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.
An Advanced AI-Driven Risk Assessment Framework for U.S. Banking Institutions: Integrating Predictive Financial Analytics, Regulatory-Aware Governance and Cybersecurity Risk Intelligence
This study proposes an advanced AI-driven risk assessment framework for U.S. banking institutions by integrating predictive financial analytics, regulatory-aware governance, and cybersecurity risk intelligence within a unified decision-support model. The research responds to the increasing complexity of the U.S. banking environment, where financial instability, regulatory pressure, digital fraud, third-party dependency, and cyber threats require more adaptive and intelligent risk-management systems. Existing banking risk models often operate in isolated domains, limiting their ability to provide real-time, cross-functional, and explainable risk insights. A secondary and simulation-based dataset was developed using publicly available U.S. banking indicators, Federal Reserve financial stability variables, FDIC bank performance data, anonymized transactional risk records, cyber threat intelligence feeds, fraud-alert logs, and regulatory compliance indicators. The final dataset consisted of 125,000 banking-risk observations categorized into five major risk classes: credit default risk, liquidity stress, operational failure, regulatory non-compliance, and cybersecurity intrusion. The proposed framework was implemented using Python 3.11, Jupyter Notebook, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow/Keras, XGBoost, SHAP, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, SQL-based storage, and Power BI visualization. The methodological process included data cleaning, missing-value treatment, z-score normalization, SMOTE-based class balancing, feature engineering, correlation filtering, and an 80:20 train–test split with five-fold cross-validation. Several machine-learning and deep-learning models were evaluated, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, Long Short-Term Memory networks, and a proposed hybrid XGBoost–LSTM ensemble. SHAP explainability was incorporated to improve model transparency, while the regulatory-governance layer mapped AI-generated risk scores against U.S. supervisory expectations related to model validation, cybersecurity controls, operational resilience, auditability, and compliance traceability. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid XGBoost–LSTM ensemble outperformed all baseline models, achieving 96.4% accuracy, 95.8% precision, 96.1% recall, 95.9% F1-score, and 0.982 ROC-AUC. Compared with Logistic Regression, the proposed framework improved classification accuracy by 14.7%, reduced false-risk alerts by 31.6%, and decreased average risk-detection latency from 2.8 seconds to 0.9 seconds. It also enhanced regulatory-risk scoring consistency by 22.4% and cybersecurity incident prioritization by 27.8%. These findings confirm that integrated AI-driven risk assessment can strengthen early-warning capability, compliance readiness, cyber-resilience, and strategic decision-making across U.S. banking institutions.
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Artificial Intelligence and Fintech Disruption in Global Financial Markets: An Empirical Analysis
This research examines the disruptive impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology (fintech) on financial markets worldwide from 2022 to 2025. We use a mixed-methods research design across 48 advanced and emerging market economies that includes panel data regression, difference-in-differences (DID) estimation, and qualitative case analysis to document that algorithmic trading in the equity market using AI has increased by 34 percentage points from 2020 to now, accounting for 72.4% of daily equity turnover in G7 markets. Our results also show that credit costs for households are 187 basis points lower on average than for traditional bank credit channels, even after controlling for the effects of fintech credit intermediaries. To identify the impact of the adverse AI-related regulatory disclosures on the market liquidity, we use an event-study methodology that employs 214 regulatory announcements from 2024 to 2026. Using an event study methodology applied to 214 adverse AI-related regulatory announcements between 2024 and 2026, we find a statistically significant reduction in the market liquidity within the first 72 hours of the AI disclosure (β = −0.38, p < 0.001). There are also strong signs that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are affecting monetary policy transmission mechanisms in jurisdictions experimenting with them. The results have implications for prudential regulators, central banks, institutional investors, and policymakers interested in systemic risk, financial inclusion, and market integrity in a future, algorithmically created financial ecosystem.
From Screens to Shopping Carts: How Information Quality and Interaction Quality in Live-Streaming Commerce Drive Compulsive Buying Behavior
The rapid proliferation of live-streaming commerce has reshaped consumer–seller relationships, blurring the boundary between entertainment and shopping. While streamers cultivate intimacy with viewers, this same intimacy may exacerbate maladaptive consumption patterns, most notably compulsive buying behavior (CBB). Drawing on Social Presence Theory, Para-Social Interaction Theory, and Social Comparison Theory, this study tests a model in which information quality and interaction quality act as twin streamer-controlled stimuli influencing three parallel psychosocial mediators parasocial interaction (PSI), social presence, and upward social comparison which in turn drive CBB, with self-discrepancy positioned as a moderator. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, drawing on survey data from 229 young consumers aged 18 to 35 years in Pakistan who actively engage with live-streaming commerce. Data were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) in IBM SPSS Statistics (v.27) and IBM SPSS AMOS (v.24), following the two-step procedure of Anderson and Gerbing (1988). The structural model showed that information quality and interaction quality significantly predicted PSI, social presence, and upward social comparison, and that PSI (β = .815), upward social comparison (β = .387), and self-discrepancy were significant positive predictors of CBB, whereas social presence exerted a small negative effect (β = −.211). The model explained 83% of the variance in CBB. The study advances theory by integrating media-effects and consumer-psychology streams and offers implications for platform designers, marketers, and policymakers.
ENHANCING MANAGERIAL INTRAPRENEURSHIP: THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL, WELL-BEING, WORK–LIFE BALANCE, AND LEARNING AGILITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR
Purpose – Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, this study examines how four personal resources - psychological capital, employee well-being, work–life balance, and learning agility - influence managers' innovative work behavior, and whether innovative work behavior functions as the mechanism translating these resources into managerial intrapreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a positivist, deductive, quantitative design, data were collected via a cross-sectional survey of 241 managers in the banking sector using validated multi-item scales. The hypothesized model was tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS, following established measurement and structural model assessment procedures. Findings – All five hypotheses were supported. Learning agility and psychological capital emerged as the strongest antecedents of innovative work behavior, while well-being and work–life balance exerted significant but weaker, facilitative effects. Innovative work behavior demonstrated the strongest path in the model, confirming its role as the proximal behavioral mechanism linking personal resources to managerial intrapreneurship. Originality/value – This study offers one of the first integrated, resource-based examinations of managerial intrapreneurship that positions innovative work behavior as the central mediating mechanism, advancing both theory and practice in positive organizational behavior.
Social Pressure and Excessive Wedding Spending: Financial Stress among Middle-Class Parents in Pakistan
Over the last few years, the wedding rituals in Pakistan have become expensive due to social acceptance, community pressure, dowry burdens, and pomp and display. This study examines the effects of social pressure and overspending on weddings on financial stress for the middle-class parents of Pakistan. The study draws on Social Comparison Theory as well as Veblen's theory of conspicuous consumption to examine three Independent Variables namely Conspicuous Consumption (CC), Community Spending Norms (CSN) and Dowry Practices (DP) and their influence on the mediating variable Ceremonial Expenditures (CE); the moderating variable Socioeconomic Status (SS) and the collective impact of these independent variables on Financial Stress (FS). This was a quantitative cross-sectional survey design with the inclusion of n = 225 middle-class parents from all over Pakistan. Moderated mediation pathways were tested using Hayes (Hayes, 2017a) PROCESS Macro (Model 7) on SPSS. Results show that Ceremonial Expenditures plays a significant mediation role between all three predictors and Financial Stress, and a significant moderation role between Socioeconomic Status and the Dowry Practices-Ceremonial Expenditures pathway (Index of Moderated Mediation = 0.0904, 95% CI [0.0243, 0.1736]. The results suggest useful implications for financial counseling, social policy, and financial education interventions with pre-marital financial planning in Pakistani society.
Digital Transformation, Employee Burnout and Work Engagement: Examining the Mediating Role of Technostress in Pakistani Organizations
Digital transformation has become essential for improving efficiency and service delivery in the banking sector, yet its effects on employee well-being and work engagement remain an important concern, particularly in developing-country contexts such as Pakistan. This study examined the effects of digital transformation on employee burnout and work engagement, with technostress as a mediating mechanism, among employees of public, private conventional, and Islamic commercial banks operating in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A quantitative, explanatory, and cross-sectional research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire using proportionate stratified sampling. A total of 460 questionnaires were distributed, of which 391 usable responses were retained for analysis. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS, while the mediating effects were tested through the Preacher and Hayes bootstrapping procedure using PROCESS Model 4 with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The findings showed that digital transformation had significant positive effects on technostress, employee burnout, and work engagement. Technostress significantly increased employee burnout but reduced work engagement. The mediation analysis further revealed that technostress partially mediated the relationship between digital transformation and employee burnout and competitively mediated the relationship between digital transformation and work engagement. These findings demonstrate that digital transformation has a dual effect on employees because it can improve engagement through greater efficiency while simultaneously creating technology-related pressure that increases exhaustion and weakens involvement in work. The study concludes that banks should support digital transformation with continuous training, user-friendly systems, technical assistance, manageable workloads, employee participation, and appropriate limits on after-hours digital communication to protect employee well-being and sustain work engagement.
The Impact of Green Transformational Leadership, and Green Human Resource Management on Green Innovation Performance: Moderating Role of Green Organizational Culture.
With the current trend of environmental sustainability across the globe, companies are adapting their strategies and prioritizing more towards green innovation. This study investigates the effect of Green Transformational Leadership (GTL) and Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on Green Innovation Performance (GIP), and studies the moderating effect of Green Organizational Culture (GOC) on these relationships. The research adopts the Natural Resource Based View (NRBV) and the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory, all in an effort of building a holistic framework to better understand the relationship between the leadership and HR practices to derive eco-friendly outcomes. A structured survey was used to collect data from small and medium size enterprises of Punjab, Pakistan. In this process 316 questionnaires were retained (70.2% response rate). Of these, 316 questionnaires were retained after discarding incomplete and inconsistent responses. The study tested the relations as shown in the model through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that GTL and GHRM have high and positive influence on GIP. In addition, GOC has a relevant role in reinforcing the relationships between GTL and GIP, and between GHRM and GIP, so that these positive impacts are more evident in organizations with a strong culture of pro-environment. The model accounts for 64.7% of the variance in the green innovation performance. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach where strategic leadership, HR development and a positive culture all work together to improve green innovation results in a green market.
IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION
The current research aims at examining the effects of transformational, transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles on organizational performance, employee motivation as a mediator and HR practices as a moderator in the corporate and service sectors in Pakistan. The respondent population size (300) was used to measure the data through a structured survey tool and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings prove that the three leadership styles have a significant impact on motivating employees and on the performance of the organization. These relationships are completely mediated by employee motivation whereas the HR practices moderately affect the relationship between motivation and performance. The model accounts for 52.9% variation in organizational performance. Results are an addition to the body of leadership and motivation research in an emerging economy setting and have practical implications on the organizational strategists and HR practitioners. Keywords: Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, Laissez-Faire Leadership, Employee Motivation, Organizational Performance, HR Practices, Pakistan
The Role of Entrepreneurship Education in Cultivating Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Students: Evidence from the University Context
This study aims to explore the effect of Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intentions of university students with the perspective of three components namely: Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Entrepreneurial Skills Development and Experiential Entrepreneurial Learning. The main goal was to examine the relationships and prediction of these dimensions' effects on students' entrepreneurial intentions. The method used was quantitative research with the number of respondents in the study which was 353 students of the University who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the measurement scales were evaluated by the Cronbach's Alpha (α) and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure. The results showed satisfactory reliability and sampling adequacy for all variables. The correlation results showed the strong positive and statistically significant relationships between Entrepreneurial Knowledge (r = .847, p < .001), Entrepreneurial Skills Development (r = .864, p < .001), Experiential Entrepreneurial Learning (r = .699, p < .001) and Entrepreneurial Intentions. Also, multiple regression analysis showed that all three dimensions were significant in predicting Entrepreneurial Intentions. Entrepreneurial Skills Development was the biggest predictor (β = .486, p < .001), next was Entrepreneurial Knowledge (β = .247, p < .001), and Experiential Entrepreneurial Learning was the third (β = .245, p < .001). The overall regression model was highly significant (F = 466.659, p < .001) with an R² of .800 which indicates that 80% of the variance in Entrepreneurial Intentions was explained. The results indicate that the role of entrepreneurship education in the entrepreneurial intentions among students is significant. The study finds that increased entrepreneurial knowledge, building of entrepreneurial skills and experiential learning opportunities can greatly stimulate students to choose entrepreneurship as a career. The findings have important implications for educational institutions, policy makers, and entrepreneurship educators who wish to foster future entrepreneurs and enhance economic development.
GOVERNANCE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUCCESS FACTORS FOR DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a new instrument that has emerged as a strategic enabler for governance transformation and digitalization in developing countries. Even with substantial investments, many DPI programs don't produce the desired impacts because they suffer from poor governance, poor coordination, inadequate institutional capacity, and poor project management. Stakeholder engagement, risk management, and digital readiness are also critical issues that can further constrain the implementation and service delivery of the problem. The aim of this study is to study and investigate major governance and project management success factors and their connection to the performance of DPI programs in developing countries. The research also seeks to build an understanding of how institutional governance and project implementation practices jointly account for project success. The research design was quantitative research with synthesized study of literature from the last five years (2024-2026) and comparative analysis of studies with DPI implementation. Policies and practice were explored, including characteristics of leadership, policy consistency, stakeholder coordination, readiness of digital infrastructure, and monitoring systems. The major results show that governance quality has the greatest impact on DPI success, with institutional capacity and project management maturity coming in next. Good coordination, clear accountability systems and flexible project implementation techniques can make a huge difference in the success of a project, as well as in minimising project failures. It is concluded that to achieve DPI success, the governance framework needs to be interwoven with project management practices. Digital ecosystems and institutional capacity building in developing countries can have a huge impact on improving the efficiency of public service delivery and sustainability. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20735058
Enhancing Bank Performance through e-HRM Practices: The Moderating Role of Technology Adoption
To enhance performance in the banking sector, financial institutions are increasingly adopting electronic human resource management (e-HRM) practices to manage the rapid digitalisation of HR functions. This study investigates the impact of e-recruitment and selection, e-training and development, and HR analytics on bank performance, while examining the moderating role of technology adoption. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected from employees of commercial banks across Sindh, Pakistan. Structural equation modeling tested the hypothesised relationships among the variables. Findings reveal that e-HRM practices positively and significantly influence bank performance. Additionally, technology adoption significantly moderates this relationship, indicating that the effect of e-HRM on performance is stronger in banks with higher levels of technological readiness. This underscores the critical role of organisational and technological preparedness in maximising the benefits of digital HR initiatives. The study contributes to the e-HRM literature by highlighting how technology enhances the effectiveness of HR practices in achieving organisational outcomes. Practically, it suggests that investments in e-HRM systems must be accompanied by appropriate technological infrastructure. These insights are valuable for bank managers and policymakers aiming to improve sector performance through digital HR innovations.
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change, and especially in developing countries, where farming is a large part of the livelihoods. Pakistan is one of the highly vulnerable countries to climate change even though it has a very low contribution in the global greenhouse gas emission. Increasing temperatures, frequently followed by droughts and irregular rainfall, floods and pest outbreaks in the region of Southern Punjab are all jeopardizing the agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. This study evaluated the vulnerability of agricultural populations to climate change in four major agricultural districts of Southern Punjab (Muzaffargarh, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan) within the framework developed by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is based on three components: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capability. A cross sectional survey was carried out with 160 farmers selected at random, with a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, one-way ANOVA, bootstrapped mediation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for data analysis. The measurement model was found to be reliable and valid, with c range from 0.89 to 0.92 and CFI and RMSEA measure of model fit indices were acceptable. The level of farmers' exposure (M = 4.12), sensitivity (M = 3.88) and adaptive capacity (M = 3.19) were high, moderate and relatively moderate, respectively. The results of correlation and SEM showed that exposure (β = 0.52; p < 0.001) and sensitivity (β = 0.33; p < 0.001) significantly increased climate change vulnerability while adaptive capacity significantly reduced vulnerability (β = –0.47; p < 0.001). Multiple regression results showed that education, farm size, extension services and access to climate information were significant negative predictor variables of vulnerability while age had a positive association with vulnerability. The model accounted for 66% of the variability in the vulnerability (Adjusted R² = 0.64). There were significant spatial variations between districts (F = 19.81, p < 0.001) with Muzaffargarh showing the highest vulnerability and Rahim Yar Khan showing the lowest. Additionally, mediation analysis showed that extension services partially mediated the relationship between extension services and climate change vulnerability. The results highlight the need to bolster adaptive capacity to climate change to decrease farmers vulnerability to climate change, such as by enhancing agricultural extension services, providing timely climate information, farmer education, institutional support, and climate resilient agricultural policies. The study offers empirical evidence in favor of adaptation planning and policy interventions at the district level for improving the resilience of agriculture communities in climate sensitive areas of Pakistan. Key Words: Climate, Vulnerability, Impact, Community
INVESTMENT BANK REPUTATION AND IPO UNDERPRICING: EVIDENCE FROM EMERGING MARKETS
This study examines the relationship between investment bank reputation and IPO underpricing in the Pakistani capital market. IPO underpricing occurs when the offer price of newly issued shares is lower than the first-day market price, resulting in positive initial returns for investors but potential capital loss for issuing firms. The study adopts a quantitative research approach and uses secondary IPO-level data from Pakistan Stock Exchange records, IPO prospectuses, company reports, and related public sources. IPO underpricing is used as the dependent variable, while investment bank reputation is used as the main independent variable. Issue size, oversubscription, book building method, and sector controls are included as control variables. The data are analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results show that investment bank reputation has a negative but statistically insignificant effect on IPO underpricing, suggesting partial support for the certification hypothesis. However, oversubscription has a positive and statistically significant effect, indicating that investor demand is a major driver of IPO underpricing in Pakistan. Issue size shows a negative marginal effect, while book building and sector controls remain statistically insignificant. The findings suggest that reputable investment banks may help reduce uncertainty in IPO pricing, but investor demand plays a stronger role in explaining first-day IPO returns. The study contributes to IPO literature by providing evidence from an emerging market context and highlights the need for improved IPO pricing transparency, stronger disclosure practices, and more effective demand management in Pakistan.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC SIZE, DISTANCE AND TRADE AGREEMENTS ON PAKISTAN'S EXPORTS: EVIDENCE FROM A GRAVITY MODEL APPROACH
Economic integration through global trade is a powerful driver of growth and productivity and brings developing economies into the fold of the worldwide marketplace. Pakistan possesses a myriad of resources for trade yet has not experienced the same level of export growth as other developing markets. To develop trade policy, it is crucial to identify the factors that impact export performance in Pakistan. Using the international trade Gravity Model, this research aims to analyze the effects of trade size, distance, and agreements on the exports of Pakistan. The Gravity Model asserts that trade flows have a positive correlation to the trade size of the countries and a negative correlation to the distance that separates the countries. Furthermore, export performance is impacted by the extent to which trade agreements (of a regional or bilateral nature) are implemented, as these overcome barriers to trade and lessen cost disparities. The panel data will cover the years 2000 to 2026 and will include the primary trading partners of Pakistan. The size of the economy is represented by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Distance is conceptualized as the cost of information and transportation. A dummy variable will represent SAFTA, CPFTA, and other trade agreements. The effects of zero trade and heteroscedasticity will be mitigated by the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimator in the equation. The study concludes with policies to increase Pakistan's export competitiveness and enhance its integration into global value chains.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TRADE OPENNESS ON DEVELOPMENT: AN ECONOMETRIC AND OPTIMIZATION FRAMEWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
Currently, trade openness is one of several drivers of economic development globally. Most liberalized trade policies connect national economies to global markets. National policies like this create opportunities for economic growth, new technology, jobs, and decrease poverty. To what degree trade openness leads to development is open for discussion to varying degrees among economists and policymakers. Open trade policies mean better investment, better allocation of scarce resources, and better diffusion of innovations. Critics argue this leads to income inequality, loss of industries, and exposure to shocks. This research aims to answer the question of what effect does trade openness have on economic development. An econometric and optimization design is applied to this question. This study employs panel data for a select number of developed and developing countries in a twenty-year study. The indicators for economic development in this study were GDP growth per capita, the human development index, and employment. Trade openness, in this case, is the ratio of total trade to GDP. The development outcomes are estimated in the study using fixed and random effects regression models. Risk and reward were considered as an optimization design to determine the trade openness with the best developmental benefits. The findings indicate that trade openness and economic development have a positive, statistically significant correlation. Keywords: Trade Openness, Economic Development, Econometric Analysis, Optimization Framework, International Economics.
The Efficacy of Low-Intensity Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Employee Turnover Intentions and Team Productivity: A Single-Group Pre-Post Study
Employee turnover and declining productivity remain pressing concerns for organizations operating in competitive labor markets. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third-wave behavioral intervention centered on psychological flexibility, has shown promise in occupational settings, yet brief, low-intensity adaptations suitable for workplace delivery remain comparatively underexplored. The present study examined the efficacy of a six-session, low-intensity ACT intervention on turnover intentions and self-rated productivity among employees recruited through snowball sampling via social media and LinkedIn. Using a single-group pre-post design, 30 employed adults completed the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6, adapted from Mobley's conceptualization of withdrawal cognitions) and the Task Performance subscale of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) before and after the intervention. Paired-samples t-tests revealed a statistically significant reduction in turnover intentions and a statistically significant increase in self-rated productivity from pre- to post-intervention, both with large effect sizes. Findings suggest that even a brief, low-intensity ACT protocol may meaningfully reduce employees' intentions to leave their organization while improving perceived task performance. Implications for organizational mental health programming, along with limitations related to design, sampling, and measurement, are discussed.
Impact of Exchange Rate Fluctuation and Political Instability on Economic Growth of Pakistan
This study examines how exchange rate volatility and political instability have influenced Pakistan's economic growth between 1980 and 2024, based on annual time-series data. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate is the dependent variable, with the exchange rate and a political instability index serving as the primary explanatory variables. To investigate these relationships, the study utilizes Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression via EViews while ensuring that standard econometric diagnostics for model validity are applied. Empirical findings indicate that exchange rate depreciation significantly hinders economic growth, suggesting that currency volatility negatively impacts investment, trade, and overall economic performance. Furthermore, political instability hinders growth, indicating that governance uncertainty, inconsistent policies, and weak institutions erode investor confidence and dampen economic activity. The analysis underscores the interconnectedness of macroeconomic and political stability, illustrating that Pakistan's sustainable economic growth depends on the prudent management of both financial markets and political institutions.
The Role of Green Finance in Advancing Sustainable Battery Recycling Technologies
As EVs and renewable energy storage become more ubiquitous, waste accumulation, resource depletion, and environmental pollution are growing concerns. Despite recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, many companies in the battery recycling sector are burdened by investment and risk. While recycling batteries could help recover these valuable materials, many businesses in the sector are struggling with high capital costs, uncertain returns, and a lack of policy support. This article explores the potential of green finance to facilitate sustainable battery recycling technologies and foster the circular economy. The study is of a mixed-methods design, bringing together policy analysis, case comparisons, and a second-style quantitative dataset for six world regions from 2021 to 2024. As illustrated in the analysis, green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, carbon finance, or public–private investment could enhance research capacity, develop recycling infrastructure, and boost recycling efficiency. However, as a useful form of financial aid, it's always accompanied by clear regulations, risk-sharing mechanisms, and robust environmental reporting. The article argues that green finance can serve as a governance instrument to steer the battery recycling business toward cleaner technology, enhanced resource recovery, and reduced emissions.
Perspectives on Islamic Equities, Financial Contagion, and Risk Management: Benefits of Precious Metals
This research paper examined the hedging effectiveness, dynamic de pendence, safe haven ability and portfolio diversification benefits of alternative assets (Precious Metals) with Conventional and Islamic stock indices. The data ranged March 2011 to March 2021 and copula model with switching dependence is used. The estimated transition probabilities have shown high persistence of the same dependence regime in all estimated pairs. The research documented that the use of precious metals with stocks for diversification is a favorable choice, proving them to be best suitable solution to avoid risks. They also provide save heaven effect along with diversification benefits. Risk reduction benefits vary with respect to portfolio types. Findings of the research reveal that negative shocks pushes investors to seek refuge in safe haven assets in order to safeguard their investments from extreme negative shocks. For most of the situations studied, precious metals provides the best and effective hedge to stock returns. Overall addition of alternative assets in stocks portfolio reduces risks and provide better diversification benefit. Results vary depending upon the circumstances of the country. These findings endow with useful insights for policy makers, fund managers, investors, and risk management practitioner.
