Sarhad Journal of Management Sciences

STUDENTS' INTELLECTUAL-HUMILITY AND COGNITIVE-FLEXIBILITY: THE ROLE OF MINDFULNESS AS A MEDIATOR

Iqra Shafique Abbasi, Rabia Bashir, Misbah Shafique Abbasi, Saad Ullah — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The primary objective of this study was to explore the inter-connections among mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and intellectual humility in adult’s population. Additionally, the research aimed to investigate the mediating role of mindfulness in this association between cognitive flexibility and intellectual humility with different demographic differences (age, gender, and culture). Sample of 800 students selected from Hazara University, Mansehra (HU), and the University of AJK. The study employed a convenient sampling method. The results indicated a significant association between the study as well as demographics differences exists among study variables. In conclusion, this study contributes to our understanding of the connections between mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and intellectual humility in a student context. The findings suggest that cultivating mindfulness may enhance cognitive flexibility and intellectual humility, with demographic factors playing a role in shaping these psychological attributes. This study has practical implications for enhanced academic performance, effective stress management, improved decision-making, life-long learning, personal well-being, critical thinking skills, adaptability in changing environments and positive interpersonal relationships.

DOES OWNERSHIP CONCENTRATION MODERATES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY-FIRM PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP?

Mahnoor Arif, Zia ur Rehman, Asad Khan, Asim Rahman — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

CSR is basically a commitment demanded from companies to protect stakeholder interests, enhance societal conditions, and contribute to sustainable development. This study investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm financial performance with a particular focus on measuring the moderating impact of ownership concentration on the CSR-performance relationship. The data is collected from the companies’ annual reports, State Bank of Pakistan database and the Pakistan Stock Exchange for the period 2014-2020. The fixed effect regression model is used to measure the impact of CSR on firm financial performance. The results of the study revealed that CSR has a significant negative impact on firm financial performance. Furthermore, ownership concentration also negatively moderates the relationship between CSR and firm financial performance.

INTERFAITH CONFLICTS RESOLUTION(HARMONY) THROUGH SOCIO ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Habib-ur- Rahman — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

World’s population is fast growing with increase in the number of adherents of different religions. Side by side, the economic needs also increase and simultaneously creates a gap between demand and supply of exigencies of life. Disposal of industrial surplus on the one hand and need satisfaction of the developing countries on the other hand is one of the reasons of conflicts. The development of communication system and advancement in electronic media has been bringing the people closer to each other. Due to human interaction and demonstration effect, different sociologies are continuously influencing the living style of the people across the globe. The level of knowledge is again affecting the mind set and attitude at larger scale. All these changes, resulting from fast human interaction, traditional life style is passing through a radical change. Simultaneously, the economic race among industrially advanced countries and urge for economic development in developing countries resulted in creating rivalry and hatred among the nations. Due to this hatred many civilized nations have been found discriminatory treatment with minority, sending severe shock to the philanthropists and attracting attention of the agencies fighting for Human Rights. Such incidents are causing disruptions in international relations among the countries and adding fuel to the fire of hatred. This paper aims at finding out root causes of the discriminative treatment leading to hatred and suggesting measures which can eliminate hatred and develop interfaith harmony throughout the world.

SUSTAINABLE HRM PRACTICES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYEES: A CASE OF PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS IN PAKISTAN

Jawariya Ismail, Munaza Bibi, Nosheen Fatima — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The paper aims at investigating the relationship between HRM practices on the psychological well-being of employees. This research is explanatory in nature and deductive approach is being employed. This study used a survey questionnaire to gather information from the respondents on a Likert scale. For data analysis, SPSS was used. The target population for the study was the employees currently working in the private sector banks in Pakistan specifically Islamic banks. The outcomes of the studies show that there is a significant impact of all sustainable human resource management practices including sustainable recruitment and selection, sustainable training and development, and sustainable career planning except sustainable performance appraisal on the psychological well-being of employees. The outcomes of this research are specific to Islamic banks, so other organizations can only use them as guidance. Banking sectors need to recognize that sustainable HRM greatly affects the psychological well-being of employees. Human resource management in the organization must understand that having sustainable practices is crucial for promoting higher levels of psychological well-being among employees.

AN EFFECTIVENESS SCAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Arif Ullah, Naveed, Adnan Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study target Health Insurance Program by government of KP, its budget allocation and utilization, level of awareness, and patient demographic profiles. The study also covers disease coverage and the minimum and maximum cost of the diseases. The study's population is the three major Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs) of Peshawar. Sample of the study comprises 9,000 patients selected using purposive sampling approach from 2018 to 2020. The findings show that a lower average budget utilization ratio accounts for a lower level of public awareness. The study found that males dominate females by 55% in availing the Sehat Sahulat facility. The cardiac issue is the most common disease treated by the program. These findings are expected to assist policymakers in developing strategies for utilizing the program's resources. MTIs and insurance firms' managers may emphasize diseases cured and higher budget utilization ratios. Furthermore, policymakers may address less-covered areas and patient characteristics through awareness seminars to ensure the program's effectiveness. Finally, the study adds to the current literature by including imperial evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan in the program. Future studies may address comparative analysis of the said program with the other insurance coverage programs.

