Muhammad Shoaib Farooq and Maimoona Salam
The relationship between corporate-level green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and the implementation of cleaner production practices (CPPs) is to a great extent unexplored in…
Abstract
Purpose
The relationship between corporate-level green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and the implementation of cleaner production practices (CPPs) is to a great extent unexplored in previous literature. This study aims to connect them with the corporate-level green supply chain learning and organizational competitive aggressiveness, presenting a novel interpretation of social ethics and morality in CPPs.
Design/methodology/approach
To thoroughly explore this novel relationship, this study has used PLS-SEM for examining the moderated-mediation of competitive aggressiveness and green supply chain learning.
Findings
Findings based on the data collected from 176 German firms have largely confirmed our propositions. Suggesting that there is a strong positive relationship between corporate level GEO and CPPs. Furthermore, our findings have confirmed that green supply chain learning mediates the macro-level relationship between GEO and CPPs. Moreover, it is also confirmed that the mediation of green supply chain learning in the macro-level relationship between GEO and CPPs is negatively moderated by competitive aggressiveness.
Originality/value
This study offers a first-hand view of negatively moderated-mediation of competitive aggressiveness. Therefore, its findings are extremely relevant for policymakers in the domain of morality, social ethics, corporate-level GEO, sustainability, corporate-level green supply chain learning and CPPs.
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Although entrepreneurial behaviour is considered a key element for economic development, yet very less is known about the determinants of factors leading towards entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
Although entrepreneurial behaviour is considered a key element for economic development, yet very less is known about the determinants of factors leading towards entrepreneurial intention and behaviour. In order to bridge this gap, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of social support and entrepreneurial skills in determining entrepreneurial behaviour of individuals. Developing on the base of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study investigates the relationship between social support, entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurial behaviour along with existing constructs of the TPB (i.e. attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention).
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected from 281 respondents using a simple random sampling method, and the variance-based partial least-squares, structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used for testing the proposed conceptual model.
Findings
Findings of this study have validated the proposed model, which have an explanatory power of 68.3 per cent. Moreover, findings reveal that social support and entrepreneurial skills have a significant impact on entrepreneurial intention of individuals. However, an unanticipated and non-significant relation between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intention is also found.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the limited scope of this study, a multi-group analysis is not possible, which is considered as a limitation of this study. Moreover, due to time constraints, this study is conducted within a specified time-frame; however, a longitudinal study over a period of three to six years can overcome this limitation.
Practical implications
Findings of this study are expected to have substantial implications for policy makers, future researchers and academicians. Outcomes of this study can help to better understand the cognitive phenomenon of nascent entrepreneurs. Moreover, it is expected that this study can serve as a torch-bearer for policy makers to develop better entrepreneurial development programmes, policies and initiatives for promoting self-employment behaviour.
Originality/value
Findings of this study are a unique step forward and offer new insights towards a better understanding of the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour. Moreover, this study extends Ajzen’s (1991) TPB in the context of entrepreneurial behaviour. By introducing and investigating the impact of two new variables, i.e. social support and entrepreneurial skills in the TPB and by validating the proposed model with PLS-SEM approach, this study makes a sizeable theoretical, methodological and contextual contribution in the overall body of knowledge.
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Muhammad Shoaib Farooq, Maimoona Salam, Saif ur Rehman, Alain Fayolle, Norizan Jaafar and Kartinah Ayupp
Developing on the base of theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived social support (SS) from one’s social…
Abstract
Purpose
Developing on the base of theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived social support (SS) from one’s social network and entrepreneurial intention (EI). Moreover, mediating effect of other constructs of TPB, i.e., attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATE), subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) is also examined in this study.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involves a variance-based partial least square-structural equation modelling approach for analysing responses from 381 fresh business graduates.
Findings
Findings of this study revealed that SS positively influences EI and also that this relationship is fully mediated by ATE, SN and PBC.
Research limitations/implications
Due to limited resources, cross cultural comparison and multi-group analysis were not performed, which are considered as a limitation of this study.
Practical implications
It is expected that the findings of this study can help policy makers, researchers and academicians in better understanding of critical role of SS for understanding the intentions of nascent entrepreneurs.
Social implications
Further, findings of this study suggest that academicians and policy makers need to take heed towards relatively less explored phenomenon of SS to enhance the attractiveness of entrepreneurial career in fresh business graduates.
Originality/value
This study has proposed a model for assessing impact of SS on EI. By doing so, this study extends TPB in the context of EI. Moreover, findings of this study are a unique step forward, and offer a new insight towards better understanding of the determinants of EI in fresh business graduates.
