and organizational learning culture (OLC) as a moderating factor. The paper has used Social Exchange Theory and a quantitative survey of 342 employees working across various sectors in Pakistan, and examined the data using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). It has been found that DHRP is a great boost both directly and indirectly to EWP via KS. Additionally, OLC enhances interconnection between DHRP and KS as evidence of the friendly importance of the organizational culture in extracting the maximum value of digital HR investments. The research has a theoretical value in that it combines technology, behavioral, and cultural processes within the context of HRM and provides practical advice to managers who have to encourage knowledge-sharing behaviors and performance in work settings that are digitally enabled.
The Impact of Mergers on Stock Prices in the Pakistan Stock Exchange
This research paper focuses on investigating the impact of mergers on share prices behaviour of Pakistan Stock Exchange listed firms (PSX). The study analysed long-term stock price reactions to a merger activity based on firm-level panel data, including 2005-2021 period. The research uses descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression, and T comparison tests in order to assess the hypothesis that merger announcements and post-integration result in a quantifiable increase in shareholder value. The results show that the direct effect of merger activity is not statistically significant on the PSX stock prices. Rather, firm-specific factors, especially firm size and leverage are of more significance in explaining the stock price changes. The findings indicate that the information around the mergers is either quickly absorbed by the prices or that synergies after a merger are not always achieved in new markets like Pakistan. The research findings can be added to the body of literature on mergers in emerging economies and can have significant implications on investors, managers, and policymakers.
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Performance: Evaluating the Impact of Decision-Making, Innovation, and Change Management in Modern Enterprises
This study investigates the relationship between strategic leadership and organizational performance by examining the mediating roles of decision-making, innovation, and change management in modern enterprises. Adopting a quantitative research approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 200 employees working in organizations across diverse sectors. Strategic leadership, decision-making, innovation, change management, and organizational performance were measured using validated scales. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques were applied using SPSS to test the proposed relationships. The results reveal a strong and significant positive association between strategic leadership and organizational performance. Decision-making, innovation, and change management were also found to have significant positive effects on performance. Among these, innovation emerged as the strongest predictor, highlighting its central role in enhancing organizational competitiveness and adaptability. Mediation analysis further confirmed that decision-making, innovation, and change management partially mediate the relationship between strategic leadership and organizational performance. The findings demonstrate that strategic leaders enhance performance not only through direct influence but also by strengthening key organizational processes. This study contributes to strategic leadership and performance literature by offering an integrated empirical model explaining how leadership translates into tangible outcomes. Practically, the results suggest that organizations should prioritize leadership development, foster innovative cultures, strengthen participatory decision-making, and manage change effectively to achieve sustainable performance in dynamic and highly competitive business environments. Implications for future research are discussed.
Artificial intelligence tools, particularly Meta AI, are increasingly being used in education. Understanding the potential academic advantages of such tools is important for integrating emerging technologies into modern educational practices. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and was conducted on undergraduate and postgraduate students of four universities in Lahore, Pakistan, including two public and two private institutions. The population consisted of all the students enrolled in these universities, and a sample of 400 students was selected through multi stage random sampling technique to ensure representation from different academic disciplines and levels. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of closed-ended statements measures on five point Likert type scale . The instrument was adapted from previous studies on AI use in education and modified according to the objectives of the present research. The questionnaire measured perceived academic benefits of Meta AI including learning improvement, academic performance, creativity, and time management. The reliability of the instrument was ensured through Cronbach’s Alpha reliability index, which indicated acceptable internal consistency. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 24 (trial version). Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, independent sample t-tests, and ANOVA to examine demographic differences. The findings revealed that students generally perceive Meta AI as a beneficial academic tool. The results indicated that Meta AI contributes to improved learning and understanding, enhanced academic performance and quality of work, increased creativity and idea generation, and better time management and efficiency. Demographic analysis showed that undergraduate students reported slightly higher perceived benefits compared to postgraduate students, while no significant difference was found based on gender. Variations were observed across age groups and departments, with younger students and students from departments such as Pharm-D and Education reporting higher perceived benefits. It is recommended that universities should guide students for the responsible use of AI tools, provide digital literacy training, and develop institutional policy to maximize the academic benefits of emerging AI technologies.
Advancing Sustainable Investment Strategies through Green Finance and ESG Integration: A Data-Driven Approach to Portfolio Optimization, Risk Management and Long-Term Value Creation
The rapid expansion of sustainable finance has positioned green finance instruments and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration as central pillars of modern investment decision-making. However, despite growing investor demand and regulatory momentum, significant challenges persist in effectively translating ESG information and green finance signals into robust portfolio construction, risk management, and long-term value creation. ESG data heterogeneity, rating disagreement among providers, sectoral materiality differences, and uncertainties associated with climate transition risks continue to limit the practical and financial effectiveness of sustainable investment strategies. Addressing these gaps, this study proposes a comprehensive data-driven framework capable to systematically integrate green finance indicators and ESG metrics in portfolio optimization and risk management processes. The proposed framework brings together multi-source ESG data harmonization, sector-specific materiality weighting and green finance exposure metrics like green revenue intensity, green bond allocation and climate transition proxies to create a consistent and investable sustainability signal set. These sustainability variables are simultaneously integrated with the traditional financial factors in a multi-objective portfolio optimization model that aims to maximize risk-adjusted returns while minimizing downside risk while improving sustainability performance. The optimization process explicitly takes into account practical investment constraints such as transaction costs, turnover limits, liquidity considerations and ESG-based exclusion and tilt requirements. Risk management is taken care of through dynamic estimation of volatility, measures of tail-risk such as Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR), and climate aware stress testing in adverse market and transition scenarios. The empirical analysis uses the rolling window backtesting and out-of-sample validation among the diversified equity portfolio in order to analyze the consistency of their performance, drawdown behavior, and portfolio resiliency under different market regimes. Sustainability outcomes are measured with composite ESG scores, carbon intensity and green exposure measures to align with long-term goals for environmental and social outcomes. The results demonstrate that portfolios constructed using the proposed integrated ESG–green finance framework exhibit improved downside protection, reduced tail risk, and enhanced resilience during periods of market stress compared to conventional and ESG-only investment strategies. Importantly, these benefits are achieved without systematically sacrificing long-term return potential, supporting the argument that disciplined ESG integration can coexist with fiduciary performance objectives. This study contributes to the sustainable finance literature by providing a transparent, replicable, and data-driven methodology that bridges the gap between sustainability goals and financial performance, offering practical insights for asset managers, institutional investors, and policymakers seeking to advance resilient, value-creating sustainable investment strategies.
Organizational Culture and Human Resource Practices under Industry 5.0 across the Asia–Pacific Region: A Comparative Sociological Analysis of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Human-Centric Innovation, Workforce Adaptation, and Managerial Change.
The transition toward Industry 5.0 represents a fundamental shift from technology-centric automation toward human-centric, resilient, and sustainable organizational systems. While prior research has predominantly focused on Industry 4.0 technologies, limited scholarly attention has been given to the sociological transformation of organizational culture and human resource (HR) practices required to support Industry 5.0, particularly within the heterogeneous institutional landscape of the Asia–Pacific region. This study addresses this gap by developing a comparative sociological analysis of how organizational culture and HR practices jointly shape entrepreneurial orientation, human-centric innovation, workforce adaptation, and managerial change across diverse Asia–Pacific contexts. Grounded in organizational sociology and human resource management theory, the study conceptualizes Industry 5.0 as a socio-technical paradigm in which cultural values, leadership norms, and HR systems play a central role in mediating human–technology collaboration. Drawing on comparative data from organizations operating in multiple Asia–Pacific economies, the research examines how variations in institutional environments, labor market structures, and cultural norms influence the configuration and effectiveness of culture–HR systems. The analysis focuses on the alignment between organizational culture types and HR practice bundles, including talent development, participatory decision-making, performance management, and reskilling strategies, and evaluates their impact on key Industry 5.0 outcomes. The findings reveal that organizations characterized by adaptive and innovation-oriented cultures, supported by high-involvement HR practices, demonstrate stronger entrepreneurial orientation, greater capacity for human-centric innovation, and higher levels of workforce adaptability. In contrast, control-oriented cultural environments relying on rigid HR systems tend to experience slower managerial transformation and greater resistance to human-AI integration. The study further highlights the moderating role of institutional context, showing that the effectiveness of human-centric HR practices is contingent upon national skill systems, regulatory frameworks, and socio-cultural expectations prevalent across the Asia–Pacific region. This research makes three key contributions. First, it extends Industry 5.0 scholarship by foregrounding organizational culture and HR practices as critical sociological drivers of human-centric transformation. Second, it provides a comparative framework that explains cross-regional differences in Industry 5.0 adoption within the Asia–Pacific context. Third, it offers practical insights for managers and policymakers seeking to design culturally aligned HR systems that foster sustainable innovation, entrepreneurial behavior, and inclusive managerial change in the emerging Industry 5.0 era.