IMPACT OF THE FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN DIVERSE ORGANIZATION IN PAKISTAN

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines the connections among the dimensions of functional leadership of situation clarification, strategy clarification, coordination leadership, and organizational performance within highly gender-diverse organizations in Pakistan. A sample of 500 employees from universities in Pakistan was taken. The data collection process was conducted among the university employees. For data analysis PLS-SEM through SmartPLS3 was employed. The results of the study indicate that within the higher education sector in Pakistan, the distinct dimensions of functional leadership of situation clarification, strategy clarification and coordination leadership individually exert a positive and noteworthy influence on organizational performance. These results carry strong message for leaders to adopt and apply these functional leadership dimensions to improve the overall performance of the organization. The findings strongly support the notion that implementing effective functional leadership dimensions of situation clarification, strategy clarification and coordination leadership can significantly enhance organizational performance. The outcomes robustly affirm the idea that the efficacy that these dimensions of functional leadership are pivotal in augmenting organizational performance.

FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES: A PAKISTANI PERSPECTIVE

Saeed Ullah Jan, Ishtiaq Khan, Ali Saeed Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The present research investigates how human resource management practices impacts the performance of library professionals working in Pakistani university libraries. Quantitative Research approach was used in this study. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and multiple regression analysis are utilized to evaluate the relationships among the specified variables. Additionally, five hypotheses are developed and tested in order to uncover the connections between these variables. Findings of the study reflects that all hypotheses were rejected except for the fifth hypothesis, which asserts that "Decentralization is positively linked to the organizational performance of university libraries." It can be concluded that decentralization is indeed positively correlated with the organizational performance of university libraries in Pakistan. The strategic approach presented in this paper incorporates ideas and concepts from non-library contexts, amalgamating them to create a comprehensive solution that aligns with the contemporary goals of a library. The results of the study have the potentials to influence the overall performance of university libraries.

PERCEIVED RISK AND ONLINE PURCHASE INTENTION: THE INTERACTION EFFECT OF TRUST

Jawad Hussain, Sadia, Tanzeela Firdus, Areej Tahir, Muhammad Ayub Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived risk and online purchase intention, as well as the moderating role of trust on the mentioned link among the university students in Pakistan. The existing literature has mainly focused on the effects of perceived risk on online purchase intention in the developed countries and oversighted the potential role of trust affecting the relationship between perceived risk and online purchase intention. This research study, thus, bridges these gaps in the literature. Purposive sampling was utilized and data was collected from 200 enrolled students through questionnaire. Results of the regression analysis demonstrated that perceived risk in online shopping is adversely related to purchase intention. Moreover, results of hierarchal regression analysis indicated that trust positively moderates the link between perceived risk and purchase intention, indicating that trust dampens the mentioned link. This study provides significant implications to online sellers to understand the underlying role of trust in reducing the perceived risk of consumers and encouraging them to engage in online shopping. This study also suggests the policy makers to devise clear, transparent and uniform policies regarding product return by consumers, product damages and exchange etc so that online businesses flourish and consumer may get benefit of ease, convenience, economy and satisfaction in the online shopping. Limitations and future research directions are provided.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTING THE HYDROPOWER PROJECT: A CASE STUDY OF TARBELA 4TH EXTENSION

Saima Tabassum, Muhammad Imran Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The dams and water reservoirs are built to achieve an integrated set of benefits, yet they have certain effects on the people living in the vicinity. The Tarbela dam is the largest earth-filled dam in the world. The objective of this study is to find out the socio-economic effects of constructing the Tarbela 4th Extension on residents of the area. For this purpose, this study investigates the socio-economic dynamics of the Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project. The design of the study is quantitative, based on the data collected from Tehsil Ghazi and Tehsil Topi (KPK). A sample of two hundred households residing in the area was randomly selected. A specially designed questionnaire was used for the data collection. The results of the study reveal that the project has positively affected the social status of the inhabitants, education, and overall Quality of life. People’s economic condition improved as they got contractual and daily wage jobs in the project. Thus currently, their income has been raised. The study found a formal occupation trend, which is govt or private jobs are dominant in the area. The project has played a vital role in the socioeconomic development of the area. The study concludes Tarbela 4th extension has undoubtedly affected the incomes, expenditures, infrastructure, quality of life, health, education, relocation of the people, public safety, and communication system.

ACCOUNTABILITY AT CROSSROADS: GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES AND CONSEQUENCES IN PAKISTAN

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper points to how anti-corruption efforts in Pakistan at the national and provincial levels actually contribute to their failure. The broad and flexible definitions of corruption in prevailing laws have led to miscarriages of justice, as numerous interpretations result in potential unfair targeting of individuals. The complex landscape of accountability in Pakistan also evolves from multiple institutional overlaps—lacking clear jurisdictional boundaries. A case in point is the use of plea bargaining as a corruption prevention model that faced criticism for being coercive as well as an infringement on one’s right to fair trial. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has often been accused of violating fundamental rights protected in the Constitution of Pakistan, and the accountability procedures are seen as humiliating for civil servants. This paper discusses how the overall institutional-legal framework is shaped by its heavy dependence on the government that undermines the operational effectiveness of the Anti-Graft Bodies (A-GBs). It overviews anti-corruption efforts in Pakistan facing mainstream challenges: political-policy implications, legal-institutional inconsistencies, violations of rights, and operational inefficiency, which collectively hinder their effectiveness.