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Muhammad Shoaib Farooq, Maimoona Salam, Norizan Jaafar, Alain Fayolle, Kartinah Ayupp, Mirjana Radovic-Markovic and Ali Sajid
Adoption of latest technological advancements (e.g. lecture capture system) is a hallmark of market-driven private universities. Among many other distinguishing features, lecture…
Abstract
Purpose
Adoption of latest technological advancements (e.g. lecture capture system) is a hallmark of market-driven private universities. Among many other distinguishing features, lecture capture system (LCS) is the one which is being offered to enhance the flexibility of learning environment for attracting executive business students. Majority of foreign universities are offering the facility of LCS to their students in offshore campuses established in Malaysia. Yet, very little is known about perception and behaviour of executive business students towards acceptance and use of this facility. Therefore, to bridge the identified gap in academic literature, this study is an effort to explore the causal relationship between existing constructs of extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2), personal innovativeness (PI), intention and use behaviour (UB) towards LCS. Moreover, this study is aimed to extend the UTAUT2 by introducing a new variable, namely, PI in the domain of information technology (IT) (PIIT).
Design/methodology/approach
SmartPLS-3.2.6 was used for data analysis and all PLS-related calculations. For this purpose, a self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect data regarding acceptance and UB towards LCS. A sample size of 481 responses from executive business students, who were enrolled in offshore campuses of five selected foreign universities in Malaysia, was used for testing the proposed theoretical model.
Findings
The results of structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, habit and PIIT have a significant and positive influence on acceptance and use of LCS among executive business students. Unique to this study is that, findings of this study have highlighted PIIT as an important factor that affects intention and UB towards LCS among executive business students.
Practical implications
By validating and extending the UTAUT2, the findings of this study provide a number of practical implications along with a comprehensive, robust and useful framework for universities to successfully implement technological advancements, such as LCS, to enhance overall learning outcomes.
Originality/value
By investigating the factors determining acceptance and use of LCS among executive business students, using a partial least square (PLS)-based SEM approach, this study makes a sizeable theoretical, methodological and contextual contribution to the overall body of knowledge.
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Akhlaq Ahmad, Muhammad Shoaib and Farooq Abdullah
This paper aimed to examine the sources of information and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to examine the sources of information and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The COVID-19 pandemic affected at a large level of all social institutions including the healthcare system of the countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted in Pakistan by using an online survey technique. The rationale to opt for this method was based on the country’s lockdown situations, social distancing and the care of the respondents. A total of 847 individuals from different parts of the Punjab province participated in the study. An attitudinal scale was administered, which consisted of statements to measure (dis)agreement among the individuals on current situations of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ethical considerations and confidentiality of the respondents were opted by describing the purpose of research on the first page of the questionnaire.
Findings
The study findings revealed that peer group, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 pandemic and causes and consequences of COVID-19 pandemic had favourable positive effects on the use of PPE by individuals through the mediation of fear of infection during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the study findings were interpreted as per the effects of current situations of COVID-19 on the sources of information and the use of PPE by individuals.
Originality/value
This study focused on an important gap in the research on COVID-19 pandemic in the country in terms of mass media, health practitioners, peer group, fear of infection and use of PPE.
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Muhammad Shoaib and Farooq Abdullah
This paper aimed to examine the psycho-social aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pakistan. The study was conducted in Pakistan by using an online survey technique…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to examine the psycho-social aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pakistan. The study was conducted in Pakistan by using an online survey technique. The rationale to opt for this method was mainly based on the country's lock-down situations, social distancing and for the care of respondents.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,536 individuals participated from different parts of the country. An attitudinal scale was administered consisting of statements to measure (dis)agreement of the individuals facing the current situations of COVID-19. The ethical considerations and confidentiality of the respondents were opted by describing the purpose of research on the first page of the questionnaire.
Findings
The study findings showed that the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), social isolation and loss of intimacy have favourable positive effects on the psychological problems of individuals through the mediation of fake news and misinformation during COVID-19. Furthermore, the study findings were interpreted as per the effects of current situations of epidemic, i.e. COVID-19 on the psycho-social life of individuals.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is purely limited to the quantitative approach including variables, i.e. COVID-19, risk of infection, social distancing, cost of PPE, social isolation, fake news and psychological problems.
Practical implications
The present research will enhance the awareness and knowledge regarding psychological problems faced by the individuals during COVID-19. It will be a significant addition to the existing body of knowledge in the field of health and well-being. It will also provide guidelines to students, research scholars, policymakers and academicians to develop policies in future to improve the health of people during epidemics such as COVID-19 and similar nature of outbreak in the future.
Originality/value
This paper focused on an important gap in the research on COVID-19 in the country in the context of COVID-19, risk of infection, social distancing, cost of PPE, social isolation, fake news and psychological problems.
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Muhammad Adnan Afzal, Khalid Hussain, Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Farooq Rehan and Shoaib Masood Khan
This study examines the impact of five dimensions of decent work on the faculty engagement in Pakistan’s higher education institutions. Furthermore, it examines the moderating…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of five dimensions of decent work on the faculty engagement in Pakistan’s higher education institutions. Furthermore, it examines the moderating influence of intrinsic religiosity on the associations above.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employed a cross-sectional approach to collect data from 542 faculty members working with higher education institutions through electronic and in-person questionnaire administration.
