Search results

Present study investigated the influence of female descendent entrepreneur's self-compassion on the perceived succession success of small-family businesses (S-FB) with the mediating mechanism of financial literacy.

The primary data was collected from 319 female descendent entrepreneurs who were designated as chairwomen, and managing director positions in their retails sector S-FBs. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. The provided hypotheses are tested using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. This study followed multiple regression analyses to see the influence of self-compassion (mindfulness, self-isolation, self-judgment and over-identification) on financial literacy and perceived succession success.

The results reveal that female descendent entrepreneurs mindfulness and over-identification significantly increase but self-isolation decreases the likelihood of successful succession transition. Moreover, female descendent entrepreneur's financial literacy increases mindfulness and overidentification while it decreases self-isolation and improves the likelihood of succession success. However, financial literacy does not influence self-judgmental traits and perceived succession success.

This study highlights a vital issue, how the financial literacy of female descendent entrepreneurs manages their self-compassion and increases the likelihood of succession success. In addition, it covers a research gap and helps the S-FBs to improve their survival rate by focusing on the descendent entrepreneur's self-compassion and financial literacy.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by emphasizing predictors that influence the successful succession transition to subsequent generations. This study determines the influence of self-compassion of female descendent entrepreneurs on perceived succession success and financial literacy as a mediator by using the self-control theory. The study can be useful to family business consultants, policymakers and family businesses.

The digital transformation of family-owned small businesses (F-OSBs) has become a critical area of research to maintain their economic contribution in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. This study examines the effect of internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the digital transformation of F-OSBs by mediating strategic agility and moderating artificial intelligence usage.

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to collect primary data from 378 descendent entrepreneurs of F-OSBs in Pakistan’s five major cities.

The study revealed that leadership ability, internet marketing, technology utilization, and artificial intelligence used by the F-OSBs can contribute to their digital transformation, but e-commerce ability does not. The strategic agility of the descendant entrepreneur enhances the abilities of e-commerce, leadership, and technology utilization, leading to the digital transformation of F-OSB. However, strategic agility reduces the role of Internet marketing in digital transformation. Artificial intelligence usage moderates leadership’s ability to improve strategic agility but increases technology utilization for strategic agility and digital transformation of F-OSB.

The digital transformation through a combination of strategic agility and artificial intelligence can increase the F-OSBs' proactive approach to respond to changing market conditions even during economic recessions like COVID-19.

This study broadens the existing literature by examining the effect of descendent entrepreneur’s internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy, strategic agility, artificial intelligence usage, and their interplay on the digital transformation of F-OSB through the unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology.

The succession phenomenon in family-owned businesses (F-OB) determines their future viability and success. This study aims to provide insight into key research areas related to F-OB’s succession and identify gaps in current literature that can be explored in future research.

The research article analysis was conducted using bibliometric techniques with VOS viewer and R-Studio Software. This study analyzed 799 articles from the Web of Science (1993–2023) to assess succession in F-OBs and future research directions.

This bibliometric study provides evolutionary publication trends on the succession of F-OBs. It also identified journals, universities, future trends, thematic maps, cluster networks, authorship countries, theoretical lenses and research gaps linked with F-OB’s succession.

This study focuses on the trends and research themes that have influenced and progressed the comprehension of succession phenomena and dynamics associated with the survival of F-OBs. By conducting a bibliometric analysis of these influential studies, the research provides an overview of significant advancements. It highlights gaps that can be addressed as future research opportunities to enhance the succession processes of F-OBs.

The insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic insinuated that family-owned small hotels (F-OSH) should adopt AI capabilities and innovation activities and digitize their operations to survive. This study examines the potential of AI capabilities to digitally transform F-OSHs by leveraging innovation ambidexterity, preparing them for future disasters proactively. Additionally, it sheds light on how the impact of AI capabilities on innovation ambidexterity varies based on strategic fit. In addition, this research explores the influence of digital entrepreneurial intention on fostering innovation ambidexterity, essential for digital transformation in F-OSHs.

The study collected primary data from 318 descendant entrepreneurs designated as chairpersons or managing directors in F-OSH and analyzed the data using the partial least structural equation modeling technique.

