Poverty Human Capital and Economic Development Nexus: A Case Study of Multan Division

Countries across the world have acknowledged that poverty alleviation has to be of critical importance among the objectives of economic development. This paper sheds light on the Multan division, as one the important division of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The primary data was collected through a household survey during the year 2019.The study concluded that occupation of the household head in the primary sector and household size are significant and positively associated with household poverty. However, human capital of the household is found to be significant and negatively related to household poverty in the Multan division. Economic development or per capita income of the households are found to be significant and positively related with human capital of the households.

Fiscal Decentralization and Social Service Delivery: An empirical Analysis of Balochistan

Purpose: This study has been initiated to measure the impact of fiscal decentralization in case of Balochistan province by using both revenue decentralization and expenditure decentralization to measure the impact of fiscal decentralization on provision of health, education, employment and poverty reduction. Design/Methodology/Approach: In measure, we have applied ARDL approach on the data spanning from 1975 to 2016. Findings: Our results point out that fiscal decentralization improves the social services delivery in case of Balochistan province. Moreover, it improves the provision of health and education facilities in Balochistan. Further, our findings indicate that fiscal decentralization leads to reduction in the poverty and unemployment. In addition, we found that expenditure decentralization is relatively effective in the provision of social services as compared to the revenue decentralization in case of Balochistan. Implications/Originality/Value: Our study findings suggest that to improve the social services delivery; we may opt for fiscal decentralization particularly expenditure decentralization in case of Balochistan.

Learners with Special Needs: Problems faced by Students and Teachers at University Level

Purpose: Every person in this world has the right to be educated and by every person means every single person, yes, the persons of special needs as well. About 15 percent of the world’s population has suffered various forms of disabilities such as visual and hearing impairment, physically handicapped, or mental retardation. The 1st purpose of this research was to find out the problems that a teacher faced while teaching a special learner at a higher education level. 2nd to find out the student’s perspective of studying in an inclusive setting at the university level. Design/Methodology/Approach: A phenomenological design was used and both teachers and their students took interviews. Qualitative theme analysis method was used in this study to analyze the teachers and students’ perceptions. Findings: The study’s findings provide an understanding of the experiences of teachers as well as perspectives regarding disabilities of learners in the regular classroom. They both recognized four zones that obstruct their capability to efficiently teach in a mixed ability classroom and the regular classroom. (a) Insufficient knowledge of teachers and lack of awareness about inclusion in the classroom. (b) Lack of training employed in inclusive or regular classrooms with differently-abled students; (c) Lack of examination to choose the most suitable aids which helpful for the teaching in the inclusive regular classroom. (d). Learning difficulty and psychological issues in the classroom. Implications/Originality/Value: From This research everyone will be benefited: students, as per their learning will be improved by it; educators as it will improve their teaching and efficiency in the classroom and parents, as their children will more likely to have a positive environment in the university. It will provide them an opportunity to learn from each other at the university level.

Effect Of Covid 19 Crises on Entrepreneurship Readiness of University Students of Pakistan

Purpose: Aim of this study is to examine the factors (personality traits, Covid-19 crises) influencing the entrepreneurship readiness among the university students in Pakistan Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used online survey for collection from 396 students of different university of Pakistan. The date was collected during online classes in Covid-19 pandemic. Multiple regression analysis technique was applied for the analysis of the data. Findings: The findings of the study demonstrate that all three personality traits i.e. need for achievement, locus of control and self-efficacy is positively influencing entrepreneurial readiness. But this personality trait alone cannot do favor they need other personality traits and they require to have favorable circumstances. However, covid-19 crises have negative influence on student’s readiness of being entrepreneur. Implications/Originality/Value: The study postulate that hard and uncertain situation do have influence on student’s motivation of being entrepreneur.

What Drives Individual Investors to Invest in Mutual Funds in a Developing Economy

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate factors that influence investment in mutual funds by individual investors in a developing economy. Drawing insights from the theory of planned behaviour, the study identified and tested the effect of awareness, attitude, financial literacy and preference for other competing investments on intention to invest in mutual funds by individual investors. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from 280 respondents in Zambia. Data was analysed using correlations and hierarchical regression models. Findings: The study reveals that awareness and attitude towards mutual funds significantly influence intention to invest in mutual funds. Surprisingly, financial literacy and preference for other investments do not significantly affect an individual investor’s intention to invest in mutual funds. Implications/Originality/Value: This study contributes to the financial services marketing literature by increasing understanding of individual investors’ investment decisions and drivers that influence intention to invest in mutual funds in Zambia. The study recommends that mutual funds marketers should invest more in building awareness and positive attitude towards investment in mutual funds in order to develop retail demand. Also, investment companies and financial services marketing policy makers should carefully consider their financial literacy programmes as the study reveals that financial literacy and competing investments are not significant drivers.

Impact of Credit Risk on Financial Performance: Mediating role of Operational Efficiency in banking Sector of Emerging Economy

Purpose: Financial performance of banks is an estimation of how better a company can use its assets for generating profits. Mostly the performance of banks is affected by modernization of financial system, technological advancements and deregulation. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of operational efficiency in relationship between credit risk and financial performance of banks. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research sample is 29 banks of Pakistan. Data for the study is collected from the published financial statements of banks ranges from 2011 to 2018. The data analysis technique used in this study is simple mediation analysis in structure equation modeling. Findings: The results reflect that operational efficiency partially significantly and inversely mediates the relationship of credit risk with financial performance. Implications/Originality/Value: One the basis of results it can be suggested that managers need to utilize their deposits carefully and should take more precautionary measures while granting loans. Managers and employees should maintain a better relationship and align their goals with the banks.

