Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences (ISSN 1997-8553)
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Do Institutional Investors Mitigate Costly Restructuring? Dynamic Evidence from the Globe
Full text linkThis research aims to comprehensively examine the impacts of various levels of the life cycle stages of firms (LCSF) on restructuring charges and to investigate the impact of institutional ownership on the correlation between LCSF and restructuring charges. This study employs panel data that is run using a two-step system GMM. The dataset covers the years 2000 to 2023 and consists of 7,570 observations of firm-year of non-utility and non-financial companies. The results show that the charges of restructuring have the propensity to rise (or fall) as a firm moves to either growth or maturity (or introduction or decline) stage. Also, under institutional ownership, a firm changing to growth or maturity (or introduction or decline) stage leads to a significant increase (or minor decrease) in restructuring charges. The information on the correlation between LCSF and restructuring charges will assist the investors in forecasting the alterations in the restructuring costs as firms cross the various stages of their life cycles. Moreover, the effects of institutional ownership on this relationship will be useful in informing investors on how to best invest in stocks. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the effects of LCSF on restructuring charges and the moderating effect of institutional ownership in the relationship. This research paper is aimed at filling this gap and offering new information
Nexus of Consumer Trust in FinTok Influencers, Consumer Engagement, Data Privacy Concern, Financial Literacy and Travel Scam Avoidance
Full text linkoai:ojs2.jes.ac.pk:article/1This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of FinTok influencers in preventing online travel scams by enhancing consumer trust, financial literacy, and data privacy concerns. The research examines how these influencers can contribute to improving consumer protection and safety in digital transactions. A survey was conducted with a sample of 250 TikTok users (who actively follow FinTok influencers) and have booked travel online at least once. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS software, the study analyzed the relationships between consumer trust, financial literacy, and data privacy concerns in mitigating exposure to travel scam. PLS-SEM estimations indicate that FinTok influencers play a significant role in building consumer trust and enhancing financial literacy and data privacy concerns, which, in turn, reduce susceptibility to online travel scams. Consumer engagement emerged as a critical mediator, emphasizing the need for influencers to maintain credibility and transparency. Additionally, financial literacy was identified as a key factor in empowering consumers to make informed decisions and avoid travel scams. This study contributes to the literature on digital consumer protection by highlighting the potential of social media influencers in combating online fraud. By focusing on the niche of FinTok, it provides practical insights for organizations seeking to leverage influencers for promoting financial literacy and consumer safety
The Dark Side of Bottom-Line Thinking: How Supervisors’ Bottom-Line Mentality Stifles Employee Voice and Innovative Work Behavior?
Full text linkThe existing research on bottom-line mentality has mainly focused on understanding why it leads employees to unethical behaviors. The current study aimed at understanding why, how, and when supervisor bottom-line mentality (SBLM) discourages positive employee behavior (e.g., voice, and innovative work behavior), which is an under-researched area. While doing so, this study utilized the tenets of conservation of resource theory to explain the impact of SBLM. The study also identified psychological safety as the underlying mechanism of SBLM - employee positive behavior relationship. In addition, grit has been proposed in this study as the boundary condition of this relationship, which has not yet been studied with SBLM. The data from 156 respondents were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and non-random sampling. The confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using AMOS 23, and hypotheses were tested through ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis using SPSS Process Macro. The results supported the study hypotheses by showing that SBLM significantly affected employee voice, innovative work behavior, and psychological safety in the proposed direction. In addition, the mediation of psychological safety and moderation of grit were also supported. The study also provides important theoretical contributions and implications for managers and policymakers
Consumer Buying Intention in Livestreaming Commerce: An Integrated Model of Socio-Technical System Theory and Uses & Gratifications Theory
