Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Ghulam Ayesha
The purpose of this study is to investigate the key features of information management systems (IMSs) for automation in university libraries. This study also highlights the use of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the key features of information management systems (IMSs) for automation in university libraries. This study also highlights the use of library information management systems in university libraries and the satisfaction of university librarians in using various IMS.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is quantitative in nature. A survey research method has been applied to achieve the research objectives. Purposive sampling has been used to select the targeted population which consisted of 157 librarians working in university libraries. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the collected data by using SPSS software.
Findings
Free and open source software are widely used in university libraries to manage the bibliographic information of library material. KOHA is the most used software for library automation in university libraries of Pakistan. The key features of library information management system (IMS) include reliability and security of the software, user-friendly interface, advance searching options, use of library standards (MARC, Uni MARC, RDA), online upgradation, technical support of developing company, shared cataloging, multilingual features of software, etc (See Figure 4). The study recommends that the above-mentioned features must be considered by university librarians when selecting any software for library automation. Results showed that apart from the use of KOHA software, there are also some other software which are being used for library automation in university libraries of Pakistan. These systems include; Virtua, Library Management System (LMS), and Library Information Management Systems (LIMSs).
Practical implications
This study has practical implications for university librarians in Pakistan as well as in other countries. Librarians can use the results of this study as a blueprint before selecting any information management system to automate the library record.
Originality/value
This study identifies the core features of IMS for automation in libraries. These features have been recommended by informational professionals who have been working in automated libraries and possess adequate professional experience in using library automation software.
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Ghulam Ayehsa Siddiqua, Ajid ur Rehman and Shahzad Hussain
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the asymmetric adjustment of cash holdings in Pakistani firms for above and below target firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the asymmetric adjustment of cash holdings in Pakistani firms for above and below target firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs generalized method of moments (GMM) to investigate the adjustment of cash holdings.
Findings
The study found that the firms which hold cash above the optimal level of cash holdings have higher speed of adjustment than the firms which hold cash below the optimal level. Financially constrained (FC) firms also adjust their cash holdings faster than financially unconstrained (FUC) firms but high speed of downward adjustment does not remain persistent after financial constraints are controlled. Findings of this study reveal this asymmetric adjustment in above and below target firms and extend these results in FC and FUC Pakistani listed firms, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The conclusion of this study has been derived under certain limitations. There is a vast space to extend this study in different dimensions. Firms operating in capital-intensive industries may provide different results for financial constraints because their policy designing would be quite different from other firms.
Originality/value
This study contributes to cash holdings research in Pakistan by exploring the adjustment behavior of cash holdings across Pakistani non-financial firms using econometric modeling. Downward adjustment rate is supposed to be higher than upward adjustment rate and this rate is tested using dynamic panel data model. Similarly, it is inferred that this relationship holds for above target firms even after including the financial constraints in the presented model.
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Syeda Ayesha Wadood, Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja, Kamran Ali Chatha and Sami Farooq
This study draws on the systems perspective to study the individual and combined interaction effect of lean management (LM) and sustainability management (SM) on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study draws on the systems perspective to study the individual and combined interaction effect of lean management (LM) and sustainability management (SM) on the organization's triple bottom line (TBL) performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses using data from the sixth version of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS VI).
Findings
The study finds that LM is positively related to all dimensions of the TBL performance. In contrast, SM is positively related to social and environmental performance and negatively related to economic performance. Finally, by finding that the interaction between LM and (SM) is positive for social and environmental performance, this study not only confirms that LM is an enabler for sustainability, but it also supports that the two paradigms are mutually compatible and reinforcing.
Practical implications
The findings imply that practitioners pursuing both LM and SM should leverage their mutual positive effects and balance the unintended effects of implementing isolated bundles by implementing them together as a complete socio-technical system. Their combined impact on the TBL performance will outweigh the sum of their individual effects in the case of isolated implementations.
Originality/value
In contrast with the extant literature, this study proposes that LM and SM make parts of one system as opposed to one correlated with the other or having a positive causal effect on the other. Taking an integrated systems approach, the study empirically verifies the “mutual compatibility” of the lean and sustainability paradigms argument, with regard to their effect on the TBL performance.
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Shoukat Ali, Ramiz Ur Rehman, Bushra Sarwar, Ayesha Shoukat and Muhammad Farooq
The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of board financial expertise on the shareholding of foreign institutional investors in an emerging equity market…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of board financial expertise on the shareholding of foreign institutional investors in an emerging equity market of China and to explore whether ownership concentration moderates the relationship between board financial expertise and foreign institutional investment.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypothesized relationships, this study uses panel data regression models, i.e. static (fixed effect and random effect) and dynamic (two-step generalized methods of moments) models. Further, to control the possible endogeniety issue, this study uses two instrumental variables, namely, board size and industry average financial expertise of board to proxy board financial expertise. This study covers a period from 2006 to 2015 for 169 listed Chinese firms.
