CSRC Publishing: Open Journal Systems (Center for Sustainability Research and Consultancy)
Not a member yet
1354 research outputs found
Sort by
Governance of Cross-border Regions & SEZs: The case of Gwadar under CPEC
No full textPurpose: Examining the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this research investigates how CPEC fosters cross-border cooperation and regional development. The research focuses on transnational institution building and the creation of multi-scalar geographies involving diverse public and private agencies, reshaping regional, sub-regional, and local territories.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a case study approach, the research focuses on Gwadar, the pivotal node of CPEC where the economic belt meets the maritime silk road. It integrates a literature review, analysis of official documents, and empirical data, supplemented by insights from independent researchers and international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF.
Findings: The designation of Gwadar as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a globally competitive deep-sea port has introduced significant economic opportunities. However, multi-scalar interactions have led to tensions between central and local authorities, reflecting conflicts between the Centre-led macroeconomic agenda and its socio-economic sustainability at the local level.
Implications/Originality/Value: The research emphasizes the need to rescale political, economic, and social structures to establish sustainable institutions in cross-border regions. It provides policy recommendations for Gwadar's development, drawing lessons from global best practices such as Dubai, Shenzhen, and King Abdullah Economic City
Effects of External Adoption of E-Procurement on Financial Performance in Pakistan’s Manufacturing Sector
No full textPurpose: This study examines the effects of external adoption of E-procurement on firms’ performance
Design/Methodology/Approach: collected data from supply chain professionals in the manufacturing companies, the study employs a mixed-methods approach using both self-administered and online surveys. A questionnaire used for data collection, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis through SmartPLS 3.2.9.
Findings: The results reveal that while external adoption of e-procurement negatively influences financial performance, however it positively impacts information transparency and supply chain integration. Financial performance is not directly increased by Information transparency, though it fosters supply chain integration. Supply chain integration, in turn, positively contributes to financial performance. Moreover, when mediated with supply chain integration external adoption of e-procurement increases financial performance. Furthermore, a sequential mediation effect is observed, where both information transparency and supply chain integration mediate between e-procurement adoption and financial performance.
Implications/Originality/Value: These results offer significant theoretical and practical implications for enhancing supply chain strategies in emerging markets. The study concludes by providing recommendations for future research directions, particularly about digital procurement systems
Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption and Digital Transformation in Enhancing Sustainable Business Performance: The Mediating Effect of Green Product Innovation
No full textPurpose: adoption and digital transformation on sustainable firm performance, with a specific focus on the mediating role of green innovation practices. It aims to uncover how advanced digital technologies and AI can drive sustainability through innovation in manufacturing firms.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs a quantitative, questionnaire-based survey conducted among 311 manufacturing firms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the relationships between AI adoption, digital transformation, green innovation practices, and sustainable firm performance.
Findings: The findings reveal that both AI adoption and digital transformation significantly enhance sustainable firm performance. Green innovation practices partially mediate this relationship by leveraging digital capabilities to develop environmentally friendly products and processes.
Originality/Value: This research contributes to the growing literature on sustainability and digital innovation by introducing green innovation practices as a mediator between AI, digital transformation, and sustainable firm performance. It provides a novel perspective on how digital advancements can enable sustainability in the manufacturing sector
Knowledge of Women about HIV/AIDS in Pakistan: A Contribution of Media Exposure and Sociocultural Factors
No full textPurpose: Globally, HIV/AIDs has become a major public health concern. Sufficient knowledge about HIV/AID’s and positive attitudes of individuals plays an important role for its prevention, control and treatment. Whereas, number of misunderstandings and prejudiced attitudes prevail in general public about individuals having HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the effects of sociocultural factors and exposure of electronic media on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among women in Pakistan.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used secondary data from the 2017-2018 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS). The unit of analysis was households in Pakistan consisting of women of reproductive age (15-49 years). A survey conducted about HIV/AIDS among 4823 women ever-married having age group 15-49 years to investigate their knowledge about HIV transmission approaches and prevention methods, along attitude with people having HIV/AIDs. Descriptive analysis and bivariate analysis conducted to find relations with sociocultural factors and electronic media exposure.