Linking Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Performance: A Moderated Approach
Purpose- This study is an attempt to analyze the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure on Corporate Performance and evaluates the moderating effect of Sustainable Business Practices related to water conservation and waste management. The focus of the study is on non-financial firms working in Pakistan, a developing country confronting environmental sustainability issues. Design/Methodology/Approach- For the purpose of conducting this study, a panel sample consisting of 25 non-financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange for the years 2018 to 2024 has been taken, with 175 firm-year observations. Panel regression methods were used, with the use of software STATA. The financial measures adopted for analyzing firm performance were ROA, ROE, and Revenue. For the moderating role of Sustainable Business Practices, an index was created based on the disclosure of firms engaged in sustainable practices related to water conservation and waste management. Findings- The findings suggest that Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditures itself does not systematically translate into higher firm performance and the direct effects on profitability measures are found to be weak. However, the interaction between Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure and Sustainable Business Practices is positive and statistically significant for ROA and ROE which indicates that Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditures can only contribute to profitability when it is rooted in substantive sustainability practices. While, revenue performance is mainly driven by the firm size rather than CSR-related investments. Practical Implications- The results show that there is a need for the alignment of the Corporate Social Responsibility activities with sustainable efforts to bring about the expected financial gains. Companies need to focus on incorporating their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts within their sustainability activities instead of having symbolic or standalone Corporate Social Responsibility activities, while policy makers should promote regulatory frameworks that incentivize substantive environmental engagement. Originality/Value-The study advances CSRE and corporate performance literature by highlighting conditional nature of CSR financial effects in an emerging economy. By highlighting the moderating role of water related Sustainable Business Practices in Pakistan, the study provides novel evidence on how CSR expenditure can be transformed into tangible profitability outcomes.
A PARADIGM SHIFT IN ISLAMIC FINANCE INDUSTRY: VALUE BASED INTERMEDIATION, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX, ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT, AND SOCIAL IMPACT FINANCING
This study presents a comprehensive examination of the transformative potential of Islamic finance in advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs). It underscores the unique position of Islamic finance, with its ethical and moral foundations, to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic development. The paper highlights innovative financial instruments like Zakat, Waqf, and green Sukuk, which not only align with but also actively promote SDGs. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it advocates for a paradigm shift towards integrating sustainability into the core of financial systems. The analysis includes challenges in harmonizing Human Development Indexes (HDIs) with Ecological Footprints (EFs), proposing strategies for sustainable development, ecological conservation, and educational reforms. This study is pivotal for policymakers, financial institutions, and educators, providing a roadmap for leveraging Islamic finance towards achieving a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive global economy.‎ Keywords: Islamic Finance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environmental Sustainability, Social Impact Financing, Ecological Footprint‎.
EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE PROCESSES: HIRING AND APPRAISAL
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into human resource management has transformed traditional practices such as hiring and performance appraisal. This study explores employee attitudes toward the use of AI in these processes, focusing on perceptions of fairness, transparency, and trust. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with employees across diverse organizational settings. Findings reveal a mix of optimism and skepticism: while many employees appreciate AI’s potential to reduce bias, enhance efficiency, and streamline decision-making, concerns persist regarding data privacy, lack of human judgment, and the possibility of algorithmic discrimination. The study highlights that employee acceptance of AI in HR processes is strongly influenced by organizational communication, the degree of human oversight, and the perceived ethical use of technology. These insights suggest that successful adoption of AI in hiring and appraisal requires balancing technological efficiency with human empathy, ensuring that employees view AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human decision-making.
From Financial Literacy to Financial Capability a United States Curriculum Roadmap and Outcome Based Assessment Model
Financial education in the United States remains fragmented across states and districts and is often evaluated using knowledge-focused measures that do not adequately capture whether learners can apply skills in realistic financial decisions. This paper proposes a standardized U.S. high school curriculum roadmap that shifts the goal from financial literacy to financial capability, defined as demonstrated competence in budgeting and cash flow management, responsible credit use, consumer protection and scam response, basic tax interpretation, and entry-level investing and risk protection reasoning. The roadmap is organized into eight sequenced modules culminating in a capstone life simulation and uses a repeatable module design pattern linking competency outcomes to behavioral decision drivers, digital simulation practice, and outcome-based assessment. Validation uses a two-stage approach combining expert consensus through a Delphi process and a pilot implementation using pre and post measures. Results indicate strong expert agreement on the relevance, clarity, and feasibility of the competency framework and broad endorsement of performance-centered assessment using scenario tasks and analytic rubrics. Pilot findings show larger gains on capability measures than on short knowledge quizzes, particularly in budgeting shock resilience, credit offer evaluation, and scam response competence, suggesting that simulation-supported practice and rubric-scored tasks are sensitive indicators of learning transfer. The proposed roadmap and assessment model provide a practical reference for educators and policymakers seeking coherent standards alignment, comparable outcome reporting, and instruction that measurably improves real-world financial readiness.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are widely recognized as essential drivers of economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development in the modern business environment. Entrepreneurship involves the identification, evaluation, and exploitation of opportunities to create value through the establishment of new ventures and business activities. Innovation, on the other hand, refers to the implementation of new ideas, products, services, processes, or business models that improve organizational performance and societal welfare. This paper examines the interrelationship between entrepreneurship and innovation and explores their significance in promoting economic development, technological advancement, and business sustainability. The study reviews major theoretical perspectives, including Schumpeter’s Theory of Innovation, the Resource-Based View, and Innovation Diffusion Theory. Furthermore, the paper discusses various entrepreneurship and innovation models, the role of technology and artificial intelligence in entrepreneurial ecosystems, and the opportunities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The findings indicate that innovation serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurial success by enhancing competitiveness, productivity, and market expansion. Technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and automation, have transformed entrepreneurial activities and enabled businesses to operate more efficiently. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, regulatory constraints, and skill deficiencies continue to hinder entrepreneurial growth in developing economies. The study concludes that fostering innovation through supportive policies, technological integration, entrepreneurship education, and investment in research and development can significantly contribute to economic prosperity and sustainable business development. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs to strengthen innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Pakistan and other emerging economies.
Algorithmic Bias and Fairness in AI Credit Scoring: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Governance Responses
Machine learning models have become widely adopted in credit scoring, but their deployment raises persistent concerns about discriminatory outcomes for protected demographic groups. This paper examines algorithmic bias and fairness in AI credit scoring, drawing on evidence from 15 empirical studies drawn from a systematically screened corpus of 55 peer-reviewed papers published between 2018 and 2025. The evidence shows that bias in AI credit scoring models is not primarily a technical failure, it originates from historically generated training data, is amplified through correlated proxy variables, and persists in part because institutional incentive structures do not penalise discriminatory outcomes absent regulatory compulsion. Gender and socioeconomic disparities are the most empirically documented, with digital credit markets in Kenya showing higher male participation rates and profit-optimised models disproportionately excluding marginal applicants. Technical mitigation strategies, causal inference corrections, SHAP-based feature audits, and discriminatory feature removal, show conditional effectiveness, but none resolves the structural misalignment between commercial model objectives and equitable lending. The paper argues that fairness governance requires both technical standards and institutional accountability mechanisms. JEL Codes: G21, G28, C45, J71, K23
THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM NANGARHAR AFGHANISTAN
This article explores the relationship between the financial inclusion index and economic growth in Afghanistan, using annual data from 2009 to 2022. To ascertain the long-term relationship between these variables, the study utilized the Pedroni panel co-integration test and two co-integration regression methods: the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) methods. The Pedroni panel co-integration test confirms the existence of a long-term relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth. The coefficients of FMOLS and DOLS indicate that the financial inclusion index and selected control variables collectively support economic growth. Additionally, the Granger causality test confirmed a bi-directional causality between financial inclusion and economic growth.
PERCEIVED IMPACT OF A FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK ON JOB SATISFACTION, WORK-LIFE BALANCE, AND RETENTION INTENTIONS IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN
This quantitative article examines the perceived impact of a four-day work week on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and retention intention among full-time faculty and administrative staff working in private higher education institutions in Karachi, Pakistan. The study responds to a local evidence gap created by the partial use of compressed or reduced on-campus schedules during austerity pressures, where institutional leaders had practical exposure to shortened schedules but limited empirical evidence on employee outcomes. A cross-sectional survey design was used with 100 valid responses. The model positioned perceived four-day work week as the independent variable, work intensification and job satisfaction as mediating variables, work-life balance as an intervening employee outcome, perceived organizational support as a moderating condition, and retention intention as the dependent variable. The analysis used reliability testing, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and a supplementary independent-samples t-test in SPSS. The results showed acceptable reliability for perceived four-day work week, job satisfaction, perceived organizational support, and retention intention, while work intensification and work-life balance required cautious interpretation. Only one of the nine hypothesized relationships was supported: work intensification had a significant negative association with work-life balance. The perceived four-day work week was not significantly associated with work intensification, job satisfaction, or work-life balance. Perceived organizational support was the only significant predictor of retention intention in regression, indicating that support structures may matter more than schedule form alone. The article concludes that private HEIs should avoid treating the four-day work week as a stand-alone retention tool and should instead align flexible scheduling with workload control, managerial responsiveness, communication, and institutional support. Keywords: Four-day work week; job satisfaction; work-life balance; retention intention; work intensification; perceived organizational support; private higher education institutions; Karachi.
BEYOND TAX INCENTIVES: REASSESSING THE DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
The relationship between corporate income tax rates and foreign direct investment inflows is examined in this study. This issue is particularly relevant for developing and transition economies, where governments frequently rely on tax policy to attract foreign investment despite concerns regarding the fiscal costs of tax incentives and uncertain economic returns. In this context, the study evaluates whether corporate taxation significantly influences inward foreign direct investment once broader host-country characteristics are considered. The analysis is conducted using a balanced sample of 50 countries covering the period from 2008 to 2025. Foreign direct investment inward flow is employed as the dependent variable, while the statutory corporate tax rate serves as the principal explanatory variable. The findings do not provide strong empirical support for the argument that lower statutory corporate tax rates systematically attract higher inward foreign direct investment. Although the pooled ordinary least squares model reports a negative coefficient for the tax-rate variable, the relationship remains statistically insignificant and unstable across the estimated panel models. Corporate tax rates fail to emerge as statistically meaningful determinants of inward foreign direct investment under both random effects and fixed effects estimations. Gross domestic product appears as the most important determinant of inward foreign direct investment, while trade openness and inflation remain statistically insignificant. The findings moderate the predictions of tax competition theory by indicating that tax policy alone is unlikely to attract substantial foreign direct investment without broader structural and institutional advantages. Keywords: Corporate Income Tax, Foreign Direct Investment, Tax Competition, Economic Openness
Green Bonds Connectedness with International Financial Markets: Dynamics of Time-Frequency Optimization towards Green Portfolio
Green bonds, which cumulative have issued over $370 billion in 2023, represent a relatively new and increasingly popular type of investment not only in terms of financial performance, but also in its environmental impact and, accordingly, have provided you with a large portion of your sustainable investment portfolio. The study determines how green bonds and traditional asset classes in 10 years between 2014 and 2024 have changing dynamic interdependencies and reveals the time-varying correlation patterns of the two groups under both stable and distressed market conditions. The study provides the research with the support of a long historical time frame, which in turn supports the singular diversification merits and risk-adjusted resilience of green bonds and offers the key information on the timing of the allocation as well as the portfolio construction rationale to the investors. This study can contribute to the comprehension of the role of green bonds in the process of transition to a sustainable financial system, and it can be shown that these bonds can play a stabilizing role in financial markets at the time of financializing and instabilizing the situation in the world. The study insights will be crucial for policy-making, institutional investment and market participants to enhance asset allocation and promote sound low-carbon finance systems. Through more efficient regulatory systems and the development of sustainable finance programs, green bonds can play major role in taking the world towards a greener, more environmentally aware global economy.
ACCOUNTING INFORMATION QUALITY AND DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AS DRIVERS OF SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE: THE ROLES OF FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY, FINTECH ADOPTION AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
This study investigates how accounting information quality (AIQ) and digital financial inclusion (DFI) influence supply chain resilience (SCR), examining financial transparency and FinTech adoption as mediating mechanisms and financial regulations as a moderator. Grounded in Information Asymmetry Theory and resource-based theory the research addresses a fragmented literature in which accounting information quality and digital financial inclusion have been linked to resilience without specifying the intervening informational and technological pathways or their institutional boundary conditions. Adopting a positivist, deductive, quantitative design, data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 312 finance and managerial professionals in the manufacturing sector and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings supported all eight hypotheses. AIQ and DFI significantly enhanced both financial transparency and FinTech adoption, which in turn significantly strengthened supply chain resilience. Financial regulations positively moderated the effects of transparency and FinTech adoption on resilience, indicating that the resilience returns of these mechanisms intensify under supportive regulatory conditions.
The Influence of English Language Proficiency on Economic Literacy and Financial Decision-Making: An Empirical Investigation
In today’s world, financial decision-making relies on the capability to understand information conveyed in English due to the prevalence of English-language content in financial media, bank documents, investment websites, and digital finance services. The current paper examines the influence of English language proficiency (ELP) and economic literacy on the quality of financial decisions among adult non-native speakers of English in an emerging-market multilingual context. Using a theoretical framework that considers economic literacy as a mediator in the link between ELP and financial decision-making quality and socioeconomic status as a moderator in the same link, the research applies a cross-sectional survey on a sample of 400 participants categorized by their English proficiency band (CEFR A1 – C2) and education level. The results show a statistically significant correlation between ELP and economic literacy (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and a partial mediation where economic literacy fully mediates the effect of ELP on financial decision-making quality and accounts for about 58% of the overall effect. Participants belonging to the highest ELP band (C1-C2) had a financial decision-making quality 37 points better than participants from the lowest ELP band (A1-A2). The findings have direct implications for financial inclusion policy as financial education materials
Law of Attraction and Achievement Outcomes: A Proposed Psychological Model of Success through Goal-Directed Behavior
In this study, a conceptual model is proposed for the personal success (life outcomes/achievement) variable, along with its relationships with positive thinking, self-belief (self-efficacy), and positive expectations. The goal-directed behavior variable is also included as a mediating element. The study is based on the theory of the Law of Attraction and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy theory, which suggests that cognitive processes which include expecting outcomes, thinking and beliefs shape outcomes through behavioral mechanisms. The major problem to be tackled in the model is that Psychological factors are focused as determinants of success, but in fact it is harder to achieve success by directly influencing the psychological factors, the success can be achieved through structured and directed actions with the aim of achieving it. Based on this, the current study puts behaviors as the important linkage between cognition and outcome of success. The research design of this study is quantitative in nature and is a cross sectional research design and for the study the target group is the University students of Peshawar, Pakistan. Structured questionnaire will be used for collecting data using the convenience sampling method with the number of respondents is estimated to be 300-400 people. The data will be analyzed using SPSS with descriptive techniques and preliminary reliability test, followed by the use of SmartPLS analysis based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) which will be used to test the relationship between variables directly and indirectly using bootstrapping technique. The study is likely to yield significant implications for learning about the link between psychological factors and behavioural involvement for success. In practice, it serves as a reminder that students' development of goal-directed behavior needs to be nurtured in conjunction with their developmental thinking for enhanced pupil attainment and life outcomes. It is theoretically developed by including both the cognitive and behaviour-oriented aspects of success into one. Even though the proposed model is well supportable, future research is recommended to touch and test the proposed model on a different populations and cultural contexts, and adding more moderating and mediating variable for in-depth understanding of how the process of success is mechanized.
Macroeconomic Stress, Earnings Management, And Financial Reporting Quality: Evidence From Psx-Listed Firms Using Benford's Law
This study investigates the relationship between macroeconomic stress and financial reporting quality among non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) using Benford's Law as a digit-pattern diagnostic. Drawing on a sample of 324 continuously-listed non-financial companies spanning 29 sectors over the period 2014–2024, first-digit distributions from 3,288 revenue and 2,415 net income observations are extracted and tested against Benford's expected logarithmic distribution using five complementary statistical procedures. Revenue figures conform closely to Benford's Law, indicating natural reporting patterns. Net income exhibits statistically significant digit irregularities, most prominently an over-representation of digit 7 and under-representation of digit 6, consistent with systematic upward rounding near reporting thresholds. These irregularities intensify markedly during Pakistan's 2018–2021 economic crisis, with the composite Benford Digit Score rising 44.5 percent above non-crisis levels and the Distortion Factor Model reversing sign—from income inflation in stable periods to income suppression during stress. Revenue non-conformity in heavily regulated sectors reflects structural pricing constraints rather than managerial manipulation, providing a methodological refinement with direct relevance for regulators and analysts. The study contributes to the emerging-market financial reporting literature by establishing Benford's Law as a cost-effective screening instrument for identifying time periods, sectors, and firms with elevated reporting risk, with specific implications for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), external auditors, and equity investors.
Economically and Islamically Sustainable Interior Design in Residential Projects: Evidence from Lahore, Pakistan
The present study examines the effect of economic and Islamic sustainability principles upon sustainable interior design practices in residential projects in Lahore, Pakistan. As the cost of building and the demand for culturally appropriate living condition rose, the research focuses on the relationship between cost efficiency and the Islamic ethical values and their effect on the behavioral intention on sustainable interior solutions. A quantitative research design was used and primary data collection involved 270 participants such as architects, interior designers and homeowners. The three constructs namely economic sustainability, Islamic sustainability principles, and behavioral intention were measured through a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (Smart PLS). The measurement model showed good results of reliability and validity such as composite reliability, average variance extract (AVE), and discriminant validity. The results of the structural model provide evidence to support the positive relationship between each of the economic sustainability and Islamic sustainability principles with behavioral intention, with a positive and statistically significant relationship. The affordability, energy efficiency, and best use of resources will be key considerations in decision making, with economic sustainability being the more powerful predictor. Islamic principles of sustainability, such as moderation, avoiding excessive consumption and moral responsibility, also play a significant role in determining the preferences of users and to reinforce sustainable behavior. The study suggests that the adoption of Islamic interior design can be encouraged by the holistic approach of applying economic efficiency and Islamic values. The results of this study highlight practical lessons for designer, policy makers and developers to promote affordable, culturally responsive and environmentally sustainable indoor environments in developing countries. Keywords: Economic Sustainability, Islamic Sustainability, Behavioral Intention, Interior Design, SmartPLS, Lahore Pakistan
HOW PAKISTANI RETAIL BRANDS CAN LEVERAGE THE METAVERSE FOR IMMERSIVE MARKETING: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
This study investigates the adoption of Metaverse technologies and immersive marketing strategies within the Pakistani retail sector, focusing on opportunities, challenges, and consumer engagement. Using a qualitative, exploratory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven retail managers, marketing professionals, and technology experts. Thematic analysis identified key insights across five themes: stakeholder attitudes, immersive engagement experiences, organizational and technological constraints, strategic implementation approaches, and market and brand impact. Findings reveal mixed perceptions, with skepticism coexisting alongside recognition of innovative potential. Immersive experiences enhance engagement, personalization fosters loyalty, and strategic interventions such as phased adoption, partnerships, and employee training facilitate effective implementation. Technological limitations and low digital literacy remain significant barriers. The study contributes to understanding immersive marketing adoption in emerging economies and provides practical recommendations for retailers to leverage the Metaverse for enhanced consumer engagement, brand differentiation, and market reach. Keywords: Metaverse, immersive marketing, consumer engagement, retail strategy, emerging markets
Supervisor Pubbing and Workplace Ostracism: The Moderating Role of Age Cohorts Among IT Sector Employees
This study investigates the relationship between supervisor pubbing (the behavior of supervisors ignoring employees because of their excessive smartphone use) and workplace ostracism, and the moderating effect of age cohorts (Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z). The research is based on Affective Events Theory (AET) which conceptualizes supervisor pubbing as a negative affective workplace event that leads to rejection, exclusion, and social alienation, which results in perceived workplace ostracism. The survey was conducted on 385 IT sector employees in Pakistan, using validated measurement instruments, which was quantitative. The results of PLS-SEM analysis with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) showed that the direct effect of supervisor pubbing on workplace ostracism was significant and positive (β = 0.797, p < 0.001). This relationship was significantly moderated by age cohorts (β = 0.187, t = 3.672, p < 0.001), with Generation X showing the highest ostracism perception after supervisor pubbing, Millennials showing moderate, and Generation Z showing weak but significant perception of ostracism. The findings enrich organizational behavior theory and provide actionable implications for fostering age-sensitive, inclusive supervisory practices in digitally intensive workplaces. Keywords: supervisor pubbing, workplace ostracism, age cohorts, Affective Events Theory, generational differences, IT sector, Pakistan, social exclusion
Determinants of Non-Performing Loans in the Banking Sector of Pakistan
This study investigates This study examines the impact of bank-specific factors on non-performing loans (NPLs) in selected Pakistani banks over the period 2015–2025. The study uses panel data from five commercial banks and investigates the influence of Return on Assets (ROA), Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), and Income Diversification (ID) on NPLs. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, pooled regression, fixed effect model, random effect model, and Hausman test were employed to analyze the data using EViews. The results indicate that Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) has a significant negative effect on non-performing loans, suggesting that stronger capital positions contribute to lower credit risk. Return on Assets (ROA) and Income Diversification (ID) were found to have statistically insignificant effects in the final fixed effect model. The Hausman test confirmed that the fixed effect model is the most appropriate estimation technique for the study. The model demonstrates strong explanatory power, explaining a substantial proportion of variation in non-performing loans. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate capital levels to improve asset quality and strengthen risk management practices in the banking sector. The study provides useful insights for bank management, regulators, and policymakers seeking to reduce non-performing loans and enhance financial stability in Pakistan.
Mediating Role Of Credit Risk And Earnings Management In The Association Between Cash Compensation And Bank Performance In Pakistan
This study aims to examine the relationship between cash compensation and bank performance and income recognition accounting dynamics of role credits risk and income management; mediated by bank performance. The subject of this study are financial companies as stock exchange listed companies in Karachi stock exchange which are ranked from 2009-2017. In 2008, there were economic crises, so there is a need to be careful. The data was taken after the tenure of the crisis. The data used in this research is secondary data. Panel data methods will be used for the estimation of data. Published financial statements of listed companies of Pakistan will be used as a source for data. Total bank is 42 and 24 banks were selected for data collection. The data is gathered from all the financial companies. What were the reasons for its selection? The fact that non-financial companies are not included is not due to a difference in regulations or regulatory and requirements framework. The sampling technique in this case is systematic sampling technique which is to select all the stated banks of Pakistan. Data estimation was done using STATA. The findings indicate that there is a direct relationship between cash compensation and bank performance. The present study has two control variables. The size of banks and bank growth. Bank size shows a positive effect on bank performances. Bank performance also is positively associated with growth. ROA and ROE are accounting-based measures and Tobin’s Q is the market-based measure. ROE, ROA, and Tobin’s Q variables are used for bank performance. ROE has a positive impact on credit risk, and ROA has also a positive impact on earnings management. Tobin has also found a positive relationship between his Q and the executives' salary, bonus or profit compensation proxies as well as with the risk of credit. For credit risk proxy nonperforming loan is used. In this study earnings management proxy is used for accruals. Mediating variables are used in the case of credit risk and earning management. Credit risk mediating role in cash compensation and bank performance. There is positive mediation between cash compensation and bank performance through credit risk. The moderating effect of earnings management on the relationship between cash compensation and bank performance has also been analyzed. There is positive mediation on cash compensation and bank performance.
Impact of Chilam Joshi Festival on Destination Image and Tourist Behavioral Intentions: A Study of Kalash Valley, Chitral
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Chilam Joshi Festival on destination image and tourist behavioral intentions in Kalash Valley, Chitral. The study specifically investigated the relationships among festival experience, destination image, and tourist behavioral intentions, while also examining the mediating role of destination image. The research was grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) model, where festival experience served as the stimulus, destination image as the organism, and tourist behavioral intentions as the response. A quantitative research approach was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 250 tourists attending the Chilam Joshi Festival. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents who had directly experienced the festival. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis. The findings revealed that festival experience has a significant positive effect on destination image and tourist behavioral intentions. The results further indicated that destination image significantly influences tourist behavioral intentions and partially mediates the relationship between festival experience and behavioral intentions. All proposed hypotheses were supported. The study confirms that positive festival experiences enhance tourists’ perceptions of Kalash Valley and encourage revisit intentions, positive word-of-mouth communication, and destination loyalty. The study contributes to the tourism literature by extending the application of the S-O-R framework within the context of indigenous cultural tourism in Pakistan. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of preserving cultural authenticity, improving tourism infrastructure, and promoting cultural festivals as strategic tools for destination branding and sustainable tourism development.
The Lived Experiences of Economic Empowerment among Working Women in Punjab, Pakistan: A Phenomenological Study
The economic empowerment of women is a complex notion, and it depends greatly on the social and professional status of a person. This is a qualitative semester project that examines the subjective definitions of empowerment among three different groups of people in Punjab, Pakistan including working women, housewives, and students. The study is based on the phenomenological approach, which explores the way in which the sense of agency of a woman is created by financial autonomy, household decision-making, and future aspirations. Using semi-structured interviews, the study brings out the lived experience of the empowerment beyond the income level, looking at the emotional and socio-cultural aspects of independence. Early evidence indicates that, although working women find empowerment in their financial self-sufficiency, housewives and students find their way through empowerment in the household and education, respectively, all of that going through the thick of highly ingrained patriarchal conventions.