Impact of Digital Teaching Methods on Teaching Quality
The fast-growing adaption of digital technologies in higher learning has changed the way of instructional delivery but empirical data are scarce on how teaching practices that involve digital technology can produce quality teaching. The previous research has mostly concentrated on the adoption of technology or direct impacts without considering the motivational processes that cause instructional practices to affect teaching outcomes. The research was conducted to fill this gap by exploring the effects of digital teaching practices and teaching interactivity on the quality of teaching, using student motivation as a mediator factor and digital literacy as an explanation factor in students. It is proposed in the study that the quality of teaching in digital settings is attained based on the motivation processes among the learners rather than the application of technology. The survey data used in the study were quantitative and cross-sectional research design based on survey data collected on higher education students. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the proposed conceptual model. Cronbach alpha, composite reliability and average variance extracted were used to measure reliability and validity of the measurements, and the structural path analysis, mediation analysis and moderation analysis were conducted. The findings demonstrate that digital teaching strategies (β=0.408 p 0.001), and interactive teaching ( β= 0.482 p 0.001) have significant positive effect on student motivation which consequently has a positive effect on the quality of teaching (β= 0.361 p 0.001). The correlation between instructional practices and the teaching quality is mediated by student motivation whereas the effect of student digital literacy on teaching quality is direct (β=0.572, p < 0.001). The model describes 72.7 and 74.4 percent of the variance in the motivation of students and teaching quality. The research offers empirical findings in support of a motivation-based account of teaching quality in digital higher education that brings a fined insight into the effectiveness of instruction and useful advice into designing interactive and learner-centered digital teaching methods. Keywords: Digital teaching methods; Teaching interactivity; Student motivation; Digital literacy; Teaching quality; Higher education; PLS-SEM
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth: The Moderating Role of Corruption
This primary goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation while underlining the moderating effect of corruption, especially in the context of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Multiple hypotheses are tested through a panel data framework using a Random Effects Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression model. The study incorporates interaction terms to assess the moderating impact of corruption on innovation- and entrepreneurship-led growth. Data were compiled from World Bank, Global Innovation Index, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, UNCTAD, and IMF for the period 2010–2023. The results reveal that education and political stability are key drivers of economic growth, showing consistent positive effects. In contrast, innovation has a significant negative association with GDP per capita, suggesting structural or absorptive inefficiencies in the region. Entrepreneurship shows a positive but statistically insignificant effect, and corruption does not significantly moderate the relationships between innovation or entrepreneurship and growth. The findings suggest the need for BRICS nations to enhance institutional quality, improve innovation diffusion mechanisms, and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. Policymakers should consider institutional reforms and investment in education to maximize growth returns from innovation and entrepreneurship. This study builds on the Schumpeterian growth theory and explores Drucker’s perspective on the innovation–entrepreneurship nexus, extending prior models by incorporating corruption as a moderating institutional factor. Unlike prior studies that focus on developed economies, this paper contributes a novel empirical analysis of emerging markets using both traditional economic variables and institutional indicators. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Corruption, Innovation, Economic Growth, BRICS, Institutions, Schumpeter, Drucker
Strengthening Child Survival in Urban Contexts: The Impact of WASH Infrastructure on Under-Five Mortality amid Rapid Urbanization
This study examines the impact of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure on under-five mortality within rapidly urbanizing environments. It explores how urbanization interacts with WASH access to influence child health outcomes, focusing specifically on under-five mortality as a core indicator of population health and sustainable development. Employing advanced quantitative techniques including Quantile Regression, System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM), Bootstrap Resampling in Quantile Regression, and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) the analysis captures heterogeneous effects across the distribution of under-five mortality rates while addressing endogeneity and methodological challenges. The findings reveal that improved WASH infrastructure significantly reduces under-five mortality, particularly in higher-mortality contexts. Although rapid urbanization can intensify pressures on health systems and basic services, robust WASH provision mitigates these adverse effects, functioning as a protective mechanism for child survival. Rather than urbanization and WASH operating in isolation, their interaction demonstrates potential synergies when infrastructure expansion keeps pace with urban growth. The results highlight the emergence of “urban child health resilience,” reflecting cities’ capacity to safeguard child survival when supported by effective sanitation, clean water access, and hygiene systems. The study underscores the critical importance of integrating WASH infrastructure into public health strategies. Cross-sectoral collaboration among urban planners, water authorities, sanitation agencies, and health policymakers is essential to optimize resource allocation and strengthen child survival outcomes. By focusing on under-five mortality within urban contexts, this research contributes to the literature on child health, sustainable development, and public health governance, offering policy-relevant insights for achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to child survival and resilient cities.
Impact Of Psychological Flexibility on Employee Adaptive Performance: Mediating Role of Resilience and Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support
In contemporary organizations characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), employees are increasingly required to demonstrate adaptability and readiness to respond to organizational change. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines the impact of psychological flexibility on employees’ adaptive performance and change readiness, while investigating the mediating role of employee resilience and the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS). A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 employees working in multinational, technology, and healthcare organizations experiencing dynamic work environments. Data were collected using validated measurement scales and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSS and AMOS. The results indicate that psychological flexibility significantly predicts both adaptive performance and readiness to change. Furthermore, employee resilience partially mediates the relationship between psychological flexibility and adaptive outcomes, suggesting that flexible employees are more capable of developing resilience, which enhances their ability to cope with workplace challenges and change initiatives. The findings also reveal that perceived organizational support strengthens the positive relationship between psychological flexibility and employee resilience, indicating that supportive organizational environments enable employees to utilize their personal resources more effectively. This study contributes to the literature by integrating personal and social resources within a unified framework to explain employee adaptability in uncertain environments. The findings offer important theoretical and practical implications for organizations seeking to enhance employee resilience, adaptability, and readiness for change.
Factors shaping E-trust and purchasing intentions in Pakistan's online market: A structural equation modeling analysis
The fast expansion of online shopping has changed the buying habit of consumers; nonetheless, the issue of trust in online shopping platforms has been a major challenge especially in emerging economies. The study proposed was to investigate the determinants of consumer trust in online shopping and the impact that such determinants have on online purchase behavior in Pakistan. The quantitative and cross-sectional design was used to collect the data of 302 consumers with a prior experience of online shopping using a structured questionnaire. The relationships between perceived security, privacy protection, the quality of the site, perceived risk, the reputation of the vendors, consumer trust as well as online purchase behavior were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the findings, consumer trust significantly depends on perceived security, privacy protection, the quality of the web site, and reputation of the vendor, whereas perceived risk has a hefty negative impact on consumer trust. The online purchase behavior was found to be strongly positively related to consumer trust. The mediation analysis also showed that consumer trust partly mediates the associations between determinants of trust and online purchasing behavior. The structural model had a high explanatory power as it had a significant percentage of variance in consumer trust and online purchase behavior. This paper is significant to the literature on e-commerce since it shows empirical data on Pakistan, which is a developing digital market and consumer trust is a key factor in online buying behavior. The results can be used by online retailers and policy makers as a guideline as they can see the need of enhancing security, privacy protection, the quality of the websites and the reputation of vendors to increase consumer trust and encourage long-term expansion of online shopping.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN RELATIONSHIPS AS DRIVERS OF SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN
The paper examines the impacts of digital transformation and relations within the supply chain on sustainable performance and the mediating effect of Total Quality Management (TQM). Although previous studies have recognized the significance of digitalization and collaboration towards sustainability, there is inconclusive empirical research on how these capabilities have been converted into economic, environmental and social impacts particularly in Pakistan settings. The research fills this gap by providing and experimenting an integrated capability-based model explaining how and through which processes sustainability results are obtained. The adopted design was a quantitative, cross-sectional research design. The firms were identified to be operating in Pakistan and data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The assessment of measurement reliability and validity were evaluated using Cronbachs alpha, composite reliability, AVE and HTMT, and structural relations were evaluated by bootstrapping processes. The findings indicate that the digital transformation has a strong beneficial influence on the sustainable performance (β = 0.319, p = 0.001). The direct effect of TQM on sustainable performance (β= 0.426, p = -0.001) is also strong and mediating influences on digital transformation and supply chain relationships are significant. The direct impacts of relations with suppliers and distributors are negligible and this means that relational resources are of contribution to sustainability via quality execution mechanisms. The model describes 76.4 percent of the variations of sustainable performance. This research study is important in that it empirically confirms that TQM is a dynamic capability of the execution level that transforms digital and relational resources into sustainable performance. The results not only can be used by managers in their practices but also serve as a strong basis of longitudinal and cross-country studies in the future. Keywords: Digital transformation; Total Quality Management; Supply chain relationships; Sustainable performance; PLS-SEM; Emerging economies https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18595518
THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, MARKETING ORIENTATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY ON PURCHASE INTENTION AND BEHAVIOR