Full text linkThis study develops a framework to analyze the determinants influencing consumer buying intention in livestreaming commerce by being a pioneer that integrates socio-technical system theory with the uses and gratifications theory. This study contributes literature on understanding consumer behavior within livestreaming commerce by examining how hedonic and utilitarian gratifications mediate the influence of interactivity, personalization, and visibility on consumer purchasing intention. The research also analyses the moderating role of perception of social media influencers on the link between hedonic gratifications, utilitarian gratifications, and purchase intention. Data were collected from 396 consumers across the TikTok platform in Vietnam market in the sector of home appliances, and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied for data analysis using Smart PLS 4.0. The results indicate that both hedonic and utilitarian gratifications mediate the relationship between socio-technical determinants including interactivity, personalization, visibility and buying intention. Interestingly, the moderating effect of perception of social media influencer on the relationship between hedonic gratifications and purchase intention is significantly positive, whereas no such moderating impact is evident for the relationship of utilitarian gratifications and purchasing intention. These findings also offer for marketing practitioners aiming to enhance consumer buying intention through livestreaming commerce
Green Human Resource Management Practices to Promote Environmental Performance in the Hotel Industry: The Moderating Role of Environmental Knowledge and Green Transformational Leadership
Full text linkIn the current era, this world is facing environmental complications that affect sustainable development and overall environmental performance. This study investigates the role of Green Human Resource (GHRM) management practices, Green Innovation (GI), and Green Empowerment (GE) to promote the Environmental Performance (EP) of hotels. The study also investigates how Green Transformational Leadership (GTL) and Environmental Knowledge (EK) enhance the relationship between these factors, which is the focus of the research. This study is based on the Ability-Motivation-Opportunities (AMO) theory and employs a cross-sectional methodology. Data was collected from high-level, middle-level, and front-line management staff members of ten hotels in Lahore, Pakistan, categorized as 5-star and 4-star. A total of 340 individuals completed the questionnaire, and 307 responses were finalized for analysis after removing missing and outlier values. The acquired responses were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique on SmartPLS for measurement and structural modeling. The findings indicate that GHRM practices are positively associated with green empowerment and green innovation, which are strongly linked to environmental performance. The results also found the positive moderating effects of green transformational leadership and environmental knowledge. Furthermore, this research expands the scope of GHRM by integrating variables such as environmental performance and knowledge, highlighting their importance for effective performance in the hotel sector
Times Varying Spectral Coherence Examination of Consumer Price Indices in Pakistan: A Wavelet Transform
Full text linkAim of this study is to examine the coherence of consumer price indices (CPI) variants in Pakistan using time series data. The techniques of data analysis are descriptive statistics and wavelet analysis. Plots of CPI variants show more frequent changes as compared to the base year / month from January 1990 to January 2008 and comparatively minor fluctuation subsequently. Wavelet power spectra of CPI General Index (CPI-Gen), CPI Food MoM (CPI-FMoM), CPI General YoY (CPI-GenYoY), and CPI Food YoY (CPI-FYoY) show weak correlation between wavelets and mother wavelet at low frequency bands, and vice versa at high frequency bands in sample period. In CPI Food Index and CPI General MoM, there is very strong correlation between the mother and daughter wavelets. Cross wavelet spectra show that CPI-General vs CPI-Food, CPI General vs CPI General (YoY), and CPI Food vs CPI Food (YoY)) at low frequency bands have weak co-movements, whereas, that is strong at high frequency bands. Cross wavelet spectra of CPI-General vs. CPI General (MoM) and CPI-Food vs. CPI-Food (MoM, at high bands have very strong co-movement. Wavelet coherence spectra show that at low frequency bands there is high coherence and correlation among variables, whereas, that is relatively low at high frequency bands. Wavelet coherence spectra as contained of CPI-General vs. CPI General (MoM), and CPI-Food vs. CPI Food (MoM) at high frequency bands show very weak coherence and correlation and the results also show that both the variables are in phase at most of the frequency and time resolutions
Software Project Complexity and Project Success: Mediating Role of Project Dynamism and Moderating Role of Agility-Based Project Management
Full text linkThis article examines the relationship between project complexity and project success while investigating the mediating role of project dynamism, and the moderating role of agility-based project management approach with the application of contingency theory. Quantitative approach has been used for data collection and analysis throughout this study. Data was collected [n = 341] from employees working at different management levels in software project-based firms across Pakistan. For data analysis, SPSS Process Macro was used with simple mediation (model 4) and moderated mediation analysis (model 14). The moderated mediation model 14 depicted that project complexity does not have a significant negative effect on a project’s success, whereas project dynamism mediates the relationship between project complexity and project success. Furthermore, the agility-based project management approach plays a vital role being the only moderator between project dynamism and project success. The present study findings suggested to policy or decisions makers that adoption of agility-based project management practices in dynamic environment can significantly enhance the chances of project success. This study has highlighted the concern that projects with greater number of complexities and dynamism should be handled using agility-based project management approach in order to achieve project success. Organizations must learn implementing agility-based project management approach for projects that are both complex and dynamic in nature
