T. Hayat, Arsalan Aziz, Taseer Muhammad and A. Alsaedi
The purpose of this study is to examine the Darcy–Forchheimer flow of viscous nanoliquid because of a rotating disk. Thermophoretic diffusion and random motion aspects are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the Darcy–Forchheimer flow of viscous nanoliquid because of a rotating disk. Thermophoretic diffusion and random motion aspects are retained. Heat and mass transfer features are analyzed through convective conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The governing systems are solved numerically by the shooting technique.
Findings
Higher porosity parameter and Forchheimer number Fr depict similar trend for both velocity profiles f' and g. Both temperature and concentration profiles show increasing behavior for higher Forchheimer number Fr. An increase in Prandtl number Pr corresponds to lower temperature profile, while opposite trend is noticed for thermal Biot number. Larger concentration Biot number exhibits increasing behavior for both concentration and its associated layer thickness.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, no such consideration has been given in the literature yet.
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Tasawar Hayat, Arsalan Aziz, Taseer Muhammad and Ahmed Alsaedi
The aim of this study is to elaborate three dimensional rotating flow of nanoliquid induced by a stretchable sheet subject to Darcy–Forchheimer porous space. Thermophoretic…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to elaborate three dimensional rotating flow of nanoliquid induced by a stretchable sheet subject to Darcy–Forchheimer porous space. Thermophoretic diffusion and random motion aspects are retained. Prescribed surface heat flux and prescribed surface mass flux conditions are implemented at stretchable surface. Convergent series solutions have been derived for velocities, temperature and concentration.
Design/methodology/approach
Optimal homotopy analysis method is implemented for the solution development.
Findings
The current solution demonstrates very good agreement with those of the previously published studies in the special cases of regular fluid and nanofluids. Graphical results are presented to investigate the influences of the titania and copper nanoparticle volume fractions and also the nodal/saddle indicative parameter on flow and heat transfer characteristics. Here, the thermal characteristics of hybrid nanofluid are found to be higher in comparison to the base fluid and fluid containing single nanoparticles, respectively. An important point to note is that the developed model can be used with great confidence to study the flow and heat transfer of hybrid nanofluids.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such consideration has been given in the literature yet.
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Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi, Farhana Khan and Hasan Aziz
Humanitarian services usually perform in the face of uncertainty in which mobilization of resources in an efficient and effective manner is a big challenge. Sharing timely and…
Abstract
Purpose
Humanitarian services usually perform in the face of uncertainty in which mobilization of resources in an efficient and effective manner is a big challenge. Sharing timely and correct information among logistics partners and workers is a key to drive rapid response logistics effectively. The purpose of this paper is to understand how coordinated effort effects resources management (RM).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses quantitative research methodology and collected data from 82 humanitarian workers dealing with logistical activities from a densely populated city of Pakistan. Data were then statistically analyzed through partial least squares–structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results suggest that the success of humanitarian supply network depends upon the level of trust among the partners, which accelerates commitment through strong coordination. Information sharing reduces behavioral uncertainty and enhances swift trust (ST). ST then helps to improve coordination and commitment from all stakeholders in order to manage resources to lead effective relief operations.
Practical implications
The study guides the practitioners and relief operations’ policy makers to lay emphasis on distributing right and timely information flow among the partners, which can lead to effective, efficient and swift humanitarian relief operations.
Originality/value
This study on RM during humanitarian logistics is well timed in the context of developing country with high uncertain events, improper infrastructure and very limited resources.