This study found a positive association of AI capabilities, and digital entrepreneurial intention with the digital transformation of F-OSHs, while strategic fit does not have an association with innovation ambidexterity. Innovation ambidexterity mediates the relationship between AI capabilities and digital transformation in F-OSHs. Moreover, a strong strategic fit increases the effect of AI capabilities on innovation ambidexterity. Furthermore, a high intention for digital entrepreneurship reduces the impact of innovation ambidexterity on the digital transformation of F-OSHs.

The combination of AI capabilities and innovation ambidexterity has transformed F-OSHs' digital transformation. This proactive approach to dealing with economic recessions such as COVID-19 is also influenced by digital entrepreneurial intention and strategic fit.

Anchored on the dynamic capability theory, this study provides valuable insights and novel empirical evidence by investigating the mediating mechanism of innovation ambidexterity and boundary condition of strategic fit and digital entrepreneurial intention between AI capabilities and digital transformation in F-OSHs.

The concept of online shopping has been in vogue for the past two decades and is on the rise. Even developing countries like Pakistan are using electronic platforms to buy and sell goods and services, and the trend has been increasing ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the expectancy-disconfirmation theory, this study aims to test the e-service quality (E-SQ) and e-customer satisfaction (ECS) linkage with the mediating roles of functional values (FVs) and hedonic values (HVs).

The data have been collected from 298 customers of AliExpress and Daraz e-commerce platforms and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM).

The results of the study showed a significant positive relationship between E-SQ and ECS and indirect linkage through FVs and HVs have also been established.

E-commerce platforms, particularly in Pakistan, should place a strong emphasis on FVs by providing accurate product details, user-friendly navigation, transparent pricing and streamlined transactions. Customers' trust and confidence will increase if they have a smooth and effective online purchasing experience. Customer satisfaction may be influenced by regular platform functionality and usability changes.

The use of functional and HVs is considered to be a novel factor in testing the relationship between E-SQ and ECS.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the community’s view of power outages and their effect on sustainable community development. This research has three aims. This project will first investigate how a blackout affects a community’s ability to live sustainably.

A survey questionnaire was developed that included 22 factors from the literature. The questionnaire was distributed to diversified segments of society from different regions of Pakistan and examined critical factors affecting sustainable community development. A total of 349 (77%) responses were received.

The study results confirm that power failure negatively affects the sustainable life of a community. This study found that the reduced production of large manufacturing, decrease leisure and comfort, reduced public administrative efficiency, loss of educational opportunities and increased use of traditional energy sources are the most important factors for sustainable community development. Findings also suggest that policymakers and practitioners in public organizations need to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner to meet growing community needs.

The purpose of this research is to address knowledge gaps related to power outages and sustainable community development. The major impact of power disruptions on communities was previously disregarded in development discourse. Participants in these discussions recognize communities as genuine stakeholders and acknowledge that power outages can have a substantial impact on their economic and social development. However, previous studies have neglected to address this phenomenon.

Microcharity is a non-profit organization promoting social brotherhood through small donations and volunteer services among diverse members, aiming to address poverty through compassion, cooperation and humanitarianism. The study aims to comprehend the role of microcharity as an alternative to microcredit for poverty alleviation. It sheds light on the modus operandi, prospects and problems associated with microcharity.

The current study used a qualitative research design to investigate a social phenomenon while involving the researchers directly. The study applied participatory action research by involving participants and researchers to comprehend social challenges and evaluate their experiences. The study made considerable use of participant-observer data and field observations.

It has been revealed that microcharity has potential to address social challenges faced by the marginalized and vulnerable section of society.

This study is based on participatory action research, and therefore, it suffers from academic standardization and heavily depends on researchers. On the other hand, it offers practical approach to solve social problems and would bring forth realistic resolution by offering insights of those making use of micro charity for philanthropic activities.

The article is especially helpful for communities that must respond to emergencies and will be beneficial to individuals and institutions working for social welfare.

It will bring forth various facets of micro charity as an alternate for fundraising to rescue sufferers of social exigencies through collective efforts.