The Load Capacity Curve Hypothesis: Natural Resource Rent, Financial Inclusion, and the Pathways to Global Environmental Sustainability
Full text linkThe load capacity factor (LCF) hypothesis extends the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework by incorporating both the demand and supply sides of natural resources. This study investigates the LCF hypothesis and the environmental impacts of the natural resources, financial inclusion, population density, and energy consumption on LCF globally and across income groups. The Driscoll-Kraay standard error approach is employed on the panel data from 1995 to 2021. For robustness analysis, the system GMM estimation approach is also utilized. The results reveal the validity of the LCF hypothesis. Natural resource rent negatively affects LCF across all panels except the low-income group, where an insignificant relationship is observed. Financial inclusion reveals mixed findings; it improves LCF in high-income and high-middle-income economies whereas reducing LCF in low-middle-income economies. Comparatively, financial inclusion measures reflect mixed effects. An increase in domestic credit and bank branches leads to environmental degradation by reducing LCF across all panels. The proliferation of ATMs tends to improve LCF in global, high-income, and upper-middle-income economies, whereas diminishing it in low-middle-income and low-income economies. This research suggests the importance of developing an inclusive financial system, along with adopting cleaner energy technologies to improve the load capacity of the planet
Effect of Financial Inclusion, Energy Efficiency, and Human Capital on Energy Poverty in Developing Countries
Full text linkThis study discovers the link between financial inclusion and energy poverty in developing nations, an area often overlooked. Using a theoretical framework, it investigates optimal associations by analyzing panel data from 45 developing countries from 2004 to 2023. Key variables include financial inclusion, energy efficiency, government expenditures, GDP, and human capital. Employing dynamic common correlated effects (DCCE) and method of moment\u27s quantile regression (MMQR) through STATA software, the study finds that financial inclusion significantly reduces energy poverty. The variables GDP, human capital, government expenditures, and energy efficiency positively reduce energy poverty in developing nations. Analysis indicates policy measures that should improve rural financial inclusion by using mobile banking networks and microfinance institutions primarily for clean energy spending. Further recommendations include integrating financial literacy with energy initiatives, strengthening governance, and fostering private investment via transparent regulations and public-private partnerships. The study enhances understanding of how financial inclusion reduces energy poverty while helping establish suitable policies for sustainable energy development in impoverished regions
Challenges of Digital Marketing Adoption in FMCG Sector in Pakistan: A MICMAC-ISM Approach
Full text linkThe study is aimed to analyze the interrelationships of challenges of digital-marketing adoption in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Pakistan. The design comprises of review of up-to-date literature, primary data gathering, modeling and analysis. The data are collected through survey from an expert’s panel recruited from stakeholders on the basis of predetermined criteria by using matrix type questionnaire. The literature discourse for extraction of list of challenges, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) to extract the underlying model of interrelationships, and Matriced\u27 Impacts Croise\u27s Multiplication Appliquée a UN Classement (Cross Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) popularly known as MICMAC for analysis are employed as research methods. Results of literature survey reveal that there are total fifteen challenges of digital-marketing adoption in FMCG-sector. Results of ISM modeling show that customers’ digital engagement, consumer trust concerns, engaging relevant content, utilizing multi-media channels, integration of AI, continuous optimization, building digital capabilities, marketing innovation, responsive customer service, and handling new sources of data occupy Level I. Managing supplier & customer coordination occupies Level II. Organizational resistance occupies Level III. Integration of online and offline channels occupies Level IV. Data privacy & security occupies Level V. Technological barrier occupies Level VI. The results of data-centric and scale-centric MICMAC analysis substantiate the results of ISM modeling. It is a real time data based unique type of study that provides understanding to stakeholders particularly to marketers, regulators, FMCG mangers, researchers and technologists