Mustafa Nawaz Shafqat, Amtul Samie Maqbool, Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah Eqani, Raza Ahmed and Haroon Ahmed
Lower Indus Basin (LIB) region is the food basket of Pakistan, and climatic variation in response to global warming might severely affect the crop production and, thus, food…
Abstract
Purpose
Lower Indus Basin (LIB) region is the food basket of Pakistan, and climatic variation in response to global warming might severely affect the crop production and, thus, food security and ultimately to the economy of the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyzed the previous climatic factors data series of LIB region to investigate the past and present climatic trends and to predict the future changes. Climatic changes were monitored by studying temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (RH) dynamics at two locations (Lahore and Multan) of the LIB region, Pakistan, by using data from 1953 to 2006. The data were divided into two equal halves (1953-1979 and 1980-2006) and statistically compared for the aforementioned weather parameters.
Findings
The results suggested that mean minimum temperature (MMT) and overall mean temperature in winter were significantly increased, whereas few summer months had also experienced the reduction in both temperatures. However, few minor changes were also observed for the mean maximum temperature at both locations. The rainfall amount did not vary significantly at both locations, with the exception for the months of February and June at Lahore location, which experienced relatively higher rainfall in latter period (1980-2006). However, morning and evening RH was significantly increased at Multan throughout the year and for some selected months (February-March and May-July) at Lahore. However, the comparison of climatic data of both temporal halves suggested either dryer weather during winter months because of increase in MMT and/or increase in area under irrigated agriculture, resulting in more evaporation at both locations. Similarly, the data also indicated the early monsoon rainfall patterns in summer and late western depression rainfall spell during winter, which played key role to affect the crop yield because of irregular rain events.
Research limitations/implications
The current manuscript would be very useful for the disaster management authorities and agriculture sector to predict the future irregular trends of climate change in Pakistan. Moreover, current findings can be important tool toward the management of climatic changes issues (i.e. floods and dryer spells) and to formulate the future strategies for the improved crop growth in arid and/or semi-arid developing nations such as Pakistan.
Originality/value
The current manuscript, for the very first time, provided detailed insights into key climatic factors changes for past seven decades, into the severely climate change-affected areas of the world. Furthermore, agricultural sector is likely to be severely affected because of minor seasonal change in temperature and moisture, and have a strong food security impact, which can be reflected with current data set to cope with both ecological and economic impacts of climate change in Pakistan. The current findings would be useful to manage the climate change-related issues in Pakistan, including the social, environmental and economic.
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Ahmed Raza Ul Mustafa, Jabbar Ul-Haq, Nisar Ahmed Dahri and Rameez Ali Mahesar
Social protection states the public-mandated (strategies and programmes) to address the vulnerability and risk among poor and near-poor households. Social protection must not only…
Abstract
Purpose
Social protection states the public-mandated (strategies and programmes) to address the vulnerability and risk among poor and near-poor households. Social protection must not only help people meet their basic needs but also contribute to the long-term well-being and broader societal goals of equity, social justice and empowerment. The role of social protection in achieving these goals has not been adequately documented. This paper examines the performance of the social protection mechanism from the perspective of the regional structural and institutional performance indicators. Social protection outlay dynamics are synthesized in the structural and institutional conducts.
Design/methodology/approach
A world regional comparability is made by considering the panel dataset for the time interval 1995–2020. In empirics, the unconditional and conditional ranks are constructed, and regression analyses are made subject to (1) the fiscal constraint of social protection, (2) structural performance indicators and (3) the institutional performance indicators of the targeted regions across the globe. The fully modified-ordinary least square (FM-OLS) method is used to construct the ranks.
Findings
The rank analysis demonstrates that the developed regions (i.e. Europe, Central Asia and North America) have relatively good welfare standards and fiscal capacity for social protection drives compared to the developing/underdeveloped regions (i.e. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia). The structural/institutional performance indicators have shown their significance in determining/utilizing their budget for social protection and maintaining welfare standards. Interestingly, most developed regions are relatively reluctant to maintain the structural/institutional performance for the determination/execution of the funds for social protection as compared to the developing and underdeveloped regions.
Practical implications
In policy discourse, this research suggests that governments must make some market operations to enhance their regions’ structural and institutional performance to get better outcomes of social protection spending in the form of attractive welfare standards.