An Artificial Intelligence–Driven Framework for Integrating Personalized Marketing, Demand Forecasting, and Supply Chain Optimization in E-Commerce Platforms to Enhance Customer Experience and Operational Efficiency
The e-commerce sector has reached an inflection point where artificial intelligence capabilities in personalized marketing, demand forecasting, and supply chain optimization are increasingly deployed as isolated point solutions rather than as an integrated operational architecture, leaving substantial cross-functional value unrealized. This study develops and empirically evaluates an integrated artificial intelligence framework that unifies a neural collaborative filtering recommendation engine, a hybrid Transformer–LSTM demand forecasting system, and a reinforcement learning-based inventory and routing optimization module within a single operational pipeline deployed on a large-scale e-commerce platform. Drawing on 48.2 million clickstream sessions, 12.4 million transaction records, 3,840 stock-keeping units, and a 16-week randomized controlled trial involving 214,000 users, the study evaluates the proposed framework across five performance dimensions: recommendation accuracy, forecasting precision, inventory cost efficiency, logistics cost, and customer retention. The integrated framework achieved a 337.9% improvement in Precision at 10% relative to a popularity-based baseline, a 55.9% reduction in 30-day demand forecasting error relative to an ARIMA benchmark, a 24.0% reduction in the inventory holding cost index at equivalent service levels, a 17.3% reduction in last-mile delivery cost per order, and a 12.4 percentage-point increase in 90-day customer retention, with all differences statistically significant at p < .001. Customer lifetime value distributions also shifted upward following deployment, with median lifetime value increasing by approximately 18% during the treatment period. Financial analysis indicates a 13.8-month payback period and a projected second-year return on investment exceeding 124%, with a risk-adjusted net present value of USD 11.62 million across the evaluated implementation. These findings demonstrate that cross-functional integration of artificial intelligence capabilities generates synergistic performance gains exceeding those of independently deployed point solutions, offering both a theoretical contribution to the AI integration literature and practical guidance for e-commerce platform investment prioritization.
Beyond Financial Distress: The Emerging Strategic Dynamics of Corporate Delisting on the Pakistan Stock Exchange
This study examines the changing dynamics of corporate delisting on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from a historical, financial, and governance perspective. It begins from the conventional understanding that firms typically exit public markets because of distress, insolvency, or regulatory failure, and then tests whether the contemporary Pakistani experience continues to fit that explanation. The paper argues that the logic of delisting in Pakistan has become more complex: financially weak firms still leave because they can no longer sustain listing obligations, but a growing set of comparatively healthy firms also choose to delist for strategic reasons such as tighter sponsor control, lower compliance burden, and dissatisfaction with public market valuation. Methodologically, the study adopts a post-positivist and mixed-method design. It combines historical review, descriptive financial analysis, and case-based interpretation guided by hazard-model logic. A purposive sample of twelve companies delisted between 2018 and 2023 is examined using annual reports, PSX records, PIDE data, SBP financial statement material, and relevant regulatory and media documentation. Core analytical variables include earnings per share, firm size, liquidity, leverage, and asset efficiency, alongside a qualitative assessment of governance and disclosure conditions. The analysis shows that involuntary delisting remains strongly associated with acute financial deterioration, particularly negative profitability, fragile liquidity, and capital structure stress. At the same time, selected voluntary delistings, especially buy-back cases, reveal a strategic pattern in which controlling shareholders withdraw firms from the market despite viable operations. This dual pattern has direct consequences for minority shareholder protection, transparency, price discovery, and overall market depth. The study concludes that delisting in Pakistan should no longer be interpreted exclusively as a symptom of corporate collapse. It increasingly reflects a strategic governance choice whose implications extend beyond the exiting firm to the wider credibility of the capital market. Accordingly, the paper recommends more robust valuation safeguards, stronger disclosure discipline, and clearer regulatory mechanisms to protect minority investors during delisting transactions.
Digital Marketing Capability and Perceived Market Performance Among Small Businesses in Hyderabad, Sindh
This study examines the relationship between digital marketing capability and perceived market performance among small businesses in Hyderabad, Sindh. It also investigates the mediating role of digital marketing adoption and evaluates how owner market orientation and perceived barriers influence digital marketing adoption and business performance. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed. Data were collected from 128 small businesses operating in the retail and service sectors in Hyderabad, Sindh. A structured questionnaire was used to measure digital marketing capability, digital marketing adoption, owner market orientation, perceived barriers, and perceived market performance. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, logistic regression, and mediation analysis. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between digital marketing capability and perceived market performance. Businesses with stronger digital marketing capabilities reported higher levels of market performance. Digital marketing adoption partially mediated this relationship, indicating that capability enhances performance both directly and indirectly through greater adoption of digital marketing tools. Owner market orientation positively influenced digital marketing adoption, whereas perceived barriers negatively affected both adoption and performance outcomes. Digital marketing capability is a critical determinant of perceived market performance among small businesses. While digital marketing adoption serves as an important mechanism linking capability to performance, the direct effect of capability remains substantial. Small business owners should prioritize the development of strategic digital marketing capabilities alongside technology adoption. Policymakers and SME support organizations should facilitate digital capability-building initiatives to improve competitiveness and long-term business sustainability. Keywords: Digital Marketing Capability; Perceived Market Performance; Digital Marketing Adoption; Owner Market Orientation; SMEs. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20696771
FINANCIAL LITERACY, RISK TOLERANCE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG BS BUSINESS GRADUATES IN PAKISTAN: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RISK TOLERANCE
This study investigates the financial literacy, risk tolerance and entrepreneurial intention relationship between already investigated variables that is financial literacy and entrepreneurial intention among BS business students of Pakistan by taking risk tolerance as a mediator. Entrepreneurship is an important channel of participation in the economy, especially given the current high unemployment rate among the young, and the scarcity of formal sector employment. The study used a quantitative method, cross sectional survey with a sample of 387 graduates of various universities in Pakistan who were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. The scales used to collect the data were validated scales of measurement of financial literacy, risk tolerance and entrepreneurial intention, and the demographic data collected were age, gender, family business background and exposure to entrepreneurship courses. Analytical methods were descriptive statistics, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to determine the reliability and validity, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for structural relationships and mediation analysis with bootstrapping method with 5000 iterations. The results show that financial literacy has a positive effect on entrepreneurial intention with its role mediator between risk tolerance. This relationship is partly mediated by risk tolerance (32%) and the mediation effect is stronger for graduates who have experienced a family business. There were non-statistically significant differences between gender. The results suggest that there are two pathways of cognitive-emotional relationship between financial literacy and psychological readiness and these pathways can simultaneously impact entrepreneurial intention. The study highlights the importance of financial education and its integration into the higher education programs, the need for an experiential approach and the need for financial risk management training in universities, and the necessity of financial knowledge and psychological readiness policies. This research not only helps in understanding the mechanism of graduate entrepreneurship in Pakistan but also provides some practical suggestions to educational institutions, policymakers and entrepreneurs. Keywords: Financial Literacy, Risk Tolerance, Entrepreneurial Intention, Unemployment, Cognitive-Emotional, Psychological Readiness. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20643069
Deep Generative Machine Learning Models for Real-Time Adversarial Threat Identification and Self-Adaptive Cybersecurity Framework for Financial Services
The increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting financial institutions, including retail banks, investment firms, FinTech platforms, and payment infrastructure providers, has created an urgent need for intelligent, real-time, and adaptive cybersecurity defense mechanisms tailored to the financial sector. Contemporary adversaries exploit an expanding attack surface comprising advanced persistent threats, SWIFT-targeted malware, banking trojans, account takeover campaigns, and AI-enabled attacks involving synthetic media and deepfake technologies. These threats increasingly employ voice cloning, manipulated video content, forged documents, and fraudulent transaction authorizations to bypass conventional authentication procedures, identity verification systems, and social engineering safeguards. Traditional cybersecurity approaches often struggle to identify such sophisticated adversarial behaviors, particularly when deepfake-driven Business Email Compromise schemes and synthetic identity fraud are specifically designed to evade both human judgment and automated detection systems. This study proposes a deep generative artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity framework that integrates Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), and transformer-based generative architectures to enable real-time adversarial attack detection, threat analysis, and adaptive defense in financial environments. The proposed framework learns complex attack distributions from heterogeneous financial datasets, identifies anomalous transactional and behavioral activities, detects synthetic media artifacts across multimodal authentication channels, and generates diverse adversarial scenarios to improve the robustness of cybersecurity models against evolving threats. Data acquisition incorporates banking network telemetry, core banking system logs, payment gateway records, SWIFT transaction monitoring systems, deepfake audio-visual datasets, media authentication integrity records, and financial threat intelligence sources aligned with regulatory and industry standards, including FS-ISAC, PCI-DSS, DORA, and SAMA cybersecurity frameworks. The preprocessing stage includes data normalization, domain-specific financial feature engineering, multimodal signal analysis, noise filtering, and dimensionality reduction techniques to preserve critical transactional, behavioral, and authentication characteristics. Furthermore, an adaptive response layer continuously updates detection thresholds, enforces media authentication policies, prioritizes high-risk incidents, and triggers automated mitigation workflows in accordance with financial sector incident response procedures and regulatory reporting requirements. Experimental evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework, achieving an attack detection accuracy of 98.4%, precision of 97.9%, recall of 98.1%, and an F1-score of 98.0%, while maintaining a false positive rate of 2.6% and a real-time detection latency of 0.42 s. The adaptive defense mechanism improved threat response efficiency by 21.7% and enhanced zero-day attack identification capability by 18.5%. Additionally, the deepfake detection module achieved an accuracy of 96.8% across voice, video, and document forgery modalities. These findings demonstrate that deep generative artificial intelligence can substantially strengthen cybersecurity resilience within financial services by facilitating real-time adversarial threat detection, synthetic media authentication, continuous behavioral threat analysis, and automated adaptive defense against the diverse and rapidly evolving cyber threats confronting modern financial institutions.
THE DISCLOSURE DILEMMA: HOW SPONSORSHIP DISCLOSURE AND NON-DISCLOSURE BY CELEBRITIES AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS SHAPE CONSUMER PURCHASE INTENTION AND BRAND ATTITUDE
Brands have long relied on celebrity endorsers to promote their products and services. However, the rapid growth of the internet and social media has reshaped the persuasion landscape, prompting marketers to shift attention from traditional celebrities toward social media influencers such as Instagram personalities, vloggers, and bloggers. A persistent feature of both forms of endorsement is sponsorship disclosure: endorsers sometimes reveal that a post is paid and sometimes conceal it. This paper investigates two focused questions: how does the disclosure versus non-disclosure of celebrity sponsorship influence consumer purchase intention and brand attitude, and how does the disclosure versus non-disclosure of social media influencer sponsorship influence the same outcomes. Using a 2 (endorser type: celebrity vs. influencer) × 2 (disclosure: disclosure vs. non-disclosure) full factorial experiment with 357 Instagram users in Pakistan, the study finds a strong interaction between endorser type and disclosure. For celebrities, non-disclosure produced significantly higher purchase intention than disclosure. For influencers, disclosure produced significantly higher purchase intention than non-disclosure. The results imply that brands should generally avoid disclosing celebrity sponsorships and avoid concealing influencer sponsorships, because the wrong pairing depresses both purchase intention and brand attitude. The findings advance the literature by bringing two previously separate streams—endorser type and sponsorship disclosure—into a single comparative frame, and they offer concrete guidance for marketers and policymakers navigating native advertising on social media. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21074856
THE IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ON DIVIDEND POLICY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL BANKS IN PAKISTAN
This study examines the impact of knowledge management on dividend policy in Islamic and conventional banks in Pakistan. Dividend policy is a major financial decision because it determines how much profit is distributed to shareholders and how much is retained for future growth, stability, and regulatory requirements. Existing studies on dividend policy in Pakistan have mainly focused on financial determinants such as profitability, liquidity, leverage, growth, firm size, and previous dividend payments. However, limited attention has been given to knowledge management as an internal organizational capability that may influence financial decision-making. Knowledge management improves information sharing, managerial decision-making, organizational learning, risk assessment, and operational efficiency. These factors may affect profitability and dividend decisions. This study is grounded in the Knowledge-Based View, Resource-Based View, and Agency Theory. It proposes a comparative quantitative research design using data from Islamic and conventional banks in Pakistan. The study contributes to banking and finance literature by integrating knowledge management with dividend policy and by comparing whether this relationship differs between Islamic and conventional banking systems. Keywords: Knowledge management, dividend policy, Islamic banks, conventional banks, Pakistan, banking sector, financial decision-making.
Impact of Islamic Financial Development on Income Inequality And Poverty in Pakistan
Macroeconomic stability and development of the financial sector are important factors which shape poverty situation and income distribution in developing countries such as Pakistan. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between inflation, economic growth, Islamic finance, poverty, and income inequality on quarterly basis for a period 2013–2024 for Pakistan. The primary goal is to examine the effect of macroeconomic variables on poverty and income distribution with the inclusion of Islamic Financial development. The study uses econometric methods to study the short run and long run relationships between the variables under consideration. The findings show that inflation markedly increases both poverty and income inequality, which suggests that inflation has an adverse impact on low income households. On the other hand, economic growth is shown to be a major driver of reducing poverty and income inequality, and therefore inclusive development. Moreover, Islamic finance development has positive relationship with financial inclusion and financial inequality. The results indicate that policy measures such as a stable macroeconomic environment along with growth of Islamic financial institutions can be effective in reducing poverty and enhancing income inequality in Pakistan. The study suggests that Islamic financial systems need to be strengthened, inflation needs to be controlled and long-term inclusive economic growth needs to be maintained to attain long term socio-economic stability.
THE IMPACT OF GREEN HRM PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY: A MEDIATING PERSPECTIVE
The escalating importance of environmental sustainability has made Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) a strategic shift to sustainable organizational outcomes. This study is based on the Resource-based View (RBV) theory and seeks to understand the effects of GHRM on organizational sustainability as well as explore the mediating effects of employee satisfaction and green job performance. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 345 employees of textile industry in Pakistan. The proposed model was tested using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) software developed by SmartPLS 4.0. The finding reveals that GHRM has considerable positive effect on organizational sustainability, satisfaction of employees and the performance of green activities. Additionally, employee satisfaction and green job performance partially mediated the association between GHRM and organizational sustainability, demonstrating a complementing partial mediation. Thus, this study does not only add to the vast GHRM literature but also gives empirical evidence in a developing country context and emphasizes the role of employee-centered mechanisms in attaining organizational sustainability. The results have important implications for managers who want to incorporate sustainability goals into HRM. Keywords: GHRM, Organizational Sustainability, Employee Satisfaction, Green Job Performance, Resource Based View, PLS-SEM and Textile Industry.
Determinants Of Earnings Management: Empirical Evidence from Sharia-Compliant and Non-Sharia-Compliant Firms of Pakistan Stock Exchange
The present study explores Earnings Management (EM) in both Sharia-compliant (SC) and non-Sharia-compliant (NC) firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during 2016-2025. This study employs a balanced panel data set of 2,900 firm-year observations (117 NC firms and 173 SC firms) and the Modified Jones Model is used to estimate earnings management as discretionary accruals. The results of the Generalised Least Squares Random Effects regression are validated by the Breusch-Pagan, Hausman, Wooldridge and Modified Wald tests and indicate that both quality of corporate governance and financial distress are significant for explaining the EM in NC firms, whereas financial reputation (Tobin's Q) and return on equity are significant in SC firms. By using multiple methods, the comparative analysis shows that the mean EM is significantly lower than that of the other firms, the variance is smaller, and the absolute magnitude of accruals is smaller among the SC firms. A Chow test is used to test for structural differences in the determinant coefficient vectors between the two groups. Overall, the results contribute to the Islamic corporate governance (ICG) literature by showing how Sharia compliance changes the earnings management landscape in the Pakistani capital markets and what implications it carries for the regulators, investors, and standard-setters.
Analyzing the Effect of Digital Literacy, Entrepreneurial Education, and Perceived Social Support on Entrepreneurial Career Intentions: Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
Purpose: This study examines the factors impacting ECI (Entrepreneurial Career Intention) among university students in Quetta, Pakistan, with particular focus on digital literacy, entrepreneurial education, perceived social support, and their inter-relationship. They also examine whether self-efficacy mediates these relationships. Methodology: Using a structured questionnaire, a quantitative research design was conducted, and data were collected from 277 students studying in universities and colleges in Quetta. The data were assessed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS4.1.1. Results: Digital literacy, Entrepreneurial education, and perceived social support have positive and significant effects on entrepreneurial career intention. The strongest predictor was digital literacy. Moreover, the relationship between digital literacy, entrepreneurial education, perceived social support, and ECI is significantly mediated by self-efficacy. Thus, student confidence plays a critical role. Originality/work value: This study adds to the literature through the incorporation of technological, educational, social support, and psychological factors into one framework in the context of a developing country like Pakistan. This industry insight led to exploring digital skills and social support of current and potential students to foster venture creation intentions from the Global South.
Responsible Innovation and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Ethical Climate in Manufacturing Firms of Pakistan
Factors that threaten competition, sustainability, and ethical conduct are increasing in Pakistan's manufacturing industry, making employee performance a critical issue for organisations. To respond, companies are using responsible innovation to help develop accountable, ethical behaviour, engage with stakeholders, and build sustainability into the companies they develop. Based on Social Information Processing Theory, this research will investigate how responsible innovation relates to employee performance, mediated by ethical climate, in Pakistan's manufacturing sector. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected through surveys of employees from various manufacturing entities in Pakistan's major industrial cities. Through a convenience sampling approach, 200 usable survey responses were obtained for statistical analysis using structural equation modelling. The findings of the study show that responsible innovation has a statistically significant positive impact on employee performance and ethical climate, and that ethical climate, in turn, has a statistically significant positive impact on employee performance. Responsible innovation and ethical climate were also found to have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between responsible innovation and employee performance. Therefore, responsible innovation helps create and promote an ethical organisation where employees will be motivated, committed, and effective in their job performance. This study contributes to the responsible innovation and organisational behaviour literature by identifying ethical climate as the behavioural mechanism that connects responsible innovation outcomes to employee performance in developing-market manufacturers.
A Review of Strategic Integration of AI in Business Management and Its Effect on Organizational Behaviors & Efficiency
The incorporation of artificial intelligence into business management has become an increasingly important factor influencing organizational efficiency due to increased competition and rapid technological changes worldwide. This literature review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, reviews the empirical and theoretical evidence of scholarly works published from 2016 until 2024 about the influence that adopting artificial intelligence as a strategic management tool has on organizational efficiency results. Based on the principles outlined in the Resource Based View and Dynamic Capabilities theoretical paradigms by Barney and Teece, the review finds that there are three principal mechanisms for creating efficiencies from the use of AI data driven decision-making, intelligent automation of processes, and strategic foresight with machine learning models. Barriers to achieving success in implementing AI for organizational efficiency, such as managers' lack of understanding of AI and its capabilities, poor data quality, black box modeling, organizational silo mentality, and unethical AI policies, are identified. Five evidence-based solutions to overcoming barriers, which include AI readiness models, using Explainable AI technologies, cross-functional data governance, scalable small business solutions for AI, and incorporating ethical considerations into AI policy, are offered as means of closing the gap between AI ambitions and its implementation.
Exploitative Leadership and Employee Vitality in the Software Industry of Pakistan: Workplace Impostor Thoughts as a Mediator and Self-Compassion as a Moderator
This study explores how exploitative leadership (EL) affects employee vitality (EV), a vital element for productivity and motivation. It further delves into how workplace impostor thoughts (WIT) mediate and self-compassion (SC) moderates the relationship between the two constructs. The data were gathered through a structured questionnaire survey from full-time employees working in software houses in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. 305 questionnaires were distributed, of which 255 were received. The research used quantitative research design and tested research hypotheses through Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS-4 and SPSS. The findings show valuable insights into how exploitative leadership negatively affects employee vitality and positively affects workplace impostor thoughts. Further, self-compassion moderates the relationship between exploitative leadership and workplace impostor thoughts. It is assumed to serve as a psychological resource that mitigates the effects of exploitative leadership. Addressing the gaps, the present study’s findings demonstrate the need for the IT sector to develop supportive leadership styles and strengthen employees’ psychological resources. Keywords: Exploitative Leadership, Workplace Impostor Thoughts, Employee Vitality, Self-Compassion. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20615931
IMPACT OF WORKERS’ REMITTANCES ON CORPORATE INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM LISTED FIRMS IN PAKISTAN
This study examined the impact of workers’ remittances on corporate investment efficiency among non-financial listed firms in Pakistan. The study aimed to investigate whether remittance inflows improve firms’ investment decisions, financial flexibility, and productive investment activities. A quantitative longitudinal research design was adopted using panel data collected from 180 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange over the period 2015–2024. Secondary data were obtained from firms’ annual reports, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the World Bank database. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and fixed effect panel regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that workers’ remittances positively and significantly influenced corporate investment efficiency by improving liquidity conditions and reducing financing constraints. Profitability, cash flow, and growth opportunities also positively affected investment efficiency, whereas leverage negatively influenced firms’ investment decisions. The study contributes to corporate finance literature by providing empirical evidence from an emerging economy context. Keywords: Corporate Finance, Corporate Investment Efficiency, Financing Constraints, Listed Firms, Pakistan, Workers’ Remittances
Brands have long relied on celebrity endorsers to promote their products and services. However, the rapid growth of the internet and social media has reshaped the persuasion landscape, prompting marketers to shift attention from traditional celebrities toward social media influencers such as Instagram personalities, vloggers, and bloggers. A persistent feature of both forms of endorsement is sponsorship disclosure: endorsers sometimes reveal that a post is paid and sometimes conceal it. This paper investigates two focused questions: how does the disclosure versus non-disclosure of celebrity sponsorship influence consumer purchase intention and brand attitude, and how does the disclosure versus non-disclosure of social media influencer sponsorship influence the same outcomes. Using a 2 (endorser type: celebrity vs. influencer) × 2 (disclosure: disclosure vs. non-disclosure) full factorial experiment with 357 Instagram users in Pakistan, the study finds a strong interaction between endorser type and disclosure. For celebrities, non-disclosure produced significantly higher purchase intention than disclosure. For influencers, disclosure produced significantly higher purchase intention than non-disclosure. The results imply that brands should generally avoid disclosing celebrity sponsorships and avoid concealing influencer sponsorships, because the wrong pairing depresses both purchase intention and brand attitude. The findings advance the literature by bringing two previously separate streams—endorser type and sponsorship disclosure—into a single comparative frame, and they offer concrete guidance for marketers and policymakers navigating native advertising on social media.
Impact of Demographic Transition on Economic Growth of Pakistan
Demographic transition is a crucial determinant of long-term economic growth because changes in population structure influence labor supply, productivity, savings, and investment. This study examines the impact of demographic transition on economic growth in Pakistan using annual time-series data from 1988 to 2023. A comprehensive Demographic Index (DI) is constructed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) by incorporating population growth rate, fertility rate, life expectancy, dependency ratio, working-age population, population aged 65 and above, and inverse population density. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach is employed to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships between demographic transition and economic growth, while labor force participation, education expenditure, health expenditure, foreign direct investment, and inflation are included as control variables. The empirical findings confirm the existence of a long-run relationship among the variables. The results reveal that the demographic index has a negative and significant effect on economic growth, indicating that Pakistan has not yet fully transformed its demographic changes into a demographic dividend. Conversely, education expenditure, health expenditure, foreign direct investment, and labor force participation positively contribute to economic growth, whereas inflation exerts a negative effect. The error correction term is negative and statistically significant, confirming the stability of the long-run equilibrium relationship. The study concludes that demographic transition alone cannot guarantee economic growth unless supported by effective policies aimed at human capital development, employment generation, and investment promotion. Therefore, Pakistan should focus on improving education and healthcare services, creating productive employment opportunities, and strengthening investment-friendly policies to convert its demographic potential into sustainable economic growth.
BEYOND REPRESENTATION: FEMALE LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT
Drawing upon Social Exchange Theory, this study investigates the direct effect of female leadership on employee creativity and the mediating role of psychological empowerment. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from employees working in the higher education sector through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The findings reveal that female leadership positively influences employee creativity and significantly enhances employees’ psychological empowerment. Furthermore, psychological empowerment positively affects employee creativity and serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between female leadership and employee creativity. These results suggest that female leaders foster innovative work behaviors by creating supportive and empowering environments that strengthen employees’ confidence, autonomy, and sense of purpose. The study contributes to leadership literature by extending Social Exchange Theory to the context of female leadership and highlighting psychological empowerment as a key explanatory mechanism. Practically, the findings provide guidance for organizations seeking to enhance creativity through leadership diversity and empowerment-oriented management practices. The study concludes by discussing theoretical implications, managerial recommendations, limitations, and directions for future research.
