Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences (ISSN 1997-8553)
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The Effect of Green Leadership and Employee Pro-environmental Behavior: The Role of Followers’ Green Moral Obligation and Islamic Work Ethic
Full text linkThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of green leadership (GL) on employee pro-environmental behavior (EPEB). The underlying mechanism of followers green moral obligation (FGMO) was also investigated. The Islamic work ethic (IWE) was studied as a boundary condition. The study grounds upon value belief norm (VBN) theory. Data was collected from Islamic banking sector, Pakistan. Cross-sectional design was followed to collect the data from employees working in the Islamic banking industry. The final usable sample size was 365 observations. Partial Least Square Structural Equations Modelling (PLS-SEM) using Smart-PLS software was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results of this study proved that GL has significant positive effect on EPEB. FGMO partially mediated between GL and EPEB. IWE positively moderated the effect of GL on FGMO and of FGMO on EPEB. This study empirically provides that in order to promote the environmentally conscious behaviors amongst employees in the workplace, it is imperative that the leadership should be environmentally cautious. The underlying effect of FGMO, also proves that the behavior of leaders would obligate the followers. Furthermore, IWE strengthens EPEB. This study is unique to add to the body of literature by integrating FGMO as mediator and IWE as moderator to explain the relationship between GL and EPEB
Gender and Access to Bank Credit Around the World During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Digital Transformation
Full text linkDrawing on the rich firm-level enterprise survey dataset of more than 58,000 small enterprises in 39 developing and emerging economies, this study investigates gender disparities in firms financial fragility, credit demand, and credit provision during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of digital transformation in addressing these disparities. We used a probit model with selection and an instrumental variable approach to account for the selection effects and endogeneity of the female ownership and leadership measures. Furthermore, several robustness checks are used to account for endogeneity problems caused by omitted variables and self-selection bias. These econometric tests were conducted using STATA software. We find that female-led businesses are more vulnerable to the negative effects of the pandemic and have higher demand for credit. However, they are less likely to request loans (credit self-rationing) and more likely to be denied credit when applying for bank credit. This gender bias in credit provision is exacerbated by the pre-pandemic financial constraints on female-led enterprises. This study also tested the mediating role of a firms technology adoption and digital transformation in credit access. The results of the mediation analysis show that female-led enterprises that adopted ecommerce and remote work technologies during the pandemic had better access to bank credit than other firms, suggesting that digital transformation significantly enhanced female-led businesses access to bank credit and narrowed gender disparities in the credit market in times of extreme financial and economic distress
Bridging the Sustainability Gap: Unraveling the Interplay of Sustainability Disclosure and Cost of Debt
Full text linkIn the contemporary corporate world, environmental responsibility has elevated the importance of sustainability disclosures and their impact on the cost of debt. Conducting the first comprehensive review in this domain, this study analyzed 76 articles from 2008 to 2022 using the Biblioshiny package in the R program (for bibliometric visualization) and VOSviewer version (for bibliographic coupling), employing strict inclusion criteria based on the PRISMA protocol. The investigation was done to check the influence of sustainability disclosures on the cost of debt, including environmental and social dimensions. Additionally, it synthesized perspectives from lending institutions, corporate governance, earnings management, sustainable business practices, and GHG / Carbon emissions in this relationship. The study has also synthesized the literature with conclusion that high-quality environmental and social disclosures with sustainable practices and reduced carbon emission significantly reduce a firm\u27s cost of debt by minimizing perceived risks, and enhancing reputation, credibility and demand from socially responsible investors. Active engagement in CSR, sustainable practices, proper governance, and stakeholder orientation further contribute to lower the cost of debt. Conversely, inadequate disclosure quality, high carbon emissions, poor environmental records and negative media attention may increase borrowing costs and environmental penalties. This study will help CFOs to develop tailored sustainability strategies in optimization of their cost of debt resulting in higher financial performance. Results of this study are also helpful for policymakers, regulators, financial analysts, auditors, and investors
Mediating Role of Learning Goal Orientation Between Organizational Career Management and Career Adaptability: Moderating Role of Generation X and Generation Y
Full text linkCareer adaptability exerts a positive impact on both employees and organizations. Therefore, organizations should promote and cultivate career adaptability among their employees. There are few studies on the factors influencing career adaptability in Thailand. Additionally, there is a dearth of research addressing the moderating role of generation. The purpose of this paper is to bridge a research gap in the career adaptability literature by investigating the causal relationships between organizational career management and learning goal orientation on career adaptability and the moderating role of generation X and Y in this relationship. This research is based on a survey methodology. Data were collected using questionnaires from a sample group consisting of 303 human resource officers working in private sector organizations in Thailand. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed using AMOS software. In the findings, 1) Learning goal orientation completely mediated the relationship between organizational career management and career adaptability. 2) Generation moderated the relationship between organizational career management and career adaptability. The findings expand knowledge of career construction theory and make valuable contributions for organizations to enhance career adaptability. Organizations can enhance career adaptability for generation X through career management, while for generation Y, prioritizing individuals with a learning goal orientation may better foster career adaptability. The research outcomes will offer guidance for fostering career adaptability tailored to generational and Thai contextual nuances. This research is the first to investigate these aspects in Thailand
