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1 – 10 of 132Muhammad Babar Ramzan, Abher Rasheed, Zulfiqar Ali, Sheraz Ahmad, Muhammad Salman Naeem and Ali Afzal
In the field of knitwear, dimensional stability is assumed as a critical problem that affects the quality and salability of a product. Although much work has been done in this…
Abstract
Purpose
In the field of knitwear, dimensional stability is assumed as a critical problem that affects the quality and salability of a product. Although much work has been done in this area with a focus on the factors affecting fabric shrinkage, however, there is a lack of work on knitwears with respect to their dimensional stability. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of stitching parameters and wash types on the dimensional properties of knitwear.
Design/methodology/approach
The crew-neck t-shirts were prepared by using pique knitted fabrics. Different sewing and finishing parameters were used that include stitch density, stitch type, stitching thread and wash type. The critical measurements of the selected garment are taken as output variables which are body width, sleeve length, body length and across shoulder. After laundering process, shrinkage percentage was calculated by using before-wash and after-wash measurements.
Findings
This study shows that the stitching parameters affect significantly on knitwear’s shrinkage. Thus, when patterns are being developed for the cutting of fabric, expected shrinkage, known as residual shrinkage, must be considered to avoid unexpected changes in garment shape.
Originality/value
This research will be useful for knitwear manufacturing industry.
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Hamid Saeed, Muhammad Asghar, Muhammad Anwar and Muhammad Ramzan
The study examines the status and use of the Internet in university libraries of Pakistan. A questionnaire was distributed among the university libraries including the degree…
Abstract
The study examines the status and use of the Internet in university libraries of Pakistan. A questionnaire was distributed among the university libraries including the degree granting institutions. The data derived from this study indicated that half the university libraries in Pakistan have access to the Internet and it has become an essential part of library services. The Internet is also being heavily used for performing various library functions such as reference work, classification and cataloguing, document delivery service, subscription to online journals, etc. The study also discusses the problems that are preventing wider use of the Internet in the higher educational institutions of Pakistan.
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Muhammad Javed Ramzan, Saif Ur Rehman Khan, Inayat ur-Rehman, Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman and Ehab Nabiel Al-khannaq
In recent years, data science has become a high-demand profession, thereby attracting transmuters (individuals who want to change their profession due to industry trends) to this…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, data science has become a high-demand profession, thereby attracting transmuters (individuals who want to change their profession due to industry trends) to this field. The primary purpose of this paper is to guide transmuters in becoming data scientists.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory study was conducted to uncover the challenges faced by data scientists according to their educational backgrounds. An extensive set of responses from 31 countries was received.
Findings
The results reveal that skill requirements and tool usage vary significantly with educational background. However, regardless of differences in academic background, the data scientists surveyed spend more time analyzing data than operationalizing insight.
Research limitations/implications
The collected data are available to support replication in various scenarios, for example, for use as a roadmap for those with an educational background in art-related disciplines. Additional empirical studies can also be conducted specific to geographical location.
Practical implications
The current work has categorized data scientists by their fields of study making it easier for universities and online academies to suggest required knowledge (courses) according to prospective students' educational background.
Originality/value
The conducted study suggests the required knowledge and skills for transmuters to acquire, based on their educational background, and reports a set of motivational factors attracting them to adopt the data science field.
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Naseer Abbas Khan, Waseem Bahadur, Muhammad Ramzan and Natalya Pravdina
The aim of this study is to look into the associations, both direct and indirect, between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. Additionally, this study…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to look into the associations, both direct and indirect, between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. Additionally, this study examines the mediating effects of work–family conflict (WFC) and work–family spillover (WFS) in the association between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. This study also explored how perceived peer support (PPS) may have a moderating effect on these associations.
Design/methodology/approach
A time-lag approach was used in this study to collect data from the 228 participants that made up the sample. Both front-desk employees and their immediate supervisors were included in this sample, which came from diverse tourism enterprises in central China. The research design included two independent time waves that were separated by two months, making it easier to examine the way the variables of interest changed throughout that time.
Findings
The results showed that there is a significant impact of leadership behaviors on WFS, WFC and employee turnover intention. This study showed a significant mediating effect of WFS, however, the influence of WFC as a mediator was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the results suggested that PPS significantly moderated the association between leader empowering behavior and WFS. The findings revealed that the mediating effect of WFS in the association between leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention.
Originality/value
This study advances knowledge of the impacts of leadership empowering behavior on employee turnover intention through the use of a moderated mediation analysis. Based on the leader member exchange, it offers a distinctive perspective on leadership empowering behaviors to maintain a work–family balance in tourism.
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Ather Azim Khan, Muhammad Ramzan, Shafaqat Mehmood and Wing-Keung Wong
This paper assesses the environment of legitimacy by determining the role of institutional quality and policy uncertainty on the performance of five major South Asian stock…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper assesses the environment of legitimacy by determining the role of institutional quality and policy uncertainty on the performance of five major South Asian stock markets (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) using 21 years data from 2000 to 2020. The focus of this study is to approach the issue of the environment of legitimacy that leads to sustained market returns.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel cointegration tests of Kao and Pedroni are applied, and the Dynamic Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR) model is used to determine the estimates.
Findings
ADF P-Values of both Kao and Pedroni tests show that the panels are cointegrated; the statistical significance of the results of the Kao and Pedroni panel cointegration test confirms cointegration among the variables. After determining the most appropriate lag, the analysis is done using PVAR. The results indicate that institutional quality, policy uncertainty, and GDP positively affect stock market return. Meanwhile, government actions and inflation negatively affect stock market returns. On the other hand, stock market return positively affects institutional quality, government action, policy uncertainty, and GDP. While stock market return negatively affects inflation.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is taken only from a limited number of South Asian countries, and the period is also limited to 21 years.