From Social Knowledge to Sustainable Social Enterprises: Examining the Mediating Role of Social Value Creation
This paper explores whether social knowledge directly influences social enterprise sustainability while considers whether social value creation acts as a mediator therein. Based on the Knowledge-Based View (KBV), the research hypothesizes a positive relationship between social knowledge and the fact that social enterprises can generate higher levels of social value which in turn increase their level of sustainability. Social enterprises are crucial towards solving the social challenges as well as ensuring that the enterprise is sustainable. In existing, little effort has been done in analyzing the role of social knowledge in terms of social enterprise sustainability and how the relationship works, especially in the developing world. In current study, positivist paradigm was used to adopt a quantitative research design. The structured questionnaire was used to gather data in terms of social entrepreneurs and management staff of social enterprises in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, Pakistan. A sample of 352 respondents was selected based on power statistics. To measure the constructs in the study, established measurement scales evolved through previous studies were used. The results are that social knowledge significantly and positively influences the sustainability and social value creation of social enterprises. In addition to this, further creation of social value has a large impact on the sustainability of social enterprise. The mediation analysis verifies that social value creation indeed does mediate between social knowledge and social enterprise sustainability so that, in social enterprises, social knowledge serves as the means of transforming their knowledge resources into sustainable outcomes by means of social value creation. The paper expands the body of writing that exists about social entrepreneurship by taking the Knowledge-Based View and demonstrating that social value creation is a latent mechanism that ties social knowledge to sustainability. The results provide valuable guidance to social entrepreneurs, policy makers, and development agencies, who want to boost both the long-term sustainability and social engagement of social enterprises.
Optimization Techniques in Corporate Cash Management: A Hybrid Deterministic & Stochastic Framework
Liquidity management by corporations is a blend of both financial theory and operational research. Excess cash hinders returns on assets, whereas cash shortages incur extra expenses due to emergency financing and reputation loss. This study develops an integrated optimization approach incorporating the Baumol-Allais-Tobin BAT inventory theory, the Miller-Orr stochastic control-band model, and a multi-objective linear programing LP problem supplemented with the particle swarm optimization PSO meta-heuristic. Through simulations using realistic cash flows based on actual Pakistani stock exchange companies' characteristics, we find that the new methodology achieves a remarkable reduction of annual cash flow management expenses by 34%, liquidity scores rise from 62 to 89 points based on a scale of 100, and optimal values become apparent within only 40 iterations. Furthermore, through sensitivity analysis, we demonstrate the validity of the methodology under varying interest rate regimes (3%-12%) and transaction fees. There remain, however, several gaps in research that have not been sufficiently explored, including integrating ESG-related liquidity constraints, developing real-time machine learning-based cash flow forecasts, and addressing regulatory challenges associated with emerging markets.
This article explores the relationship between the financial inclusion index and economic growth in Afghanistan, using annual data from 2009 to 2022. To ascertain the long-term relationship between these variables, the study utilized the Pedroni panel co-integration test and two co-integration regression methods: the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) methods. The Pedroni panel co-integration test confirms the existence of a long-term relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth. The coefficients of FMOLS and DOLS indicate that the financial inclusion index and selected control variables collectively support economic growth. Additionally, the Granger causality test confirmed a bi-directional causality between financial inclusion and economic growth. Keywords: Banking, Development, DOLS, Economic Growth, Financial Inclusion.
CAN GREEN HRM ALONE CREATE GREEN EMPLOYEES, OR DOES GREEN LEADERSHIP MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
The concept of Green HRM has been researched in manufacturing and service industries, but few studies have specifically examined how to make a greenhouse workplace Green. This study attempted to examine the role of Green HRM practices in achieving the results of the environment and the organization in the greenhouses. Data were collected via cross-sectional survey by using a structured questionnaire from 51 Textile firms. The results indicated that respondents have positive perception of the Green HRM practices as their overall mean score is 3.89. The three most important Green HRM dimensions were green recruitment and green training, where organizations are more and more interested in recruiting environmental-friendly employees and training them in environmental knowledge. The study results indicate that the role of Green HRM practices in the development of an environmentally responsible employee and enhancement of sustainable greenhouse performance is significant. The research proposes that environmental leadership and green training need to be reinforced, that environmental considerations should be embedded in employee performance assessment and that employees should be involved in environmental programs. The overall results reveal that employees are an important asset to realize long-term environmental sustainability and organizational success.
Impact of Quality Management Practices and Relational Governance on Project Success: with Moderating role of Collectivism among Non-Profit Organization
Purpose: As Pakistan has the second greatest number of out of school children in the world and there is a little research on impact of quality management practices and relational governance on a project success in non-profit organisations working in education sector, so the purpose of this study is to find relationship of quality management practices and relational governance on project success and moderating effect of “collectivism” has also been examined. Methodology: The quantitative data was collected from non-profit organizations. The sample size was 229 and the sampling technique was convenience. A close ended cross-sectional questionnaire was designed to conduct the research which later analysed by using descriptive statics. Findings: Results show that qualitative management practices and project success has positive relation. Whereas relational governance and project success is not significantly related with each other, and collectivism has no significant moderating role between these two relations. Limitations: The research was done on a small sample size and data was collected from one sector only. So, due to these reasons the findings can’t be generalized. Implications: Research shows that non-profit organization should adopt quality management practices methods for successful projects. Originality: Previous research investigated the effect of qualitative management practices on project success. However, there is a significant void in the literature regarding the study of relational governance and qualitative management methods in the education sector. Furthermore, the interaction of these characteristics, combined with the moderating influence of collectivism, is unexplored in the available literature.
REAL EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE DYNAMICS AND MACROECONOMIC STABILITY: A COMPARATIVE TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF PAKISTAN AND THE USA
This study examines the dynamic relationship between real effective exchange rate (REER) fluctuations and macroeconomic stability indicators—comprising current account balance, inflation, GDP growth, and trade openness—for Pakistan and the United States over the period 2001–2024. Beyond its econometric scope, the paper situates exchange rate governance within a broader political economy framework, recognising that REER misalignments are not merely technical phenomena but are shaped by state capacity, geopolitical positioning, civil-military relations, and the asymmetric power dynamics of the international monetary order. Employing an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework adapted to a comparative panel setting and augmented by Error Correction Model (ECM) estimation, the analysis draws upon annual World Bank World Development Indicators data. Descriptive statistics reveal that Pakistan's REER is considerably more volatile (SD = 7.32) than that of the United States (SD = 10.61), with the latter exhibiting a persistent upward trajectory especially post-2014. Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root tests confirm non-stationarity of all variables at levels, justifying the ARDL-ECM approach. Long-run OLS regression results indicate that inflation exerts a statistically significant negative effect on Pakistan's REER (β = −0.495, p = 0.098), while for the United States, the current account balance (β = 2.434, p = 0.037), inflation (β = 3.553, p = 0.003), and trade openness (β = −3.577, p < 0.001) are highly significant long-run determinants. Error correction terms (ECT) are negative and statistically significant for Pakistan (ECT = −0.455, p = 0.047), confirming long-run convergence at approximately 45.5% per annum. The findings underscore the need for institutional reforms, democratic fiscal governance, and a rebalancing of Pakistan's geopolitical dependencies to achieve durable exchange rate stability. Policy implications are derived for the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Federal Reserve, respectively, emphasizing inflation targeting, current account management, and trade competitiveness strategies.
his study investigates how accounting information quality (AIQ) and digital financial inclusion (DFI) influence supply chain resilience (SCR), examining financial transparency and FinTech adoption as mediating mechanisms and financial regulations as a moderator. Grounded in Information Asymmetry Theory and resource-based theory the research addresses a fragmented literature in which accounting information quality and digital financial inclusion have been linked to resilience without specifying the intervening informational and technological pathways or their institutional boundary conditions. Adopting a positivist, deductive, quantitative design, data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 312 finance and managerial professionals in the manufacturing sector and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings supported all eight hypotheses. AIQ and DFI significantly enhanced both financial transparency and FinTech adoption, which in turn significantly strengthened supply chain resilience. Financial regulations positively moderated the effects of transparency and FinTech adoption on resilience, indicating that the resilience returns of these mechanisms intensify under supportive regulatory conditions.
EVALUATING TQM IMPLEMENTATION IN TEACHER EDUCATION THROUGH PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS’ LENS: A CASE STUDY
Future teachers training plays a key role in teacher education institutions. But many challenges face teaching and management like poor quality in teaching and management. When we used method to improve business quality through better process teamwork and customer focus then we talk about the method of (TQM) total quality management. So the other side we started to apply this system in our educational institutional systems. However in Pakistan City like Sialkot how can teachers see or know about TQM in their own work or daily practices. They know very little about it. This study aims to find teacher perception about TQM practices in teacher education institutions of Sialkot. This study helps out their perceptions of TQM understand and suggestions for improvement. Through this qualitative study I will use semi-structured data method 10 in-depth interviews of experienced teachers from selected institutions in Sialkot. Those interviews recorded with the consent of participants or permission and data analysis using thematic analysis to find common patterns and themes. Expected fine to show both strengths and weaknesses in TQM practices like teamwork issues resources and leadership sport issues but teachers may suggest how we can apply better TQM practices in a better way. The findings help to enhance teacher training guide institutions leaders and to increase the quality of education in Pakistan. Although these results may inform the policies maker to which factor may help to improve TQM better perform institutions in national wide. Keywords: Total Quality Management (TQM), Teachers Perceptions, Teacher education, Qualitative study.
E-Commerce Strategies and Supply Chain Management: Enhancing Marketing Performance and Customer Satisfaction in Competitive Markets
This study examines the interrelationships among e-commerce strategies, supply chain management (SCM) practices, marketing performance, and customer satisfaction within competitive digital markets. Guided by the resource-based view and the service-profit chain framework, the research proposes and tests a conceptual model in which digital marketing, online personalization, and omnichannel integration, together with logistics reliability and inventory coordination, jointly influence marketing performance and, in turn, customer satisfaction. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 384 online retail and e-commerce business respondents using a structured, validated questionnaire anchored on a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The results indicate that both e-commerce strategy variables and supply chain management practices exert statistically significant positive effects on marketing performance (β = 0.34 and β = 0.29, respectively, p < .001), and that marketing performance is the strongest predictor of customer satisfaction (β = 0.38, p < .001). Supply chain management practices, particularly delivery reliability, also directly and significantly predict customer satisfaction (β = 0.27, p < .001). These findings suggest that firms competing in digital markets should treat e-commerce strategy and supply chain capability as complementary, mutually reinforcing levers rather than isolated functions. Theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
DETERMINANTS OF DIGITAL WALLET ADOPTION AMONG GENERATION Z: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL SELF-EFFICACY, TRUST, AND ATTITUDE
Digital wallets are offering secure, fast, and convenient alternatives to cash transactions and reshaping the financial world. Despite their growing presence in emerging economies, adoption among Generation Z in Pakistan remains inconsistent due to psychological readiness and trust-related challenges. This study investigates the role of digital self-efficacy and trust in shaping behavioral intention to adopt e-wallets, with attitude serving as a mediating variable. By using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire, a quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among university students in Rawalpindi–Islamabad. Data were analyzed through SmartPLS, employing reliability, validity, and structural equation modeling. Results reveal that digital self-efficacy and trust significantly enhance positive attitudes, which in turn strongly predict behavioral intention to adopt e-wallets. The findings contribute to technology adoption literature by integrating psychological constructs into existing acceptance models, while offering practical insights for fintech providers and policymakers. Strengthening trust mechanisms, improving digital literacy, and fostering favorable user attitudes are recommended to accelerate adoption. This study highlights the role and value of psychological and attitudinal factors in digital finance adoption, providing both theoretical and practical implications for future research and policy development.
Effective Human Resource Management (HRM) is a critical factor in achieving organizational success, sustainability, and competitive advantage in today's dynamic business environment. Human resources are considered one of the most valuable assets of an organization, and their effective management significantly influences productivity, employee satisfaction, innovation, and overall organizational performance. This paper examines the concept of effective Human Resource Management and explores its importance in modern organizations. The study reviews major HRM theories, strategic HRM frameworks, and contemporary practices that contribute to workforce effectiveness. Furthermore, it discusses the role of technology and artificial intelligence in transforming HR functions, including recruitment, training, performance management, and employee engagement. The paper also examines the state of Human Resource Management in Pakistan, highlighting both opportunities and challenges faced by organizations in managing human capital. The findings indicate that organizations that implement strategic HRM practices experience higher employee commitment, improved performance, reduced turnover, and enhanced organizational competitiveness. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and digital HR systems have revolutionized traditional HR practices by improving efficiency and decision-making. However, challenges including skill shortages, resistance to change, limited technological adoption, and evolving workforce expectations continue to affect HR effectiveness. The study concludes that effective HRM requires a strategic approach that aligns human resource practices with organizational objectives while fostering employee development, innovation, and organizational adaptability. Recommendations are provided to strengthen HRM practices in both public and private sector organizations.
DIGITAL HR PRACTICES AND HRM EFFECTIVENESS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF HR SERVICE QUALITY
This paper looks at how digital HR practices namely E-HRM Adoption, HR Automation, and HRA impact on the HRM Effectiveness (HRME) and mediated by the quality of HR Services (HRSQ). Based on a quantitative survey design and involving 300 Pakistani respondents, the analysis of data was conducted with the help of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings affirm that all the three digital HR dimensions are especially important predictors of HRSQ and HRME. Besides, HRSQ has a complete mediation between each of the digital HR practices and HRME. These results highlight the strategic role of service quality as a key transmission channel via which digital HR technologies can improve the HRM performance of the organization. It includes theoretical and managerial implications in the context of Pakistani organization. Keywords: Digital HR Practices, E-HRM, HRM Effectiveness, HR Service Quality, Mediation, PLS-SEM.
Effect of Corporate Governance Mechanism on Firm Performance: Evidence from FMCG Companies of Pakistan
The effect of the corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of the firm in the case of FMCG industry was the main focus of this study. The variables we have taken back on Assets (ROA) is used as a measure of the performance of the firm. The main independent variable of this study is the Board of Directors because one of the primary factors that is involved in the decision-making process and overall management of the company is the Board of Directors. To check the moderating effect of the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance, non-executive directors are included as a moderating variable. For the purpose of this study, secondary data has been used from the annual reports of all the companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange for the year of 2015 to 2024 and hypothesis has been tested by employing multiple regression analysis and correlation coefficient. The results show that the involvement of the Board of Directors in the company has a significant positive impact on the performance of the company. The findings also indicate that the non-executive directors enhance this relationship. The study in general, underscores the significance of corporate governance to enhance the performance of companies. Keywords: corporate governance, corporate performance, the board of directors, the non-executive directors, corporate fairness, transparency, accountability. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21177191
Dynamic Organizational Alignment Theory: Developing the Intentions–Behavior–Structure–Strategy (IBSS) Strategic Leadership Framework for Sustainable Organizational Adaptation
Organizations increasingly operate within environments characterized by technological disruption, geopolitical instability, artificial intelligence adoption, sustainability transitions, and continuously evolving stakeholder expectations. Under these conditions, organizational survival depends not only on superior strategy formulation but also on the continuous alignment of organizational purpose, leadership behavior, structural capabilities, and adaptive strategic execution. Existing leadership and strategic management theories provide valuable explanations for isolated dimensions of organizational performance; however, they remain theoretically fragmented. No single framework adequately explains how organizations continuously synchronize purpose, behavior, organizational architecture, and strategy as an integrated adaptive capability. This paper develops Dynamic Organizational Alignment Theory (DOAT) and introduces the Intentions–Behavior–Structure–Strategy (IBSS) Strategic Leadership Framework as a multidimensional theory of organizational adaptation. The proposed theory conceptualizes organizations as recursive adaptive systems in which four interdependent organizational capabilities—Intentions, Behavior, Structure, and Strategy—continuously interact through feedback mechanisms to sustain organizational alignment under environmental uncertainty. The paper synthesizes strategic leadership, organizational behavior, systems thinking, dynamic capabilities, organizational design, complexity leadership, and strategic management into a unified conceptual architecture. It develops formal theoretical propositions, identifies boundary conditions, proposes recursive causal mechanisms, and introduces an IBSS Capability Maturity Model with a preliminary measurement architecture to facilitate future empirical investigations. The principal contribution is the development of DOAT as a novel theoretical perspective explaining sustainable organizational effectiveness through continuous recursive alignment rather than episodic strategic planning.
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Academic Performance: The Mediating Roles of Work Agility and Academic Involvement
The study explores the association between transformational leadership with academic performance through work agility and academic involvement. Green HRM practices on work engagement, aiming to uncover the underlying processes driving this connection. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data were collected from 235 teachers and staff from higher educational institutes located in Quetta city, Pakistan. Participants completed the quantitative survey. The obtained results revealed that transformational leadership is positively associated academic performance. Secondly, work agility and academic involvement emerged as stronger mediators between transformational leadership and academic performance. Hypothesis testing were done by using process macro technique recommended by Andrew Hayes on SPSS version 29. This study demonstrates that transformational leadership enhances academic performance, work involvement culture, elucidating its mechanisms for satisfying needs and motivating while supporting and empowers customizing work to intrinsically drive goals, performance, and engagement as motivated employees engage more in educational activities.
AI-Chatbot Service Quality, User Trust, User Experience, and Electronic Word-of-Mouth as Drivers of Brand Loyalty: Evidence from Pakistan's Domestic Tourism Industry
Purpose: The study aims to examine the role of the service quality of AI chatbot (ACSQ) in the determination of the brand loyalty among the domestic tourists of Pakistan in the mediated role of user trust, user experience (UX) and electronic word of mouth (eWOM), while the moderator is consumer perceived value (CPV). Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative survey was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design and was administered to 207 domestic tourists who had interacted with AI-chatbots in tourism websites, on WhatsApp. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test hypotheses using SmartPLS 4.0 software. Findings: ACSQ was shown to be significant for predicting user trust, UX, and eWOM. Moderation analysis revealed that CPV moderated the effects of trust, UX and eWOM on loyalty. The direct effect of CPV on loyalty was not significant, suggesting that CPV only has an indirect effect on loyalty. Originality/Value: It is one of the first studies that empirically validated a fully integrated S-O-R and PERVAL framework in the AI-chatbot and tourism field set in a Muslim majority emerging market, and with theoretical and managerial implications that are context and nuanced.
Textile Supply Chain Optimization through Artificial Intelligence and Prescriptive Analytics Capability
In the context of a rapidly changing landscape of the international market, high competition, and short product life cycle, highly unpredictable demand, Pakistan's Textile sector is increasingly facing problems in its supply process. To gain clarity in the supply chain, textile companies are turning to display innovative digital technology, enabling digital materials integration and predictions analysis. However, coming from these investments in technologies, the performance of the supply chains is still uneven. These reveal a Non-Simultaneous Significant relationship between creating analytical sites and effective decision making, emphasizing the need for advanced decision-oriented skills, in this study it is the functional prescriptive analytics capability (PAC) which comes between the integration of AI in the digital supply chain, predictive analytics capability and textile supply chains performance Pakistan from dynamic capability and resource-based view. Prescriptive analytics are a higher order analytical capability that combines optimization logarithms, simulation models and decision support system that would both predictive and intelligence based to recommend the best approach to the operational constraint. The study adopts quantitative cross sectional source approach to collect the information on medium size and big textile manufacturing companies from professional who work on production in relation to supply chain procurement and planning of Pakistan. The link and the mediation among the variables of prescriptive analytics capability are tested with partial least square equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The proposed model states that only when technical and analysis skills are transformed into data based decisions focused on optimization of the supply chain; the performance of the supply chain will be improved. The results should demonstrate how they drive digital supply chain integration, and predictive analytics, boost prescriptive analytics capability which in turn greatly enhance supply chain performance. This research contributes much to the literature of supply chain analytics particularly in the framework of emerging economies in doing so, the prescriptive analytics capabilities are empirically validated as mediators.
Empowering Leaders, Creative Minds, Successful Projects: How Psychological Empowerment And Employee Creativity Drive Project Performance
Empowering leadership has emerged as an important leadership approach for enhancing employee effectiveness and improving project outcomes in contemporary organizations. The role empowering leadership explore for project performance and mediating role of psychological empowerment and the sequential mediating role of employee creativity. Grounded in JD-R) Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory, the study proposes that empowering leaders foster employees’ psychological empowerment, which subsequently enhances creativity and contributes to superior project performance. Data were collected from employees working in project-based information technology organizations in Pakistan. The findings indicate that empowering leadership positively influences project performance and significantly enhances employees’ psychological empowerment. The results further reveal that psychologically empowered employees exhibit higher levels of creativity, which subsequently contributes to improved project outcomes. In addition, psychological empowerment and employee creativity were found to play significant mediating roles. The sequential mediation analysis confirms that empowering leadership improves project performance through a chain mechanism involving psychological empowerment and employee creativity.
TRENDS IN INFORMATION DISCLOSURE FOR TRANSPARENCY
This review explores the evolution of transparency practices in firms, highlighting how information disclosure has shifted from traditional to digital formats. It analyzes quantitative and qualitative methods used by researchers to measure transparency, focusing on social, governance, environmental, and financial aspects. The paper underscores the role of transparency in reducing agency costs and information asymmetry, thereby enhancing firm performance and investor trust."
Entrepreneurial Self-Identity Learning from Failure, and Academic Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Purpose To conduct a systematic review of the increasingly popular relationship between Entrepreneurial Self-Identity (ESI), Learning from Failure (LFF), and Academic Entrepreneurship (AE) to establish an integrated perspective on the impact of identity development and failure learning on entrepreneurial activity. Design/Methodology/Approach The study is based on PRISMA 2020 methodology and synthesizes evidence from 46 peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2015-2025. Articles have been retrieved from reputable international databases and subjected to systematic thematic synthesis, methodological classification, and theory integration. Findings The findings demonstrate that Entrepreneurial Self-Identity and Learning from Failure constitute interdependent developmental mechanisms through which academics interpret entrepreneurial experiences, sustain engagement, and navigate commercialization challenges. However, the literature remains constrained by theoretical fragmentation and methodological limitations, underscoring the need for integrated multilevel frameworks and longitudinal investigations capable of explaining the co-evolution of identity, learning, and entrepreneurial behavior within university environments. Research Implications Among the shortcomings of existing studies are a lack of longitudinal designs, insufficient contextual heterogeneity excluding non-Western contexts besides China, and a poor track record in developing context-dependent measures of academic entrepreneurship. Further research needs to build on process-based approaches, exploring how interactions between identity development, emotion management, institutions, and failure learning can be accounted for during the entrepreneurial process. Originality/Value This systematic review contributes to the field of academic entrepreneurship through being one of the pioneering works examining the interrelation between ESI, LFF, and AE using the same theoretical lens.
The Impact of Digital Leadership and Knowledge Management on Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Innovation Capability and Moderating Role of Organizational Agility
The purpose is to explore the role of digital leadership and knowledge management in influencing the organizational performance with mediation of the innovation capability and moderation of the organizational agility. Design, methodology, and approach: The data were gathered from 463 managerial and professional employees of the organizations of Pakistan by three wave time lagged survey design. The proposed hypotheses were tested using partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: The findings revealed that digital leadership and knowledge management are significant in improving innovation capability and in turn the performance of the organization. Innovation capability plays a strong mediating role between both relationships, and organizational agility positively moderates the innovation capability – performance relationship. The study combines two theories—Resource Based View and Dynamic Capability Theory—to understand the contribution of the strategic resources and the organizational capabilities in achieving superior organizational performance in emerging economies.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics–Driven Financial Systems for Predicting Market Trends, Risk Management, and Portfolio Optimization in Dynamic Global Markets
The increasing complexity, volatility, and nonlinear behaviour of global financial markets have exposed the limitations of traditional statistical and econometric models in accurately forecasting market trends, quantifying risk, and optimizing portfolio performance. To address these challenges, this study proposes a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics–driven financial market intelligence framework that integrates supervised deep learning, unsupervised learning, natural language processing (NLP), and reinforcement learning into a unified predictive and decision-making architecture. The proposed system is designed to process heterogeneous financial data streams, including high-frequency market data, macroeconomic indicators, fundamental financial metrics, and unstructured alternative data such as news sentiment and social media information. The framework is evaluated across multiple asset classes, including equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, and commodities, ensuring robustness across diverse market conditions. The hybrid ensemble achieves a directional accuracy of 84.3%, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.38%, and a Sharpe ratio of 1.67, outperforming classical linear regression models by 31.1%, 71.4%, and 169.4%, respectively. In risk management, the framework achieves a Value-at-Risk (VaR) breach rate of 2.4% and a maximum drawdown of 8.6%, reflecting significant improvements over traditional approaches. Additionally, the reinforcement learning–based portfolio optimization module yields an annual return of 24.3% and a Calmar ratio of 1.38. Overall, the results demonstrate that the proposed integrated AI framework significantly enhances predictive accuracy, strengthens risk control, and improves portfolio performance, providing a robust and scalable solution for intelligent financial decision-making in dynamic markets.