Findings
The findings indicate that safe interpersonal working conditions, opportunities for free time and rest, adequate compensation, and the availability of healthcare services significantly positively impact the level of work engagement among faculty members. Additionally, the research revealed that intrinsic religiosity reinforces the previously established significant associations.
Research limitations/implications
The research acknowledges specific constraints that could impact the applicability of its findings, including the utilization of a cross-sectional methodology, the dependence on self-reported information, and the possibility of sample biases. Subsequent investigations may rectify these constraints to provide a more all-encompassing comprehension of the subject matter.
Practical implications
The findings possess practical significance for the management of HEIs in cultivating an ideal working atmosphere for faculty members. Ensuring adequate compensation, secure working environments and healthcare accessibility is underscored to enhance faculty engagement. Furthermore, acknowledging the significance of intrinsic religiosity can improve faculty engagement.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the current body of literature by investigating the complex relationship among decent work, faculty engagement, and intrinsic religiosity in the specific context of higher education institutions in Pakistan.
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Ahmed Jan, Muhammad F. Afzaal, Muhammad Mushtaq, Umer Farooq and Muzammil Hussain
This study investigates the flow and heat transfer in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ternary hybrid nanofluid (HNF), considering the effects of viscous dissipation and radiation.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the flow and heat transfer in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ternary hybrid nanofluid (HNF), considering the effects of viscous dissipation and radiation.
Design/methodology/approach
The transport equations are transformed into nondimensional partial differential equations. The local nonsimilarity (LNS) technique is implemented to truncate nonsimilar dimensionless system. The LNS truncated equation can be treated as ordinary differential equations. The numerical results of the equation are accomplished through the implementation of the bvp4c solver, which leverages the fourth-order three-stage Lobatto IIIa formula as a finite difference scheme.
Findings
The findings of a comparative investigation carried out under diverse physical limitations demonstrate that ternary HNFs exhibit remarkably elevated thermal efficiency in contrast to conventional nanofluids.
Originality/value
The LNS approach (Mahesh et al., 2023; Khan et al., 20223; Farooq et al., 2023) that we have proposed is not currently being used to clarify the dynamical issue of HNF via porous media. The LNS method, in conjunction with the bvp4c up to its second truncation level, yields numerical solutions to nonlinear-coupled PDEs. Relevant results of the topic at hand, obtained by adjusting the appropriate parameters, are explained and shown visually via tables and diagrams.
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Qazi Muhammad Ali and Qasim Ali Nisar
This study examined the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in the environmental performance of higher education institutes (HEIs). The study also examined the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in the environmental performance of higher education institutes (HEIs). The study also examined the mediating effect of green commitment and green behaviour. Furthermore, the study explored if green self-efficacy (GSE) moderated the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The ability, motivation, and opportunity (AMO) theory were employed to explain the relationship between the study's variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study opted for a descriptive study using the convenience sampling technique by collecting data through a survey questionnaire administered to 208 individuals currently employed in Pakistani HEIs. Data collection was undertaken among senior, middle, and top management of the HEIs. The statistical software, partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), was used for data analysis.
Findings
The results provide empirical insights indicating the positive relation of GHRM practices with environmental performance in HEIs. Changes in employees' behaviour through human resource management practices can ultimately affect the organisations' environmental performance. Besides, the results also demonstrated that GSE moderates the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The findings highlight the role of commitment level and GSE in enhancing the environmental performance of HEIs.
Practical implications
The study proposes that HEIs' management take adequate initiatives to implement GHRM practices.
Originality/value
The current study contributes to the literature by empirically examining the indirect double mediation effect of green commitment and green behaviour on GHRM and environmental performance. Furthermore, the moderating effect of GSE, which is an under-explored area, was also studied.
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This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The status of CRM-based library services in the university libraries of Pakistan was also assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey research design and quantitative research approach were applied. A structured questionnaire was emailed to the heads librarians of all university libraries recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the response rate was 74 percent.
Findings
The analysis showed that a relationship to CRM-based library services was confirmed by the head librarians' age, academic qualification, professional experience, CRM awareness and training. Moreover, several CRM-based library services such as face-to-face interaction, current awareness services, orientation for new users, coordination through e-mail services, special goodwill to regular users, make telephone calls, complaints/suggestions boxes, online services, provision of a conducive learning environment, user education, selective dissemination of information services, users' participation in the collection and service development, ask a librarian services and users' help desk services were currently being practiced by the university libraries.
Originality/value
This study is a valuable resource for developing user-centered library services and culture. Findings are helpful in enhancing CRM applications in libraries and making their users satisfied and loyal. This study makes a significant contribution to the body of literature and knowledge on library CRM.