Increasing environmental degradation, climate change concerns, and resource depletion have intensified global attention toward sustainable consumption and environmentally responsible behavior. As a result, green purchasing has emerged as an important area of research in consumer behavior and marketing literature. Although awareness of environmental issues has increased, many consumers still fail to consistently engage in green purchasing, highlighting a gap between intention and actual behavior. Understanding the factors that influence green purchase intention and how this intention translates into green purchase behavior is therefore essential for promoting sustainable consumption. The primary objective of this study is to examine the determinants of green purchase behavior by focusing on environmental responsibility, green marketing orientation, green product knowledge, and social media, while investigating the mediating role of green purchase intention. The study seeks to explain how these factors shape consumers’ intention to purchase green products and whether intention acts as a key mechanism that converts green-related perceptions and influences into actual purchasing behavior. By integrating multiple antecedents within a single framework, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of green consumer decision-making. The theoretical foundation of this research is rooted in pro-environmental behavior and intention-based decision-making perspectives, which suggest that ethical responsibility, knowledge, and external influences play a central role in shaping environmentally friendly consumption. Environmental responsibility reflects consumers’ moral obligation toward environmental protection, which can motivate sustainable purchasing decisions. Green marketing orientation signals firms’ commitment to environmental values and influences consumers’ trust and evaluation of green products. Green product knowledge reduces uncertainty by enhancing consumers’ understanding of eco-friendly attributes, while social media serves as a powerful channel for information dissemination and social influence in modern consumption contexts. A quantitative research approach was adopted to empirically test the proposed model. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a cross-sectional design. A total of 200 valid responses were obtained from consumers with sufficient awareness of green products and environmental issues. Measurement items were adapted from established scales and assessed using a Likert-type format. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), which is suitable for predictive research models and for examining mediation effects. The analysis involved assessing both the measurement model and the structural model, with bootstrapping techniques applied to test the significance of direct and indirect relationships. The empirical findings indicate that environmental responsibility, green marketing orientation, green product knowledge, and social media all have significant positive effects on green purchase intention. These results suggest that consumers who feel a stronger sense of responsibility toward the environment, possess better knowledge about green products, and perceive marketing efforts as environmentally oriented are more likely to develop intentions to purchase eco-friendly products. Social media also plays a meaningful role in shaping intention by increasing awareness and exposure to green-related information. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that green purchase intention has a strong and significant influence on green purchase behavior, confirming that intention is a critical predictor of actual green buying actions. Environmental responsibility also shows a weak but significant direct effect on green purchase behavior, indicating that ethical concern may sometimes influence behavior independently. However, the direct effect of social media on green purchase behavior is not supported, suggesting that online exposure alone is insufficient to ensure consistent green purchasing without the formation of strong purchase intentions. The mediation analysis confirms that green purchase intention significantly mediates the relationships between all antecedent variables and green purchase behavior. This finding highlights the central role of intention in translating environmental concern, knowledge, marketing influence, and social media exposure into actual purchasing behavior. Overall, this study contributes to green consumer behavior literature by offering empirical evidence on the mechanisms underlying green purchase decisions. Practically, the findings suggest that policymakers and marketers should focus on strengthening consumers’ environmental responsibility, improving green product knowledge, and designing credible green marketing strategies that encourage intention formation and support sustainable consumption. Keywords: Green Purchase Behavior; Green Purchase Intention; Environmental Responsibility; Green Marketing Orientation; Gr: een Product Knowledge; Social Media; PLS-SEM Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18943097
Work–Life Balance and Career Success in Higher Education: Examining the Moderating Role of Gender
This study examines the relationship between work-life balance and career success among university faculty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with a particular focus on the moderating role of gender. Recognizing the growing importance of balancing professional and personal responsibilities in academia, the research investigates how effective work-life balance practices contribute to individuals’ perceptions of career achievement and progression. Grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, the study highlights how access to personal and organizational resources enables faculty members to manage competing demands, thereby enhancing their professional outcomes and long-term career success. A quantitative research design was employed using structured questionnaires distributed to faculty members across universities in the region. The study targeted a sample of 400 teaching faculty selected from a population of approximately 5,000 across 32 universities. Convenience sampling was used to ensure representation from diverse institutions and academic disciplines, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the variables under investigation. The findings reveal that work-life balance has a significant positive effect on career success, indicating that faculty who effectively manage their professional and personal roles experience greater satisfaction with career growth, achievement, and stability. The analysis further examined gender as a moderating variable; however, the results indicate that gender does not significantly alter the strength of the relationship between work-life balance and career success. This suggests that the benefits of work-life balance are largely consistent across male and female faculty members. The study offers important practical implications for higher education institutions, emphasizing the need to design inclusive work-life balance policies that support all faculty regardless of gender. By fostering resource-rich and supportive work environments, universities can enhance faculty well-being, sustain career development, and improve institutional effectiveness. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are also discussed. Keywords: Work-life Balance, Career Success, Gender, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Digital Human Resource Management And Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role Of Employee Engagement And The Moderating Role Of Digital Competence In Pakistan
Purpose: The research will investigate how the digital human resource management (Digital HRM) practices affect the performance of organizations in the service industry in Pakistan. In particular, it examines how the employee engagement mediates this relationship and how digital competence moderates this relationship. Design/Methodology/Approach: Cross-sectional survey design was used and the approach applied was quantitative. The sample population was comprised of 450 employees who were employed in digitally transformed organizations of the banking, telecommunications, and information technology sectors in Pakistan. The hypothesized relationships were tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with AMOS version 26. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to test the measurement model and bootstrapping methods were used to test the mediation and moderation effects. Findings: The findings have shown that Digital HRM practices have a significant positive impact on the engagement of the employees (b = 0.42, p < .001) and the organizational performance (b = 0.37, p < .001). The engagement of the employees showed a positive association with the performance of the organization (b = 0.45, p < .001). Notably, the Digital HRM and organizational performance were strongly connected through employee engagement. Moreover, the relationship between Digital HRM and employee engagement was also moderated significantly by the digital competence (interaction effect b = 0.18, p < .05), meaning that the beneficial impact of Digital HRM on engagement is reinforced, in case the employee has a high level of digital competence. Practical Implications: This research has practical implications on HR managers, organizational leaders and policymakers in emerging economies. To maximize the effects of engagement and performance, organizations should invest in the development of digital competencies among employees and introduce Digital HRM systems to improve the results. The priorities should be training programs aimed to improve digital skills to ensure the maximum use of digital HR tools. Theoretical Contributions: The paper contributes to the Digital HRM literature by bringing an integrated model to the test in an under-researched environment of an emerging economy. It adds to the Resource-Based View theory by showing that Digital HRM practices can be used as strategic resources that foster the performance of an organization by engaging the employees. The definition of digital competence as a boundary condition contributes to the knowledge of influencing Digital HRM to the greatest effect. Originality/Value: This is one of the first papers to study the mediating effect of employee engagement and moderating effect of digital competence in the Digital HRM-performance relationship in the context of the service sector in Pakistan, and therefore it has a distinct contribution to the literature based on the emerging economy approach.
Digital Financial Inclusion, Institutional Quality, And Banking Sector Performance: Evidence From High-Income Economies
This study investigates the impact of digital financial inclusion (DFI) on banking sector performance (BSP) in high income economies, with a focus on the moderating role of institutional quality. Using a balanced panel dataset of 45 high income economies over 2011–2021, the study constructs composite indices for DFI, BSP, and institutional quality via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The two-step System GMM estimator is employed to address endogeneity, dynamic persistence, and unobserved heterogeneity. The findings reveal that DFI significantly enhances BSP, while institutional quality does not significantly moderate this relationship, indicating that strong governance in advanced economies already supports effective digital financial adoption. Foreign bank presence also positively contributes to performance, whereas macroeconomic controls are largely insignificant. These results highlight the central role of DFI in promoting efficiency, profitability, and stability in mature banking systems.
The Role of Brand Trust in Strengthening Purpose-Driven Marketing Impact on Brand Outcomes
Purpose-driven marketing increasingly highlights itself as a significant strategic paradigm, in which brands aim to integrate the objectives of commerce with the concerns of the environment and societal interests. Though there has been more absorption of the concept of purpose-driven programs, the quickly expanding body of scepticism about corporate social endeavors casts doubt on the effectiveness of such programs in influencing brand outcomes favorably. This paper aims to explore the concept of brand trust as the key mediating element between the influence of purpose-driven marketing on brand outcomes. More specifically, the paper aims to explore the concepts of cause-brand congruity, cause-brand authenticity, and self-brand congruity as the most significant factors on which the development of brand trust depends, influencing brand outcomes on the dimensions of brand image, the intention to make a purchase, and the intention to recommend. Additionally, the paper will explore the role of the moderating variable of consumer-cause congruity on the development of brand trust. A quantitative design was used with the help of surveys among adult consumers in the Pakistani market. The proposed conceptual framework was used to analyze the results with the help of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that the three antecedents: cause-to-brand congruity, authenticity, and self-to-brand congruity positively affect brand trusts significantly. Brand trusts positively affected consumer behavioural intentions and brand image significantly and played a significant mediating role in the relationship among purpose-driven marketing perceptions and brand outcomes. Moreover, consumer-cause congruity positively reinforced the association between purpose perceptions and brand trusts. The paper makes a contribution to the literature by empirically demonstrating that brand trust plays a pivotal mediating role in translating purpose-driven marketing into branding success. In practical terms, its findings underscore the mediating roles of authenticity, alignment, and trust in crafting successful purpose-driven marketing strategies. Keywords: Purpose-driven marketing, brand trust, cause-brand congruence, brand authenticity, self-brand congruity, consumer-cause congruence, brand image, purchase intention, recommendation intention, consumer skepticism, purpose-washing, corporate social responsibility (CSR).
