Hisham Idrees, Syed Arslan Haider, Jin Xu, Shehnaz Tehseen and Naveed Jan
This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of innovation on the relationship between KM (KM) capabilities and organisational performance in the context of construction…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of innovation on the relationship between KM (KM) capabilities and organisational performance in the context of construction firms operating in Pakistan. Worldwide innovation predicts the performance of any firm. Today, the construction industry in Pakistan is booming, which reinforces the need for a study on innovation and KM in this sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical study uses a correlational research design. An online survey questionnaire was used as a data collection method. Through convenient sampling, the sample comprised 277 employees from different construction firms working under the Defence Housing Authority (a construction company operating in major cities) in Pakistan. Data were analysed through partial least squares-structural equation modelling (Smart PLS-SEM version 3) to assess the hypothesis.
Findings
Data analysis reveals that KM dimensions, knowledge acquisition, application and protection positively and significantly influence organisational performance; however, knowledge conversion is insignificant. Furthermore, innovation positively and substantially mediates the relationship between knowledge acquisition, application, protection, organisational performance and the insignificant terms of knowledge conversion.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the construction industry, and future research should be conducted on larger scales for better generalisation. Other mediators between KM and organisational performance (i.e. organisational complexity, workplace environment, employee knowledge-sharing attitude) should be investigated.
Practical implications
These results are crucial and encourage managers in the construction industry, especially from a developing country like Pakistan, to understand the importance of innovation, the application of KM and the essential role it has in boosting business performance.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the scholarly debate on the mediating role of innovation in the relationship between KM and organisational performance. It also expands the literature on KM through an empirical investigation on the innovation of the construction industry in Pakistan from a management perspective.
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Md Badrul Alam, Aziz Ullah Sayal, Muhammad Naveed Jan and Muhammad Tahir
This research paper attempts to empirically examine the relationship between the performance of the banking industry and foreign direct investment (FDI), thereby helping the…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper attempts to empirically examine the relationship between the performance of the banking industry and foreign direct investment (FDI), thereby helping the readers contemplate one of the least explored areas of the existing literature associated with the idiosyncratic characteristics of FDI resulting from its interaction with the efficient banking performance of the host country. The study has focused on the economy of Bangladesh because of its significant amount of FDI inflows from the rest of the world and its adoption of many liberalization policies, especially in the banking sector and in the areas of international business and trade.
Design/methodology/approach
The study, to produce unbiased estimates, employed the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for analyzing the time series data collected from reliable sources.
Findings
The key outcomes of the study reveal that the sound performance of the banking industry appears to be counterproductive for FDI inflows, which is a bit unconventional insight. In the context of Bangladesh, trade openness, inflation rate and infrastructural development seem to be the dominant factors behind the rising inflows of FDI. Market size appears to be an insignificant determinant of FDI inflows.
Originality/value
This is a unique study because of its focus on the unexplored area in the literature.
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Md Badrul Alam, Muhammad Tahir, Norulazidah Omar Ali, Muhammad Naveed Jan and Aziz Ullah Sayal
This paper empirically examines the impact of terrorism on the insurance–growth relationship in the context of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, thereby attempting to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper empirically examines the impact of terrorism on the insurance–growth relationship in the context of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, thereby attempting to address the unexplored area in the relevant literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The study considered MENA as it has been one of the terribly affected zones in the world during the study period. Panel data for the period (2002–2017) are sourced from reliable sources for 14 member economies of the MENA region.
Findings
After employing the suitable econometric procedures on the panel data, the results indicate that terrorism appears to have detrimental impact on the observed positive relationship between insurance and economic growth. In addition, trade openness seems to be the main driving force behind economic growth of the selected MENA countries. Surprisingly, the study suggests a negative association between the growth of physical capital and economic growth. Human capital has played a positive but insignificant role in improving economic growth as it is insignificant in majority of the specifications. The growth of labor force has although positively but insignificantly influenced economic growth. Finally, the results demonstrate that government expenditures and high inflation are harmful for growth.
Originality/value
The study investigated the impact of terrorism on the insurance–growth relationship for the first time, and hence policymakers of the MENA region are expected to be benefited enormously from the findings of the study.