Originality/value
Multiple studies have been done considering the social protection dynamics at nano, micro and macro levels, while this study considered the mega dataset across the globe to analyse the social protection dynamics in consideration of structural and institutional performances.
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Muhammad Umair, Muhammad Uzair Yousuf, Ahmed Raza Cheema and Jabbar Ul-Haq
This study aims to examine the environmental impact of fossil fuel use in newly industrialized countries (NICs), focusing on the relationship between economic growth, energy…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the environmental impact of fossil fuel use in newly industrialized countries (NICs), focusing on the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption and environmental sustainability from 1971 to 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses pool mean group autoregressive distributive lag, fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares econometric models to analyze long-run data. These methods enable a detailed assessment of how economic and industrial factors affect environmental pollution.
Findings
The study finds that nonrenewable energy consumption is positively linked to environmental pollution, with a 1% increase leading to a 6.25% rise in pollution. Industrialization, urbanization and globalization also significantly increase pollution, with increments of 2.51%, 3.97% and 2.11%, respectively. Conversely, economic growth has a beneficial effect, reducing pollution by 2.59% for every 1% increase in growth.
Practical implications
Policymakers should balance economic growth with environmental sustainability by reducing nonrenewable energy consumption and supporting renewable energy adoption.
Originality/value
This research provides fresh insights into the dynamics between economic growth and environmental pollution in NICs. By using advanced econometric techniques over an extended period, it offers a view of how economic and industrial activities influence environmental outcomes, highlighting the dual role of economic growth in both promoting development and reducing pollution.
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Kashif Ishfaq, Mudassar Rehman, Ahmed Raza Khan and Yanen Wang
Human aging is becoming a common issue these days as it results in orthopaedic-related issues such as joints disorderness, bone-fracture. People with age = 60 years suffer more…
Abstract
Purpose
Human aging is becoming a common issue these days as it results in orthopaedic-related issues such as joints disorderness, bone-fracture. People with age = 60 years suffer more from these aforesaid issues. It is expected that these issues in human beings will ultimately reach 2.1 billion by 2050 worldwide. Furthermore, the increase in traffic accidents in young people throughout the world has significantly emerged the need for artificial implants. Their implantation can act as a substitute for fractured bones or disordered joints. Therefore, this study aims to focus on electron beam melted titanium (Ti)-based orthopaedic implants along with their recent trends in the field.
Design/methodology/approach
The main contents of this work include the basic theme and background of the metal-based additive manufacturing, different implant materials specifically Ti alloys and their classification based on crystallographic transus temperature (including α, metastable β, β and α + β phases), details of electron beam melting (EBM) concerning its process physics, various control variables and performance characteristics of EBMed Ti alloys in orthopaedic and orthodontic implants, applications of EBMed Ti alloys in various load-bearing implants, different challenges associated with the EBMed Ti-based implants along with their possible solutions. Recent trends and shortfalls have also been described at the end.
Findings
EBM is getting significant attention in medical implants because of its minor issues as compared to conventional fabrication practices such as Ti casting and possesses a significant research potential to fabricate various medical implants. The elastic modulus and strength of EBMed ß Ti-alloys such as 24Nb-4Zr-8Sn and Ti-33Nb-4Sn are superior compared to conventional Ti for orthopaedic implants. Beta Ti alloys processed by EBM have near bone elastic modulus (approximately 35–50 GPa) along with improved tribo-mechanical performance involving mechanical strength, wear and corrosion resistance, along with biocompatibility for implants.
Originality/value
Advances in EBM have opened the gateway Ti alloys in the biomedical field explicitly ß-alloys because of their unique biocompatibility, bioactivity along with improved tribo-mechanical performance. Less significant work is available on the EBM of Ti alloys in orthopaedic and orthodontic implants. This study is directed solely on the EBM of medical Ti alloys in medical sectors to explore their different aspects for future research opportunities.