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Arsalan Ahmed, Qi Jian Hong and Hassan Tahir
The study performs an empirical test to assess the impact of the Pakistan-China Free trade agreement (FTA) on Pakistan, China, and the World's exports under homogenous and…
Abstract
The study performs an empirical test to assess the impact of the Pakistan-China Free trade agreement (FTA) on Pakistan, China, and the World's exports under homogenous and differentiated products. This study employs the modeling with Poisson specification with Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood method for the estimations. The results of empirical test show that the effect of FTA on the FTA and Non-FTA countries is greater in the differentiated product as compared to the homogenous product. Therefore, one of the most important policy implications provided by this study is that export enterprises need to concentrate on differentiated products as compare to the homogenous products after the implementation of the Pakistan-China FTA. Moreover, the previous literature concluded that Pakistan-China FTA was more beneficial for China as compared to Pakistan. However, according to this study, if Pakistani enterprises focus more on differentiated products as compared to homogenous products, then it will be equally beneficial for both Chinese and Pakistani enterprises. This study will contribute to the literature by considering the Bertrand competition between asymmetric countries and find out the effect of the FTA on these three countries. It considers China, Pakistan, and the Rest of the World as first, second, and third countries.
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Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi, Hafiz Muhammad Faizan and Shaharyar Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the factors affecting Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Halal food, products and operations by employing theory of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the factors affecting Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Halal food, products and operations by employing theory of reasoned action.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has used quantitative research methodology and collected data from 350 questionnaires from a densely populated city of Pakistan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
Findings
The results show that the concerns about Halal, religiosity, perception of usefulness of Halal and product ingredients have a significant impact on WTP for Halal foods, while attitude has an insignificant impact on WTP. Moreover, the extent of demand for Halal certification is significantly affected by WTP.
Originality/value
The study highlighted the concerns of the Muslim consumers with respect to Halalness of the products and operations despite living in a Muslim country. It is recommended that the policy makers, food authorities and health institutions should conduct regular inspections of foods, products and producers’/manufacturers’ operations to ensure that all the procedures from manufacturing of the raw material till the finished goods follow Islamic principles to make them completely Halal.
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Mahroo Khan, Arsalan Najmi, Waqar Ahmed and Ameenullah Aman
This paper aims to investigate the factors that motivate consumers to pay for halal logistics certification and consequently demand for its certification in Pakistan.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the factors that motivate consumers to pay for halal logistics certification and consequently demand for its certification in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a sample of 302 respondents from the city of Karachi, Pakistan and used partial least square structural equation model. The study used consumers’ perception, concern and personal societal perspective to determine their willingness to pay and the demand of halal certification.
Findings
Results revealed that all of the aforementioned variables are significant and positive except perspective usefulness which has insignificant and negative relationship with consumer willingness.
Originality/value
Pakistan is an Islamic state and people living there are very cautious about the food items they eat and the procedures they follow. Therefore, this study contributes to evaluate such factors that influence consumer willingness to pay for halal logistics in Pakistan. Furthermore, this study suggests policymakers and 3rd party logistics service providers to educate their potential consumers about halal logistics and halal certification.
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Muhammad Arsalan Hashmi, Rayenda Khresna Brahmana and Evan Lau
This paper aims to investigate the effect of political connections on earnings quality by simultaneously controlling the firm characteristics; to test whether Pakistani firms’…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of political connections on earnings quality by simultaneously controlling the firm characteristics; to test whether Pakistani firms’ ownership, specifically family ownership, plays a significant role in political connections–earnings quality association; to draw a conclusion about the agency theory in the context of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative approach was used to examine the influence of political connections and family ownership on the earnings quality of listed firms in Pakistan. The study uses historical data from 238 active non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during the period of 2009-2015. The final data set comprises more than 1,600 firm-year observations from ten major non-financial industry classifications. To enhance the robustness of the empirical relationship, the study used several proxies of earnings quality in conjunction with robust regression methods and diagnostic checks.
Findings
The present study’s findings are consistent with the findings of the studies on agency theory previous literature, where politically connected firms have significantly lower earnings quality as compared to non-connected firms. The results also indicate that family firms have superior earnings quality than non-family–controlled firms. Furthermore, family ownership moderates the negative influence of political connections on earnings quality. This implies that family ownership diminishes the costs of political connections and improves the earnings quality of the firm.