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Sana Khan, Muhammad Asif Naveed and Mumtaz Ali Anwar
This paper aims to investigate the relationship of information-seeking anxiety (ISA) with socio-academic variables of business students in the digital environment.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the relationship of information-seeking anxiety (ISA) with socio-academic variables of business students in the digital environment.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire, composed of 47 items of Information Seeking Anxiety Scale along with certain socio-academic variables, was administered personally among business students by visiting their classrooms at the Lahore School of Economics, Pakistan. The received 283 responses were analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, t-test and one-way analysis of variance.
Findings
The results revealed that a large majority of business students were less comfortable in information seeking and experienced anxiety from mild to moderate levels. There were only a few respondents who faced either low or severe levels of ISA. In relationship testing, the students’ socio-academic variables such as program type, gender, school background, geographical background, information communication technology skills and English language competence did not appear to be the predictors of their ISA.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study should carefully be used while making generalizations for all the business students in Pakistan and abroad as this research collected data from the business students of a single university in Pakistan.
Practical implications
These results have greater implications for the future directions of information literacy as creating awareness and building capacity for skills about the information search process will help in reducing ISA. These findings provided a pragmatic insight that can be used as a guide by information professionals, especially those engaged in information services, to develop a need-based curriculum of information literacy which would ultimately help in the alleviation of anxiety and combating its effects on students’ academic performance.
Originality/value
This study address specifically ISA of business students that would make a worthy contribution to the existing research on ISA as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such study has appeared so far.
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Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Asif Naveed
Information literacy (IL) is essential to prepare lifelong learners and a creative workforce in the digital information landscape. This study aims to investigate the effect of IL…
Abstract
Purpose
Information literacy (IL) is essential to prepare lifelong learners and a creative workforce in the digital information landscape. This study aims to investigate the effect of IL on the lifelong learning and creativity of medical students in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey research design, along with a questionnaire, was used to collect data from students, recruited through a stratified convenient sampling process, from the medical colleges with permission from competent authorities. The administration of the questionnaire was done personally, and a total of 500 responses were received. The data were analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings
The results indicated that these medical students perceived themselves as information literate in basic IL skills. Furthermore, the IL skills appeared to have a direct, statistically significant, but positive effect on their lifelong learning and creativity.
Practical implications
The research outcomes may inform academia, particularly associated with medical education, to initiate IL instruction programs for medical students to develop IL capabilities.
Originality/value
This research would be an invaluable contribution to the existing IL literature because of the dearth of empirical studies examining the interrelationships between IL, lifelong learning and creativity.
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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.
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Naveed Ahmed, Umar Khan, Syed Tauseef Mohyud-Din and Saeed Ullah Jan
In this current study, the authors aim to analyze non-linear radiative squeezed flow in a rotating frame of viscous fluid.
Abstract
Purpose
In this current study, the authors aim to analyze non-linear radiative squeezed flow in a rotating frame of viscous fluid.
Design/methodology/approach
The Radioactive nature of the fluid is taken into consideration. The reduced form of equations governing the flow are developed by the implementation of similarity transformations. The coupled system thus obtained is solved by using the homotopy analysis method (HAM).
Findings
Augmentation in velocity and temperature profiles is discussed graphically by varying various involved parameters. The total error of the system is discussed in Table I. The cases of linear radiation and non-linear radiation are also discussed in Tables II and III.
Originality/value
The study presented in this paper is original and it has not been submitted to any other journal for publication purpose. The contents are original and proper references have been provided wherever applicable.
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Yaseen Ahmad Sahibzada, Muhammad Ali, Naveed Toru, Muhammad Farooq Jan and Abida Ellahi
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exploitative leadership (EL) and employee green innovative behavior (GIB) in the hospitality sector organizations of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exploitative leadership (EL) and employee green innovative behavior (GIB) in the hospitality sector organizations of Pakistan. The relationship between EL and GIB is mediated by emotional exhaustion (EE). Perceived organizational support (POS) is used as a moderator between EL and EE.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used convenience and purposive sampling techniques from the population, and the data collected on the structured questionnaire were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS. The data analysis involved the assessment of the measurement model and structural model.