Findings: In addition, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques used to find the relationships between HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes towards people living with AIDS, and their relative antecedents. The results indicate that majority (65.6%) women have good HIV-related knowledge. In addition, women with higher ages, having higher education level, belonging to the richest wealth quintile, currently working, living in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) regions, and having exposure to electronic media (internet, newspaper, radio and TV) had higher HIV-related knowledge.
Implications/Originality/Value: The results reveal that women education, economic status, and electronic media exposure are vital for filling knowledge gaps, reducing myths, and stigma about HIVAIDS. The current research recommends focused involvements to increase women’s knowledge and positive attitudes, with media playing an active role in reaching wider audiences and correcting misconceptions
Developing A Predictive Model for Small Business Loan Default
No full textPurpose: Governments assume responsibility for supporting SBs, including financial assistance. In South Africa, legislative measures and strategic initiatives have been established to bolster SBs, including the creation of funding agencies. These agencies intervene to enhance SB growth, job creation, poverty reduction, increased tax revenue and overall economic participation. This inherent risk results in ongoing losses and suboptimal returns on government investments, potentially wasting taxpayer funds. This paper proposes a model aimed at proactively increasing loan repayment probabilities. The study investigates SB characteristics that can pre-emptively mitigate loan repayment failures to government agencies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a quantitative approach, a purposive sample of 114 SBs was analyzed using Stata, a versatile statistical software package.
Findings: The findings highlight factors that may predict SBs' failure to repay loans from government agencies. These factors include risk taking, innovativeness, pro-activeness, customer relations, interpersonal relations, business planning, record keeping, financial management, market orientation, education and training, business experience and age and gender.
Implications/Originality/Value: The study recommends that loan agreements should incorporate covenants that stipulate a required level of owner involvement in the business, as this serves as a demonstration of the owner's commitment
Impact of Organizational Support and Hardiness on Employees' Telework Intentions: The Mediating Role of E-Work Life
No full textPurpose: This paper examines how supplementary telecommuting support from the organization, personal hardiness, and perceived work-life balance affect a person’s telework continuation intentions. This study seeks to establish whether WLB directly and interactively moderates the relationships of these variables to contribute ideas towards improved telework management.
Design/Methodology: The survey questionnaires self-administered and completed by 210 respondents, and validity analysis conducted through factor loadings test while reliability analysis done through inter-item reliability and test-retest reliability while correlation analysis was done with coefficient of correlation test.
Findings: The findings showed that hardiness was a significant factor on teleworking continuation intention but organizational support not when it existed singly. Moderation analysis revealed that work to life balance acted as a moderator of the relationship between organizational support and as a moderator and mediator of the positive relationship between hardiness and telework intention.
Practical Implications: Employees’ needed improvements should be in towards what is good for them through organizational policies, for instance, adoption of liberal working hours and stress mitigation measures. Work-life balance can used to increase support for telecommuting and maintain the desire of employees to continue working remotely in the long term.
Originality/Value: The study establishes the use of organizational support, personal resources, and work-life balance as predictors of telework intentions. This paper builds on current telework literature by examining the moderation of WLB and provides useful recommendations for organizations in implementing sound telework policies
Role of Training and Development Programs in Enhancing the Employees Job Satisfaction and Loyalty
No full textPurpose: The aim of this literature review is to examine the relationship between training and development programs and employee loyalty and job satisfaction. By evaluating how these programs improve abilities and promote development, the research aims to emphasize how crucial they are for developing potential and assisting
Design/Methodology/ A narrative analysis of relevant literature was conducted, utilizing Boolean operators such as "OR" and "AND" to refine the search. Specifically, the search strategy employed the query ((training) OR (development)) AND (job satisfaction)) OR (employee loyalty), focusing on articles published in English between 2018 and 2024. PubMed served as the primary database for sourcing pertinent studies.
