Faqir M. Anjum, Imran Pasha, Sarfraz Ahmad, M. Issa Khan and Zafar Iqbal
The present study was designed to enhance the nutritional and calorific value of food without affecting quality of final product with the use of emulsifiers. Lysine contents in…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study was designed to enhance the nutritional and calorific value of food without affecting quality of final product with the use of emulsifiers. Lysine contents in potatoes are similar to animal protein and its flour can be utilized to overcome protein and calorie malnutrition.
Design/methodology/approach
Composite flours were prepared by substituting wheat flour with potato flour at 20 per cent, with guar gum 3 per cent and GMS at 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. The blends were subject to proximate analysis and calorific value determination. Naan prepared from composite flours were evaluated by panel of judges to access suitable level of supplementation.
Findings
Statistical analysis revealed significant decrease in moisture, protein, crude fiber while increase in the fat content of composite flour. Replacement of wheat flour by potato flour has non significant effect on the ash and carbohydrates contents nitrogen free extract (NFE). Moisture, protein and fat contents decreased significantly with the passage of time during storage while crude fiber, ash content and NFE were found to be non‐significantly affected by duration of storage. Potato flour at 20 per cent level of substitution along with 3 per cent guar gum and 0.6 per cent GMS was found to be acceptable by panel of judges having maximum acceptability of naan.
Practical implications
Potato flour supplementation can be done through roller flour mills or small scale grinders (chakki) to enhance the value of flour to be used by masses in order to overcome the protein malnutrition as quantity of potato flour protein is comparable to animal protein.
Originality/value
Presently potatoes are consumed as vegetable and during peak season processed into flour, starch and dried products. Potato flour is rarely used for the production of baked products in Pakistan. Potatoes are rich in starch, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2, ash content, fiber content and essential amino acids as compared to cereals. Thus potato flour can utilized to improve the energy status of masses. Research conducted was unique in its nature as effect of both storage periods was evaluated and the suitable levels of replacement of potato flour were investigated.
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Muhammad Hamid Shahbaz, Sajjad Ahmad and Shahab Alam Malik
This study aims to explore green practices within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their implications for determining environmental performance. Targeting SMEs in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore green practices within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their implications for determining environmental performance. Targeting SMEs in Pakistan, the study examines the influence of green intellectual capital (GIC), innovation and creativity on environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive survey addressed top, middle, and lower-level managerial perspectives. A sample of 243 respondents was statistically selected, and the survey questionnaire was used to measure the key constructs of the study. Using a 5-point Likert scale, the study captured the respondents' insights regarding green practices. Data analysis was executed using SPSS for descriptive tests and Smart-PLS 4 for advanced structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
GIC significantly enhances green innovation within SMEs, leading to improved environmental performance. Green creativity is a crucial moderator, indicating that SMEs have higher creative approaches to counter environmental challenges. These findings accentuate the importance of fostering an environment that stimulates green creativity to uplift GIC in achieving environmental performance.
Originality/value
The study offers a profound understanding of how SMEs in Pakistan leverage GIC to elevate their environmental performance, thereby providing strategic insights for businesses aiming for sustainable growth.
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Muhammad Sohail Nadeem, Rab Nawaz Lodhi and Zobia Malik
This research was initiated by motivation from a real business problem that delves into lean management practices in dairy farm operations. It investigates how lean management…
Abstract
Purpose
This research was initiated by motivation from a real business problem that delves into lean management practices in dairy farm operations. It investigates how lean management practices can be applied as an improvement strategy in the dairy business to evaluate its impact on performance, where profitability is a decisive factor.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the qualitative design, a 5-phase action research methodology was used in this study, where multiple data collection sources were used, including focus group discussions, on-site observation or Gemba walks and process mapping. The impact is evaluated by comparing the key performance measures with the same period before and after research.