Findings
The results revealed that foreign institutional investors positively perceived board financial expertise and holds more shareholdings with the increasing level of financial experts at boards of directors. Moreover, ownership concentration positively moderated this relationship. It means that in highly concentrated firms, the board financial expertise conveys a stronger signal to foreign institutional investors that firms can manage financial resources rationally by controlling negative effects of ownership concentration. Further, the robustness model also confirmed the relationship between board financial expertise and foreign institutional shareholdings.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate board-level financial expertise as a determinant of foreign institutional ownership. Further, no previous study has used ownership concentration as a contextual variable on the relationship between board financial expertise and foreign institutional investment.
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Ghazala Qammar, Ghulam Mohy‐ud‐Din, Nuzhat Huma, Ayesha Sameen and Muhammad Issa Khan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of chicken flavored textured soy protein (TSP) substitution for chicken meat in pizza toppings.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of chicken flavored textured soy protein (TSP) substitution for chicken meat in pizza toppings.
Design/methodology/approach
TSP obtained from defatted soy flour was used to replace chicken at 25, 50 and 100 percent level in the pizza toppings. Patent grade wheat flour, TSP, boiled chicken, cheese, pizza shell and whole pizza were subjected to chemical analysis. Rheological properties of patent grade wheat flour were assessed by mixograph and farinograph. A panel of judges assessed sensory characteristics of pizza topping and whole pizza.
Findings
Moisture, ash and protein contents of the whole pizza showed a rise when the amount of TSP was increased, while fat content decreased slightly with increase in TSP content. Mixographic studies showed 6 min mixing time and 44 percent peak height. The farinographic studies revealed water absorption, arrival time, dough development time, departure time and dough stability as 63.6 percent, 1.5, 8.5, 13.3 and 11.8 min, respectively. The pizza that contained 25 percent TSP in the topping formulation possessed improved aroma, color, flavor and after taste characteristics. Whole pizza containing 25 percent soy protein and the standard pizza having 100 percent chicken in the topping were ranked similar in sensory qualities. Best sensory quality of topping was also for 25 percent TSP incorporation. Statistical analysis showed that pizza prepared with 25 percent TSP were highly acceptable.
Practical implications
The steadily increasing costs of animal proteins have compelled the food industry to focus attention on the low cost vegetable sources of protein. Soybeans are so versatile that they can be processed into flour, lecithin, oil, protein concentrates, isolated proteins, hydrolyzed proteins and textured protein and can be incorporated in meat and meat products as a relatively cheap protein source compared to expensive protein of animal origin.
Originality/value
The paper's findings may used by the pizza industry to replace the chicken in topping with TSP for vegetarians.
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Rakshananda Kousar, Tahira Sadaf, Muhammad Sohail Amjad Makhdum and Ayesha Ijaz
This study aims to estimate the determinants of household spending on education and nutrition. Education and nutrition are noteworthy elements for human development and welfare…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to estimate the determinants of household spending on education and nutrition. Education and nutrition are noteworthy elements for human development and welfare. Separate estimates are being provided for male and female as gender determines household welfare and gender-based analysis of household spending evaluates the aptitude of decision power as well as measures their influential role in human welfare.
Design/methodology/approach
Fruits, milk and dairy products are taken as proxy of substantial portion of nutrition. The study used primary urban household-level data that collected from Faisalabad city. The authors used double hurdle model.
Findings
The findings of the study show that females are more likely to spend on education. Household size and number of children negatively determine the household spending on education and nutrition. Number of employed household members, level of income and education are positively associated with household spending on education and nutrition by male- and female-headed households. A very low public spending on education and nutrition have led to upsurge the hurdles of households in Pakistan.
Practical implications
The study recommends that government should provide the employment opportunities, especially for females for stable and increased household income that leads to improve the household welfare.
Originality/value
Several studies have examined the education spending (Mbanefoh et al., 1997; Ichoku and Leibbrandt, 2003; Donkoh and Amikuzuno, 2011; Cisse, 2011), but these studies ignored to investigate the gender role and household spending on nutrition and education. This study is crucial in drawing suitable policy recommendations for household welfare. This study filled the gaps and scrutinized the issues that interrelated with household spending.