Findings: Effective training and development initiatives greatly increase employee loyalty and work satisfaction, according to the report. These programs improve productivity and performance on an individual basis while also enhancing company culture and overall efficacy.
Implications/Originality/Value: The results highlight how important it is for businesses to undertake training and development strategically. Long-term success depends on these programs' ability to increase operational effectiveness and cultivate a dedicated staff. Companies must give priority to tailored training programs that meet employee demands in order to adjust to the changing business environment and guarantee long-term growth, productivity, and happiness.  
Influence of Command Structure on Service Delivery of the National Police Service in Kakamega Central Sub County
No full textPurpose: Study established influence of command structure on delivery of services in Kakamega Central Sub County, Kakamega County Kenya
Design/Methodology/Approach: Applied descriptive survey research design. The study was undertaken for three months targeting assorted officers in the National Police service in Kakamega Central Sub-County. The targeted 500 NPS officers from categories that include; The sub county has police drawn from different units that include; General duty, Traffic, Criminal Investigation Department, Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit, Dog Unit and sampled size of 222 respondents. A pilot study was conducted in Matayos Sub county Busia. The data collection tools were questionnaires and interview schedules. The data was evaluated using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Findings: Command structure, senior management support, communication strategy and stakeholder involvement strategy had a significant effect on service delivery.
Implications/Originality/Value: The study recommends that that there should be decision making process that is employee inclusive for better service provision
Academic Integrity in Existing Classroom Resources and Teaching Learning Process for Children with Vision Impairment in Government Special Education Institutions of Punjab Pakistan
No full textPurpose: The objective of this qualitative study was to evaluate the level of academic integrity in the provision and utilization of classroom resources and flow of the teaching-learning process for children with vision impairment (CWVI) at primary level.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Non-participant classroom observations were conducted. Eight special education institutions working in various districts of Punjab were randomly selected. A self-developed, field experts validated classroom observation checklist was applied to conduct the classroom observations. All observations were carried out personally by the principal author. Researchers analyzed the data by descriptive statistics percentages of observed indicators for academic integrity. After that, a thematic analysis was carried out.
Findings: The study showed that most observed classes had satisfactory classroom arrangement, teacher competence and classroom illumination. However, many observed classrooms were found with inadequate classroom arrangements and disturbing physical environment. There is a severe lack about effective use of need-based equipment, assistive aids, low-vision devices, lesson plans, student portfolios and any record of Students’ previous performance.
Implications/Originality/Value: The study suggested that special education institutions should make all lacking facilities available. Refresher courses should be provided to teachers to improve their personality and teaching skills. The presence of Students’ portfolios and lesson plans should be assured
Contextual Factors Influencing the Implementation of Primary Special Education Program for Deaf Students: A Qualitative Study
No full textPurpose: This qualitative study investigates the contextual factors influencing the implementation of primary special education program for deaf students in Punjab, Pakistan.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Using purposive sampling technique, semi-structured interviews with 31 heads of special education institutions were conducted to explore their aims, vision, and mission through thematic analysis.
Findings: The heads emphasize aims such as imparting foundational skills, enhancing daily routine tasks, and equipping students with vocational skills. Their vision includes raising awareness about the rights of students with hearing impairments, promoting school enrollment, and rehabilitating students to become productive members of society. The mission focuses on fostering academic, social, and moral success, encouraging lifelong learning, and promoting an inclusive environment. Despite these aspirations, the study identifies significant implementation challenges, including societal misconceptions, parental misconduct, false expectations, and a lack of adequate financial, material, and human resources. Struggles with accessibility, equity, and equality further complicate implementation, revealing gaps between policy and practice.
Implications/Originality/Value: The findings underscore the urgent need for a practical framework for action that translates these well-articulated aims, vision, and mission into effective implementation. This approach should prioritize practical measures over mere documentation. This study contributes valuable insights into improving inclusive education for deaf students and highlights the importance of a holistic, supportive approach to meet their diverse needs