Findings
The results of the data analysis show that EL has a significant and negative influence on employee GIB, and EE mediates the relationship, meaning EE caused by EL lowers GIB. The moderating effect of perceived organization support between EL and EE also lowers the effects of EL and diminishes EE leading to increased GIB.
Practical implications
The findings of the study suggest that organizations in the hospitality sector like hotels and resorts need to focus on the POS to curb EE in employees due to EL to accelerate positive attitudes at work. Investments of resources in this avenue can enhance employee engagement and improve organizational performance while contributing to environmentally sustainable goals.
Originality/value
The originality of the study lies in the findings that in the presence of higher perceived organization support, the negative effects of EL are mitigated, and this leads to the replenishment of the emotional resources of employees, which allows them to engage in GIBs. GIB is a term that is being researched by the scholars in the hospitality industry of Pakistan. Conservation of natural resources is only possible through individual efforts, especially the efforts of individuals whose livelihoods depend on environmentally related industries, such as hospitality.
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Afaq Ahmad, Zahoor Ahmad, Abdullah Ullah, Naveed Ur Ur Rehman, Muhammad Israr, Muhammad Zia, Haider Ali and Ataur Rahman
This study aims to investigate and compare the characteristics of three topologies of moving-magnet linear oscillating actuator (LOA) based on their mover position. Positive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate and compare the characteristics of three topologies of moving-magnet linear oscillating actuator (LOA) based on their mover position. Positive aspects and consequences of every topology are demonstrated. Three topologies of axially magnetized moving-magnet LOA; outer mover, inner mover (IM) and dual stator (DS) are designed and examined. Due to its characteristically high thrust density and more mechanical strength, axially magnetized tubular permanent magnets (PMs) are used in these topologies.
Design/methodology/approach
LOAs are designed and optimized using parametric sweep, in term of design parameters and output parameters like thrust force, stroke and operating resonance frequency of the LOA. All the pros and cons of each topology are investigated and compared. Output parameters of the LOAs are compared using same size of the investigated LOAs. Mover mass, which plays a vital role in resonant operation, is analyzed for IM and DS designs. Investigated LOAs are compared with conventional designs of LOA for compressor in refrigeration system with regards of motor constant, stroke and thrust per PM mass.
Findings
This paper analyzes three topologies of moving-magnet LOAs. The basic difference between investigated LOAs is the radius of tubular-shaped mover from its central axis. All the design parameters are compared and concluded that thrust per PM mass of IMLOA is maximum. OMLOA provides maximum motor constant of value 180 N/A. DSLOA provides thrust force with motor constant 120 N/A and required intermediate materials of PMs. All the three designs give the best results in terms of motor constant and thrust per PM mass, compared to conventional designs of LOA.
Originality/value
This paper determines the impact of mover position from its central axis in a tubular-shaped moving-magnet LOA. This work is carried out in correspondence of latest papers of LOA.
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Saira Hanif Soroya, Malik Muhammad Yasir Iqbal, Muhammad Shahid Soroya and Khalid Mahmood
The study was designed to examine the predictors of information literacy self-efficacy skills (IL skills) of medical students.
Abstract
Purpose
The study was designed to examine the predictors of information literacy self-efficacy skills (IL skills) of medical students.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was quantitative in nature and was carried out by using survey research method. Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale for medical students (ILSES-M) were used to collect the data. Data was collected randomly from 223 out of 526 undergraduate medical students on proportionally random basis according to the number of students available in each year. PLS-SEM analysis was run with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that three subconstructs for emotional intelligence (EI), that is, self-emotions appraisal, others-emotion appraisal, use of emotions, had a statistically significant positive impact (p < 0.05) on information literacy (IL) self-efficacy of the medical students. The findings further confirm that English language proficiency and frequency of attended IL instruction sessions also have a significant positive impact on IL self-efficacy of medical students.
Originality/value
The exploration of EI in relation to IL is comparatively a novel area. The study observed the influence of EI level on IL self-efficacy of medical students. The study will be a significant contribution to the IL literature. The results may help the information professionals/librarians, particularly those who are engaged in teaching and designing IL programs.