Findings
The research revealed that lean management practices can significantly improve dairy business performance. It explained vital aspects of lean management practices and their sequence with examples of first-hand applications. It explained, how lean management practices were applied in dairy farm operations. Furthermore, the research resulted in significant benefits, in terms of quality, cost and profitability.
Practical implications
This research was conducted in a real business setting in the field environment, to improve dairy business performance. It was a distinctive application of lean management practices to solve a national problem. This could be used as a road map to bring continuous improvement at the national level to improve the performance of food value chains.
Originality/value
This research is unique because it addresses the methodological, population and empirical gaps in dairy farm operations. It adds value to the existing knowledge base by sharing best practices, developed and implemented for the first time to the best of our knowledge, like high-level process mapping and performance measures at different levels. Furthermore, the solutions can be simulated in related farm operations to bring breakthrough improvements in dairy business performance.
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Amer Sarfraz, Asif Khurshid and Wisal Ahmad
This study aims to determine the impact of basic human values on consumer purchase intention of takaful. The core purpose of this study is to establish the moderation of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the impact of basic human values on consumer purchase intention of takaful. The core purpose of this study is to establish the moderation of similarity of competitors between the proposed relationship of tradition value, conformity value and consumer purchase intention of takaful.
Design/methodology/approach
This study supports the positivist philosophical paradigm and follows quantitative research methods, cross-sectional approach and close-ended questionnaire technique for data collection. The IBM SPSS and AMOS programs were used to perform data analysis.
Findings
The finding reveals that tradition value produces positive effect and stimulation value produces negative effect on consumer purchase intention of takaful. Meanwhile, the similarity of competitors moderates the proposed relationship of tradition value, conformity value and consumer purchase intention of takaful.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of this study is limited to measure the role of tradition value, conformity value, stimulation value and self-direction value. However, future studies should investigate the role of hedonism value, achievement value and universalism value in consumer purchase intention of takaful. Further, the data collection from three major cities of Pakistan is considered as a main limitation of this study including scarcity of time and resources. Future studies should enhance the geographical scope of research by including large and small cities, town and rural areas to enhance the generalization of the study.
Originality/value
The present study highlights leading challenges faced by takaful industry including the perception of similarity of competitors that create confusion in the mind of consumers. This study also introduces the role of basic human values in activating consumer’s intention to purchase takaful services.
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The purpose of this paper to standardize the technique for the development of potato flour and to incorporate it in development of the products along with defatted soy flour and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper to standardize the technique for the development of potato flour and to incorporate it in development of the products along with defatted soy flour and maize flour. Also, effect of processing techniques like frying and fermentation on anti‐nutritional content of the products was studied.
Design/methodology/approach
The ingredients as well as developed products were analyzed for the macronutrients, viz protein, ash and fat. Also anti‐nutrients like phytic acid, saponin, polyphenols and trypsin inhibitors were estimated by employing standard techniques. Data thus obtained were subjected to analysis of variance according to standard method of statistical analysis.
Findings
Potato flour being a versatile ingredient can be easily incorporated in development of various products. Frying and fermentation resulted in decrease of anti‐nutritional factors.
Originality/value
These developed products could be instrumental in alleviating malnutrition as they have high nutritional value and are low in anti‐nutrients.
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Amina Rizwan, Shabana Naveed, Faisal Mustafa, Muhammad Shehzad Hanif, Aitzaz Khurshid and Talha Zubair Ahmad Khan
This study explores the adoption of crowdfunding in Pakistan, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within its unique entrepreneurial ecosystem. The research aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the adoption of crowdfunding in Pakistan, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within its unique entrepreneurial ecosystem. The research aims to provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms, stakeholder engagement and institutional factors influencing crowdfunding adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted using a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected from diverse stakeholders involved in the crowdfunding process including investors, entrepreneurs, platform owners and regulators.