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE FIRM’S CAPITAL STRUCTURE (CASE STUDY OF LISTED COMPANIES IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY OF PAKISTAN)
Corporate governance is an evolving area of research in management. Hence, study in hand has observed the relationship of corporate governance with that of the capital structure in listed organizations of Textile Industry in Pakistan Stock Exchange. Related literature is reviewed to extract results of earlier studies regarding corporate governance. Moreover, related variables have been studied and analyzed through the annual reports of selected firms for five years. Corporate governance is explained by board size, independent members on companies’ board non-executive members on the companies’ board and chairman duality. Capital structure is explained through debt-equity ratio. Correlation of independent variables including size of board (total number of the directors on companies’ board), non-executive directors on board and directors independent on board with the dependent variable Debt Equity Ratio was calculated through statistical software SPSS. Significant correlation was observed between percentage of debt equity ratio with independent directors on company’s board and non-executive directors on company’s board. However, correlation was not found significant in between debt-equity ratio and board size of the listed textile companies in Pakistan Stock Exchange. It is apparent from the said study that corporate governance observance is still at its initial stage in the listed companies of Pakistan and require considerable time and policy implementations to meet the international corporate governance practices.
Determinants Of Customers Perception Towards Islamic Banking: A Quantitative Study In Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan
This paper explores the determinants of customer perceptions towards Islamic banking in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, with a focus on customer satisfaction, adoption, and long-term engagement. The research aims to examine the influence of factors such as customer awareness, bank profitability, and service quality on consumer preferences for Islamic banking products. A quantitative approach was employed, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 150 respondents. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, and statistical techniques such as correlation analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach’s Alpha), and multiple linear regression were applied. The results show a strong positive relationship between customer awareness and consumer preferences, while service quality emerged as the most significant factor influencing customer satisfaction. The findings also indicate that profitability had a weaker, insignificant impact on customer preferences. The study highlights the need for Islamic banks to improve service quality and profitability to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction in the region.
Reimagining Curriculum Knowledge Through Agentic AI Systems
The rapid emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems—those capable of autonomous decision-making, adaptation, and collaboration—poses profound implications for how curriculum knowledge is conceptualized, designed, and enacted. This article explores the epistemological and pedagogical shifts required to reimagine curriculum knowledge within an era increasingly shaped by intelligent, co-creative technologies. By framing agentic AI not merely as a tool but as a knowledge partner, the study argues for a transition from static, content-centered curricula to dynamic, dialogic, and evolving knowledge ecosystems. Drawing upon critical theories of curriculum, posthumanist perspectives, and contemporary AI ethics, the paper proposes a framework for “AI-augmented curriculum agency” that integrates human intentionality with machine intelligence to foster creativity, inclusivity, and epistemic diversity. The article concludes that agentic AI systems invite educators to reconceptualize curriculum as a living, responsive process—one that continually co-produces knowledge in relation to social, cultural, and technological transformations. Keywords: Agentic AI; Curriculum Theory; Knowledge Co-Creation; Posthumanism; Educational Technology; AI Pedagogy; Knowledge Systems; Epistemic Agency.
Assessing the Sustainability Integration in Green Procurement Planning in Organization Evidence from the Financial Sector
Purpose: This research study examines the effect of considering sustainability in the green procurement planning on the way it affects green performance and organizational sustainability success in the banking industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: In a cross-sectional survey, 489 professionals who work in commercial, Islamic, government, and private banks were used to gather the data. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‑SEM) was used to test the proposed conceptual framework. Findings: The findings indicate that the sustainability aspect of green procurement, which encompasses the evaluation of environmental suppliers, ethical procurement, lifecycle costing, stakeholder’s involvement, and adherence to sustainability guidelines makes a considerable influence to green performance. Also, sustainable procurement planning has a direct positive effect on organizational sustainability in economic, environmental, and social level. The consequences of green performance on organizational sustainability are also positive which serves to justify the mediating role of green performance. Research Limitations/Implications: The paper ends by giving recommendations to the practitioners and giving directions in which future research on sustainable green procurement should take. Practical Implications: The results highlight the strategic relevance of considering sustainability in the procurement planning to enhance the long-term green performance and organizational sustainability. This paper examines the reasons why sustainable procurement practices can lead to green performance and long-term organizational success focusing on the concept of sustainability as a strategic concern in contemporary green management particularly when the decisions made by procurement are likely to impact the environment, social and economic performance. Originality/Value: The research offers empirical data in the banking industry, in which the topics of sustainable procurement and green management have been expanded. Keywords: Green Supply Chain, Sustainable Procurement, Green Management, Procurement Planning, Sustainability Integration, Sustainable Development, Banking industry.
Understanding Sustainable Consumerism: Key Determinants of Green Consumer Behavior
This research explores the key elements that shape green consumer behavior as part of sustainable consumerism. It investigates how things such as environmental knowledge, attitudes, social influences, ability to act and consumer skills influence a person’s intent to make green purchasing choices. Using quantitative methodology, data was collected from 155 respondents through a structured questionnaire assessing perceptions of green products, environmental concerns, and actual consumer behavior. Findings reveal that individuals with higher environmental consciousness, strong pro-environmental attitudes, and a belief in their capacity to effect change are significantly more inclined to purchase green products. Of all the factors studied, personal attitudes and perceived control had the strongest connection with green buying habits, followed by subjective norms which was found to have a moderate effect. The study also highlights the role of organizational factors—such as leadership styles, job characteristics, and workplace sustainability practices—in shaping both employee green behavior and consumer trust in sustainable organizations. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of sustainable consumerism by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Exchange Theory. It offers practical implications for policymakers and business organizations, emphasizing the importance of environmental education, green human resource management, and authentic corporate sustainability strategies. Ultimately, the study underlines that promoting sustainable consumer behavior requires a collaborative approach involving individuals, organizations, and regulatory institutions.
Impact of Calendar Anomalies on Stock Price: A Study of KSE-100 Index
This research focuses on the month-of-the-year impact of calendar anomalies at the Pakistan Stock Exchange by using KSE-100 index data for the period running from January 2019 to August 2024. The objectives of this study are, first, to check for the existence of monthly anomalies in the stock market and their influence on stock returns; second, the way calendar anomalies affect financial experts and investors. By performing comprehensive statistical analysis, the research work has done descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance, through which it identified important fluctuations in returns across different months. To be more precise, April, October, and November always gave positive returns; February and March were found to have a negative trend. In support of this, the results of ANOVA also showed that differences in returns across months are significant, hence establishing the month-of-the-year effect as a noteworthy phenomenon on the KSE-100 index. Practical implications of the findings are such that it suggests awareness of these anomalies can help in enhancing investment strategies by timing investments to receive optimal returns. It also adds to the academic literature in terms of empirical evidence that calendar anomalies exist in emerging markets like Pakistan, thus rejecting the efficient market hypothesis. However, it is confined to the KSE-100 index and a specific period. Hence, there exists a need for further research in different settings. Such an extension into more markets or longer periods should be considered in future research to contribute to a deeper understanding of calendar anomalies and their consequences for financial markets. Keywords: Calendar Anomalies, Day of the week effect, Month of the week effect.
From Blockchain to Green Outcomes: How Training and Supply Chain Learning Shape Sustainable Supply Chain Performance?
The paper explores the role of the blockchain technology in improving the environmental performance in terms of sustainable supply chain performance as well as the moderating effects of training practices and supply chain learning. Although there is increased attention towards the future of digital sustainability, there is little empirical information on how blockchain can be converted into quantifiable environmental impacts and whether organizational competencies enhance the association. The design was done using a quantitative cross-sectional design based on the survey information of supply chain and operations professionals. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the conceptual model. The reliability and validity were established by using Cronbachs alpha, composite reliability, and AVE, and hypotheses and moderation effects were tested using bootstrapping. Findings indicate that blockchain technology plays a significant role in sustainable supply chain performance (β= 0.842, p < 0.001) which also plays an important role in enhancing environmental performance (β= 0.561, p < 0.001). The model accounts 70.8 percent and 71.2 percent of sustainable supply chain and environmental performance respectively. The moderation effects of training practices and supply chain learning were however insignificantly significant. The study is applicable to digital sustainability literature because it empirically proves that blockchain-mediated sustainability functions through the structured operation practice as opposed to conditional capability enhancement. The results provide theoretical purification and practical recommendations to incorporate blockchain into the environmental performance strategies. Keywords: Blockchain Technology, Sustainable Supply Chain Performance, Environmental Performance, Training Practices, Supply Chain Learning, Digital Sustainability, PLS-SEM.
Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Income: The Mediating Role of Motivation and Access to finance
This study examines the relationship between human capital and entrepreneurial income, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of entrepreneurial motivation and access to finance. Drawing on human capital theory, the study argues that education, skills and experience alone may not fully translate into higher entrepreneurial income unless supported by psychological and financial mechanisms. A quantitative research design was adopted and data were collected from registered small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs. The analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis and mediation analysis. The results reveal that human capital has a strong and positive direct effect on entrepreneurial income (β = 0.57, B = 0.62, t = 6.20, p < 0.001), explaining 32.5% of the variance in income (R² = 0.325). Correlation results indicate significant positive associations among all variables, with human capital correlating with entrepreneurial income (r = 0.57), entrepreneurial motivation (r = 0.52) and access to finance (r = 0.48). Mediation analysis further demonstrates that entrepreneurial motivation significantly mediates the relationship between human capital and entrepreneurial income (indirect effect = 0.18, t = 3.60, p < 0.001). Similarly, access to finance is found to be a significant mediator (indirect effect = 0.15, t = 3.00, p = 0.003). Importantly, the serial mediation path involving entrepreneurial motivation and access to finance is also statistically significant (indirect effect = 0.008, t = 2.67, p = 0.008), indicating a sequential mechanism through which human capital enhances income. Overall, the findings suggest that while human capital directly improves entrepreneurial income, its impact is substantially strengthened when entrepreneurs are highly motivated and have better access to financial resources. The study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the combined psychological and financial pathways through which human capital translates into income generation.
FINTECH AND BANKING: DETERMINANTS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN PAKISTAN
This paper discusses the determinant of customer satisfaction of fintech services in the banking industry in Pakistan, and specifically, the moderating role of trust. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the perceived risk theory, the study determines the use of information technology platforms, the perceived ease of use, risk associated with the service, and social influence as the important antecedents of trust, which in effect influence the overall customer satisfaction. Quantitative survey was conducted and analysed on 250 employed fintech users in the major Pakistani cities using SPSS 20.0. Structural regression and mediation analyses proved the significance and the positive effect of all four antecedent factors on trust (p < 0.01) and the strength of the influence of trust as a predictor of customer satisfaction. In addition, trust was confirmed as a strong partial mediator in all four antecedent-satisfaction pathways. These results have significant implications for Pakistani banks aiming to enhance fintech adoption, regulating bodies crafting enabling policy landscapes, and academics transferring belief systems to additional settings in emerging markets. Keywords: Financial Technology (Fintech), Customer Satisfaction, Trust, Perceived Ease of Use, Social Influence, Information Technology Platform, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Pakistan.
Impact of Business Intelligence on Product Innovation: A Pragmatic Analysis of Automobile Manufacturing Companies of Sindh, Pakistan.
Intent of the current research study is to analyse the dynamics of business intelligence on product innovation the business intelligence plays a vital role in the automobile industry in the providence of Sindh. The current study was incorporate the resource-based view theory has a significant role for the utilization the capabilities and resources of the firm available with regarding the competitive intelligence and the business intelligence towards the automobile industries. Thus, the research contributes the application of new knowledge and techniques, for future competitive advantage from the business environment, the emerging technologies, and the governing situation in which the companies are competes and the rival of new competitors and the consequences. More research also contributes the value addition and new knowledge the induction of business intelligence. The study is based on survey research the target population of the study were Managers and Engineers of the automobile manufacturing firms in Sindh Pakistan; cluster sampling technique is employed with close ended questionnaire on five-point Likert-scale was provided to respondent for the responses. The data analysis through the approach of smart pls, to examines the mediating effects and the direct impact on the product innovations to increase the firm productivity. The results reveals that a significant mediations effects established and also established product innovation in association of competitive intelligence, innovation intelligence. The theoretical approach is assumed in this study based on cross sectional data and quantitative technique for future research qualitative and mix method could be applied, the target population may be other areas like pharmaceutical manufacturing firms, service and public sector. The current research study is for decision and policy makers to incorporate the business intelligence for the development of product innovation to get maximum competitive advantage from the business environment.
Online Consumer Reviews and Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Celebrity Endorsement among Gen Z in Pakistan
The digital transformation of consumer behavior has altered how people evaluate products and make purchasing decisions, particularly among Generation Z, which has grown up immersed in online platforms and social media ecosystems. The formulation of the problem in this study is how to describe and how much influence online customer reviews have on purchase intention. This research deploys quantitative methods. The research used a primary research method (the authors devised the survey questions and collected data), gathering data from 347 respondents using a questionnaire. the findings reinforce the role of OCR as a primary determinant of purchase intention among Generation Z, as demonstrated by both global and Generation Z-specific data.
Impact Of Talent Management Practices On Employees' Emotional Intelligence In A Banking Sector Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
This study examine the direct link amongst TM practices and employees' emotional intelligence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) province Pakistan in private banking sector. In this study a cross-sectional, survey-based descriptive research design was used, targeting managers, senior officers, and officers. For Sampling Using Taro Yamane's formula, a sample size of 341 employees were selected. Data was analyzed via SPSS 21 and SmartPLS 3. Measurement items were adapted from validated constructs, with expert-validated questionnaires (Cronbach's alpha: talent management practices (0.956), and emotional intelligence (0.906) shows high reliability of the questionnaires. Results indicated a significant positive relationship among TM practices & workers emotional intelligence. Effective TM techniques (e.g., talent strategy, workforce planning, retention policies etc ) can enhance employees' emotional intelligence, leading to desirable organizational outcomes. Thus, if talent management practices are effectively managed and successfully deployed, it could indeed result in the enhancement of employee’s emotional intelligence between different ranks of employees.
“The Positive Impact of AI Adoption on Employee Engagement in the Pharmaceutical Sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”
This study examines the effects of the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human engagement in the pharmaceutical industry of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The paper discusses the improvement in employee motivation, job satisfaction, and general involvement with the adoption of AI and the mediators between these factors and AI system adoption are leadership support, organizational culture, and trust in AI systems. The research methodology adopted was the quantitative, which involved the use of the survey that was distributed to 200 employees who were employed in pharmaceutical firms that were integrated with AI. The findings indicate the presence of a strong positive correlation between AI adoption and employee engagement and the leadership support, along with the organizational culture as the elements that contribute positively to increased engagement. The research is able to conclude that the adoption of AI can positively affect employee engagement in case of leadership support, communication, and appropriate training programs. The results are useful to pharmaceutical companies that aim to improve the engagement of the workforce by means of strategic use of AI.
Effect Of Subjective Aging and Career Crafting on Career Satisfaction Among Public School Teachers in Pakistan
Career satisfaction is a significant measure of professional well-being of employees and future success in the career life of employees, especially in the education sector that teachers significantly contribute to the learning outcomes. This paper has compared the relationship between subjective aging and career crafting and career satisfaction of Pakistani public-school teachers and has also investigated the mediating variable of career crafting between career satisfaction and subjective aging. The quantitative cross-sectional research design was chosen and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data among teachers in the schools that are publicly owned across the country. The total respondents who were involved in the study were 200 using the simple random sampling method. The data obtained were processed with the help of the descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis. The findings have shown that the teachers have reported fairly high subjective aging, career crafting, and career satisfaction. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relations on subjective aging, career crafting and career satisfaction. The regression results indicated that career crafting was a significant predicator of career satisfaction and subjective aging also helped in the explanation of career satisfaction. Additionally, mediation analysis proved that career crafting partly mediates the correlation between subjective aging and career satisfaction. These results indicate that taking career initiatives and having positive views on growing old are significant towards improving the career satisfaction of teachers. The research paper also adds to the body of knowledge on career development and educational management literature by offering evidence, which is on a psychological and behavioral basis, with regard to career satisfaction among teachers in Pakistan. The results also have some practical implications on educational policymakers and administrators to facilitate proactive career management and professional well-being of teachers.
Influence of Digital CSR Messages on Gen Z Brand Engagement
The growing significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the digital domain has influenced and brought about changes concerning the engagement approach being adopted by brands and socially conscious consumers, particularly Gen Z. Gen Z consumers, as online natives, scrutinize brands based on their ideologically driven values and commitments articulated on online platforms. The impact of online CSR messages toward Gen Z engagement with brands is explored in this research study specifically related to emotional engagement, trust, value concordance, and interactivity. This study on CSR messages and Gen Z engagement applies a qualitative research approach using help from eight semi structured interviews conducted on Gen Z students across different universities in Pakistan to examine and explore the personal constructs and perceptions related to Gen Z consumers about online CSR message interpretation and meanings derived through this study based on its dataset. The data collected through research has been explored using thematic data analysis to extract key dimensions and determining drivers related to Gen Z engagement as revealed through findings presented below. Emotional engagement was identified as an important mechanism by which CSR communication helps to humanize brands and create positive brand attitudes. Trust was indicated to vary from being dependent on consistency, credibility, and congruence between espoused values and brand performance. Also, interactive and richly visual CSR communication, including short video messages, voting universals, and campaigns led by influencers, was indicated to enhance cognitive, emotional and behavioral engagement among Gen Z. The symbolic CSR communication type was shown to create distrust and disengage Gen Z. The study makes an original contribution to both CSR communication and brand engagement literature by introducing a consumer and qualitative perspective on Gen Z response behaviors toward online CSR communication.
