Shanza Maryam Khan and Shahzad Akhtar
The study investigates the impact of competition and concentration on bank risk-taking behavior and stability in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC…
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigates the impact of competition and concentration on bank risk-taking behavior and stability in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 100 banks from 2013 to 2021 was analyzed using dynamic and static measures by using dynamic system GMM.
Findings
Results showed that higher competition reduces stability, while concentration in the banking sector produces stability and reduces risk-taking behavior. The findings suggest that regulatory agencies should take different actions based on the degree of banking market concentration to enhance banking sector stability in the SAARC area.
Practical implications
The research helps regulators and decision-makers establish capital requirements at levels that would prevent banks from increasing their risk-taking in order to boost profits and, therefore, reduces hazardous practices that might increase the risk.
Originality/value
The research helps establish capital requirements to prevent banks from increasing risk-taking to boost profits and avoid hazardous practices that could increase nonperforming loans and bank failure risks.
Details
Keywords
The objective of this study was to look closely at how domestic violence is represented in Pakistani drama serials to see if portrayals are reinforcing stereotypical and/or…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study was to look closely at how domestic violence is represented in Pakistani drama serials to see if portrayals are reinforcing stereotypical and/or patriarchal values, or breaking the rigid norms.
Design/methodology/approach
With the help of dispositive analysis within the critical discourse approach, the prominent and non-dominant discourses about domestic violence were identified and discussed. Episodes from two popular drama serials, Kaisa Yeh Naseeban and Khaas, released in 2019, were watched with special focus on texts on domestic violence alongside objects and actions.
Findings
Analysis showed that both drama serials gave importance to socio-systemic and liberal humanist instrumentalism discourses, which describe domestic violence as a result of social structures and that abuse is used to assert control, respectively. However, some instances were noted where patriarchal values were encouraged.
Originality/value
As media has become a powerful tool of influence and awareness in the recent times, it is imperative that the content watched on it by millions of people be studied and analyzed. It is claimed that Pakistani drama serials with wide following and that are made on social issues around women aim to raise awareness and empower them. Domestic violence is a prevalent issue in Pakistan, and no research till date has examined representation of domestic violence on Pakistani popular media, which may influence response to domestic violence, which this paper aims to do.
Details
Keywords
Maryam Khan and Mahmood A. Khan
This paper seeks to deal with an exploratory analysis of the impact of technological innovations on the extent of outreach of hospitality services to customers.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to deal with an exploratory analysis of the impact of technological innovations on the extent of outreach of hospitality services to customers.
Design/methodology/approach
After a review of several hospitality services, two factors were selected to assess their outreach to customers: location of service provider; and direct or indirect service delivery mode.
Findings
Placing these factors on different axes, cells were created to distinguish innovative features of these services. It became apparent that, as the technological innovations develop, new categories of services are emerging. These categories were placed into six different cells identifying services based on their innovative characteristics. When the proximity of the service provider to the customer is less, the range of services involves: service and style improvements; service‐line extensions; and major service innovations. With the increase in distance between service provider and customer, service processes become prominent and involve: process improvements; process‐line extensions; and major process innovations. With the advancement of technology, services move from direct to indirect delivery mode in both service and service process innovations. In order to illustrate the assumptions, examples of services and technology used are provided.
Research limitations/implications
Recommendations are provided for utilizing technology for enhancing services based on the location of their target markets. This is an exploratory analysis of the current situation, which will rapidly change with technological developments.
Practical implications
Findings led to the recommendations for service innovations, location of desired markets, and providing services to customers at near and far locations. Service providers and marketers can benefit by utilizing innovative technology suitable for reaching their selected target customers.
Originality/value
The work is a first step in studying services, technology use, and outreach to customers. Identifying service categories will help service marketers in locating their target market and providing services to customers using developing technology.
Details
Keywords
Bojan Matkovski, Stanislav Zekić, Žana Jurjević and Danilo Đokić
The purpose of this paper is to determine if the agribusiness sector can be an initiator of export on the emerging markets. For this aim, we analyzed export opportunities for the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine if the agribusiness sector can be an initiator of export on the emerging markets. For this aim, we analyzed export opportunities for the region of Vojvodina, the region in Serbia with the most potential for agribusiness.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the Comparative Advantage Index and the Index of Intra-industrial Integration to determine the region's level of comparative advantage and the market's level of integration on the main emerging markets.
Findings
The results show that this region has the most competitive advantages in crop production – primarily in cereals and industrial plants – but the situation is not favorable for livestock production. Because of this, comparative advantage should be used as a factor for the growth of competitiveness in the sectors for which crop products are the raw material base. At the same time, agricultural policy measures should encourage more intensive agricultural production, which could create a better foundation for progress in the food industry.