Impact of Financial and Economic Determinants on Green Finance in Developed Countries: A Panel Data Analysis
Green finance has emerged as a central pillar in the global transition toward sustainable development and low-carbon economic systems. Developed economies, characterized by advanced financial markets and strong institutional frameworks, play a pivotal role in mobilizing capital for environmentally sustainable investments. This study examines the impact of financial and economic determinants on green finance in selected developed countries over the period 2005–2023 using panel data econometric techniques. Green finance is measured through indicators such as green bond issuance, climate finance flows, and sustainable investment volumes. The key explanatory variables include financial development, economic development (GDP per capita), banking sector development, and foreign direct investment (FDI). The study integrates theoretical perspectives including the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), Sustainable Finance Theory, Financial Intermediation Theory, Environmental Learning Theory (ELT), and the Natural Resource Curse (NRC) hypothesis to construct a comprehensive analytical framework. Using fixed effects and random effects models, supported by Hausman specification tests, panel unit root tests, and cointegration analysis, the empirical results demonstrate that financial development and banking sector development significantly promote green finance by improving capital allocation efficiency and expanding sustainable lending mechanisms. Economic development positively influences green finance through higher environmental awareness, institutional quality, and policy commitment. The effect of FDI varies depending on regulatory stringency and sectoral allocation. The findings contribute to the environmental finance literature by identifying structural macro-financial drivers of green finance in advanced economies and offering policy recommendations to strengthen sustainable financial systems and accelerate climate investment mobilization.
Impact of Audit Quality on Financial Sustainability of SMEs in Karachi, Pakistan
This study examined the impact of audit quality on the financial sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Karachi, Pakistan. The primary objective was to investigate whether audit quality significantly influences financial sustainability and to evaluate the effects of auditor independence and compliance with auditing standards on SME sustainability. A quantitative and explanatory research design was adopted to achieve the study objectives. Data were collected from 210 respondents, including SME owners, managers, accountants and financial officers, using a structured questionnaire based on a Likert scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, regression, ANOVA and hypothesis testing. The findings revealed that audit quality and financial sustainability were perceived positively among SMEs, with mean 3.82 and 3.76, respectively. Reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s Alpha values of 0.81 for audit quality and 0.84 for financial sustainability, indicating the reliability of the research instrument. Correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate to strong positive relationship (r = 0.62) between audit quality and financial sustainability. Regression results further confirmed that audit quality significantly affects financial sustainability with a beta coefficient (β = 0.58, p = 0.000), indicating a positive and statistically significant impact. The model summary showed an R² value of 0.38, meaning that 38% of the variation in financial sustainability was explained by audit quality. Furthermore, the ANOVA results (F = 153.25, p = 0.000) confirmed the statistical significance of the model. Hypothesis testing results indicated that all three hypotheses were accepted, confirming that audit quality, auditor independence and compliance with auditing standards positively influence SME sustainability.
AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF FAKE NEWS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES: EVIDENCE FROM THE PAKISTAN SOFT DRINK INDUSTRY
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine consumer perceptions of the influence of fake news and how these perceptions relate to emotional regulation and consumer responses in the soft drink industry in Pakistan. The research examines the constructs of consumer perception, trust, loyalty, and emotional responses (anxiety, anger, and confusion) in an online information environment. The study employed a descriptive quantitative approach with a survey questionnaire. A sample of 600 respondents was surveyed, with equal representation from three geographical areas. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe consumer perceptions, emotions, and behavioral intentions in response to fake news. The results suggest that most consumers (54% - 59%) view fake news as prevalent, deceptive, and hard to identify. Fake news exposure is linked to changes in consumer perceptions, such as heightened distrust of product safety, brand integrity, and corporate reputation. Moreover, 53%-58% of participants reported a decrease in trust and loyalty, as indicated by lower purchase intentions, higher brand switching, and reluctance to recommend brands. Emotionally, fake news is linked to increased feelings of anxiety, anger, and confusion (52% - 56%), which lead to uncertainty and risk-averse behavior. In summary, the results show the interrelated nature of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors in consumer reactions. The research offers valuable theoretical and managerial insights by showing that fake news is a perceptual and emotional disruptor in consumer markets. For marketers, the study highlights the importance of active communication, transparency, and consumer education programs to counter the negative impact of fake news. For policymakers, the research highlights the need for media literacy and the regulation of deceptive information in the digital space. The study adds to the body of knowledge by providing industry-specific empirical insights from a developing market and extending the knowledge of consumer reactions to fake news.
STEALING FOR GOOD? HOW MORAL JUSTIFICATION DRIVES ROBIN HOOD BEHAVIOR UNDER ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
The present study examines the influence of robo heedlessness on the efficacy of managerial decisions through the mediating role of moral justification and the moderating role of rule-following censure within the banking sector of Pakistan. Drawing upon Moral Justification Theory and ethical leadership literature, the study further investigates how managerial decision efficacy influences employees’ informal punishment and informal support toward managers. A quantitative explanatory research design was employed using survey data collected from 400 banking employees through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS 4 through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that robo heedlessness positively influenced managerial decision efficacy, while moral justification significantly mediated this relationship. Rule-following censure negatively moderated the relationship between robo heedlessness and moral justification as well as the indirect effect of robo heedlessness on managerial decision efficacy. Furthermore, managerial decision efficacy positively influenced both informal punishment and informal support toward managers, highlighting the complexity of employee moral evaluations. The study extends Moral Justification Theory into organizational leadership contexts and contributes to ethical leadership literature by demonstrating that employees evaluate managerial legitimacy through the combined influence of outcomes, intentions, and organizational ethical norms.
A Systematic Review of Mediating and Moderating Variables in the Service Quality–Customer Loyalty Relationship
Customer loyalty is an important aspect of service marketing. Therefore, understanding this correlation is useful. Recently, it has become more complex. Outside of service quality, there are many psychological, situational, and relational aspects. This paper presents a systematic literature review of empirical research articles from 2024 to 2026 regarding these aspects in relation to service quality and customer loyalty. Following a systematic method to search, screen and synthesize, this review identifies customer satisfaction, customer trust, customer perceived value, the corporate and brand image, customer experience, and customer engagement, as the main intermediaries. This review identifies the switching costs, the psychological brand loyalty, and the individual’s age, gender, and culture, as the most relevant moderators. This review explains that most of the time, customer satisfaction is the main intermediary, but in a multi-channel and digital world, customer trust and customer experience take precedence. This review also identifies a research preference for banking and hospitality, and the existence of research fragmentation. This review explains the implications of research and management activities and identifies gaps for future research. Add Contributor
Customer Perception and Awareness of Islamic Banking Products
Through mixed methods research the study evaluates customer understanding of Islamic banking products by combining quantitative surveys of 600 customers with qualitative interviews of 20 participants. The study operationalizes Shariah Compliance Understanding together with Service Quality (Islamic SERVQUAL) and Perceived Risk and Product Innovation as latent constructs. The measurement reliability of the study was confirmed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) through CFI = 0.968 and RMSEA = 0.045, followed by Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) which tested the proposed paths with χ²/df = 1.98 and SRMR = 0.038. The study reveals that Shariah Awareness (β=0.34, p<0.001) and Service Quality (β=0.29, p<0.001) and Product Innovation (β=0.27, p<0.001) have positive relationships with Adoption Intention and Perceived Risk (β=–0.22, p<0.01) demonstrates a significant negative influence. The research suggests two recommendations which involve integration of Automated Profit Equalization Mechanisms within products alongside education programs on Shariah compliance.
Moderating-Mediating Role of Age and Financial Literacy in the Relationship of Behavioral Biases and Equity Investors Decision Making
The study examines the Pakistani equity market, where many investors unknowingly fall prey to these biases, affecting both individual investment outcomes and the investor-advisor relationship. The study is carried out by considering that humans are not fully rational agents and their decision making is based on heuristic and shortcuts. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire from the 1015 individual equity investors. The data were analyzed by using the multivariate analysis, followed by the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equational Model (SEM). The results show that there is statistically significant effect of representative bias, overconfidence bias, anchoring bias, and availability bias on investment decision making whereas optimism bias is no effect of investment decision making. The behavioral biases including representative bias, overconfidence bias, availability bias and optimism bias significantly influence the investment decision making and anchoring bias does not affect the investment decision making. The behavioral biases including representative bias, overconfidence bias, availability bias and optimism bias significantly influence the investment decision making through the mediators like financial literacy. The anchoring bias does not affect the investment decision making through the mediator as anchoring bias. Age significantly moderates the relationship between certain behavioral biases and investment decision-making. Specifically, age strengthened the effects of overconfidence bias and availability bias on investment decisions, while it negatively moderated the relationship between optimism bias and investment decision-making. However, the moderating effects of age on representative bias and anchoring bias were found to be insignificant.
RESPONSIBLE HRM AND EVERYDAY ETHICS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF MORAL IDENTITY AND MODERATING ROLE OF LEADER INTEGRITY
This study examines the influence of Responsible Human Resource Management (Responsible HRM) on employee ethics by investigating the mediating role of moral identity and the moderating role of leader integrity. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, the study proposes that ethical and employee-oriented HR practices shape ethical workplace behavior through employees’ internalization of moral values, while leadership integrity strengthens this relationship. A quantitative explanatory research design was employed using cross-sectional survey data collected from employees working in multiple organizational sectors. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS 4 through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that Responsible HRM significantly enhances employee ethics and positively influences employees’ moral identity. Moral identity further demonstrates a significant positive effect on employee ethics and mediates the relationship between Responsible HRM and ethical behavior. Additionally, leader integrity significantly strengthens the positive relationship between Responsible HRM and employee ethics. The findings extend Social Learning Theory by integrating organizational systems, psychological mechanisms, and leadership behavior into a unified ethical management framework. The study contributes theoretically by refining understanding of moral identity as an organizationally influenced construct and practically by emphasizing the importance of responsible HR systems and integrity-based leadership in fostering ethical workplace behavior. The study also provides strategic implications for organizations seeking to strengthen ethical cultures and sustainable organizational practices.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A DESIGN-DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE
The built environment is where entrepreneurship has become a major determinant of economic sustainability, especially in contexts of quick urbanisation, limited resources, and volatile markets, where innovation is needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of entrepreneurial orientation and of design-driven innovation to economic sustainability in architectural and interior design-related practices. The research is based on the nexus of entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and the built environment, and examines how design innovation fits into the mix in building long-term economic viability and the role that resource-efficient design practices can play. A quantitative research design was used and structured questionnaires were administered to 260 architects, interior designers and construction management professionals with purposive sampling. The study used the method of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the software of SmartPLS for testing of the hypothesis. The findings showed that entrepreneurial orientation indeed positively contributes to the economic sustainability, and has a significant effect on design innovation. Likewise, design innovation had a significant positive impact on economic sustainability, suggesting its mediation between the other variables. Also, it has been shown that the use of resource efficient design practices had a positive impact on the economic sustainability and thus, underlined the significance of sustainability oriented design strategies in the built environment. The model proved to be well explained, as the following results indicate that entrepreneurial orientation, design innovation and resource-efficient design all contribute to improved economic sustainability. This study's results support the empirical validation of the integration of entrepreneurship and sustainable design practices and their role in the creation of economic resilience through innovation. This study is a contribution to the literature as it offers a framework to connect entrepreneurial behavior with design innovation and sustainability outcomes in the built environment. It also has practical implications for policy makers, architects and construction professionals who are interested in encouraging economically sustainable and innovation-based development. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20270559
AGILE DECISION-MAKING IN ORGANIZATIONS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF HYBRID RATIONAL AND NATURALISTIC PROCESSES
Organizations operating in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments face mounting pressure to abandon slow, hierarchically anchored decision processes in favour of more responsive approaches. Despite extensive scholarly attention to agile methods within software development, the transfer of agile decision making principles to broader organizational and consulting contexts remains theoretically underdeveloped. This study addresses that gap by investigating how agile decision making is enacted in practice across diverse sectors, comparing the explanatory utility of Rational Decision Making (RDM) and Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) frameworks. A qualitative exploratory design was adopted, employing semi structured interviews with 50 purposively selected professionals including senior managers, organizational leaders, project leads, and management consultants drawn from technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and public sectors. Data were analysed using the six phase thematic analysis procedure of Braun and Clarke (2006). Five overarching themes emerged: contextual intelligence, collaborative decision architecture, information transparency, iterative adaptation, and agile leadership enablement. Findings indicate that neither pure RDM nor pure NDM fully captures contemporary organizational decision practice; instead, participants consistently employed a hybrid approach combining data driven reasoning with experience based intuition within iterative feedback structures. These findings are theoretically integrated into the AGILE DECIDE framework, a novel conceptual model linking leadership commitment, collaborative environments, information transparency, and learning loops to decision efficacy. The study contributes to organizational behavior and management theory by providing a cross sector account of agile decision making beyond its software origins, offering actionable guidance for practitioners and consultants.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES & PERCEPTIONS (KAP) OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN AUDITING: A CASE OF PAKISTAN
Evolution of emerging technologies is reshaping auditing and financial reporting. Blockchain Technology (BCT) is one of these technologies and is considered capable of affecting the auditing. It is increasingly recognized as a transformative innovation with the potential to reshape auditing practices. Nevertheless its adoption in auditing is affected not only by its technical capabilities but also by auditors’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. In the context of Pakistan the present study examines these factors, as the auditing profession continues to face challenges related to efficiency and transparency. Qualitative research design was used based on semi structured interviews with thirty (30) auditing professionals including Chartered Accountants (CAs), trainee students, and experts affiliated with professional bodies. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in interviewees’ responses. The results indicate that while auditors generally demonstrate a reasonable level of awareness of BCT, their understanding of its practical application in auditing remains limited. Attitudes toward the technology are cautiously optimistic. The participants acknowledged its potential to enhance audit quality, reliability and reduce dependence on intermediaries. At the same time some concerns related to lack of technical expertise, data privacy, implementation costs and regulatory uncertainty considerably affect their perceptions and willingness to adopt BCT. Although the auditing professionals in Pakistan recognize the strategic importance of BCT but its broader adoption depends on targeted professional training, greater institutional willingness and development of supportive regulatory frameworks. By offering empirical insights from the audit professionals, this study contributes to the limited literature on BCT adoption in developing economies and provides practical implications for professional bodies, regulators and audit firms seeking to support digital transformation in the auditing.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Creative Quality in Advertisement Filmmaking in Pakistan
Generative Artificial Intelligence has initiated a fundamental reorganization of innovative and operational efficiency for media production. This research studies the recent insertion of AI-supported storyboarding tools like Midjourney into the advertising industry of Pakistan. Although industry Veterans appreciate the rapid development of AI in creating quality content, concerns remain about AI’s placement of subtleties of the unique individual and nuances of culture. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research collects data using semi-structured interviews of professional directors and storyboard artists, and conducts a comparative analysis of the AI-and-non-AI-supported workflows. The research analyzes non-AI and AI-supported workflows in terms of production turnaround, visual integrity, and creative anxiety. AI supports and accelerates the other designer’s ideation and preproduction by automating lower-order tasks, reducing creative fatigue, and allowing higher-order tasks to be performed at the designer’s peak cognitive capacity. The data also show several huge disadvantages, notably a decline in aesthetic quality and narrative originality. The data show that inadequate control of AI’s output resulted in inferior culturally grounded elements, in this specific case within the context of Pakistan. AI can further accelerate productivity. In this research, the authors argue that a combination of higher-order tasks grounded in culture and control of AI in the advertising industry of Pakistan is warranted, and propose options for balancing the human and the technological in professional advertising in advertising of Pakistan to preserve narrative integrity.
Project Cognition and Strategic Failure: How Cognitive Biases Shape Decision-Making in Complex Projects
Cognitive biases significantly influence strategic decision-making in complex projects, often leading to systematic errors and project failure. This study investigates how cognitive biases—such as overconfidence, confirmation bias, anchoring, and escalation of commitment—shape decision-making processes in project environments. Drawing upon behavioral economics and project management literature, the study employs a mixed-method approach combining survey data and case-based analysis. Findings indicate that cognitive biases distort risk assessment, planning accuracy, and stakeholder judgment, ultimately contributing to cost overruns, delays, and strategic misalignment. The research highlights the need for structured decision frameworks and debiasing techniques to enhance project success rates. This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on behavioral project management and offers practical recommendations for mitigating cognitive distortions in strategic decision-making.
DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: PANEL EVIDENCE FROM 24 EMERGING ECONOMIES, 2010–2023
In increasingly competitive global markets, branding has become a pivotal strategic tool for firms seeking to move beyond commodity-based competition and achieve sustainable value creation. This study explores the impact of brand ownership on firm-level sales in Pakistan's textile industry. A balanced panel dataset comprising 1,177 firm-year observations of all textile companies listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange during 2014-2023 is analyzed using a fixed effect panel regression with year fixed effects to control for unobserved firm heterogeneity and macroeconomic shocks. The results show a positive correlation between brand ownership and firm sales. This connection becomes quite strong when year fixed effects are also considered. The coefficient for brands goes up from 0.844 in the baseline model to 1.255 in the model with year fixed effects. This significant rise is a strong indication that branding provides a sustainable competitive advantage that remains, even when all common macroeconomic and industry-level factors are filtered out. Overall, the study gives strong evidence that owning a brand is not just a marketing tool but a very important strategic asset that can lead to increased revenue and better market position. The findings strongly support a strategic shift toward brand creation as a sustainable pathway for growth and value addition in Pakistan’s textile industry. Keywords: Textile Industry, Brand Ownership, Sales, Fixed-Effect Regression
DEPARTMENTAL HUMAN CAPITAL CAPACITY IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; A TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF DIRECTORATE OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF BALOCHISTAN
Training Needs Assessment (TNA) is a critical tool for enhancing institutional capacity and staff performance in public sector organizations. In Balochistan, the Directorate of Youth Affairs (DoYA) faces significant challenges in implementing youth development policies due to gaps in technical, managerial, and attitudinal competencies among its staff. This study provides evidence-based insights into the specific training needs of youth-focused institutions in Balochistan, guiding targeted capacity-building interventions. This study aims to identify these capacity gaps and prioritize training interventions to strengthen the Directorate’s ability to deliver effective youth programs. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a structured questionnaire with 27 respondents and 10 key informant interviews (KIIs), complemented by secondary data from departmental reports and policy documents. The assessment focused on knowledge, skills, and attitudes across multiple functional areas. Findings indicate that the highest training needs were in Communication, Public Speaking & Presentation Skills (73.1%), Self-Accountability & Integrity (65.4%), and Attitude to Adopt New Methods, Tools & Technologies (61.6%), while Proactive Attitude for Learning & Self-Development ranked lowest at 34.6%. Preferred training methods included in-house workshops (41%), exposure visits (29%), online training (19%), and mentoring/coaching (11%). The study recommends a phased capacity-building approach, integrating technical skills, leadership development, and digital literacy, supported by multi-year training strategies, mentorship programs, and succession planning to ensure sustainability. Systematic TNA and structured professional development are essential to enhance institutional performance, policy implementation, and long-term youth development outcomes in Balochistan. Keywords: Training Need Assessment, Youth, Directorate Of Youth Affairs, Balochistan
Reimagining Archaeological Tourism in Pakistan: An Inclusive Approach to Sustainable Heritage Development
Tourism is considered to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and tourism has played an important role in economic growth, employment, and cultural interactions. In the tourism industry, archaeological tourism has also been considered an important part of tourism, particularly because of its potential to create a link with cultural and historical legacies. However, despite being a country with a strong archaeological history, Pakistan has not been able to utilize its tourism potential to a great extent. This paper aims to explore the limitations of the current archaeological tourism system in Pakistan and propose an inclusive approach to archaeological tourism for sustainable growth in the country. This paper has been conducted with a qualitative approach, and secondary data has been used as a data collection tool. Thematic analysis has also been conducted to explore some of the key issues affecting archaeological tourism in Pakistan. The findings suggest that tourism in Pakistan is currently facing limitations such as a lack of diversification, a lack of representation of historical periods such as the Hindu Shahi Empire, and a lack of infrastructure. The paper has also shown that an inclusive approach to archaeological tourism, considering various historical legacies, has a strong potential to improve tourism in Pakistan.
Human Capital and Organizational Performance Nexus: A Case Study of Private Universities in Peshawar
This study examines correlation between human capital and university performance in private sector universities in Peshawar, Pakistan via faculty knowledge, skills, and competencies on research output, academic performance, institutional reputation and student employability. Intellectual Capital literature suggests that intangibles, especially human capital, plays a pivotal role in universities performance however, most of the studies have considered a limited perspective of human capital or its outcomes. Similarly, there is dearth of such research in the regional context and in private sector higher educational institutions. Using quantitative methodology, data was collected from 286 faculty members across six universities. The statistical analysis indicates a substantial positive correlation between human capital and university performance (r = 0.658, p < 0.01), with regression analysis demonstrating that human capital accounts for 43.3% of performance variance. Hypotheses testing suggests that human capital has a positive effect on all four performance dimensions. The findings highlight the critical importance of human capital in enhancing organizational performance in universities. This study contributes to the literature by offering a holistic framework for evaluating university performance through developing human capital and addresses a contextual and sector gap in the evolving body of intellectual capital research.
Influence of Digital Marketing on the Consume Behavior
The digital marketing play a vital role in shaping the consumer behaviour. The use of digital marketing became the popular tool for effective marketing technique. Technology has created new opportunities for consumer Business interactions across various digital platforms such as social media networks and mobiles applications.It not also increase the sales but it helps to maintained the long term customer relationship. Through digital marketing the loyalty of consumer towards specific brand increase. The digital marketing is also effective way of communication with consumers. The digital marketing influence the consumer behaviour towards the specific product. The digital marketing helps the consumers to take the right decision on right time that not only save their times but it may be cost effective for the consumer. Before the use of digital marketing it is difficult to advertise the product to their target customers. The billboards, Brochure , TV channels, News paper, Seminars, Radios ads are the most commonly used medium for the digital marketing. Through use of electronic media for digital marketing plays its vital role to create the positive impact on consumer behavior. Now a days every needs has a solutions on yours tips because the use of social media. The social media particularly You Tube and Tik Tok is a power full tools in digital marketing that is quick and cost effective. Print Media has its own impact on consumer behaviour other then You Tube and Tik Tok. The purpose of my research to to elaborate the impact of digital marketing on consumer behaviour. This Article may explore the relationship between the digital marketing and consumer Behaviour. The purpose of this research is to examines how digital marketing activities and social media influence affect the consumer behaviour. The aim of this study is also to contribute to the literature on consumer behaviour and impact of digital marketing on Consumer behaviour.
The Impact of Stress Management Strategies on Students’ Academic Performance: Perceptions, Practices, and Recommendations
This qualitative research investigated the effects of stress management techniques on undergraduate students' academic performance and their understanding, coping strategies and suggestions to reduce academic stress. Ten undergraduate students of the University of Malakand, Pakistan, were purposely selected and interviewed using semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results showed financial problems, academic workload, fear of failure, time management problems and high parental and personal expectations were the primary sources of academic stress. Students reported that chronic stress interfered with their learning and academic performance, including memory, attention, problem solving, motivation and academic achievement (e.g. lowered their marks and the quality of their academic assignments). Students used a range of stress management strategies including time management, setting academic and life goals, taking care of themselves, and seeking support from friends and family, but some felt they could not manage their stress well. The research concludes that academic stress that goes unchecked has a negative impact on students' cognitive performance and academic achievement, and stress management and social support can alleviate these effects. Students suggested practical strategies of effective time management, relaxation, healthy living, and personal efforts combined with faith in God. This research suggests that universities need to provide culturally relevant stress management interventions that consider both academic and financial stressors, as well as encourage healthy coping mechanisms and social support.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TRADE OPENNESS AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOUTH ASIA: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS
The study analyzes the impact of trade openness and foreign direct investment on economic growth in South Asia. The research uses a balanced panel dataset covering the time period from 2000 to 2023. The main determinants include population growth, gross fixed capital formation, human capital, and institutional quality. The fixed-effects models are estimated using the Hausman test. For a robustness check, the control variables like inflation, globalization, and income inequality are analyzed. Driscoll-Kraay standard errors are used to account for heteroscedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. The baseline results indicate that the major drivers of growth are foreign direct investment, capital formation, human capital, and institutional quality, whereas trade openness and population growth indicate an adverse impact on economic growth. The results suggest that sustainable development depends more on reinforcing the country's core structural fundamentals than on trade liberalization in South Asia. The study recommends that governments may seek to attract productive foreign direct investment, build human capital, and improve institutional quality to sustain long-term economic growth.