Culture, Habitus, and Society: A Multidimensional Sociological Perspective on Social Practices of Students in Higher Education in Pakistan
This study explores the interconnections between culture, habitus, and social practices among students in higher education in Pakistan. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional survey, the research targeted 316 students enrolled in BS (4-year) programs within the Faculty of Social Sciences at a public sector university, using stratified random sampling to ensure representativeness. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing students’ attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors, with reliability confirmed via a pilot study (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70). Analysis using descriptive statistics revealed that students’ social interactions, academic engagement, and everyday practices are shaped by the interplay of internalized dispositions, cultural norms, and institutional structures. The concept of habitus highlighted how prior experiences and social backgrounds influence students’ adaptation to the academic field, whereas cultural capital accounted for variations in access to knowledge, resources, and recognition. The findings demonstrate that student behaviors reflect negotiated identities, symbolic boundaries, and socially mediated expectations, positioning higher education simultaneously as a site of social reproduction and a space for agency and transformation. This study underscores the value of a multidimensional sociological lens in understanding student practices within Pakistan’s educational and cultural context.
PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES AND CONSUMER PREFERENCE AS DETERMINANTS OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR NUTRITIONALLY ENRICHED EGGS
The increasing demand of functional foods has highlighted the need to mark eggs with nutritional value but the reaction of consumers and readiness to sell and produce the products is poor in economies that are still developing such as Pakistan. The existing literature is mainly based on the developed markets and usually fails to explain the behavioural process by which the product characteristics determine the monetary valuation. This research fills this gap as it considers the influence of product attributes on consumer preference and subsequently willingness to pay premium-priced eggs enhanced with nutrients in the case of university students in Karachi, Pakistan. The research design was a quantitative and cross-sectional study conducted based on a structured questionnaire. The data were gathered among the students at the universities and the relationships involving the product attributes, consumer preference, the trust in the nutritional claims, prior purchase experience, and willingness to pay were tested by employing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that the product attributes also contribute a lot in the consumer preference with the introduction of the product attribute being able to explain it (R2 = 0.799). The relationship between product attributes and willingness to pay is entirely mediated by consumer preference, and the model has been found to explain 79.2% with the variance in WTP explained by the model (R2 = 0.792). Valuation behavior is also supported by trust in nutritional claims and previous purchase experience which proves the hypotheses put forward. The paper provides valuable new empirical evidence over the cases in Pakistan by incorporating behavior learning and attribute based theories that explain preference based valuation. These results can be helpful to policy-makers and manufacturers and present the basis of further longitudinal and cross-market studies. Keywords: Nutritionally enriched eggs; Product attributes; Consumer preference; Willingness to pay; Functional foods; Pakistan
This primary goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation while underlining the moderating effect of corruption, especially in the context of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Multiple hypotheses are tested through a panel data framework using a Random Effects Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression model. The study incorporates interaction terms to assess the moderating impact of corruption on innovation- and entrepreneurship-led growth. Data were compiled from World Bank, Global Innovation Index, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, UNCTAD, and IMF for the period 2010–2023. The results reveal that education and political stability are key drivers of economic growth, showing consistent positive effects. In contrast, innovation has a significant negative association with GDP per capita, suggesting structural or absorptive inefficiencies in the region. Entrepreneurship shows a positive but statistically insignificant effect, and corruption does not significantly moderate the relationships between innovation or entrepreneurship and growth. The findings suggest the need for BRICS nations to enhance institutional quality, improve innovation diffusion mechanisms, and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. Policymakers should consider institutional reforms and investment in education to maximize growth returns from innovation and entrepreneurship. This study builds on the Schumpeterian growth theory and explores Drucker’s perspective on the innovation–entrepreneurship nexus, extending prior models by incorporating corruption as a moderating institutional factor. Unlike prior studies that focus on developed economies, this paper contributes a novel empirical analysis of emerging markets using both traditional economic variables and institutional indicators. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Corruption, Innovation, Economic Growth, BRICS, Institutions, Schumpeter, Drucker.
Impact of Leadership Style, Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Culture on Organizational Performance: Mediation of Organizational Maturity
Higher education institutions in the contemporary age of globalization, digital transformation, and policy reforms are increasingly under pressure to become agile and innovative and to perform sustainable in their organizations. The given study explores the leadership style, knowledge sharing, and the organizational culture influence on organizational performance and business process maturity (BPM) is used as a mediating variables. The survey was done with 294 heads of departments in the higher educational institutions through cross-sectional survey by using convenience sampling. Five-point Likert scale measures were set to measure the five constructs.The results indicate leadership style plays a significant role in driving performance in an organization using BPM, which proves that well-formulated and mature processes are successful in transforming the strategic direction into practical results. The impact of organizational culture on performance is also positive through the BPM, and the importance of working together and oriented towards improvement cultural values is prominent in helping to induce process maturity. However, in contrast, knowledge sharing had minimal mediation with BPM meaning that in the absence of formal processes, knowledge sharing solely has a limited effect on organizational performance. BPM was identified to directly positively impact organizational performance highlighting its strategic importance in harmonizing processes, streamlining operations and leveraging leadership and cultural advantages. The research has a theoretical value, as it proves the fact that BPM is an essential intermediary of organizational motives and performance.
The Influence of Chatbot Service Features on Purchase Intentions
This article examines how chatbot service features shape purchase intention among chatbot users and online shoppers in Pakistan. Drawing on the DeLone and McLean information systems success model and the stimulus–organism–response framework, the study tests whether information quality, system quality, chatbot experience, and perceived customization influence purchase intention through customer satisfaction and brand relationship quality. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from 160 respondents with prior chatbot interaction experience and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS. The measurement model showed acceptable reliability and validity. In the structural model, information quality (β = 0.456, p = 0.002) and chatbot experience (β = 0.273, p = 0.021) significantly increased customer satisfaction, whereas system quality (β = −0.088, p = 0.492) and perceived customization (β = 0.239, p = 0.077) were not statistically significant. Customer satisfaction significantly strengthened brand relationship quality (β = 0.477, p < 0.001), but neither customer satisfaction nor brand relationship quality had a significant direct effect on purchase intention. Indirect effects showed that customer satisfaction transmitted the effects of information quality and chatbot experience to brand relationship quality, while the sequential indirect paths to purchase intention remained non-significant. The findings suggest that brands can use chatbots to improve satisfaction and relationship outcomes, yet additional determinants are needed to convert favorable chatbot experiences into stronger purchase intention in the Pakistani e-commerce context. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19055258
Building Supply Chain Resilience through Resilience Strategies and Risk Mitigation: A Study from Pakistan
The paper will examine the impact of some of the resilience measures on the sustainability of risk and efficiency of supply chain in tourism related supply chain in Karachi, Pakistan. It particularly talks about how these strategies have affected mitigation of risks and the performance. The paper uses the Dynamic Capability View (DCV) as the central conceptual framework to explore the relationship between the resilience strategies and sustainability risk mitigation along with supply chain resilience and supply chain performance. The analysis is done to describe the relationship of these constructs and what this would mean to managerial practice. The method used in the data collection process was the quantitative research design where a structured questionnaire was employed with a five-point Likert scale. The respondents were provided with the instrument to ascertain that the systematic and measurable data is acquired. The targeted respondents were individuals working in the supply chain of the tourism related ancillary service of the hotels, transport, and logistics. The sample consisted of diversified operations of the industry and this was achieved through the selection criterion. Pilot study was done in SPSS to determine instrument reliability. The second stage of screening of the data offered a final sample of 223 valid answers. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was conducted in SmartPLS, in order to test the hypothesis. The results showed that sustainable risks were mitigated by resiliency strategies, but the correlation between mitigation of sustainable risk, resiliency strategies, supply chain resiliency and supply chain performance have not been established.