Research limitations/implications
Data collected on foreign trade at the level of statistical regions is not always reliable. Also, regional and local characteristics are specific to each country, so the ability to generalize conclusions is limited.
Practical implications
This paper provides a useful review of the agri-food sector's competitiveness and determines which agri-food segments have competitive advantages. It is essential for policymakers to identify what determinants improve or degrade the competitiveness of the region's agri-food sector.
Originality/value
Since there are a limited number of studies analyzing trends of competitiveness for the region's agri-food sector, the paper will contribute to filling this gap. Furthermore, the framework is conceptually innovative in identifying the determinants that create export opportunities for the region on the international market.
Details
Keywords
Abbas Khan, Muhammad Yar Khan, Abdul Qayyum Khan, Majid Jamal Khan and Zia Ur Rahman
By testing the weak form of efficient market hypothesis (EMH) this study aims to forecast the short-term stock prices of the US Dow and Jones environmental socially responsible…
Abstract
Purpose
By testing the weak form of efficient market hypothesis (EMH) this study aims to forecast the short-term stock prices of the US Dow and Jones environmental socially responsible index (SRI) and Shariah compliance index (SCI).
Design/methodology/approach
This study checks the validity of the weak form of EMH for both SCI and SRI prices by using different parametric and non-parametric tests, i.e. augmented Dickey-Fuller test, Philip-Perron test, runs test and variance ratio test. If the EMH is invalid, the research further forecasts short-term stock prices by applying autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model using daily price data from 2010 to 2018.
Findings
The research confirms that a weak form of EMH is not valid in the US SRI and SCI. The historical data can predict short-term future price movements by using technical ARIMA model.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides better guidance to risk-averse national and international investors to earn higher returns in the US SRI and SCI. This study can be extended to test the EMH of Islamic equity in the Middle East and North Africa region and other top Islamic indexes in the world.
Originality/value
This study is a new addition to the existing literature of equity investment and price forecasting by comparing and investigating the market efficiency of two interrelated US SRI and SCI.
Details
Keywords
Kanza Abid, Zafar Iqbal Shams, Muhammad Suleman Tahir and Arif Zubair
The presence of heavy metals in milk causes many acute and chronic physiological dysfunctions in human organs. The present study aims to investigate the heavy metals in cow's and…
Abstract
Purpose
The presence of heavy metals in milk causes many acute and chronic physiological dysfunctions in human organs. The present study aims to investigate the heavy metals in cow's and buffalo's milk of two major cities, Karachi and Gujranwala, Pakistan to estimate metal intake by humans from this source.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 48 milk samples from 2 cities were drawn from animals' udder to avoid contamination. Each sample was digested with nitric acid at 105 oC (degree Celsius) on a pre-heated electric hot plate to investigate the metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy (flame type). Air-acetylene technique analyzed chromium, cadmium and lead, and the hydride method analyzed arsenic in the milk samples.
Findings
The results revealed the highest mean lead concentration (19.65 ± 43.86 ppb) in the milk samples, followed by chromium (2.10 ± 2.33 ppb) and arsenic (0.48 ± 0.73 ppb). Cadmium was not detected in any sample, assuming cadmium's occurrence was below the detection level. The concentrations of all the metals in the samples of the two cities do not differ statistically. Lead concentrations in the buffalo's milk were higher than in cow's milk (p < 0.05). However, the concentrations of arsenic and chromium between buffalo's and cow's milk do not differ statistically. The present study reveals a lower level of metals in the milk than those conducted elsewhere. The mean concentrations of all the metals met the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety guidelines (1993).
Research limitations/implications
Although cadmium causes toxicity in the human body, cadmium could not be measured because cadmium's concentration was below the detection level, which is 1 ppb.
Practical implications
This study will help reduce the toxic metals in our environment, and the sources of heavy metals, particularly from the industrial sector could be identified. The feed and water consumed by the milking animals could be carefully used for feeding them.
Social implications
This study will help reduce the diseases and malfunction of human organs and organ systems since these heavy metals cause toxicity and carcinogenicity in humans. Arsenic and chromium cause cancer while lead causes encephalopathy (a brain disease).
Originality/value
The study reports heavy metal concentrations in the two attributes of four independent variables of raw milk samples that were scarcely reported from Pakistan.
Details
Keywords
Rowaida Yawar, Soulat Khan, Maryam Rafiq, Nimra Fawad, Sundas Shams, Saher Navid, Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Nabiha Taufiq, Areesha Touqir, Moazma Imran and Tayyab Ali Butt
This study aims to examine the relationship between aging anxiety, self-esteem, physical symptomology and quality of life in early and middle adults as well as to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between aging anxiety, self-esteem, physical symptomology and quality of life in early and middle adults as well as to explore the mediating role of self-esteem.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was designed, and a sample of N= 700 educated men and women aged between 35 and 65 years were taken through purposive sampling. Anxiety about Aging Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, The World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF and Somatic Symptom Scale-8 were used for assessment.