Impact of Corporate Governance on Dividend Policy: Evidence from Pakistan

Purpose: The objective of the paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance on the dividend payout policy of firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange during 2010-2020. As Pakistani investors face issues regarding their return in the shape of dividends and depend upon the firm’s corporate governance strength. To test whether changes in firm code of corporate governance have a significant influence on dividend policy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The panel data has been used for the period 2010-2020 and panel least square has been applied. Further, to test the association, following factors such delisting risk, government tenure, political connection with institutional shareholding as many political firms hold corporate shares which influence the decision to pay dividends. Findings: Findings from the fixed effect model show that corporate governance has a negative impact on dividend policy while government tenure, politically connected firm has a positive impact on the dividend. The study also concludes that firm size, profitability, tax, asset turnover, leverage, and firm shareholding also influence firm dividend payment behavior. Implications/Originality/Value: The implication of study reveals that firms must focus on strong their governance and include more independent directors on the board which leads to favorable strategies regarding investors. The investor must invest in those firm where lower political connection, pay continuous dividend either high or low decease/increase delisting chances, strong corporate governance and firm specific factors also lead to make decision of dividend payment.

An Unnoticed Hero of Pakistan's Independence Movement; A Case of Biography Mr.Naseem Hijazi

Purpose: In this article, Mr. Naseem Hijazi, a lesser-known hero of the Pakistan Movement, is highlighted. The primary purpose of this paper is to expose the hidden aspects of Mr. Naseem Hijazi's life. He was a well-known novelist and writer, as well as a freedom fighter. He was a member of the Pakistan Movement, but few people were aware of his involvement. He was a devoted Muslim and a firm believer in Islam. This research paper investigates and analyses the life of Naseem Hijazi to get a complete image of him. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research demonstrates that delving into individual biographies might provide a contextualized view of Naseem Hijazi's life, allowing for a complete picture of him. This study employed a qualitative content analysis method to examine Naseem Hijazi's biography during the Independence Movement. Findings: The finding shows that Naseem Hejazi had a passion for life that could enthrall any of his companions. During a radio interview, Syed Hashim Raza described his relationship with Naseem Hejazi, saying that the Muslim League was the only party working to establish Pakistan between 1940 and 1947. Naseem Hejazi was one of those who stood behind Quaid-e-Azam throughout those times and was respected by all. Naseem Hejazi, I believe, ran half of the pro-Muslim League propaganda effort in Baluchistan, while Mir Jaffer Khan Jamali ran the other half. Quetta's Pasban Fortnightly, June 15 (1939: 6). Implications/Originality/Value: In such a situation, history books about the Pakistan Movement should be rewritten to acknowledge Naseem Hejazi's work as one of the nation's benefactors.”

Exploring the Nexus between Empowering Leadership and Work Engagement through Employee Resilience during Times of Covid 19

Purpose: Online learning system was adopted by private schools across Pakistan to lessen students’ learning losses during the pandemic. It entailed the reliance on work from home model for their teaching staff. The success of these institutions must have been driven by a leadership style espoused by them which helped to keep their employees engaged. Thus, drawing on the job demand resource principle, conservation of resource principle, and broaden and build theory, this could be argued that empowering leadership may have engendered employee resilience which ultimately kept intact the work engagement of employees. Moreover, moderating impact of psychological empowerment has been studied to determine extent to which it might influence the employee resilience nurtured by empowering leadership. Design/Methodology/Approach: Respondents for this study were faculty members of the private schools affiliated with the Multan board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Pakistan. Probability sampling was employed to select the schools and the faculty members of those schools were given questionnaires. The total responses obtained were 210. Structural equation modeling involving moderated mediation techniques was utilized to conduct analyses. Findings: The study concluded that employee resilience mediated the association among empowering leadership and work engagement. However, the moderating effect was not proved. Implications/Originality/Value: The study pays an original contribution to research by linking empowering leadership with employee resilience and work engagement for the faculty members during the time of Covid-19 Pandemic. It suggests schools’ management to focus upon and reinforce empowering leadership for better work engagement of teachers. This would probably help them to retain students and sustain their performance.

An Empirical Investigation of E-banking Service Quality Customer Trust and Customer Loyalty of Pakistani Banks

Purpose: Technological evolution has transformed businesses in the new era. Modern paradigms shift towards adoption of gadgets that has changed the methods of providing services to clients. Banks provided themselves with the current contrivances to offer creative and dynamic types of assistance to customers. Banks has now offering "advanced and digital banking" through e-banking services to facilitate their customers. However, there are several e-banking services depends on e-service quality that affects loyalty of their customers. The main purpose of the current study is to measure the direct relationship of e-banking service quality on customer loyalty and also indirect effect of trust as mediating variable. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data was collected from 250 clients using questionnaire from top five commercialized banks of Pakistan. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect the information. PLS-SEM was employed to statistically test the data. Findings: This study found significant direct effect of e-banking service quality through its three dimensions “reliability, website design and security” on customer loyalty. In addition, the results also supported the mediation of three dimensions of e-banking service quality with customer loyalty. Implications/Originality/Value: All three dimensions increase the customer loyalty and trust played important role it this mechanism.