Determinants Influencing the Growth of Women-Owned Micro and Small Businesses: A Quantitative Study of Rural Areas in Sindh Province
This study looks into the multi faceted drivers that determine the development of women owned micro and small businesses in rural Sindh Province in Pakistan. Following a quantitative approach, where data was gathered on 300 nascent female entrepreneurs in various rural districts of Sindh area, the analysis has been done using SPSS in its preliminary analysis and hence structural model and moderation analysis using smart PLS-SEM. The seven significant hypotheses in the research are the direct effects of the skills of the owner, family, social, market, and technological variables on the development of the business, as well as the modifying activities of the type of the business sector and governmental support. The findings support the hypothesis of innovative ability of the owner, the family support mechanism, and the digital adoption as key contributors to the growth of the business with significant and positive effects, whereas social aspects manifest a more complicated dual effect. Market factors indicate indirect and not direct effects. Notably, the examined study determines that the statistical significance of the moderating effects of both business industry and government subsistence has been important to multiple growth associations. These results offer the empirical evidence of the intersectional nature of the entrepreneurial success in conservative rural areas and present specific advice to policymakers, development organizations, and support organizations. The study enhances the use of the Resource-Based View and the Institutional Theory in the understanding of women micro-enterprises in third world economies and provides practical information necessary in the designing of context sensitive interventions, which can mitigate the never-ending obstacle women entrepreneurs in various fields of business.
Antecedent And Outcomes Of Job Embeddedness In Healthcare Sector: A Mediated Model
This research strives to establish that how the role of job embeddedness explains effect of inclusive leadership on two dependent variables: organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and employee resilience (ER) in nurses working in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan in times when organization’s ability to retain skilled healthcare professionals is becoming a significant challenge. Quantitative data is obtained by using a cross-sectional survey from 250 nursing staffs through self-administered questionnaires. A systematic sampling technique is employed to ensure a structured and representative selection of participants from the target population and data is analyzed using SPSS to test hypothesized relationships. Finally, this work shows that inclusive leadership leads to increased job embeddedness which when promoted increases overall OCB and resilience in workforce. Thus, the study demonstrates significance of approach that is based on idea of inclusive leadership that fosters a positive organisational climate and enhances exerted pressure on employees in regard to their commitment to the appointed positions. It presents guidelines for hospitals and healthcare organizations willing to enhance their leadership practices to foster employees’ job embeddedness aiming at staffing a highly engaged workforce, thereby providing a practical and theoretical value to this line of research.
Green Supply Chain Integration and Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The mediating roles of Green Innovation and Supply Chain Resilience, and the moderating roles of Green Value Co-Creation and Absorptive Capacity
The research focuses on how the Green Supply Chain Integration (GSCI) affects the Sustainable Supply Chain Performance (SSCP) and the parallel mediating role of Green Innovation (GInv) and Supply Chain Resilience (RES) in particular, and the possible moderating role of Green Value Co-Creation (GVCc) and Absorptive Capacity (AC) in particular. The study was based on the resource-based view, relational view and the knowledge-based perspective, and had a quantitative approach where primary data was gathered through a web-based survey of managers engaging in the supply chain and sustainability practices working in different industries. The mediated-moderated conceptual model was empirically constructed and analyzed with the help of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS software. The results show that, the direct relationship between the three dimensions of GSCI, which include Green Internal Integration, Green Customer Integration and Green Supplier Integration and SSCP, was not found to be significant after adjusting some factors between them therefore indicating that the relationship between them is largely indirect. Green Customer Integration (= 0.345, p = 0.001) and Green Internal Integration = 0.210, p = 0.037) became significant positive predictors of Green Innovation and no significant impact of Green Supplier Integration was noticed. The direct positive impact of Supply Chain Resilience on SSCP was the most consistent and strong (β = 0.296, p = 0.001), which emphasized the importance of the latter in the attainment of sustainable results in unstable conditions. In sum, the structural model was moderate to high in explanatory power, considering that it explained 47.8% to 52.4% of the variance in the endogenous constructs. The findings emphasize the fact that the role of green supply chain integration in sustainable performance is majorly indirect in nature with Supply Chain Resilience being the predominant means of transmission and Absorptive Capacity acting as an important enabling factor. These results criticize the simplistic direct-effect approaches and stress the strategic significance of building organizational resilience capacity and knowledge acquisition systems in making successful conversion of green integration initiatives into long-term sustainability benefits in a business world that is becoming more uncertain and disruptive.
Navigating Organizational Excellence: An Inquiry into the Impact of Justice Perceptions on Organizational Performance
This study will discuss the association between distributive justice (DJ), procedural justice (PJ) and interactional justice (IJ) and mediating employee trust on organizational performance in the pharmaceutical business in Karachi, Pakistan. The SmartPLS4.0 is used to add the representative data of 470 participants. The social exchange theory is applied through deductive reasoning of analyzing the hypothesis. The relationship of the dynamics in the organization, the perception and performance of the employees are developed using the method. The result of this research justifies a high level of correlation between distributive justice (DJ), Procedural Justice (PJ), and Interactional Justice (IJ) and employee performance through the mediating role of employee’ trust. Cultural fairness, and trust in the organization influences the performance of the organization and assists in achieving the organizational goals thus is inevitable to carry out fair policies, ethical leadership, and free communication channels. Keywords: Distributive Justice, Procedural Justice, Interactional Justice, Employee Trust, Organizational Performance, Pharmaceutical Sector https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18851090
Examining the Mediating Role of Employee Motivation between Training Programs and Employee Performance in the Banking Sector
This study investigates the mediating role of employee motivation between training programs and employee performance in the commercial banking sector. The research employs a quantitative design, using a structured questionnaire measured on a five point Likert scale to collect primary data. The study examines both the direct effects of training programs on performance and motivation as well as the indirect effects of training on performance through motivation. Understanding this relationship is crucial for organizations seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their training initiatives and enhance overall employee productivity. The findings reveal that training programs significantly enhance employee performance (β = 0.341, t = 5.21, p < 0.001) and positively influence employee motivation (β = 0.512, t = 8.03, p < 0.001). Employee motivation, in turn, significantly impacts performance (β = 0.482, t = 7.15, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirms that employee motivation partially mediates the relationship between training programs and performance, with an indirect effect of 0.247 (p < 0.001). These results indicate that while training directly improves performance, its effectiveness is substantially enhanced when employees are motivated to implement learned skills in their roles. The study highlights that combining structured training programs with strategies to enhance employee motivation leads to higher productivity, efficiency and service quality in the banking sector. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the importance of integrating training and motivational strategies to enhance employee performance. Practically, it suggests that organizations should design targeted training programs, implement intrinsic and extrinsic motivation mechanisms, conduct regular evaluations and align training with organizational goals to maximize effectiveness. The findings emphasize that employee motivation is a critical mechanism that ensures training outcomes translate into measurable improvements in performance, productivity and organizational effectiveness.
Between Home and the Blackboard: Marital Satisfaction, Spousal Expectations, and the Work-Life Struggle of Teachers
Objective: This paper has investigated the connection between spousal expectations, marital satisfaction, and work-life balance (WLB) among a group of teachers, who often have to face personal and professional stress nearly at the same time. Research Design: The study utilized correlational design and a sample of 400 teachers was purposely selected. The respondents were asked to take the Measure of Expectations for Partner (MEP), ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the Work Life Balance Scale. The analysis of data was performed with the help of descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, t-test, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: A review of the results showed that the spousal expectations and work-life balance had significant impact on marital satisfaction and explained 16% and 3% of the variance, respectively. There were no substantial gender differences but ANOVA showed that there were significant age groups differences. The mediation analysis revealed that worklife balance had a great impact on marital satisfaction that is mediated by spousal expectations. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need to assist teachers to reconcile the work obligation with personal relationships. By enabling educators to have clarity with regard to spousal expectations, it would be possible to positively impact marital satisfaction and wellbeing.
The Impact of Digital Relationship Marketing Capabilities towards One-to-One Customer Relationship Quality in Online Platform: The Mediating Role of Customer
This empirical study investigates the structural mechanisms governing how digital relationship marketing capabilities influence individualized customer relationship quality within the modern e-commerce ecosystem. Grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm, the research challenges the prevailing assumption that advanced technological interventions automatically generate relational bonds. The researchers deployed a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology, utilizing purposive sampling to collect primary data from 250 university students in Selangor, Malaysia, who actively engage with platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. The researchers analyzed the dataset utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics and the Hayes PROCESS macro to evaluate both direct and mediated pathways. The mathematical results reveal a compelling state of full mediation. While digital capabilities strongly predict customer perceived relevance, the direct impact of technological stimuli on relationship quality collapses to absolute statistical insignificance upon introducing the cognitive mediator. The study definitively proves that algorithms, data-driven insights, and omnichannel infrastructures completely fail to foster trust, commitment, or satisfaction unless the consumer explicitly interprets those interventions as contextually relevant. These findings compel e-commerce executives to abandon exploitative, volume-driven data extraction and adopt sustainable, value-centric personalization strategies that respect the human cognitive load. Keywords: Digital Relationship Marketing, Customer Perceived Relevance, S-O-R Paradigm, Customer Relationship Quality, E-commerce Algorithms, Mediation Analysis.