Findings
Research suggests that an increase in aging anxiety leads to poor quality of life and lower self-esteem. Additionally, a negative relationship was observed between aging anxiety and physical symptomology. Self-esteem plays a mediating role significantly in these relationships.
Practical implications
The study highlighted the adverse effects of aging anxiety on the basis of which strategies can be devised to cope with it as well as to improve the self-esteem and quality of life in transition age. These findings can also aid in providing health care and public services in later adulthood. This study also emphasizes on aging as a human right rather than merely a process such as the human right for physical health and mental health.
Originality/value
This study provides a new outlook and perspective toward how the phenomenon of aging impacts the lives of adults who are about to enter older adulthood in a few years. The fears related to aging influence physical and mental health, due to which it is necessary to investigate the effect of aging anxiety.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Asif Zaheer, Tanveer Muhammad Anwar, Mohamed Albeshr, Maryam Manzoor and Zoia Khan
This paper aims to provide the integrated model with artificial intelligence (AI) awareness for the betterment of the higher education system in crisis i.e. fear of contagious…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide the integrated model with artificial intelligence (AI) awareness for the betterment of the higher education system in crisis i.e. fear of contagious viruses (different kinds of flu, monkeypox, chickenpox, COVID-19, etc.) corollaries in developing nations where the quality of education depends on teachers’ commitment, stress and the turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical investigation employs a self-administered survey distributed among the faculty members within higher education institutions (HEIs) of the Punjab province and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Islamabad, Pakistan. The final sample of 622 faculty members was collected through convenience sampling, and structural equation modeling was performed with SmartPLS to assess the proposed model.
Findings
The study reveals that remote work significantly enhances organizational commitment while concurrently lowering the turnover intention. Conversely, perceived work stress negatively impacts organizational commitment but positively influences turnover intention. Organizational commitment partially mediates between perceived work stress and turnover intention but exhibited no mediation between remote work and turnover intention. Notably, fear of contagious viruses and AI awareness positively moderate and amplify both the perceived work stress with turnover intention and remote working with organizational commitment, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The current study extends the AI-mediated social exchange theory (MET) by observing faculty members of HEIs in the context of remote working, perceived work stress, commitment, turnover intention, fear of contagious viruses and AI awareness. Moreover, the successful application of AI-MET extended the researcher’s understanding of quality education in crisis.
Practical implications
The study offers several contributions including applications of technical skills with AI awareness among faculty members to provide quality education for society’s welfare. Moreover, HEIs should arrange training programs for performance enhancement.
Originality/value
This research provided a quality-based model for HEIs for developing nations to deal with forthcoming calamities of contagious viruses and deliver quality education through remote working during lockdown. Nowadays, off-campus education during calamity situations has been an alternative to on-campus education. Therefore, HEIs must introduce AI awareness to increase the dedication of faculty members toward society’s welfare with the utilization of full effort.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Asif Zaheer, Tanveer Muhammad Anwar, Laszlo Barna Iantovics, Maryam Manzoor, Muhammad Ali Raza and Zoia Khan
This research aimed to raise awareness about the need for safety measures and features of online food delivery applications (OFDAs) to build electronic trust (e-trust) with…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aimed to raise awareness about the need for safety measures and features of online food delivery applications (OFDAs) to build electronic trust (e-trust) with augmented purchase intention among customers. Moreover, this study explores the attributes of electronic commerce (e-commerce) and how e-trust influences the purchasing intention of consumers while ordering food through OFDAs including fear of contagious diseases. Determinants of e-commerce in the digital era profoundly impact the performance of enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 493 food consumers collected from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Pakistan, who were regular users of OFDAs. To scrutinize the dataset, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the construct validity in this research study. Structural equation modeling (SEM), which is facilitated by Smart-PLS, was employed to examine the direct, moderation and mediation effects of the proposed model.
Findings
Results revealed the positive and significant impact of the e-trust on the purchase intention. Additionally, e-trust acted as a mediating factor in the connection between electronic security (e-security), electronic privacy (e-privacy), usability, electronic payment (e-payment), electronic innovativeness (e-innovativeness) and the buyer's purchase intention. Furthermore, the fear of contagious viruses negatively moderated the e-trust and purchase intention that weakened buying behavior.
Originality/value
This research is primarily centered on enhancing the comprehension regarding safety orientation within the context of an evolving restaurant industry. The findings of this study hold substantial contributions for academics, web developers, application designers, OFDAs, restaurants and other businesses since they indicate the attractiveness of OFDAs in generating feelings of pleasure and boosting users' intentions to keep using the application.