Originality/value
This study is different from previous research in three respects. First, it examines whether family ownership concentration has a moderating influence on the relationship between political connections and earnings quality. Second, it uses a robust methodology and extensive data set to examine the influence of political connections and family ownership concentration on earnings quality. Further, this study is the first to analyze the nexus between financial reporting quality and the political business environment in the context of Pakistan.
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Arsalan Najmi, Waqar Ahmed and Samia Jahangir
This study aims to consider factors that play an important role in adopting the halal food standard (HFS) among food manufacturers in Pakistan and to investigate the role of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to consider factors that play an important role in adopting the halal food standard (HFS) among food manufacturers in Pakistan and to investigate the role of the traceability system in the compliance of the halal assurance system (HAS).
Design/methodology/approach
Present study included data from a survey by 134 professionals/food technologists from the food industry, and partial least square-structural equation modeling was applied.
Findings
The results indicate that consumer pressure, industry competition, marketing functions, operational improvement and the organization’s commitment have a significant impact on HFS adoption, while government regulations have an insignificant impact. The results also indicate that the HFS’s adoption and lack of a traceability system significantly impact HAS.
Research limitations/implications
The current study’s findings are inconclusive. Hence, future researchers are suggested to further explore the studied phenomena, especially in other research settings.
Practical implications
For policymakers, the findings of this study offer valuable information as it not only benefits the industry but will also assist in providing better and safer halal food products to consumers.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of the adoption of HFS and compliance with HAS in a scenario where demand for Halal is increasing globally. Moreover, the findings of this study offer valuable information in motivating firms to implement HFS.
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Mohsin Raza Khan, Muhammad Arsalan Nazir and Sabeen Afzal
This study aims to analyze the challenges in financing the healthcare system of Pakistan and develop a comprehensive health financing strategy aimed at achieving universal health…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the challenges in financing the healthcare system of Pakistan and develop a comprehensive health financing strategy aimed at achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilizes World Health Organization (WHO) framework on health financing to build the argument. It uses qualitative research design involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, development partners, academia and health ministries at federal and provincial levels, as well as social health insurance entities.
Findings
The research findings highlight several critical issues within Pakistan’s healthcare system: Firstly, health spending is inadequate to provide financial protection to 24 million people. Secondly, the available health funding is allocated in clusters and caters primarily to specific groups, which exacerbates inequities in healthcare provision. Thirdly, the existence of multiple purchasing agents who operate concurrently to buy health services results in duplication and wastage of resources. Fourthly, the public financial management system, intended to support the swift distribution of public funds to health facilities, is not aligned with the requirements of the health system. Lastly, the devolved health setup has led to governance issues in managing the health sector.
Originality/value
This study fills a significant gap in the literature on health financing within Pakistan and proposes a unique empirical approach using WHO’s framework in a decentralized healthcare context. It also provides actionable recommendations for policymakers to develop strategies that improve the effectiveness of public financial management and health service delivery.
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Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi, Simonov Kusi-Sarpong, Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan, Asad Khushal and Joseph Quartey
This research aims to propose a framework for measuring customer loyalty for third party logistics (3PL) industry by exploring the attributes that are more attractive to customers…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to propose a framework for measuring customer loyalty for third party logistics (3PL) industry by exploring the attributes that are more attractive to customers and ascertain the mechanisms for increasing customer loyalty in 3PL industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from one hundred and thirty-three (133) respondents who were employees of different industries that outsource 3PL services. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) was deployed for analysis.
Findings
The results showed that service quality has a significant positive impact on customer orientation, customer satisfaction and relationship quality. On the other hand, customer orientation has been observed to positively impact customer satisfaction but an insignificant impact on customer loyalty and relationship quality. Customer satisfaction has a significant positive impact on relationship quality but an insignificant impact on customer loyalty. Also, relationship quality has a significant positive impact on customer loyalty.
Practical implications
The results recommend that 3PL companies' managers focus more on developing quality relationships with their customers, delivering exemplary service quality and offering customer orientation.
Originality/value
This study will help the stakeholders gain much more understanding and insights on how competitive advantage can be achieved and, consequently, help 3PL become the market leaders.