Impact of data privacy practices on mobile app adoption
Rapid growth in mobile applications has changed people's ideas about accessing services, communicating, and performing daily activities. It has also posed a barrier in using these applications because of increasing data privacy-related issues. The present study investigates the impact of data privacy practices on mobile app adoption, considering perceptions, trust, transparency, security measures, and data-sharing behaviors. Following a qualitative research design, the study was done by conducting seven semi-structured interviews with mobile app users in Lahore, Pakistan, from different professional and educational backgrounds. Thematic analysis was employed to derive major patterns and insights regarding privacy-driven adoption behavior. Findings reveal that users become much discomforted towards applications that require excessive and unnecessary personal information, significantly deterring their adoption intention. Transparencies within the privacy policies, particularly full and clear disclosure of data usage, appeared to be significant determinants creating trust among users. Trust was conceptualized as a mediating variable to use in linking privacy practices to the adoption decisions, especially for applications handling sensitive financial or personal data. Visible security features, such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and login alert, among others, positively influenced the hastening tendencies of users towards the adoption of mobile applications. The authors have also categorized users based on their selective data-sharing approaches whereby sensitive information would be withheld unless absolutely required for the core app functionality. It contributes to the literature by providing a round perspective on how privacy practices influence mobile app adoption on the user side. Findings of this study are helpful for the app developers, marketers, and policymakers with the need for privacy-centric design, transparent communication, and sound security measures to build up trust, adoption, and continuous user engagement.
Leading for Creativity in Projects: How Authentic Leadership Translates into Project Success through Employee Creativity and Cross-Functional Integration
Purpose: This research investigates the contribution of authentic leadership to project success in project-based organizations under what circumstances and how through looking at the mediating role played by employee creativity and the moderating role played by cross-functional integration. Design/methodology/approach: It is suggested that a moderated mediation model be developed based on the leadership and project management literature, with employee creativity linking the authentic leadership and project success, and cross-functional integration linking the authentic leadership and employee creativity. The study involved the use of cross-sectional survey of 215 project-based organization employees in Pakistan. Regression-based mediation and moderation analyses together with the bootstrapping procedures were used to test hypotheses. Findings: The findings show that authentic leadership is also in a positive association with employee creativity, which subsequently has a positive impact on the project success. There is a complete mediation between authentic leadership and project success with employee creativity implying that leadership has a major influence on project outcomes via innovative work behaviors. Moreover, cross-functional integration also enhances the positive correlation between authentic leadership and employee creativity that creates an indirect impact on project success in project environments characterized by high levels of integration. Originality/value: The research contributes to the project management literature by shedding light on the behavioral process, via which authentic leadership is converted to project success and cross-functional integration is designated as one of the contextual boundaries’ conditions. Its results provide practical information to those involved in projects and organizations who are aiming to improve the performance of projects by developing their leaders, fostering creativity and inter-functional cooperation.
Factors Demand Electric Vehicles: A Meta-Analysis
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is influenced by economic, infrastructural, psychological, and policy-related factors, but the magnitude and consistency of these impacts vary across empirical studies.A meta-analytic framework was employed in this research to summarize the EV adoption literature quantitatively. By identifying 9 independent study-country units (total N=32,479), the authors extracted effect sizes (standardized coefficients (β), elasticities, marginal effects, willingness-to-pay (WTP) values) to be pooled and described the variability between studies even though formal heterogeneity statistics (Q, I²) were not available due to a lack of reported standard errors. The pooled (β) findings indicated that technology perceptions had the most substantial positive impact on adoption intention (mean β≈0.29, k=3), social influence (β=0.19, k=3), and environmental concern (β=0.17, k=2) ranked next.The analysis of charging-related variables revealed that the effects were quite mixed (β=0.01, k=4), positive being seen as facilitating conditions and negative as barriers; technological constraints (limited range, slow charging) had a consistent negative effect (β= 0.36, k=1). Price factors were heterogeneous: financial barriers (β= −0.75) and positive perceived value (β=0.23) yielded an overall negative mean (β=−0.26, k=2). EV demand was highly sensitive to purchase price (elasticity=-2.0) and operating cost (elasticity=−1.2, k=2 each), with charging infrastructure positively associated with sales (elasticity=1.22, k=1). WTP estimates showed consumers paid a premium for lower costs, extended range, and faster charging. Moderator patterns indicated stronger charging and cost effects in developing markets, with psychological and social factors consistent across contexts. The present study gathers the factors leading to the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), elucidates the relative importance of the main factors, and identifies gaps, mainly the lack of studies on driving range and policy incentives.
The Impact of Frontline Employees’ Organizational Citizenship Behavior on Customer Loyalty: The Roles of Perceived Service Quality and Customer Trust
The frontline employee behavior is important in the highly competitive and service-driven banking environments, in revealing customer experiences and long-term relationships. This paper relies on the Social Exchange Theory to test how Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) of frontline employees in banks increases customer loyalty, where perceived service quality, operating as a mediating variable, and customer trust, as a moderating variable. A quantitative research design was applied, where data was gathered using structured questionnaires on the customers of the commercial banks. To test the hypotheses, the Structural Equation Modeling was utilized. The findings show that the direct and indirect influence of OCB on customer loyalty is positive and significant because of the improvement in service quality perceptions. Also the relationship between OCB and perceived service quality was found to be strengthened by customer trust which underscored the importance of customer trust as a crucial boundary condition in employee-customer exchange relationships. The results have value to the literature by expanding the OCB studies to customer-based results and also by merging organizational behavior and service marketing views. In practice, the research highlights the strategic value of developing citizenship behavior among frontline workers to improve service delivery, create customer loyalty, and long-term loyalty in the banking industry
Effects of Green Transformational Leadership and Green HRM on Employee’s Environmental Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Commitment and the Moderating Effect of Perceived Organizational Support
This research explores how GTL and GHRM influence EEP synergistically, with GC as a mediating variable and POSE as a moderating variable. With increased climate change and resource scarcity, organizations are under greater pressure to go green, and, therefore, leadership and human resource management play a critical role in shaping the employee's behavior toward environmental sustainability. By using the AMO model and the Transformational Leadership Theory, the study explores how Green Talent Leadership and Green Human Resource Management align with organizational sustainability goals by encouraging environmentally sensitive employee behavior. This quantitative cross-sectional research used partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data from 402 employees in Pakistan's vast manufacturing sectors, including textiles, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The findings support that GTL and GHRM have a significant effect on EEP, and GHRM also enhances GC. Furthermore, GC partially mediates the relationship between GHRM and EEP, whereas POSE has a significant effect on the relationship between GTL and EEP. The study implies that integrating leadership, HRM policies, and organizational support systems is required for eliciting sustainable environmental response behavior. These findings further add to the growing literature on green organizational behavior and present some actionable recommendations for enterprises, particularly those in developing countries, toward enhanced environmental sustainability through strategic leadership and human resource practices.
Determinants of the Customer Satisfaction towards E-Pharmacy in Pakistan: A Mediating Role of Service Quality and Trust on Platform
This study examines the determinants of customer satisfaction and trust on platform-based services by integrating perceived benefits, perceived security, perceived privacy, and perceived issues within the SERVQUAL framework. Data were collected from 594 individuals aged 18 years and above across urban and rural areas of Pakistan using a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire and convenience sampling. PLS-SEM was employed to test direct and mediating relationships. Results indicate that perceived benefits and privacy positively influence service quality, while perceived issues negatively affect it, and perceived security shows no significant effect. Service quality enhances satisfaction but negatively affects trust, while trust positively impacts satisfaction. Mediation analyses reveal complex pathways through which service quality and trust shape satisfaction, providing theoretical and practical insights for platform-based services. These findings offer actionable guidance for platform managers to enhance service design, strengthen privacy measures, manage operational issues effectively, and build trust, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and long-term engagement.
Skill-Based and Market-Oriented Curriculum in Higher Education: An Empirical Study of Pakistani Universities
Skill-based and market-oriented higher education curriculum might support social and economic growth in Pakistan. Curriculum design continues to be essential to national development since education is essential for promoting social harmony, cultural awareness, economic production, and personal development. The aim of this study is to examine the role of a skill-based and market-oriented higher education curriculum in promoting social and economic development in Pakistan by analyzing students’ perceptions regarding curriculum dimensions, social outcomes, and sector-wise differences between public and private universities. The study focuses on important curriculum elements such as technical skill development, religious and life skills, agricultural education, physical education, social transformation, and health awareness. Data were gathered from 600 students enrolled in public and private colleges using a quantitative study design. Students' opinions on how the curriculum contributes to social and economic growth in public and private schools did not significantly differ, according to statistical research. The results show that in order to satisfy the demands of the labor market and society today, curricular reforms that prioritize experiential learning, practical competences, and the integration of skill-based and market-aligned topics are necessary. According to the study's findings, Pakistan needs a contemporary, adaptable, and competency-focused higher education curriculum to increase graduate employability, promote sustainable social development, and produce law-abiding, productive citizens. It suggests boosting funding for higher education, updating the curriculum frequently, adding technical and practical courses, and using cutting-edge teaching methods that meet international standards.