Effect Of Non-Monetry Rewards On Employees’ Retention With Mediating Role Of Motivation: A Study Of Banking Sector
The research examines how non-monetary incentives affect employee retention through motivation as a mediator in Peshawar Pakistan's banking sector. The research examines two types of non-monetary rewards which are recognition and development opportunities because these elements matter most in the banking sector of Peshawar Pakistan. The study employed a survey-based quantitative approach to gather data from 200 participants who worked in six major banks and received 180 valid responses which were analyzed through SmartPLS SEM. The study demonstrates that development opportunities lead to higher employee motivation and retention rates which makes them essential for successful retention practices. The research results indicated that recognition had no substantial impact on motivation or retention because symbolic appreciation might not be enough to motivate employees in demanding banking roles. The study revealed that motivation served as a leading factor for employee retention and it linked development opportunities to employee retention but failed to establish a connection between recognition and retention. The research supports Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory by demonstrating that career development acts as a stronger intrinsic motivator than recognition for maintaining long-term employee commitment. The study demonstrates that banks in Peshawar should establish development-focused HR policies and professional growth initiatives because these strategies will boost employee motivation and decrease employee turnover rates.
Optimizing Investment Decision-Making Through Ai-Augmented Financial Analysis
Financial markets are becoming more complicated, rendering old forecasting techniques inadequate for making authentic decisions due to globalization, technological development, and massive data expansion. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the financial decision process with unparalleled accuracy, efficiency and predictive capabilities. Despite the advantages of including AI in financial decision-making, it draws important issues such as data security,algorithmic biases, ethical issues, transparency hurdles, and regulatory problems. Gaining user trust and adhering to new international rules require AI-driven financial systems to be fair and explainable. The paper examines the optimization of investment decision making through augmented financial analysis. The independent variables used in the paper were augmented analytic and fintech integration. The paper employed a purposive sampling technique. The findings showed that rules, the quality of the data and how willing businesses are to use AI all affect how accurate AI augmentation is. It also showed that fintech analysts showed more confidence and concern towards the adoption of AI augmentation for the investment decision making process.
From Compliance to Capability: Reframing Financial Due Diligence in Global Health Partnerships
Financial due diligence is a central component of global health financing, primarily designed to ensure accountability and mitigate financial risk. However, in practice, it is often applied as a compliance-driven, pass/fail mechanism, which may limit the participation of high-potential partners, particularly in low-resource settings. This paper argues for a reframing of financial due diligence from a risk-screening tool to a strategic enabler of partner capability and programme effectiveness. Drawing on existing literature and practice-based insights, the paper proposes a capability-oriented due diligence approach that integrates risk management with structured capacity building. The paper contributes to ongoing discussions on global health financing by outlining a conceptual framework that balances accountability with the need to support innovation and strengthen institutional capacity.
Blue Economy Development in Pakistan: Employment Potential and Policy Readiness
Pakistan's blue-economy is strategically important but immensely underutilized. The country possesses a major Arabian Sea coastline, three commercial ports, significant fisheries resources, globally important mangroves and a long underused Makran coast, yet policy rhetoric has moved faster than implementation. The study focuses on the sectors most likely to produce real jobs rather than speculative headlines: fisheries and post-harvest value chains, aquaculture and mariculture, coastal tourism, ports and logistics, shipping support services, ship recycling and repair, blue carbon and coastal ecosystem restoration. It uses comparative policy analysis, legal framework, sector diagnostics and official statistical evidence to test not only where employment may emerge along-with capacity whether the legal and institutional architecture is ready to support . Pakistan is not starting from zero, but it is not governing the blue economy at an internationally credible standard either. Ports and maritime security institutions are relatively stronger; fisheries governance remains only partly effective; aquaculture, tourism management and ship-recycling compliance remain underprepared; and climate adaptation is still insufficiently integrated into economic planning. Recent federal and provincial policy moves in 2025-26 show greater seriousness than before, especially in Balochistan, but implementation remains uneven. The country can make the most realistic employment gains from disciplined upgrading of existing value chains through traceability, harbour modernization, better cold chain, skills, environmental compliance, coastal service systems and community inclusion. Pakistan does not lack maritime assets. It lacks coordinated execution, investable project pipelines and credible federal-provincial delivery arrangements.
The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Shaping Architects’ Behavioral Response toward AI-Based Taxation and Sustainable Hospitality Construction: A Serial Mediation Analysis
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into taxation systems has emerged as a critical mechanism for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and economic sustainability, particularly within the hospitality construction sector of emerging economies. However, architects’ behavioural responses toward AI-based taxation remain inconsistent due to underlying socio-entrepreneurial and technological factors. This study examines the role of social entrepreneurship in shaping architects’ behavioural responses toward AI-based taxation and its subsequent impact on sustainable hospitality construction through a serial mediation framework. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from architects involved in hospitality construction projects using a structured questionnaire. The proposed model was analysed using SmartPLS software (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling). The findings reveal that social entrepreneurship significantly and positively influences both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of AI-based taxation systems. Perceived ease of use further enhances perceived usefulness, which in turn strengthens trust in the system. Trust was found to have a strong positive effect on behavioural response, which significantly contributes to sustainable hospitality construction. Moreover, the results confirm a statistically significant serial mediation effect, demonstrating that social entrepreneurship indirectly influences sustainability outcomes through the sequential pathway of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, trust, and behavioural response. The model exhibits substantial explanatory power with significant path coefficients. This study contributes to technology adoption and sustainability literature by integrating social entrepreneurship into the TAM framework and offers practical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to promote AI-driven sustainable development in emerging economies.
Exploring the Dynamics of Financial Markets and Corporate Financial Decisions
Background: The financial markets and corporate financial decisions are closely intertwined and have an important influence on economic results. The way in which market, in terms of stock prices, interest rates, and volatility affect corporate decisions, and vice versa, is a significant research topic. These aspects have been studied independently in previous studies, yet the mutual relationship has not been investigated to the full extent. The purpose of the research is the following: the investigation of the dynamic relationship between a financial market and corporate financial decisions and how the variables of the market translate into corporate strategies and vice versa. Method: It was a mixed-method study involving both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the secondary data (financial markets stocks prices, interest rates, market volatility), and qualitative data (interviews with corporate managers). The data were analyzed using regression analysis, correlation tests and thematic analysis. Findings: The findings indicate that the financial market conditions, including the changes in stock prices and interest rates, play a major role in the decision-making process of corporate investment, capital structure, and risk management. Conversely, these are corporate decisions which include capital expenditure and dividend policy of the company and are felt in the behavior of the market. Conclusion: The paper shows how the financial markets and corporate financial decisions are mutually dependent on each other. It points to the necessity of a complex solution to realize how they influence each other, which can be helpful to managers in corporations and investors.
Riding the Trade Waves: Gender-Differentiated Employment Dynamics in Asia
International trade plays a critical role in shaping labour market dynamics across economies around the world. However, instability or fluctuations in trade flows, referred as the trade volatility, can influence employment patterns across genders. This study examines how trade fluctuations effect gender-differentiated employment among Asian economies. Using data from the World Bank database for the period from 2011 to 2023, covering 11 Asian countries, this study implies panel-data estimation techniques, including fixed and random effects models to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Two separate models are estimated in the empirical analysis for male and female employment shares. The findings reveal that trade volatility has a statistically significant impact on female employment as compared to male employment across Asian region. The empirical findings show that females are more vulnerable to external trade shocks in Asian labour markets. Overall, the study underscores the importance of implementing gender-targeted policies to mitigate the negative impacts of uncertainty in trade flows and for the promotion of more inclusive employment outcomes. Keywords: Trade volatility, Asian economies, panel data, gender-disaggregated employment
Privatization-Induced Job Insecurity and Its Multilevel Consequences: A Qualitative Study of Psychological, Performance, Health, and Social Outcomes in Pakistan’s State-Owned Financial Institutions
Present study aims to explore the role of privatization-induced insecurity of job among employees of Pakistan’s public sector financial institutions and to examine the multidimensional consequences related to physical health, family, work-life imbalances, and psychological related domains. 125 semi-structured in-depth interviews taken under qualitative study by utilizing the interpretivist approach among state-owned five financial institutions which are undergoing privatization or anticipating privatization. Interviews were analysed through thematic analysis to know the patterns in lived experiences of employees. Results of the study indicate that perceived job insecurity due to privatization functions as persistent and chronic stressor factor rather than temporary change is the organization. Emotional exhaustion, stress, and anxiety are the main psychological strains that emerges as mechanism which link to perceived job insecurity and be a reason for multiple outcomes like reduce contextual and task performance, physical health deterioration, work-life imbalances, and negative spill-over into social relationships and family. Coping strategies at individual level provides relief up to limited level but organizational support plays crucial role in mitigating adverse effects of perceived job insecurity due to privatization among employees. The study contributes theoretically and methodologically by utilizing the in-depth semi-structured interviews. Policymakers and leaders of organizations must incorporate the well-being of employees while considering privatization of state-owned institutions by effective strategies of communication, stress-reduction interventions, and supportive management practices.
Social media Based Destination Brand Community Engagement (SMBDBCE): a mediated analysis for the social-media marketing strategies of destination brands in Pakistan
With the advancements in the technology, social media has gained a significant importance in the tourism sector, markedly for destination branding. Literature has ample work available on the branding but scant literature is available on the social media marketing strategies and its impact on branding specifically the branding of northern destinations of Pakistan. To fill the mentioned gap in the literature, this study has conceptualized the framework of social media engagement and its impact on the destination brand visit intention of the tourists as a consequent of positive engagement on the social media-based destination brand platforms. The study has analyzed the impact of social media Based Destination Brand Community Engagement (SMBDBCE) on Intention to Visit (ITV) and the mediated impact of Destination Brand Customer Engagement (DBCE) in this relationship. The study has used a quantitative approach and has collected a sample of 351 visitors of northern destinations of Pakistan i.e. Naltar Valley and Fairy Meadows in this study, via purposive sampling: a non-probability sampling technique and the analysis has been done by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on Smart PLS 4. The results have revealed that there is a positive and significant relation between the Social Media Based Destination Brand Community Engagement (SMBDBCE) and Intention to Visit (ITV) and the Destination Brand Customer Engagement (DBCE) significantly and positively mediates this relationship. The results have shed light on the notable need for the northern destination brands of Pakistan to develop such marketing strategies for their social media based destination brand platforms that engage the tourists and visitors in those platforms by the provision of adequate information and lucrative user friendly pertained facilities that enable them to share the positive and worthwhile experiences to facilitate the social media based destination brand community.
The Role of Green Supply Chain Management and Environmental Management Practices in Enhancing Enviropreneurship Performance of Pakistani FMCG SMEs
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that make up most of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Pakistan are at the intersection between major environmental problem and economic demands. The research paper examines ways in which such companies can move beyond this supposed trade-off between the playing fields of ecological responsibility and business performance by exploring synergistic functions of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and Environmental Management Practices (EMP) in the achievement of Enviropreneurship Performance (EP), which is a cross-dimensional construct used to describe environmental stewardship and business performance. The research suggests a contingent mediation model; it is based on a combined theoretical framework that includes the Dynamic Capabilities View, the Institutional Theory, and the Stakeholder Theory. The research used a structured questionnaire to collect data on 146 FMCG SME in Pakistan and the questionnaire was to be analyzed with the help of Partial Least Squares Stheoreticaltructural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research finds that the best solution to ensuring high-quality enviropreneurship performance of Pakistani FMCG SMEs is a two-pronged integrated approach: to gain operational and market benefits in the context of GSCM, and at the same time, to establish formal EMP as the driving force of sustainable innovation and competitiveness.
Nexus Among Financial Stability and Financial Performance
The study finds how Pakistani commercial banks' financial performance is impacted by financial stability, specifically non-performing loans (NPL). It employs economic value-added (EVA) and return on assets (ROA) as performance measurements, taking into account macroeconomic data like gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, and monetary policy rates in addition to internal aspects like bank age and size. NPL and both financial performance metrics are negatively correlated, according to an analysis of panel data from 15 banks between 2020 and 2025. Furthermore, although the monetary policy rate has a negative impact on performance, its effect on EVA is considered negligible. On the other hand, variables like GDP, bank age, and size have a strong positive impact, especially on ROA. The study suggests that banks adopt more stringent financial stability guidelines, update these guidelines frequently to improve loan procedures, and evaluate the depreciated asset values used as collateral on an annual basis in order to improve financial performance. Notably, this study creatively uses EVA to investigate the relationship between financial stability and financial performance—a metric that was frequently disregarded in earlier research.
Public Funding and Public Benefit: Balancing Commercialization and Equity in Health Innovation
Public funding plays a critical role in advancing health innovation, particularly in high-risk areas such as vaccine development and pandemic preparedness. However, the relationship between public investment and public benefit remains contested, especially when commercialization processes prioritize private returns over equitable access. This paper examines the tension between public funding, commercial incentives, and public health outcomes, arguing that public benefit is not an automatic outcome of public investment but must be actively negotiated. Drawing on existing literature and recent global health experiences, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the study identifies key limitations in current funding models, particularly their emphasis on risk minimization and insufficient mechanisms for ensuring equitable access. The paper proposes a “Balanced Public Return Framework” that integrates risk-sharing, access conditions, commercial incentives, and accountability mechanisms to better align financial structures with public health goals. The findings highlight the importance of structured negotiation strategies and adaptive financing models to ensure that public investments generate meaningful and equitable health outcomes while sustaining innovation.
AUDIT QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON EARNING QUALITY AND CAPITAL COSTS DURING FINANCIAL CRISIS. EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN
This study investigates the impact of audit quality on earnings quality and the cost of capital, with particular attention to the mediating role of earnings quality and the moderating effect of financial crises in Pakistan. Using panel data from non financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the study employs descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel regressions and mediation moderation analysis to examine these relationships. Audit quality is proxies by auditor type, earnings quality is measured through discretionary accruals and the cost of capital is computed using the weighted average of equity and debt costs. The results reveal that high audit quality significantly improves earnings quality (β = 0.087, t = 4.21, p < 0.01), indicating that reputable auditors constrain managerial opportunism and enhance the reliability of financial reporting. Audit quality is also associated with a lower cost of capital (β = -0.021, t = -3.76, p < 0.01), while higher earnings quality independently reduces financing costs (β = -0.039, t = -4.11, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis shows that earnings quality partially transmits the effect of audit quality on the cost of capital (indirect effect β = -0.012, t = 3.58, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the interaction between audit quality and financial crisis periods is significant (β = -0.018, t = -2.95, p < 0.01), indicating that audit quality plays a more pronounced role in lowering financing costs during economic uncertainty. These findings highlight the importance of high quality auditing and reliable financial reporting in reducing information asymmetry and improving capital market efficiency in emerging markets. The study provides practical implications for regulators, corporate managers and investors in strengthening governance and enhancing investor confidence, particularly during periods of financial distress. Keywords: Audit quality, Earnings quality, Cost of capital, Financial crisis, Pakistan, Panel data, Discretionary accruals.
EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORK PRACTICES AND INNOVATIVE WORK PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION
Background: High-Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) are widely recognized as strategic human resource practices that enhance employee capabilities, motivation, and organizational performance. However, limited research has examined how HPWPs influence employees’ innovative work performance, particularly in Pakistan’s manufacturing sector. Moreover, the underlying psychological mechanisms explaining this relationship remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates the impact of HPWPs on innovative work performance, focusing on the mediating role of employee motivation in selected sugar manufacturing companies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: The study adopted a positivist research philosophy and a quantitative survey design. Data were collected from employees working in various departments and job levels in selected sugar mills in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure proportional representation of employee categories. Five High-Performance Work Practices were examined: recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, training and development, employee involvement, and compensation system. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, and the responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for the service solutions (SPSS) version 21. Results: The findings revealed that all five High-Performance Work Practices had a significant positive relationship with employees’ innovative work performance. The analysis further indicated that employee motivation significantly mediated the relationship between HPWPs and innovative work performance. This suggests that effective implementation of HR practices enhances innovation primarily by improving employees’ motivation. Conclusion: The study concludes that High-Performance Work Practices play a crucial role in promoting innovative work performance through enhanced employee motivation. The findings contribute to the limited empirical literature on HRM practices and innovation in Pakistan’s manufacturing sector, particularly the sugar industry, and provide practical implications for managers seeking to improve innovation through effective human resource strategies. Keywords: High-Performance Work Practices, Employee Motivation, Innovative Work Performance, Human Resource Management, Sugar Industry, Pakistan.
Measuring and Mitigating Inequality in AI-Driven Labor Markets
The quick integration of AI into labor markets have fueled concerns of economic inequality with respect to wage polarization, job displacement, and unequitable distribution of technological dividends. While these problems are already established through various researches, lack of measures and policies for AI induced inequality is evident. This paper tries to build a comprehensive measurement system for inequality with the focus of AI influenced labor markets and policy and technology that can tackle it. It will be theorized that AI has a disproportionate benefit on high-skill labor and has made low-skill and routine labor vulnerable. Based on the mixture of methods (econometric estimation on labor markets, simulation to model potential adoption of AI) inequality metrics such as Gini coefficients, wage dispersion indices, task based measures are being considered. Policy and case study can also be adopted to compare policy and technology such as reskilling and taxation, and algorithmic fairness solutions. The findings of this study would argue that adoption of AI exacerbated current inequality, through increasing demand on high-skill and mechanization on routine labor. But well-designed policy of reskilling workforce, inclusive design of AI and redistributive policy can effectively mitigate these impacts. Early policy and action have a larger effect than reactive measures. In conclusion, this research is an effort to illustrate both the potential to worsen economic inequality and solutions by AI and contribute to the design of effective AI policy for equitable future.
The Analysis of Obstical For Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case Study of Site Area Kotri
There is huge significant role of Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in perspective of country's economic, social and industrial development. Despite their importance, these businesses face a number of challenges that have an impact on their success. The goal of this study is to critically explore the considerable restrictions that SMEs face in the Kotri industrial complex. Issues such as the inability to develop high-value products, a lack of effective strategy, insufficient financial understanding, a lack of enthusiasm, insufficient human resource capabilities, and bad banking services will be addressed. The data utilized in this study was collected from the firm's management and employees to examine the impact and incidence of these obstacles. The study found that the highlighted restrictions limit firms' ability to adapt with upcoming changes in the global economy.
THE IMPACT OF NON ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING ON GREEN BRAND EQUITY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF GREENWASHING & ECO-LABEL CONFUSION & THE MODERATING ROLE OF BRAND TRUST & GREEN BRAND
The research aims to determine the antecedents of green brand equity in Pakistan’s FMCG market through green branding, eco-label credibility, perceived greenwashing, and their interactive effects. The need for environmental friendliness is proposed as a moderator on the effects of green branding and brand trust toward green brand equity while examining the mediating roles of eco-label credibility and perceived greenwashing in the relationship between environmental friendliness and green brand equity. This positivist quantitative research employs a cross-sectional survey method. Primary data were collected from 409 respondents among FMCG consumers in Pakistan using a structured questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions based on five-point Likert scales ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree with statements related to different constructs under study. Data analysis involved the PLS-SEM (SmartPLS) application for assessing both measurement model validity/reliability aspects, together with testing direct/moderating/mediating paths’ significance levels within the proposed conceptual framework model structure. The results show that the need for environmental friendliness significantly increases both perceptions towards eco-label credibility as well as perceivedgreenwashing. The moderating effects of environmental friendliness on the relationship between brand trust and green brand equity, and green branding and green brand equity, are not supported. The study also finds no support for the indirect effects of environmental friendliness on green brand equity through eco-label credibility and perceived greenwashing. Therefore, Pakistani FMCG firms should focus on a consistent evidence-based green branding rather than only labels. Environmentally oriented consumers seem to be more vigilant and at the same time more skeptical; hence, firms should enhance the credibility of green claims through transparent, verifiable communication to avoid skepticism without assuming that consumers will automatically reward labels or punish perceived greenwashing. This paper adds to existing works on green branding by showing that in Pakistan’s FMCG sector, green brand equity is mainly driven by green branding itself and not so much by eco-label credibility or consumers’ perception of greenwashing. The findings exhibit the “aware-but-constrained” consumer pattern typical for emerging markets and provide context-specific evidence on why certain green cues do not convert into brand equity. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19605191
Sustainable Hospitality Architecture: A Socio-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Green Building Practices with Managerial Insights
The growing demand for environmentally responsible infrastructure has positioned sustainable hospitality architecture as a critical area of research, particularly in emerging economies. This study examines the socio-economic and environmental implications of green building practices in the hospitality sector, while also providing practical managerial insights for effective implementation. The research aims to evaluate how sustainable architectural design influences operational efficiency, cost management, environmental performance, and customer satisfaction in hospitality facilities. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire distributed to hotel managers, architects, and facility supervisors in major urban areas. A sample of 120 respondents was selected through convenience sampling to ensure ease of data collection. Key variables included green building practices, perceived cost efficiency, environmental performance, and service quality outcomes. Data were analyzed SmartPLS software. The findings indicate that green building practices have a significant positive impact on environmental performance and moderate improvements in operational cost efficiency and customer satisfaction. Additionally, managerial awareness and strategic planning were found to play a crucial role in the successful adoption of sustainable practices. The study concludes that integrating sustainability into hospitality architecture not only enhances environmental outcomes but also contributes to long-term economic benefits. It is recommended that hospitality managers adopt cost-effective green design strategies, invest in staff training, and align sustainability goals with operational planning to maximize overall performance. This research provides a practical and easily replicable framework for future studies in similar contexts.
Does FinTech Accelerate ESG Performance? Evidence from Digital Banks
The rapid growth of financial technology (FinTech) has transformed banking operations, particularly through digital banks that leverage data analytics, automation, and platform-based services. While FinTech is often associated with efficiency and innovation, its role in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance remains underexplored. This study investigates whether FinTech adoption accelerates ESG performance in digital banks. It aims to assess the relationship between technological innovation and sustainability outcomes, testing the hypothesis that higher levels of digitalization are positively associated with improved ESG metrics. The study likely employs a quantitative panel-data approach using a sample of digital banks across multiple jurisdictions. FinTech intensity is measured through digital infrastructure investment, platform integration, and AI utilization, while ESG performance is evaluated using standardized ESG scores. Regression analysis, controlling for bank size, profitability, capital adequacy, and macroeconomic factors, is used to identify causal relationships. Robustness checks, including fixed-effects models and endogeneity controls, strengthen empirical validity. The findings suggest that greater FinTech integration is positively associated with enhanced ESG performance, particularly in environmental efficiency and governance transparency. Digital banks demonstrate improved risk monitoring, reduced operational carbon footprints, and stronger compliance mechanisms through automated reporting systems. However, social impact outcomes vary depending on regulatory frameworks and financial inclusion strategies. FinTech appears to function as a catalyst for ESG advancement in digital banking by improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Strategic alignment between technological innovation and sustainability objectives is critical to maximizing long-term value creation and responsible financial development.
Modeling International Tourism Demand: Evidence from European Arrivals to Pakistan Using Panel Data Techniques
This study investigates the determinants of international tourism demand in Pakistan using annual panel data from ten European source countries — the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey — spanning the period 1990 to 2019. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to cointegration is applied to each country individually to identify both long-run and short-run relationships between tourist arrivals to Pakistan and four key explanatory variables: real gross domestic product (RGDP), relative price of tourism (RPT), unemployment rate (UNR), and population growth rate (PGR). The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test confirms that the series are integrated at mixed orders — I(0) and I(1) — which justifies the use of the ARDL framework. The bound test results reveal statistically significant long-run cointegrating relationships for the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey, while France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway exhibit no such long-run associations. The long-run coefficients indicate that real income is the dominant and most consistent driver of tourist arrivals, with elasticities ranging from 5.70% for Spain to 13.21% for the United Kingdom. Relative tourism prices exert a negative influence on demand, reflecting the price sensitivity of European visitors, while population growth in the source country and unemployment rates produce mixed and country-specific effects. Error Correction Model (ECM) estimates confirm relatively rapid adjustment to equilibrium, with correction speeds ranging from 52.2% per annum for the UK to 214% for Germany. Structural stability of all estimated models is confirmed by CUSUM and CUSUMSQ tests. The findings carry important implications for Pakistan's tourism policy, suggesting that marketing efforts in high-income European markets, competitive pricing strategies, and improvements in destination infrastructure are essential for sustainable growth in inbound tourism.
