Aisha Rizwan, Shabana Naveed and Yaamina Salman
Based on the service eco-systems perspective, this paper evaluates the strategies and actions adopted by the Government of Pakistan to handle the COVID-19 crisis with the…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the service eco-systems perspective, this paper evaluates the strategies and actions adopted by the Government of Pakistan to handle the COVID-19 crisis with the involvement of multiple actors including public, private, third-sector organizations and civil society.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on an in-depth analysis of secondary sources including research articles, policy documents, policy briefs, governmental reports, third party evaluations/reports and media publications.
Findings
A multi-stakeholder approach was evident during the pandemic with an effort to better manage the crisis which has exerted immense social, cultural, economic and political impacts on the lives of the citizens. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders (government, private and third sector) were witnessed, resulting in a coherent response. The successful management of COVID-19 in Pakistan is attributed to multiple factors including the formation of a specialized public organization which effectively and proactively took data-driven informed decisions and aggregated the efforts of the federal and provincial governments for a timely response.
Originality/value
This paper gives insights for policymakers to create a sustainable post-pandemic socio-economic environment by building resilient structures across the government while promoting cooperation and collaboration. It suggests strategies for policymakers responsible for providing sustainable societal solutions to combat the social, economic and administrative challenges under the pandemic. As Pakistan has managed and contained the pandemic in a relatively efficient way, it is hoped that this paper can provide a learning experience for other countries with similar national contexts.
Details
Keywords
Aisha Rizwan, Yaamina Salman and Shabana Naveed
This article aims to empirically investigate the influence of socio-cultural and political factors and actors on the perceived autonomy and control of state agencies in Pakistan…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to empirically investigate the influence of socio-cultural and political factors and actors on the perceived autonomy and control of state agencies in Pakistan. Taking an institutional perspective, which envisages a diverse course of agency reforms, owed to varied national cultures, historical paths and traditional mindsets, the authors argue that the institutional theory provides an explanation to the autonomy and control status of the agencies.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 39 senior public officials and governing board members in federal agencies by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo-12 for data analysis.
Findings
The results disclose that the agencies operate within an overriding politico-administrative culture of intervention and supremacy of the central government. There is a close relationship between the political actors and actors' implementing agents, the bureaucrats. Although the disaggregated public agencies are created under the agency model, a culture of political influence and control still prevails within them. Among the socio-cultural factors, corruption is reported as a critical influencing factor for agency autonomy.
Research limitations/implications
The study emphasizes the need to adapt and modify agencification practices in developing countries based on the political, socio-cultural and administrative contextual factors and actors and the varying degrees of influence the practices exercise over the Government machinery.
Originality/value
This study unveils the implications of the new public management (NPM)-led agency model in Pakistan, which was primarily adopted as a part of the structural adjustment program (SAP) under loan conditionality from international donor agencies and explores the indigenous doctrines that govern agencies functioning under ministries.
Details
Keywords
Shabana Naveed and Aisha Azhar
With governance networks as the critical emerging feature of public administration, this article examines the structure, governance and challenges of networks in the public…
Abstract
Purpose
With governance networks as the critical emerging feature of public administration, this article examines the structure, governance and challenges of networks in the public sector. Using complexity theory, this article explains that control-based relations do not hold much relevance to govern the complex systems of networks.
Design/methodology/approach
Case study research design is employed taking the power network in Pakistan as the unit of analysis. Data were collected through eleven semi-structured interviews, companies' websites, government policy reports and other companies' reports. The structure of the power network was examined through the technique of social network analysis using UCINET. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted with the help of NVivo 13 to identify the mode of governance and challenges.
Findings
The study found that five central public sector actors have a high degree centrality and betweenness centrality. Thematic analysis further revealed that these actors are controlling most of the decisions in the network in a hierarchical mode of governance. Other actors face multiple challenges including lack of autonomy, overlapping authorities, conflicting rules and complex decision processes.
Research limitations/implications
The findings imply that instead of top-down and control-based relations, networks require self-governance mechanisms where actors independently participate and interact with other actors to generate common solutions to problems.
Practical implications
The authorities should use network management strategies, participatory approaches and consensus-building methods to reach decisions.
Originality/value
The study explores the network structure and network governance challenges in the context of a developing country that is barely addressed in the public management literature.
Details
Keywords
Nisar Ahmed Channa, Beenish Tariq, Altaf Hussain Samo, Niaz Hussain Ghumro and Naveed Akhtar Qureshi
Using three theoretical lenses − organismic integration theory (OIT), theory of values-belief-norm (VBN) and gender schema theory (GST) − this study aims to examine the effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
Using three theoretical lenses − organismic integration theory (OIT), theory of values-belief-norm (VBN) and gender schema theory (GST) − this study aims to examine the effect of environmental factors (environmental attitude, environmental concerns, perceived environmental responsibility and peer influence) on consumers' intentions to purchase eco-friendly athletic wear.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of n = 380 Pakistani consumers was used to test hypothesized relationships. Data were analyzed through the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique using SmartPLS version 3.3.3.
Findings
Findings suggest that environmental attitude, environmental concerns, perceived environmental responsibility and peer influence are positively associated with green purchase behavior. The moderating effects of individual green values were found statistically significant between peer influence and green purchase behavior. The data further revealed that the effect of environmental attitude, environmental concerns, peer influence and perceived environmental responsibility on green purchase behavior varies across the gender.
Originality/value
This research is one of the first attempts to explore the effect of environmental motivational factors on consumers' intentions to purchase eco-friendly athletic wear using theories of OIT, VBN and GST. This study employs advanced analytical methods to perform multi-group analysis and establish the predictive relevance of the model, using PLS-SEM in sports management and marketing context.
Details
Keywords
Tijjani Muhammad and Besar Bin Ngah
This study developed a model for the mediation role of satisfaction on Jaiz bank products and services as an alternative way of improving customer’s subjective experiences of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study developed a model for the mediation role of satisfaction on Jaiz bank products and services as an alternative way of improving customer’s subjective experiences of banking in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopted structural equation modelling’s confirmatory factory analysis with three-factor theory. Composite reliability, average variance extracted and discriminant validity were used to test the validity and reliability of data collected from a sample of 345 participants comprising senior, middle and lower-income earners. Also, descriptive statistics and independent analysis of variance were used for the analyses.
Findings
This paper provides insights into how Jaiz bank products and services will significantly improved the social lifestyle of Nigeria. Findings also indicates how context-specific Islamic bank products and services are embedded in the social ordering of communities in Nigeria and thus facilitate a more satisfactory and productive experience of customers.
Practical implications
Findings from the study provide insight and inform managers in making an informed decision on the products and services offered to a section of the popular, where strategic and analytical insights could strengthen different segments of the banking system in Nigeria. This study emphasises the significance of Islamic banking within the specific context of Nigeria, and also has an obvious theory and management implications.
Originality/value
It is hard to find a research paper discussing the mediation role of customer’s satisfaction on Jaiz bank products and services in improving the social lifestyle of Nigerians. This study provides a model that can be adopted in analysing products and services of Islamic banks based on customer’s satisfaction.