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Fazal Elahi and Ahmad Raza Bilal
The study aims to address the critical area of training and development within private educational small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. It seeks to develop and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to address the critical area of training and development within private educational small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. It seeks to develop and standardize training and development process in private sector educational SMEs and establish a structured approach to training with the purpose of unlocking the full potential of the workforce, advancing educators’ professional growth and propelling organizational progress.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a meticulous three-phase approach. It begins with insightful interviews with school principals to investigate existing training practices. The subsequent phase involves formulating a comprehensive training and development policy, outlining purpose, scope, responsibilities, procedures and budget allocation. This policy undergoes participatory refinement to cater to specific SME needs. In the third phase, experimental design was adopted. Two groups, the experiment group and the control group, were formulated to check the effectiveness of proposed processes.
Findings
Rigorous statistical analysis, employing paired sample t-tests, unequivocally demonstrates a significant elevation in mean scores post-implementation of standardized training and development process. These findings affirm the efficacy of the policy in enhancing the effectiveness of training and development activities in private sector educational SMEs.
Practical implications
The research highlights profound implications. By establishing a structured approach to training and development, educational SMEs can not only advance educators’ professional growth but also propel organizational progress and enhance education quality. It will provide a structured and step-by-step process to boost the work quality of staff. The study emphasizes the need for consistent implementation.
Originality/value
This research marks a substantial stride in revolutionizing how human capital is cultivated in private sector educational SMEs. It positions them to exert a transformative impact on Pakistan’s educational landscape, furthering the journey toward excellence. The study suggests avenues for future research, including the adaptation of this model to diverse educational contexts and an assessment of its scalability.
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Salman Butt, Ahmed Raza, Rabia Siddiqui, Yasir Saleem, Bill Cook and Habib Khan
This literature review aims to assess the current research on healthcare job availability and skilled professionals. The objective of this research is to identify challenges…
Abstract
Purpose
This literature review aims to assess the current research on healthcare job availability and skilled professionals. The objective of this research is to identify challenges caused by the imbalance between healthcare service demand and qualified professionals and propose potential solutions and future research directions.
Design/methodology/approach
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was employed as the guiding framework for conducting this review. A qualitative research design analyzed 38 peer-reviewed, evidence-based research works from 50 journal publications. Inclusion criteria focused on empirical studies, observational research and comprehensive reviews published within the last ten years. Thematic and discourse analysis categorized themes and factors explored in selected publications.
Findings
The findings highlight significant challenges in the healthcare sector regarding job availability and skilled professionals. Developed countries face understaffed healthcare facilities, resulting in increased workloads and compromised care. Developing countries experience high rates of unemployment among healthcare graduates due to limited resources and mentorship.
Practical implications
Improving educational infrastructure, expanding training opportunities and increasing healthcare investments are crucial for nurturing a skilled workforce. Implementing effective retention policies, fostering international collaborations and addressing socioeconomic determinants can create a sustainable job market.
Originality/value
The healthcare sector faces critical challenges in balancing job availability and skilled professionals. Strategic solutions are proposed to create a sustainable and equitable healthcare workforce. By implementing recommendations and conducting further research, access to quality healthcare and global public health outcomes can be improved.
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Ali Raza, Raouf Ahmad Rather, Muhammad Khalid Iqbal and Umair Saeed Bhutta
This paper aims to address the need for a more in-depth empirical investigation of exploring the link between the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the need for a more in-depth empirical investigation of exploring the link between the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and different aspects of customer behavior in a developing country. This paper develops a research framework and assesses the mediating role of trust, customer-company identification (CCI) and electronic-service quality (E-SQ) between customer perceptions of CSR and customer loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
Working with a sample of 280 banking customers in Pakistan, partial least square based structural equation modeling is used to test the conceptual model.
Findings
Surprisingly, results suggest that CSR is not directly related to customer loyalty, which is contradictory to previously established findings conducted in developed countries. Thus, confirming a full mediation of CCI, E-SQ and trust in enhancing the effect of CSR on customer loyalty. The study also confirms that CSR is positively related to E-SQ, and E-SQ also directly affects CCI.
Practical implications
Banks should adhere to honest CSR practices and effectively communicate and advertise these practices to increase awareness and knowledge among the customers. Similarly, banks should advance in technological expertise to generate customer identification, which then leads to their loyalty.
Originality/value
Previous studies conferred short-term customer’s reactions, such as purchase intention and brand image. Still, this research discusses the long-term effect of CSR on customer behavior, such as the loyalty of the customers. Moreover, this is the pioneer study that investigates how CSR actions influence customer perceptions about E-SQ and how electronic services affect customer identification with a bank.