Impact of Digital Payment Systems (Easypaisa and JazzCash) on Customer Satisfaction in Sindh, Pakistan
This paper will look at how the digital payment systems, Easypaisa and JazzCash, affect customer satisfaction in Sindh province of Pakistan. Primary data were gathered in 384 respondents in the urban, semi-urban, and rural Sindh using a cross-sectional survey methodology. A structured questionnaire with a five point Likert scale was used to elicit satisfaction on six dimensions, namely ease of use, speed of transaction, security and trust, cost affordability, reliability of the network and customer service. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The results show that transaction speed ( β= 0.297 and p = 0.001) and security ( β= 0.284 and p = 0.001) have the highest predictors of overall satisfaction. The overall satisfaction scores at Easypaisa were slightly higher than those at JazzCash, but only the security perception and overall satisfaction (p < 0.05) have statistically significant differences. Urban respondents score much higher on satisfaction scores compared to rural respondents and network reliability and digital literacy are the most important barriers in rural Sindh. The research is relevant to the literature on the adoption of fintech in developing nations and puts forward practical suggestions to policymakers and digital financial service providers. These results are in line with the national trends and the State Bank of Pakistan reported that by FY202425, over three quarters of retail transactions were made via digital channels. Keywords: Digital payments, easy paisa, Jazz cash, Financial institutions, technology acceptance
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE AGE OF GENERATIVE AI: ETHICAL AND STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
Abstract The accelerated development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape by providing an opportunity to be innovative, automate, and make decisions based on data. This paper explores the ethical and strategic issues of GenAI in entrepreneurship by employing the systematic literature review (SLR) method Based on recent academic literature (2023-2025 PRISMA-guided, n=180 empirical studies). the research determines the way GenAI can be used to increase opportunity recognition, speed up business model innovation, and increase efficiency in operations. Nevertheless, it also demonstrates some severe ethical issues, such as the problem of data privacy, algorithmic bias, the ambiguity of intellectual property, and the threats of misinformation. The results indicate that GenAI has meaningful competitive benefits, but the sustainable implementation of the technology will demand strong ethical governance systems. The research adds to the literature as it suggests a new techno-ethical entrepreneurial concept that incorporates innovation and responsibility. Keywords: Generative AI, Entrepreneurship, Ethical AI, Strategy, Innovation, Digital Transformation. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19492392
The Effect of Regulatory Frameworks on the Growth of Cryptocurrency Markets
The rate of the emergence of cryptocurrency economies as a small-scale technological experiment to a multi-trillion-dollar type of assets has been matched by extensive variations in regulatory approaches by jurisdictions. This article assesses the impact of regulatory frameworks on the development of cryptocurrency markets, which summarizes the recent empirical research on regulatory clarity, regulatory enforcement, institutional acceptance, and cross-jurisdictional comparisons. The discussion shows that regulatory regimes affect the development of the market immensely and unequally in the diverse aspects of market capitalization, trading volume, initial coin offering activity and institutional participation. The experience of the European Union with its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation shows that effective regulatory frameworks are able to minimize uncertainty and result in institutional capital inflow and fragmented or antagonistic regulatory frameworks are able to push trading to offshore markets. United States studies have indicated that, where enforcement strategies are heavy and there has not been explicit rulemaking then the regulatory arbitrage strategies exist and there is no reduction of the underlying demand. The article concludes that the conditions of a stable cryptocurrency market development are regulatory clarity, global coordination, balanced frameworks that offer the protection of consumers and financial stability without suffocating innovation. Keywords: Institutional adoption, cryptocurrency markets, regulatory frameworks, financial regulation, market growth, regulatory arbitrage.
Performance Pressure and Work Meaningfulness: The Role of Emotional Exhaustion and Emotional Labour.
This study examines the relationships among performance pressure, emotional exhaustion, and work meaningfulness, with emotional labour as a moderating variable. Grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework and a self-regulatory capacity perspective, the study proposes that performance pressure contributes to emotional exhaustion, which in turn relates to work meaningfulness. Data were collected from 308 employees working in private banks in Pakistan. The hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM). The results show that performance pressure is positively related to emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion is also positively associated with work meaningfulness, contrary to the hypothesized negative relationship. Further analysis indicates that emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between performance pressure and work meaningfulness. In addition, emotional labour moderates the relationship between emotional exhaustion and work meaningfulness, such that the relationship becomes stronger at higher levels of emotional labour. Overall, the findings indicate that emotional exhaustion functions as an intervening mechanism linking performance pressure to work meaningfulness, while emotional labour conditions this relationship
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Financial Performance: The Mediating Role of Internal Control Effectiveness under COSO and SOX Frameworks — Evidence from Pakistan
This study explores the association between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and firm financial performance (FFP) by examining the mediating role of internal control efficacy within the COSO and Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) structures. Representing upon Stakeholder Theory, Legitimacy Theory, Agency Theory, and the Resource-Based View, the study hypothesized CSR as a multidimensional paradigm encompassing economic, legal, ethical, philanthropic, environmental, stakeholder, and governance responsibilities. A mixed-method methodology is engaged using primary assessment data to quantify CSR observes and internal control efficiency, supplemented by five-year averaged secondary financial data (ROA, ROE, and Tobin’s Q) from firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Using multivariate regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis, the study tests whether internal control serves as a governance technique that transforms CSR creativities into outstanding financial results. The conclusions are projected to contribute to the developing literature on sustainable finance and corporate governance by clarifying the internal managerial mechanisms through which CSR enriches firm value in developing markets. The study offers theoretical, managerial, and regulatory suggestions for solidification governance driven CSR in developing economies.
Board Diversity and Firm Value: Beyond Gender to Cognitive and Experiential Heterogeneity in Corporate Boards
Purpose – This article disputes the existing emphasis on demographic diversity (and especially gender) in corporate board studies by suggesting that cognitive and experiential heterogeneity- differences in the manner in which directors think, what they know, and in what ways they have encountered the business world- are more likely to affect firm value. Although gender and ethnic diversity are still a factor in the equity and legitimacy, the empirical findings to associate the demographic diversity with the financial performance is at best inconsistent. This paper summarizes current meta-analytic data indicating that cognitive diversity (expertise, experience, industry background) is a stronger predictor of innovation and governance performance as compared to more superficial demographic factors. Methodology and Approach- This theoretical paper is a synthesis of research findings of various meta-analyses (including more than 500 studies) and recent empirical studies in board diversity, cognitive heterogeneity and firm performance. It introduces a model that differentiates between the dimensions of demographic, cognitive, and experiential diversity. Findings - The synthesis has found three important insights: (1) demographic diversity is weak and inconsistent in direct impact on firm financial performance; (2) cognitive diversity, as measured through director dissent, expertise variety, and industry experience heterogeneity, is consistently predictive of board effectiveness and innovation; (3) demographic diversity could facilitate cognitive diversity, but only when board processes (psychological safety, constructive debate) are appropriately nurtured. Originality and Value – This article takes the discussion of diversity beyond check-the-box demographic measures of diversity to a more complex appreciation of what constitutes boards being intellectually resource-rich. It gives practical guidelines of nominating committees to construct cognitively heterogeneous boards.
The Impact of Digital Relationship Marketing Capabilities towards One-to-One Customer Relationship Quality in Online Platform: The Mediating Role of Customer Perceived Relevance
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.
Audit Quality as a Moderating Mechanism between Earnings Management and Firm Valuation
This study examines the effect of earnings management on firm valuation and the moderating role of audit quality using panel data from publicly listed non-financial firms over 2019-2024. The empirical results reveal that earnings management has a significant negative impact on firm valuation, with regression estimates showing a coefficient of β = -0.42 (p < 0.01) in the baseline model and β = -0.30 (p < 0.05) after including interaction effects. This indicates that increased managerial manipulation leads to a measurable decline in market value, confirming that investors penalize firms with lower earnings quality. Audit quality demonstrates a strong positive association with firm valuation, with coefficients of β = 0.35 (p < 0.01) and β = 0.31 (p < 0.01) across models. This suggests that firms audited by high quality auditors benefit from enhanced credibility and higher market valuation. Most importantly, the moderating effect of audit quality is confirmed by the positive and significant interaction term (β = 0.28, p < 0.05), indicating that audit quality weakens the negative impact of earnings management on firm valuation. The overall model exhibits solid explanatory power, with an adjusted R² of 0.39 and F statistic of 26.32, highlighting the robustness of the findings. Descriptive statistics show that the mean firm valuation (Tobin’s Q) is 1.42, while average earnings management is relatively low (mean = 0.021) and approximately 65% of firms are audited by high quality auditors. Control variables behave consistently with theory: firm size (β = 0.09) and profitability (β = 0.15, p < 0.05) positively affect valuation, whereas leverage has a negative effect (β = -0.12, p < 0.05). Growth opportunities remain statistically insignificant (β = 0.06, p > 0.10). Overall, the results confirm that earnings management significantly reduces firm value, but high audit quality mitigates this adverse effect, reinforcing its role as effective governance and signaling mechanism in enhancing market confidence.
Enhancing Academic Integrity and Efficiency through E-Marking: A Case Study of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)
E-marking or electronic marking is a promising alternative to traditional paper marking in the digitalisation of higher education, offering efficiency, transparency and integrity. This study evaluated e-marking at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU); its effects on examiner job satisfaction, speed and efficiency, and administrative workflows. This mixed methods research comprised a questionnaire for 128 e-examiners and system turnaround time data. The results showed 82% of examiners rated the system user-friendly, 70% indicated increased speed in marking, and 79% marked scripts primarily on laptops. Volume of scripts marked per semester was 1,000-1,500 (37%), with 2,500 scripts (10%) for those with higher workloads, suggesting scalability of the system. Issues included slow speed (40%), system downtime (20%) and lack of training (50%). Regarding academic integrity, 60% found plagiarism detection effective for verbatim copying, and 55% requested clearer institutional guidelines. Overall, 80% were keen to use e-marking again. E-marking has improved efficiency, accuracy and sustainability at AIOU, it is concluded. Capacity-building, infrastructure improvements, integration of advanced plagiarism detection tools and institutional guidelines are recommended to enhance scalability.
Fostering Sustainable Workplace Wellbeing through Responsible Leadership via lens of Signalling Theory: Mediating Effect of Employee Oriented HRM in Banking Sector of Pakistan
The well-being of employees should not be considered solely an HR issue but rather an important ethical and strategic priority for businesses in order to achieve long-lasting organizational resilience and legitimacy. Over the last decade, there has been a movement away from viewing employee well-being as an independent responsibility of the employee to being an organizational responsibility that is tied to corporate ethics, stakeholder expectations and the creation of sustainable value (Bocean et al., 2022). The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (in particular, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) indicate that organizational practices should promote employee well-being and dignity in the workplace as part of the higher goal of achieving global sustainability.
Fear Of Being Offline: Nomophobia As A Predictor Of Anxiety Among Students
The current research paper was meant to investigate the connection between nomophobia and anxiety in university students. Two hundred and sixty students were chosen, and nomophobia and anxiety levels were measured with the help of standardized tests, such as the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A regression analysis was performed to estimate the predictive relationship between the variables, whereas independent samples t-test were used to study differences based on gender. The results indicated that nomophobia was a significant predictor of anxiety in university students which means that there was significant correlation between the variables. Also, significant gender differences in the scores of nomophobia and anxiety were found in both male and female students. The results indicated that the differences in means were significant although there were higher scores in males in terms of anxiety, the findings indicate that nomophobia is not a major predictor of anxiety in this sample. Such results indicate that more studies are required to understand additional psychological and situational variables that could contribute to anxiety in students of universities.
The Impact of Emotional Labor and Transformational Leadership on Burnout and Turnover Intentions: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and the Moderating Role of Social Support in the Tourism Industry
The current study focuses on the effects of emotional labor and transformational leadership on employee’s life burnouts and turnover intentions in the tourism industry. It also examines mediating role of emotional intelligence, as well as moderating role of social support, in a combined structural framework. Quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used and 398 tourism employees were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used as a method of data analysis. The results point to the fact that emotional labor contributes to the considerable increase in burnout and turnover intentions, and transformational leadership decreases these negative consequences. EI has been a mediating factor, as it conveys the influence of both emotional labor and transformational leadership into burnout and turnover intentions. Similarly, social support helps significantly reduce the negative effect of emotional work. The model is shown to be very explanatory, specifically on the emotional intelligence as well as turnover intentions. These findings highlight the role of leadership development and improvement of emotional abilities, as well as the promotion of favorable working environments in promoting the well-being and retention of employees in tourism organizations.
Empowering the Workforce: Mediating Role of AI Acceptance in Transformational Leadership and Employee Outcomes
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into organizational processes has transformed contemporary workplaces, necessitating leadership approaches that facilitate employee acceptance of AI-driven systems. The purpose of this research is to examines influence of transformational leadership on job satisfaction, employee engagement, and quality of work life through AI acceptance as a mediating variable. Further, this study evaluate moderating role of training and development in relationship of transformational leadership and AI acceptance. The population of the study is employees from manufacturing and service sector. Convenience sampling technique is used to draw sample from the population. The sample size of the study is 511 employees. Results showed that transformational leadership positively influence the AI acceptance. Results also revealed that AI acceptance positively influence the job satisfaction, employee engagement, and quality of work life. It is further revealed that AI acceptance mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction, employee engagement and quality of work life. At last, result showed that training and development moderate the relationship between transformational leadership and AI acceptance. This means training and development strengthen the relation between transformational leadership and AI acceptance. Training and development help the organizations to accept AI technology with transformational leadership. This research provides valuable guidance for organizational leaders, HR professionals, and policymakers in large-scale Pakistani enterprises across manufacturing, technology, and service sectors. By highlighting the role of transformational leadership in fostering AI acceptance, the study emphasizes the importance of leadership development programs designed to enhance employees’ readiness for technological change.
The Impact of Green Transformational Leadership and Green Human Resource Management on Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Mediating Role of Green Innovation Performance
With the increasing environmental challenges and the competition becoming tougher, companies are increasingly considering sustainability as a part of their overall strategies. This study looked at how green transformational leadership and Green Human resource management affect sustainable competitive advantage. It further verified the role of green innovation performance as an intermediate. The study relied on the figures of 220 employees in firms that emphasize on sustainability. They checked their ideas with the help of a method known as structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that green transformational leadership Green human resource management is useful in turn enhances sustainable competitive advantage. Green innovation also relates green human resource management to sustainable competitive advantage to some degree. The study found that GIP partially connects GTL, GHRM, and SCA, showing that innovation is key in turning green efforts into competitive benefits. This research adds to what is already known by bringing together ideas about leadership, human resources, and innovation within a sustainability context. The findings offer useful advice for business leaders and policy makers. They suggest that companies should encourage green leadership and use HRM that support the environment to drive innovation and gain a sustainable edge. The study also talks about future research areas and the limitations of the current work.
ADAPTIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AGE OF AGENTIC AI: A CONCEPTUAL PERSPECTIVE ON AGILITY, AUTONOMY, AND GOVERNANCE
The emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the foundations of organizational agility by introducing systems capable of autonomous decision-making, adaptive learning, and coordinated action across complex environments. This article develops a conceptual perspective on how agentic AI transforms agile organizations, moving them from flexible, human-centered structures toward adaptive, hybrid systems characterized by continuous learning and distributed intelligence. Building on the dynamic capabilities view and socio-technical systems theory, the paper conceptualizes agility as an evolving capability that is increasingly co-produced by human and artificial agents. The study identifies three core dimensions—agility, autonomy, and governance—and examines their interdependencies in the context of agentic AI adoption. It argues that while agentic AI enhances organizational responsiveness, speed, and innovation, it simultaneously introduces new challenges related to control, accountability, and ethical alignment. To address these tensions, the article proposes a multi-layered framework that integrates agentic AI capabilities with organizational structures, governance mechanisms, and human–AI collaboration practices. The framework highlights the role of adaptive governance in balancing autonomy with oversight, ensuring that AI-driven decisions remain aligned with organizational and societal objectives. By synthesizing insights from artificial intelligence, management, and information systems literature, this conceptual study contributes to theory by reframing organizational agility in the age of autonomous systems. It further provides practical guidance for organizations seeking to leverage agentic AI to enhance adaptability while maintaining trust, transparency, and control. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions on hybrid intelligence, AI governance, and the evolution of agile organizational forms. Keywords: Agentic Artificial Intelligence; Organizational Agility; Adaptive Organizations; Autonomous Systems; AI Governance; Human–AI Collaboration; Dynamic Capabilities; Digital Transformation; Organizational Adaptation; Agile Management. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19920155
Effect of Social Media Marketing on Customer Product Loyalty
This study investigates the mediated pathways through which social media marketing fosters brand loyalty among Pakistani consumers in the burgeoning e-commerce landscape, focusing on electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM), perceived usefulness, trust, and social satisfaction as key mediators. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model and uses-and-gratifications theory, a conceptual framework posits a sequential chain: social media marketing → e-WOM → perceived usefulness/trust → social satisfaction → loyalty. The result is derived from the 120 respondents from the city of Karachi, using Smart PLS-SEM to verify the positive relationships with e-word of mouth being the strongest prediction with path coefficient. and validating hypotheses H5 (reviews/influencer endorsements boost loyalty, p<0.01) while rejecting H6 due to context-specific mediation needs in Pakistan's collectivist culture. Findings align with Kumar Singh et al. (2021), Bilgies et al. (2023), and Daud et al. (2018), emphasizing authentic peer endorsements over ads for repeat purchases and recommendations. Practical implications guide brands to allocate 60% budgets to micro-influencers and user-generated content for higher retention (25-40%). Recommendations include multilingual surveys for demographic generalizability, A/B testing of e-WOM authenticity, crisis-response analyses, and AI vs. human endorsement comparisons. This research equips Pakistani SMEs with evidence-based strategies to convert digital buzz into sustainable loyalty, bridging global trends with local realities. Keywords: Social Media Marketing; Brand Loyalty; Electronic Word-of-Mouth (e-WOM); Perceived Usefulness; Trust; Social Satisfaction; Technology Acceptance Model (TAM); Uses and Gratifications Theory; E-commerce; Consumer Behavior; Micro-Influencers; User-Generated Content; PLS-SEM; Pakistani Consumers; Digital Marketing Strategy
The Role of Microfinance in Improving Financial Stability of Rural Households in Hyderabad Region, Sindh, Pakistan
This research investigates since microfinance is helping rural households in Hyderabad, Sindh, gain financial stability. Microcredit, savings behavior, financial literacy, and women's empowerment are the focus areas. The study used a quantitative methodology. Primary data was obtained from 420 respondents using a survey with a five point Likert scale. The data was analyzed using PLS SEM. Findings of the study show that microcredit has a positive impact on financial stability (β = 0.29), that savings behavior has the highest positive impact (β = 0.34), financial literacy contributes positively (β = 0.21), and that women empowerment has a positive impact (β = 0.25). The model accounts for 68 percent of the financial stability variance (R² = 0.68). This shows that the model has good explanatory power. This study demonstrates that credit alone is insufficient. For long term stability, financial literacy, saving behavior, and women participation are necessary. This study only provides a one region and cross sectional data. For future studies, it is recommended that a cross region and longitudinal data collection approach be undertaken. Exploring digital finance and Islamic microfinance methods is also recommended. Keywords: Microfinance, Financial Stability, Microcredit, Savings Behavior, Financial Literacy, Women Empowerment, Rural Households, PLS SEM.
Innovative Aquaculture for Entrepreneurship Growth: Insights from RAS Adoption in Pakistan
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have emerged as a transformative technology in aquaculture, offering sustainable production through water recycling, biofiltration, and controlled environmental management. This study investigates the impact of RAS adoption on entrepreneurship development in Pakistan, focusing on provincial case studies, SME growth, value chain enhancement, employment generation, and innovation promotion. Using a qualitative exploratory design with secondary data sources, including peer-reviewed articles and government reports, thematic analysis was conducted to assess entrepreneurial outcomes. The findings indicate that RAS facilitates technology-driven startups, urban and peri-urban aquaculture enterprises, and high-value niche markets, while strengthening linkages across the aquaculture value chain. However, adoption is constrained by technical and energy-related challenges. The study applies Rogers'Diffusion of Innovations Theory to explain the adoption patterns of RAS among early and late entrepreneurial adopters, and Barney's Resource-Based View (RBV) to highlight how technological and knowledge resources provide a competitive advantage to entrepreneurs. The integration of these theories demonstrates that strategic resource deployment and innovation diffusion are critical for scaling RAS-based entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Policy support, training, and renewable energy integration are recommended to overcome adoption barriers, ensuring sustainable economic growth, enhanced food security, and the development of a technology-driven aquaculture entrepreneurial ecosystem.
IMPACT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR: MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT AND MODERATING ROLE OF PROACTIVE PERSONALITY
Purpose - This study examines the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and employee innovative work behavior (IWB) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The research explores psychological empowerment (PE) as a mediator and proactive personality (PP) as a moderator to understand their collective influence on fostering innovation.Design/Methods/Approach- A quantitative research design was employed, involving a structured survey of 400 employees from SMEs using simple random sampling. The sample size was determined via G-Power, with an effect size of 0.25. SPSS v25 was used for descriptive and inferential analysis, while Hayes’ Process Models 1 and 7 were applied to examine mediation and moderated mediation effects. Validity and reliability were established through confirmatory factor analysis, ensuring a robust research framework. Findings- The results reveal that TL significantly and positively impacts IWB by fostering creativity and innovation. Psychological empowerment plays a critical mediating role, enabling employees to take initiative and propose innovative solutions. Proactive personality strengthens the positive relationship between TL and IWB, with proactive individuals exhibiting greater creativity and adaptability. These findings emphasize the importance of transformational leadership in empowering employees and cultivating innovation, especially within SMEs. Practical Implications- This study makes a practical contribution to the existing body of literature about the interaction between leaders and employees. The present research makes a contribution to the expanding body of literature that demonstrates how enterprises may encourage innovative in their workers and how motivate individuals to engage in activities that include innovative behavior that might potentially improve the performance of the business. Originality/Value- The research shows how psychological empowerment and proactive personality traits work together with social cognitive theory and social exchange theory to drive innovation in small and medium enterprises. The study demonstrates how leadership and empowerment together with personality traits interact to provide managers with methods to boost their organizations' innovative capabilities. Keywords Transformational leadership, proactive personality, innovative behavior, Psychological empowerment, Small medium enterprises
POST PURCHASE SERVICE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER BEHAVIOR IN CROSS- BORDER E-COMMERCE: A PAKISTANI CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE
The rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has transformed global retail by enabling consumers to access international markets through digital platforms. While prior research has largely focused on pre-purchase and logistical aspects, the post-purchase phase remains underexplored despite its critical role in shaping customer satisfaction and behavior. This study investigates the impact of Post-Purchase Service Quality (PPSQ) on customer behavior from a Pakistani consumer perspective. Specifically, it examines five dimensions of PPSQ—Order Tracking (OT), Easy Exchange and Return (EER), Responsive Customer Support (RCS), Product Usage Instructions (PUI), and Loyalty and Reward Programs (LRP)—and their influence on Customer Satisfaction (CS), which subsequently affects Repurchase Intention (RPI) and Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM). A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed using a structured online questionnaire distributed among Pakistani consumers with CBEC experience. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that Order Tracking, Easy Exchange and Return, and Responsive Customer Support significantly and positively influence customer satisfaction, whereas Product Usage Instructions and Loyalty and Reward Programs do not show a significant impact. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is found to be a strong predictor of both repurchase intention and electronic word-of-mouth. The study highlights that operational reliability and effective post-purchase support are the key drivers of customer satisfaction in CBEC, particularly in emerging markets like Pakistan where perceived risk is high. These findings provide valuable theoretical contributions by extending service quality literature to the post-purchase phase and offer practical insights for e-commerce platforms to prioritize resources effectively. Overall, the research underscores the importance of enhancing post-purchase experiences to foster customer loyalty and sustainable growth in cross-border e-commerce . Keywords: Cross-Border E-Commerce, Post-Purchase Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Repurchase Intention, Electronic Word-of-Mouth, Pakistan https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19603686
A Critical Examination of Unemployment and Its Socioeconomic Effects in Emerging Markets
Unemployment is a long-standing issue in developing economies, which has a considerable impact on economic conditions and social welfare. The socioeconomic impacts of unemployment are critically evaluated in this paper by studying the effects of unemployment on income distribution, poverty levels and social inequality. The paper examines structural and cyclical forms of unemployment including the rise in population, the skills gap, and the lack of industrial growth. Based on secondary data and comparative analysis of selected emerging economies, the study identifies the impacts of long-term unemployment in lowering income levels in households, consumer spending, and reliance on informal sectors. Moreover, the paper examines the social implications of joblessness, including the increased crime rate, mental health problems, and decreased access to education and healthcare. The results indicate that unemployment not only undermines economic development but also increases social inequalities, which undermines sustainable development. The paper highlights the importance of specific policy responses, such as skill training, labor market policies, and investment in job generating sectors, to reduce the negative impacts of unemployment and ensure inclusive economic growth in emerging markets.