Findings
The study identifies various challenges, including regulatory gaps, investor concerns, platform-related issues and systemic challenges such as political instability and weak institutions. These challenges hinder the effective implementation of crowdfunding in Pakistan. Moreover, the study highlights opportunities for financial inclusion, bridging the gap between investors and entrepreneurs, and leveraging Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape for crowdfunding growth. While several challenges were common to both developed and developing countries, the study also identified distinct challenges such as digital literacy, reliance on the undocumented economy, insufficient regulatory frameworks and investor mindset specific to developing countries.
Research limitations/implications
Since crowdfunding is an emerging phenomenon in Pakistan, this study had limitations as no official crowdfunding platform other than the Pakistan National Investor Portal had started operations. Therefore, this study involved only those stakeholders who were involved in designing regulatory sandbox suggestions. The sample size could be increased to include stakeholders from other developing countries in the future. This article, however, provides significant strategic guidance for policymakers in developing a framework to improve financial inclusion in development.
Practical implications
The study provides critical areas of concern for regulatory authorities for developing appropriate legislation to help overcome the challenges to the institutionalization of crowdfunding. This study also encourages stakeholders like investors and entrepreneurs to participate in crowdfunding while looking at the perspective of other parties.
Social implications
This research highlights the need for the Pakistani society to be well-informed about alternative investment opportunities, like crowdfunding. The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, along with the government, can also explore the benefits of crowdfunding to address their lack of access to capital and enable the inclusion of an informal economy to reduce poverty in a developing country.
Originality/value
Crowdfunding is a new phenomenon in Pakistan, and the scope of its application in the MSME sector has not been thoroughly investigated. This study reveals how micro and small firms can use crowdfunding to boost their economic operations by overcoming challenges and taking advantage of fintech (financial technology) to achieve financial inclusion, leading to economic sustainability.
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Muhammad Khalid Bashir, Zulfiqar Ahmad Gill and Sarfraz Hassan
The agriculture sector is the single largest contributor to the national income (gross domestic product – (GDP)) of Pakistan. Wheat is the main staple diet of the people of…
Abstract
Purpose
The agriculture sector is the single largest contributor to the national income (gross domestic product – (GDP)) of Pakistan. Wheat is the main staple diet of the people of Pakistan. It contributes 13.7 percent to the value added in agriculture and 3.0 percent to GDP. Given its importance to the national economy, the government attaches high priority to raising agricultural productivity and farmer's income. For this purpose, financing for agricultural sector is very much needed and important. Like other institutional sources, commercial banks also provide agricultural credit. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of credit disbursed by them on the productivity of wheat.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data were collected from 114 randomly selected respondents through a well‐structured interview schedule. Cobb Douglous function was used to calculate the impact of credit on the productivity.
Findings
The coefficient of credit was highly significant, which showed that credit has a positive impact on the productivity of wheat and hence is an important tool for improving the productivity of agriculture sector.
Originality/value
The study in hand will be useful for the planners who are responsible for allocating funds for the agricultural sector in general and for wheat growers in particular. The recommendations of the study will go a long way to mitigating the problems being faced by the small farmers of Pakistan in securing institutional credit.
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Muhammad Alfarizi, Ngatindriatun Ngatindriatun and Yura Witsqa Firmansyah
This study aims to analyze the capabilities and external conditions of womenpreneur owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Fashion EcoPrint Indonesia in green…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the capabilities and external conditions of womenpreneur owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Fashion EcoPrint Indonesia in green business practices and their implications for sustainable business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study chooses a quantitative approach with a sustainable business internal-external capability model. Using the structural equation modeling-partial least square analysis tool, the analysis was conducted on a sample of womenpreneurs who owned MSMEs EcoPrint Indonesia (n = 493).