The article represents original scholarly research, leveraging the researchers' personal experience to enrich the understanding of microcharity. Its implications are valuable for communities involved in social welfare and can benefit individuals working for charitable institutions, cooperative societies, NGOs and social welfare programmes of government. Additionally, the study's insights can aid researchers in designing new methodologies to explore microcharity and its impact on social welfare initiatives.

This study aims to investigate the effect of the copresence of ferrous (Fe²⁺) ions and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the activity of an amylase enzyme during the desizing of greige viscose fabric for potential industrial applications. The removal of starches is an essential step before processing the fabric for dyeing and finishing operations. The authors tend to accomplish it in eco-friendly and sustainable ways.

The experiments were designed under the Taguchi approach, and the results were analyzed using grey relational analysis to optimize the process. The textile properties of absorbency, reducing sugars, bending length, weight loss, Tegawa rating and tensile strength were assessed using the standard protocols. The control and optimized viscose specimens were investigated for certain surface chemical properties using advanced analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).

The results demonstrate that the Fe²⁺ concentration and process time were the main influencing factors in the amylolytic desizing of viscose fabric. The optimized process conditions were found to be 0.1 mm Fe²⁺ ions, 3 mm SDS, 80°C, 7 pH and 30 min process time. The copresence of Fe²⁺ ions and SDS promoted the biodesizing of viscose fabric. The SEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD and TGA results demonstrated that the sizing agent has efficiently been removed from the fabric surface.

The amylase desizing of viscose fabric in the presence of certain metal ions and surfactants is a significant subject as the enzyme may face them due to their prevalence in the water systems. This could also support the biodesizing and bioscouring operations to be done in one bath, thus making the textile pretreatment process both economical and environmentally sustainable.

The authors found no report on the biodesizing of viscose fabric in the copresence of Fe²⁺ ions and the SDS surfactant under statistical multiresponse optimization. The biodesized viscose fabric has been investigated using both conventional and analytical approaches.

The boundary layer flow of immiscible fluids plays a crucial role across various industries, influencing advancements in industrial processes, environmental systems, healthcare and more. This study explores the thermally radiative boundary layer flow of a shear-driven Ree–Eyring fluid over a nanofluid. The investigation offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics and heat transfer behavior that arise when a nanofluid, affected by thermal radiation, interacts with a non-Newtonian Ree–Eyring fluid. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions governing such systems, which is essential for enhancing efficiency and innovation in multiple applications.

The simulation investigates the convergence of boundary layers under varying shear strengths. A comparative analysis is conducted using γAl2O3 and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, with water as the base fluid. The model’s numerical outcomes are derived using the bvp4c method through the application of appropriate similarity transformations. The resulting numerical data are then used to produce graphical representations, offering valuable insights into the influence of key parameters on flow behavior and patterns.

The temperature of the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is always higher than the γAl2O3 nanoparticles, and hence, Al₂O₃ nanoparticles become more significant in the cooling process then γAl2O3 nanoparticles. It is also observed that the fluid velocity for both regions is enhanced by increasing values of the Ree–Eyring fluid parameter.

The results stated are original and new with the thermal radiative boundary layer flow of two immiscible Ree–Eyring fluid and Al₂O₃/γAl2O3 nanofluid.

This study aims to present a sustainable approach in the natural dyeing of cellulose fabric followed by nanosilver finishing through a green crosslinker of citric acid for potential antibacterial surgical gown fabrication.

The nanosilver finish was reproduced using the chemical reduction method. The fabric dyeing was performed on a lab-scale dyeing machine, whereas silver nano-finishing through a pad-dry-cure approach. Citric acid was used as an eco-friendly crosslinker. The specimens were characterized for antibacterial activity, surface chemical, textile, color properties and finish release trend.

The results demonstrated the successful application of curcumin dye followed by silver nano-finishing. The resultant fabric exhibited appropriate textile, dyeing performance indicators, hydrophobic behavior and sustainable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

The prepared nanosilver-finished/curcumin-treated fabric expressed desirable properties for potential applications in the fabrication of surgical gowns.

The authors found no reports on an extensive examination of nanosilver finishing on the color parameters of curcumin-dyed cellulose fabric while retaining its textile and comfort properties for possible surgical gown fabrication.