Practical implications
Based on our research findings, we have identified several policy implications recommended to enhance and sustain the performance of stock markets.
Originality/value
This paper uses a unique analytical tool, which gives a better insight into the problem. The value of this work lies in its findings, which also have practical implications and theoretical significance.
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Shamshad Ahmed, Muhammad Ramzan, Arslan Sheikh and Asif Ali
This study aims to explore the personality traits (agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience and neuroticism) of the students. The differences among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the personality traits (agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience and neuroticism) of the students. The differences among the personality traits of students toward social networking sites (SNS) usage, benefits and risks are also analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
Two instruments including; BFI scale and self-structured instrument, were administered to collect data. Kruskal–Wallis test was applied to determine the differences between the personality traits of students.
Findings
Results revealed that the majority of the students (298) possessed openness to experience, while only 12 possessed extraversion in their personality traits. Moreover, students possessing the extraversion trait use more SNS that impact negatively, while, students of the conscientiousness trait use SNS moderately that impact positively on their health, education and daily routine life. However, students of neuroticism are increasingly more users of SNS without considering the benefits or risks of SNS. Moreover, students having extraversion and conscientiousness traits can more judge the benefits and risks of SNS as compared to other personalities’ students. A significant difference was found among the personality traits of student’s use of SNS and risks while no difference was observed toward SNS benefits.
Originality/value
The findings of this study will help the students studying in different Pakistani universities/institutions to identify their personality traits and reduce the negative effects of SNS.
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The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) laid the foundations of the Islamic state in Medina in 622 A.D. The state expanded gradually during the 10‐year rule of the Prophet (pbuh). The Arabian…
Abstract
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) laid the foundations of the Islamic state in Medina in 622 A.D. The state expanded gradually during the 10‐year rule of the Prophet (pbuh). The Arabian Peninsula and Southern Palestine were conquered during that period. The state expanded enormously during the reign of Umar (RA). Many countries of the Roman and Persian empires comprising an area of more than 2.2 million were annexed. Historians have noted that this framework played a vital role in integrating these people which in turn strengthened the state.
Muhammad Ramzan and Diljit Singh
The purpose of this paper is to investigate and determine the levels of information technology (IT) in Pakistani libraries. More specifically, the paper focuses on the status of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate and determine the levels of information technology (IT) in Pakistani libraries. More specifically, the paper focuses on the status of computers and other commonly used hardware, e‐mail, internet, library software, automated user services, expenditure on IT and online resources available in academic libraries of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are collected through a questionnaire survey of 288 (sample of 682) academic libraries across Pakistan. A total of 219 (76 per cent) valid responses are used for data analysis and interpretation using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).
Findings
The paper finds a low level of IT availability, especially the absence of computers, e‐mail and internet in few libraries. Similarly, the libraries are far behind to achieve excellent IT levels. It is found that libraries need to be fully automated using standard library software/management systems. However, access to online resources through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is found extensive and comprehensive. The data indicate the need to enhance libraries' IT expenditure.
Practical implications
The findings can be utilized to evaluate the status of different IT tools and applications. The statistical data are very useful and authentic source for planning to improve the libraries' IT infrastructure, library automation and in reducing the gap in levels of IT application in different type of libraries.
Originality/value
This is a first comprehensive study that provides a complete picture along with statistical data regarding IT applications (computers and other common hardware, software, e‐mail, internet, other information access technologies, applications and online resources available) in academic libraries of Pakistan.
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Muhammad Ramzan and Diljit Singh
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting librarians' attitudes toward IT application in libraries. It also aims to identify common underlying factors…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting librarians' attitudes toward IT application in libraries. It also aims to identify common underlying factors, which could be used to predict the probable behavior of librarians toward IT innovation in their libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 288 (sample of 682) head librarians working in academic libraries across Pakistan. In total, 76 per cent valid responses were used for factor analysis. Principal components analysis was deployed to extract the underlying factors using SPSS.
Findings
The study found that the intensity of librarians' fears in IT handling, ability to cope with the ever‐changing IT innovations and their level of understanding of IT‐based rules and regulations were good predictors of librarians' attitudes toward information technology.
Practical implications
The findings can be utilized to improve the librarians' attitudes toward IT applications, their role in IT‐related decision making, their ownership of IT application in libraries and for success of library IT projects and innovations.
Originality/value
The study is the first of its type in this region, particularly in Pakistan. The paper provides insight into the people responsible for IT application in libraries.
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The paper presents the extent of information technology (IT) utilization in libraries in Pakistan together with librarians’ level of knowledge in IT and their attitudes toward IT…
Abstract
The paper presents the extent of information technology (IT) utilization in libraries in Pakistan together with librarians’ level of knowledge in IT and their attitudes toward IT in libraries. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 244 librarians working in libraries in Pakistan. The study revealed not only a low level of IT usage, but also a low level of IT knowledge among librarians. Analysis of relationships revealed that IT utilization in libraries, librarians’ awareness of the potential of IT, recency of attaining professional qualifications, and knowledge in IT had a significant relationship with librarians’ attitudes. The findings of the study also revealed that the level of IT utilization and the librarians’ level of knowledge in technology are good predictors of librarians’ attitudes toward application of IT in their libraries.
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