Resistance to AI Adoption in HRM: A Qualitative Study of Pakistani Organizations
The fast integration process of artificial intelligence into human resource management (HRM) practices has led to strong discussions about the ability of organizations in developing countries to accept these new changes. Pakistani organizations display strong refusal to adopt AI-driven HRM tools which organizations recognize have potential to enhance their recruitment process and performance evaluation and employee engagement and workforce analytics. This qualitative study investigates the nature and sources and organizational consequences of this resistance which exists within Pakistani firms across multiple industries. The study followed an interpretivist research paradigm through its semi-structured interviews which included fifteen HR professionals and senior managers and organizational decision-makers from organizations based in Lahore and Karachi and Islamabad. Thematic analysis was applied to uncover recurring patterns and deeper contextual explanations for adoption resistance. The research identified that resistance arises primarily from HR personnel who fear losing their jobs and employees and executives who lack AI skills and digital abilities and people who distrust algorithmic systems and organizations that maintain static hierarchical structures and companies that lack basic technological infrastructure and organizations that view AI technology as unsuitable for their HR methods. The study concludes the multi-pronged strategy which includes targeted digital upskilling and transparent communication about AI’s complementary role and leadership-driven change advocacy and culturally-sensitive implementation frameworks serves as the required solution to overcome AI adoption resistance which exists within Pakistani HRM. Theoretical contributions include a context-specific model of AI-HRM adoption resistance while practical implications guide HR practitioners and policymakers who seek to prepare their organizations for AI-driven transformation.
The Moderating Role of Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Sustainable Tourism Development
Sustainable tourism development has become a global priority, particularly in environmentally vulnerable regions such as Pakistan, where ecological degradation and resource mismanagement threaten long-term sectoral growth. Despite increasing scholarly attention, the underlying mechanisms linking environmental-specific leadership, employee motivation, and technological capability remain fragmented. Addressing this gap, the present study employs a PRISMA 2020-based systematic literature review to synthesize contemporary research published between 2020 and 2026. A total of 52 peer-reviewed studies were selected from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Grit Theory, and emerging perspectives on Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, the study develops an integrated conceptual framework explaining sustainable tourism development. The findings reveal that environmental-specific leadership—encompassing Environmental-Specific Servant Leadership, Green Transformational Leadership, and Green Inclusive Leadership—significantly fosters a green psychological climate, which enhances employees’ green harmonious passion and subsequently shapes positive green attitudes. These attitudes are identified as critical drivers of sustainable tourism outcomes. Importantly, the study highlights AI literacy as a key moderating factor that strengthens the relationship between employee green attitude and sustainable tourism development by enabling effective implementation of sustainability practices through digital tools. The review contributes to the literature by integrating leadership, motivational, and technological perspectives into a unified framework, offering a micro-foundational understanding of sustainability in tourism. The study provides practical implications for policymakers and practitioners by emphasizing leadership development, digital capability enhancement, and sustainability-oriented human resource practices as essential drivers of long-term sustainable tourism growth.
The Mediating Role of Employee Competence Between Training and Performance Evaluation.
This study investigates the mediating role of employee competence between training and performance evaluation in the banking sector of Sindh, Pakistan. In highly competitive service environments, banks increasingly invest in employee training programs to enhance knowledge, develop skills, improve performance and achieve organizational goals. However, the effectiveness of training in translating knowledge into measurable performance outcomes largely depends on employees’ ability to apply acquired skills effectively. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 350 employees across six major banks, including HBL, UBL, MCB, Standard Chartered, Bank Alfalah and Faisal Bank, employing a stratified random sampling technique. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping methods were utilized to test the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate that training has a significant positive effect on employee competence (β = 0.45, p < 0.001), confirming that well designed and competency focused training programs enhance employees’ technical, behavioral and problem solving skills. Employee competence was found to have a strong positive impact on performance evaluation outcomes (β = 0.52, p < 0.001), highlighting the critical role of competence in achieving high performance ratings. While training also has a direct effect on performance evaluation (β = 0.18, p = 0.011), the mediation analysis revealed that competence partially mediates the relationship between training and performance evaluation (indirect effect β = 0.23, p = 0.001), suggesting that the application of acquired skills is key to translating training into improved performance. The total effect of training on performance evaluation was substantial (β = 0.41, p < 0.001). These findings emphasize the importance of competency-oriented training programs, aligned performance appraisal systems and continuous skill development initiatives to optimize employee performance. This study contributes theoretically to Human Capital Theory, Social Cognitive Theory and the broader field of human resource development by demonstrating that employee competence serves as a critical mechanism linking training to performance outcomes. Practically, the results provide insights for bank management, HR professionals and policymakers to enhance training effectiveness, design competency based evaluation systems, and foster organizational productivity in the banking sector.
AI-Driven Personalization In Digital Marketing:
Artificial intelligence has transformed the method through brands connect with the consumers. In this competitive landscape personalized marketing has become important tactic for brand connect with consumer. AI-driven marketing techniques are the process of transforming the customer engagement, retention, and conversation by providing the real time personalized, prognostic Promotion. The purpose of this research is to find out how AI powered individualize is remodeling digital promotions, examine benefits and challenges in the modern age. It is also the part of study to identify the challenges that arises as well as highlighting the role in shaping in future consumer brand association,brand loyalty. This research highlights the integration of AI tools such as chat-bots, clouds, notion, engines, canvas and predictive behavioral model. In this study Questionnaire technique is used for data collection. A set of 100 comprehensive questionnaire are asked from digital marketing professionals that found that digital marketing such as AI personalized improved consumer engagement metrics like click through rates, time spend on contents conversation to obtain the opinion of specific segments.
Spillover Effects of Informal Caregiving on Employee Engagement: Evidence from Corporate Employees
The man is a 34-year-old who as his present job role is a Mid-Level Operations Coordinator at ABC company World (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore, Pakistan. He was directed to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by his line manager because his work performance was noticeably and continuously deteriorating, there were frequent unplanned absences, he became emotionally dysregulated during the team meetings, and had difficulties in meeting the project deadlines. The main precipitating factor for his condition was found to be the critical illness of his mother who had a severe stroke six weeks before the referral. Besides looking after her, the man is also keeping up with his job effectively. It was after a structured intake interview, behavioral observation, and the use of the standardized psychological instruments such as Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), and Work-Life Balance Scale that the client showed signs of strong caregiver burden, anticipatory grief, anxiety, and occupational stress. According to the case formulation the work impairment is a direct result of unresolved emotional distress, role conflict, and insufficient coping skills. A comprehensive plan for managing the situation has been created in accordance with ABC company World's HR counseling protocols and the ethical guidelines of the Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA). The person is willing to participate in the counseling sessions and has signed the informed consent for this report preparation.
Examine The Mediating Effect Of Organizational Justice On Employee Turnover Intention And Appraisal Performance: Perspectives From Manufacturing And Trading Smes
This study investigates the impact of audit quality on earnings quality and the cost of capital, with particular attention to the mediating role of earnings quality and the moderating effect of financial crises in Pakistan. Using panel data from non financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the study employs descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel regressions and mediation moderation analysis to examine these relationships. Audit quality is proxies by auditor type, earnings quality is measured through discretionary accruals and the cost of capital is computed using the weighted average of equity and debt costs. The results reveal that high audit quality significantly improves earnings quality (β = 0.087, t = 4.21, p < 0.01), indicating that reputable auditors constrain managerial opportunism and enhance the reliability of financial reporting. Audit quality is also associated with a lower cost of capital (β = -0.021, t = -3.76, p < 0.01), while higher earnings quality independently reduces financing costs (β = -0.039, t = -4.11, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis shows that earnings quality partially transmits the effect of audit quality on the cost of capital (indirect effect β = -0.012, t = 3.58, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the interaction between audit quality and financial crisis periods is significant (β = -0.018, t = -2.95, p < 0.01), indicating that audit quality plays a more pronounced role in lowering financing costs during economic uncertainty. These findings highlight the importance of high quality auditing and reliable financial reporting in reducing information asymmetry and improving capital market efficiency in emerging markets. The study provides practical implications for regulators, corporate managers and investors in strengthening governance and enhancing investor confidence, particularly during periods of financial distress.
Mental Health Crisis In Pakistan’s Medical Community
This research looks at the current mental health crisis that is happening among physicians in Pakistan and shows how three types of factors i.e. institutional, occupational and socio-cultural, together influence and affect the psychological wellbeing of the medical profession. This is done using a mixed methods approach along with a comprehensive review of the literature on these issues. The most significant results of the research are that high levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression among physicians in Pakistan are directly linked to inefficiencies and limitations of the healthcare system along with the persistent presence of cultural barriers. The characteristics that define Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure are limited funding, inadequate staffing, high patient-to-physician ratios and overcrowded facilities that exert intense and extreme stress on physicians. The excessive length of time physicians work each week, the number of patients seen during each work shift and the amount of time spent on non-physician duties contribute to the extreme level of emotional exhaustion experienced by physicians; therefore, limiting their feelings of professional fulfilment. Other structural obstacles that exacerbate these issues include: township-based violence against physicians; the lack of an institutional support system; and insufficient access to mental health services in healthcare organizations. The research revealed the importance of understanding that physician burnout is not only a personal issue, but also a systemic issue with systemic roots embedded within organisational and policy structures in Pakistan. Most hospitals in Pakistan provide no formal ways for doctors to obtain support for their well-being. In addition, a hierarchical culture of work prevents open discussions about mental health within the workplace. Physicians are therefore continuing to work while under extreme psychological distress, whereas some physicians do seek assistance. The socio-cultural context also plays a major role in aggravating the physician burnout crisis. There is a stigma associated with mental health which makes doctors less likely to seek psychological assistance for fear of being perceived negatively by their peers, as well as a fear of loss of reputation due to the associated stigma. Female doctors are also disproportionately affected by socio-cultural issues due to the pressure they experience as a result of having to fulfil both demanding professional responsibilities, and societal expectations of them as caregivers to their families. The research further revealed the problems that physicians have with their own mental health can directly affect the quality of care received by patients. The psychological distress that physicians experience has been associated with decreased clinical efficiency, poor decisions, increased errors in providing care to patients, and decreased satisfaction of patients receiving care. Therefore, when the doctor improves his or her own well-being it is not only important for that individual but is also important for the strength of the overall healthcare system and continued safety of patients.
A Review Of The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence Adoption On Employee Engagement In The Pharmaceutical Sector Of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Industries are rapidly being transformed by the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the pharmaceutical industry is no exception. The review discusses the changes in employee engagement with the introduction of AI, in the pharmaceutical industry of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan. The paper reviews the literature and theories such as the Job Demands Resources (JD R) model and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain the benefits and challenges of the integration of AI. The review also brings to the surface the moderating effect of technological self-efficacy and mediating role of organisational support. Suggestions for ethical and employee friendly AI implementation are also presented. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Industry, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Employee Engagement, The acceptance Model (TAM), Job Demands Resources (JD R) Model, Organizational Support, Technological SelfEfficacy, Digital Transformation, Human AI Interaction.
Beyond the Hustle: A Systematic Literature Review and Conceptual Synthesis of Generation Z’s Workplace Psychology, Sociology, and Mental Health
Generation Z (born 1995–2010) has increased in numbers in the global workforce, and organisations need to adapt their organisation’s culture and practices. This systematic literature review and conceptual synthesis of 55 peer-reviewed empirical studies from 2020 to 2025 examines the interactions between Gen Z’s expectations for work, psychological well-being, mental health, and organisational culture. Ultimately, the synthesis reveals that Gen Z's needs for autonomy, flexibility, meaningful work, alignment with values, and psychological safety are in contrast to the rigid, transactional organisation they have long known. I introduce the Gen Z Institutional Friction Model as a model of how high intentions for exit, quiet quitting, and deliberate detachment can be rational responses to the fragility of the economy, algorithms, mismatches of values, or lack of support. I provide theoretical contributions and practical implications for human resource management and organisational development.
Supervisor Machiavellianism and Employee Quiet Quitting: The Mediating Role of Psychological Contract Breach and the Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support
The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of supervisor Machiavellianism on employee quiet quitting through the mediating role of psychological contract breach and the moderating role of perceived social support among employees of Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Pakistan. A quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional survey design was adopted to examine the proposed relationships among the study variables. Data were collected from 200 employees through a stratified random sampling technique. Standardized and validated research instruments were used to measure supervisor Machiavellianism, psychological contract breach, perceived social support and employee quiet quitting. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 and SmartPLS software. The findings of the study were revealed that supervisor Machiavellianism significantly predicted psychological contract breach (β = 0.53, p = 0.000), while psychological contract breach significantly influenced employee quiet quitting behavior (β = 0.49, p = 0.000). Perceived social support was shown a significant negative relationship with employee quiet quitting (β = -0.25, p = 0.000). The moderation findings were further indicated that perceived social support weakened the positive relationship between psychological contract breach and employee quiet quitting (β = -0.13, p = 0.002). The mediation analysis was confirmed that psychological contract breach significantly mediated the relationship between supervisor Machiavellianism and employee quiet quitting (Effect = 0.26, CI = 0.17–0.37). The structural model assessment was shown satisfactory model fitness with R² values of 0.31 for psychological contract breach and 0.55 for employee quiet quitting. The study was concluded that manipulative supervisory behaviors indirectly promoted employee disengagement through breach perceptions, whereas strong social support reduced employees’ withdrawal tendencies and protected them from quiet quitting behaviors.
BEYOND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS: REFRAMING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A RELATIONAL ORGANIZING CAPABILITY IN CONTEMPORARY ORGANIZATIONS
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most impactful developments of the modern businesses, management and coordination systems. Previous studies often conceptualize AI as a technological entity that has independent capabilities and impacts on organizational processes. This article proposes an alternative line of thinking that sees AI as a relational organization capacity that is produced from the interaction between human actors, algorithmic systems, data infrastructures, institutional arrangements, and sociotechnical practices. The paper develops a posthumanist perspective on ontology, a sociomaterial approach, a relational organization theory, and digital organizing literature to suggest that AI capacities are not only emergent in computational systems, but also in the continuous processes of human algorithmic interaction. It builds a capability centred framework, focusing on relational connectivity, distributed agency, sociotechnical co-production, performativity and continuous emergence as key dimensions of AI enabled organizing. The article adds to the ongoing discussions in today's organization studies, management and information systems literature by proposing an ontological shift from an entity based understanding of AI to a relational and process oriented understanding. The paper also gives some hints for further research on algorithmic management, organizational intelligence, digital transformation, human AI co-working, governance, ethics, and organizational redesign. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, organizing capability, Sociomateriality, Posthumanism, algorithmic management, human AI collaboration, organizational intelligence, digital transformation
From Entry to Embeddedness: A Case Study of Haier’s Strategic Localization and Cross-Cultural Management in Pakistan
As multinational corporations increasingly seek growth in the Global South, the South-South expansion model presents unique strategic and cultural challenges. This research investigates the international management strategies and cross-cultural dynamics of the Haier Group in Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to analyze how Haier navigated a volatile emerging market to achieve sustainable competitive advantage by balancing global strategic coherence with local cultural responsiveness. Adopting a qualitative case study methodology, the paper is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Dunning’s Eclectic Paradigm and Bartlett and Ghoshal’s Transnational Strategy. These models provide the analytical lens to evaluate Haier’s entry motives and its transition from a foreign exporter to a locally embedded institution. The findings indicate that Haier’s success is predicated on an aggressive localization of manufacturing and human resources, which effectively minimized the liability of foreignness. However, the analysis also identifies significant "managerial friction" at the intersection of Chinese efficiency-driven corporate culture and the relational, hierarchical workplace norms of Pakistan. Specifically, applying Hofstede’s (2011) Cultural Dimensions reveals a tension between Haier’s decentralized Rendanheyi model and local employee expectations for paternalistic leadership. The study finds that Haier mitigated these challenges through "cultural translation" and the deployment of expatriates with high cultural intelligence (CQ), resulting in a hybridized operational model. The research concludes that success in diverse emerging markets requires moving beyond a transactional entry mindset toward a "two-way knowledge loop" that respects local institutional and human factors. This study provides valuable insights for global firms navigating the complexities of cross-border management, emphasizing that true organizational synergy is achieved through the delicate alignment of global capabilities with host-country socio-economic fabrics.
A Multilevel Model of Organizational Justice and Commitment: The Mediating Role of Team Trust and the Moderating Role of Leadership Style
While we know that organizational justice influences individual commitment, little research has examined how shared perceptions of justice within work teams become individual attitudes. The paper constructs and demonstrates a time-lagged, multilevel model in which organizational justice is treated as a team climate that moderates the relationship between individual affective commitment and team trust. The model is grounded in Social Exchange Theory and Fairness Heuristic Theory. These perspectives imply that when employees perceive fair outcomes, fair processes, and respectful treatment, they use these indicators to assess the organization's reliability and the trustworthiness of other team members. Thus, team justice should enhance team trust, and team trust should, in turn, enhance employees' identification with the organization. Another argument presented in the article is that leadership style acts as a boundary condition. Transformational leadership is expected to enhance the advantage of a just climate on team trust by providing employees with a sense of meaning, reliability, and support. By contrast, transactional leadership might hinder this by focusing on short-term transactions and compliance. The paper presents a three-wave quantitative test design and a sample three-level structural equation analysis, with employees nested within work teams across various organizations, to demonstrate how this model can be tested. The illustrative analyses find partial mediation by team trust and stronger justice-trust links under high (transformational) leadership and weaker links under high (transactional) leadership. The work adds to the body of research on justice by integrating climate, trust, leadership, and time into a single framework. It provides practical advice to managers aiming to establish committed teams by being just and trusting.
AI-DRIVEN PASSIVE HOUSING DESIGN FOR ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN EMERGING ECONOMIES: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN
Sustainability issues in the housing sector of emerging economies like Pakistan are exacerbated by rapid urbanization, rising energy consumption and environmental degradation. To overcome these challenges, passive housing design has been developed, which aims to optimize the orientation and design of buildings, use efficient building materials and improve the insulation and ventilation performance to minimize reliance on traditional energy systems. But, conventional passive design approaches are not always accurate, flexible and scalable in complex environments. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be an important solution as it can optimize the data and improve the performance of passive houses. This study employs a quantitative research method to examine the role of AI driven passive house design for the economic and environmental sustainability in Pakistan. The data was gathered by using a structured questionnaire from 384 construction, architectural and urban planning professionals. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS was used to analyze the relation between integration of AI, passive house efficiency and economical and environmental sustainability. The results show that the adoption of AI technologies has a very positive impact on passive house efficiency and this is the most influential factor for sustainability results. Additionally, the results show that AI's influence on environmental sustainability is more significant than its influence on economic sustainability, especially in terms of energy efficiency, carbon reduction and optimized design processes. The structural model shows moderate to strong explanatory power, supporting the robustness of the proposed model and identifying a mediating mechanism, namely the contribution of Passive House efficiency to the improved sustainability outcomes. The study is an empirical validation of the integration of AI and passive design in a context of a developing country, adding to the literature. The practical implications indicate that it is essential to advocate for the use of AI in design tools, revise building codes, and invest in capacity development for sustainable and climate-smart housing construction, facilitated by AI.
UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE: THE INTERPLAY OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, DIGITAL FINANCE ADOPTION, AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Financial literacy is a predominant component augmenting the sustainability of SMEs, specifically in the economy that are in developing phase, like Pakistan. This research evaluated the interaction among financial literacy, digital finance adoption, strategic leadership, and Sustainable performance of SMEs. Using quantitative-method approach, data was collected from 387 owners and managerial employees of the manufacturing SMEs of various industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The statistical results demonstrate that financial literacy enhances significantly the sustainable performance of SMEs, with digital finance adoption partially mediates this relationship. Additionally, the strategic leadership moderates the association of financial literacy and sustainable performance, representing that effective leadership strengthens the influence of financial literacy on sustainable performance of enterprises. The findings underline the prerequisite for SME owners and management to acquire and organize financial knowledge and invest in digital finance, while policymakers should encourage leadership development programs to foster sustainable business performance. Keywords- Financial literacy, Sustainable Performance, Digital Finance Adoption, Strategic Leadership, SMEs
STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY THROUGH GOOD GOVERNANCE: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN
The imperative to enhance public service delivery has placed good governance at the center of health sector reform, particularly in developing countries where state-led healthcare remains a primary source for the majority. This study investigates the impact of good governance on health service delivery in Pakistan, with a specific focus on Balochistan, using the theoretical lens of Public Value Theory. Employing a quantitative, explanatory research design, data were collected from 234 healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrators—across public hospitals using standardized scales. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via SmartPLS was applied to examine the hypothesized relationship. A positive correlation is statistically significant and exists between the good governance and service delivery. Good-governance dimensions, namely transparency, accountability, regulatory quality, and rule of law have been empirically demonstrated to have positive effects on the important indicators of service quality, such as physician availability, quality of diagnostic services, patient satisfaction with treatment, and continuity of care. These results highlight the criticality of governance practices not only in improving operational efficiency but also in creating value to the population, as a result of alignment of services and the expectations and needs of the people. Besides, the study extends the theoretical evolution of the Public Value Theory through the provision of practical validation of its assumptions in the framework of the healthcare system under the conditions of the limited resources. It also contributes practically by identifying governance-driven pathways to improve health service performance and sustainability. Policymakers are urged to institutionalize governance reforms to ensure equitable, transparent, and citizen-centric health delivery systems in Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20253905
ENHANCING LEAN MANUFACTURING THROUGH DIGITAL E-KANBAN INTEGRATION AND INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
The traditional Kanban system has long served as a cornerstone in lean manufacturing for managing inventory and production flow. However, its limitations in real-time tracking, responsiveness, and data visibility make it less effective. This research presents the design and implementation of an Electronic Kanban (E-Kanban) system integrated with a programmable logic controller (PLC), infrared (IR) sensors, and real-time data visualization via Siemens S7-200 and OPC Expert. The system was deployed on a simulated assembly line with clearly defined workstations to evaluate improvements in throughput, cycle time, and work-in-process (WIP). Results indicate a 17% reduction in cycle time and a 21% increase in throughput, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed E-Kanban system. The integration of automation and digital tracking significantly reduced manual errors and enhanced decision-making. Future extensions include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics for proactive inventory management. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20270045
AN INVESTIGATION OF BASEL III COMPLIANCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE–DRIVEN CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S. BANKING SECTOR
This study investigates the role of Basel III compliance and Artificial Intelligence (AI)–driven credit risk management in strengthening financial stability within the United States banking sector. In the increasingly complex digital financial environment, U.S. banks face significant challenges in accurately assessing credit risk due to large-scale data generation, evolving borrower behavior, and market volatility. The research problem focuses on the limited integration between Basel III regulatory frameworks and AI-based predictive systems in improving credit risk accuracy, early default detection, and risk mitigation efficiency across U.S. financial institutions. The study adopts a quantitative research methodology using secondary data collected from annual reports of major U.S. commercial banks, Federal Reserve regulatory filings, and financial databases covering the period 2019–2025. The dataset includes key credit risk indicators such as non-performing loan ratios, capital adequacy ratios, probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), and AI-based credit scoring outputs. Statistical techniques, including regression analysis and comparative evaluation, are applied to assess the relationship between Basel III compliance levels and AI-enhanced credit risk management performance. The findings indicate that U.S. banks integrating AI-driven analytics with Basel III frameworks demonstrate improved credit risk prediction accuracy, lower default rates, and stronger capital adequacy positions. AI systems also enhance early warning mechanisms and improve lending decision efficiency. Measurable outcomes include reduced non-performing loan ratios, improved risk-adjusted returns, enhanced liquidity stability, and increased predictive accuracy in credit scoring models. Keywords- Basel III, Artificial Intelligence, Credit Risk Management, U.S. Banking Sector, Financial Stability, Machine Learning, Risk Prediction https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20489557
FOSTERING EMPLOYEES’ PROACTIVE BEHAVIOR BY SERVANT LEADERSHIP: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY AND MODERATING ROLE OF COLLECTIVISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
This research investigates the relationship between servant leadership and proactive behavior among employees, using psychological safety as a mediator and collectivism as a moderator. Based on social exchange theory and cultural value approaches, this research hypothesizes a mediated moderated model where servant leadership positively affects proactive behavior through psychological safety, and this positive effect is reinforced when collectivism is high. The data for this research were gathered from employees in higher education institutions, and the findings show that servant leadership is a significant predictor of proactive behavior. Psychological safety partially mediates the relationship between servant leadership and proactive behavior, implying that servant leaders create a safe interpersonal context that promotes initiative and change-oriented behavior. Additionally, collectivism positively moderates the relationship between psychological safety and proactive behavior, magnifying the impact in a collectivist setting. This research has important implications for leadership development and organizational culture in higher education institutions, underlining the need to cultivate supportive leadership and culturally congruent management practices to promote proactive work behavior.