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Ahmed Babeker Elhag, Ali Raza, Nabil Ben Kahla and Muhammed Arshad
The external confinement provided by the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets leads to an improvement in the axial compressive strength (CS) and strain of reinforced concrete…
Abstract
Purpose
The external confinement provided by the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets leads to an improvement in the axial compressive strength (CS) and strain of reinforced concrete structural members. Many studies have proposed analytical models to predict the axial CS of concrete structural members, but the predictions for the axial compressive strain still need more investigation because the previous strain models are not accurate enough. Moreover, the previous strain models were proposed using small and noisy databases using simple modeling techniques. Therefore, a rigorous approach is needed to propose a more accurate strain model and compare its predictions with the previous models.
Design/methodology/approach
The present work has endeavored to propose strain models for FRP-confined concrete members using three different techniques: analytical modeling, artificial neural network (ANN) modeling and finite element analysis (FEA) modeling based on a large database consisting of 570 sample points.
Findings
The assessment of the previous models using some statistical parameters revealed that the estimates of the newly recommended models were more accurate than the previous models. The estimates of the new models were validated using the experimental outcomes of compressive members confined with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wraps. The nonlinear FEA of the tested samples was performed using ABAQUS, and its estimates were equated with the calculations of the analytical and ANN models. The relative investigation of the estimates solidly substantiates the accuracy and applicability of the recommended analytical, ANN and FEA models for predicting the axial strain of CFRP-confined concrete compression members.
Originality/value
The research introduces innovative methods for understanding FRP confinement in concrete, presenting new models to estimate axial compressive strains. Utilizing a database of 570 experimental samples, the study employs ANNs and regression analysis to develop these models. Existing models for FRP-confined concrete's axial strains are also assessed using this database. Validation involves testing 18 cylindrical specimens confined with CFRP wraps and FE simulations using a concrete-damaged plastic (CDP) model. A comprehensive comparative analysis compares experimental results with estimates from ANNs, analytical and finite element models (FEMs), offering valuable insights and predictive tools for FRP confinement in concrete.
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Naveed Mazhar, Fahad Mumtaz Malik, Raja Amer Azim, Abid Raza, Rameez Khan and Qasim Umar Khan
The purpose of this study is to provide the full-state mathematical model and devise a nonlinear controller for a balloon-supported unmanned aerial vehicle (BUAV).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide the full-state mathematical model and devise a nonlinear controller for a balloon-supported unmanned aerial vehicle (BUAV).
Design/methodology/approach
Newtonian mechanics is used to establish the nonlinear mathematical model of the proposed vehicle assembly which incorporates the dynamics of both balloon and quadrotor UAV. A controllable form of the nine degrees of freedom model is derived. Backstepping control is designed for the proposed model and simulations are performed to assess the tracking performance of the proposed control.
Findings
The results show that the proposed methodology works well for smooth trajectories in presence of wind gusts. Moreover, the final mathematical model is affine and various nonlinear control techniques can be used in the future for improved system performance.
Originality/value
Multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (MUAVs) are equipped with controllers but are constrained by smaller flight endurance and payload carrying capability. On the contrary, lighter than air (LTA) aerial vehicles have longer flight times but have poor control performance for outdoor operations. One of the solutions to achieve better flight endurance and payload carrying capability is to augment the LTA balloon to MUAV. The novelty of this research lies in full-order mathematical modeling along with transformation to controllable form for the BUAV assembly.
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Muhammad Farrukh, Issam Ghazzawi, Ali Raza and Imran Ahmed Shahzad
Religion is a system of beliefs that plays a vital role in an individual's personal and work life. Surprisingly, management researchers have not studied this area in a meaningful…
Abstract
Purpose
Religion is a system of beliefs that plays a vital role in an individual's personal and work life. Surprisingly, management researchers have not studied this area in a meaningful way. To address this gap in the existing literature, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of religiosity on intrapreneurial behaviors of employees.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative methodology was adopted in this study. A total of 306 responses are collected through a structured questionnaire.
Findings
Results showed a positive association between religiosity and intrapreneurial behaviors of employees and a significant mediating effect of perceived organizational support on religiosity-IB linkages
Originality/value
The study presents several implications for researchers and practitioners.