Findings
In the internal capability dimension, total quality environment and green core competence affect green supply chain management, affecting green product innovation performance. Meanwhile, women entrepreneurs’ external capability dimensions (regulation, customer awareness of the environment and technological innovation infrastructure) are connected to sustainable development business capabilities, which affect the performance of green process innovation. The study confirms that green products and processes have the potential to influence sustainable business performance. A key finding is the strong influence of environment-based total quality management governance on both sides. At the same time, womenpreneurs have a significant impact on their respective dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
This study has implications for increasing competency, Sustainable MSME industrial infrastructure, and protecting women in developing countries. The theoretical implications of creating a model that examines the impact of womenpreneurs’ internal and external abilities on eco-friendly businesses’ success are significant for developing nations’ promising growth.
Originality/value
This study explores women’s contributions to family well-being and environment-based economies, focusing on eco-friendly supply chain management and sustainable external capabilities of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia, using a gender equality approach in developing economies.
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Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman, Khalid Latif, Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Hussain, Sajjad Ahmad Baig and Izma Imtiaz
The basic intention of this research is to investigate the role of information transparency of financial institutions and psychological attitude of the individuals toward their…
Abstract
Purpose
The basic intention of this research is to investigate the role of information transparency of financial institutions and psychological attitude of the individuals toward their attention to saving and borrowing. This study also tries to know how an individual's psychological factor affects a person's attitude to motivate them to save or borrow and contribute to well-being by giving them confidence that they can face financial challenges. So, the main concern of this study is to explore different factors that ultimately contribute to the financial well-being (FWB) of individual.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted by using a well-structured questionnaire to collect data and test the developed hypotheses by using SmartPLS. Data were collected from 120 customers of seven different commercial banks in Pakistan.
Findings
The findings of this study show that perceived information transparency positively affects FWB. It is also because transparent shared information creates positive change in individuals' perceived self-efficacy and leads to FWB. Furthermore, an individual's psychological attitude toward borrowing and saving did not contribute to the FWB of people who belong to Pakistan.
Research limitations/implications
The research area is limited to one city of Pakistan and analysis is done with small numbers of sample, it can be increased and more areas can be explored.
Practical implications
This research provides significant implications for people and economists by providing awareness about the antecedents of FWB. The policymakers or managers who work in financial institutions should provide more transparent information and create less risky opportunities to improve the individual's well-being. If person, manager and financial institution can properly utilize the information of this study, then they are able to improve their FWB. By providing more transparent services and favorable experience with your dealings, it could help to obtain and retain more loyal internal (employees) and external customers. The loyal customers and sincere employees can increase the productivity level of organization. The more productive organizations in countries means better society and progress in the economy.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the body of knowledge that how perceived information transparency and psychological attitude of borrowing create improvement and upward changes in the FWB of a person.
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Jahanzeb Marwat, Suresh Kumar Oad Rajput, Sarfraz Ahmed Dakhan, Sonia Kumari and Muhammad Ilyas
The current study aims to achieve two targets. First, examine empirically that whether corporate managers use tax avoidance to influence short-term profitability? Second…
Abstract
Purpose
The current study aims to achieve two targets. First, examine empirically that whether corporate managers use tax avoidance to influence short-term profitability? Second, investigate the impact of tax avoidance on the value of firms. The tax accounts provide the opportunity to influence temporary/permanent profitability but empirical studies overlooking this matter, particularly in emerging economies.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors identified unexpected fluctuations of tax avoidance and then examine whether it impacts the profitability signal and firms' value? The unbalanced panel data of 189 non-financial firms for the period 2000–2018 are used for empirical analysis. The estimation biases and results consistency are verified by using two different econometric models including generalized least square and two-stage least square
Findings
The study identifies that managers manipulate the profitability signal through tax avoidance. Tax avoidance practices help in earning management and earning smoothing to avoid negative signals in the stock market. In line with the behavioral finance view, tax avoidance has a positive impact on current stock returns because investors focus on profitability without a detailed screening of cash flows.
Originality/value
A limited number of studies investigate the use of tax avoidance for manipulation of the short-term earning signal. Identifying gaps and limitations in the literature, this study provides invaluable insights into tax avoidance and its association with the profitability and value of firms. The findings are important for investors, managers and policymakers in making portfolio decisions and corporate policies.