How Front-of-Package Labels, Perceived Food Quality, Brand Loyalty, and Consumer Consciousness of Nutritional Value Drive Consumer Satisfaction
Full text linkFood labeling standards play a vital role in shaping our food choices. Many food-borne diseases can be effectively curtailed by adopting customer centered Front-of-Package (FOP) food labeling and nutritional standards. Past studies primarily cover consumer behavior towards food labels, yet there is a noticeable lack of literature underscoring factors affecting the consumer satisfaction towards FOP food labeling standards. To address this research gap, this study proposes an analytical framework to, first, analyze the impact of FOP food labeling standards on consumer satisfaction, second, examine the mediating role of perceived food quality and brand loyalty and third, test the moderating effect of consumer consciousness of nutritional value. A cross-section of 775 Pakistani consumers between the age of 18-65 years was drawn through purposive sampling technique and accessed through online survey to collect data. Data was analyzed using SmartPLS for structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis to assess the effect size between variables. A significant positive association was found between FOP food labeling standards and consumer satisfaction, and perceived food quality and brand loyalty mediated this relationship. It was further established that consumer consciousness of nutritional value acts as a moderator in the association between FOP food labeling standards and perceived food quality and brand loyalty, respectively. In the light of these findings this study offers policy measures to enhance informed consumer choices and promote healthier eating habits. This paper fulfills an identified need to highlight inherent factors affecting consumer behavior towards FOP food labeling standards
Enhancing Organizational Learning Capabilities through Digital Transformation: Role of Perceived Organizational Support and Knowledge Oriented Leadership
Full text linkDigital transformation has become a necessity for organizations due to the speed with which it has prevailed into the lives. However, how it results in developing the organizational learning capabilities has yet not been well established in the literature. Building upon dynamic capabilities theory, perceived organizational support and knowledge oriented leadership were introduced as mediating mechanisms whereas knowledge sharing ability is the conditional variable. This study uses the quantitative approach to examine how and when digital transformation associates with organizational learning capabilities. Samples for two studies were drawn from banking sector of Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis using Mplus software was opted to analyze the data set. Findings of the study support the hypotheses that perceived organizational support and knowledge oriented leadership mediate the relationship between digital transformation and organizational learning capabilities whereas knowledge sharing ability moderates the relationship between digital transformation and the two mediators; namely perceived organizational support and knowledge oriented leadership. Full model was also supported. Digital transformation enhances the organizational learning capabilities through perceived organizational support and knowledge oriented leadership provided that the employees possess the knowledge sharing ability
Nexus of Tourism Affinity, Perceived Behavioral Control and Green Environmental Literacy in Support of Regenerative Tourism
Full text linkThe inevitable transition to the green economy has ignited the “green, blend and extend†solutions for the global tourism industry. Regenerative tourism has recently gained global attention as it offers a virtuous cycle of positive impacts on the ecological environment, economies and local communities at host destinations. Despite the alarming situation of environmental degradation and the worsening condition of destinations in crisis, empirical research on regenerative tourism has rarely been attempted. The present research examined the impact of tourism affinity on the support for regenerative tourism, and whether perceived behavioral control and green environmental literacy moderate this relationship. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) on the study data from international expats (N=290) residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the empirical evidence validated the conceptual model. PLS-SEM estimations indicated that the support for regenerative tourism is significantly and positively influenced by tourism affinity. Importantly, perceived behavioral control and green environmental literacy significantly strengthened the relationship between tourism affinity and support for regenerative tourism. The present study\u27s focus on expatriates and their engagement in regenerative tourism in the UAE is novel, as influenced by tourism affinity within a moderating mechanism of perceived behavioral control and green environmental literacy
Consumption Values, Attitudes and Continuance Intention to Adopt ChatGPT-driven E-Commerce AI Chatbot (LazzieChat)
Full text linkThe rapid rise of chat generative pre-trained transformer (Chat GPT) has brought huge opportunities for e-commerce platforms to use it for consumer communication and service. This paper proposes a research framework to expand the value-attitude-behavior model by integrating the theory of consumption values. The purpose is to explore key consumption values that affect consumers\u27 attitudes and their continuance intention to adopt ChatGPTdriven chatbots (i.e., LazzieChat) in the e-commerce services context while examining the moderating effect of online shopping self-efficacy in this process. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Singapore, involving 305 participants who had experienced LazzieChat in Lazada. Use the structural equation modelling of Smarts 4 to analyze the data. The results show that consumer \u27attitudes towards LazzieChat have significantly affected their continuance intention to adopt LazzieChat, and online shopping self-efficacy has moderated this relationship. In addition, the research confirms that emotional value and epistemic value are the main driving factors of consumer \u27attitudes, followed by functional value, social value and epistemic value. Consumers\u27 attitudes towards LazzieChat mediate the relationship between functional value, social value, epistemic value, and continuance intention to adopt LazzieChat. By developing a research framework that follows the logic of value-attitude-behavior model, this study provides theoretical and practical insights based on the theory of consumer values, which could guide e-commerce platforms to more effectively cater to their consumers\u27 continuance intention of adopting ChatGPT-driven ecommerce AI chatbot service
Impediments to Biodiversity Finance Implementation System: A Thematic Analysis
Full text linkThe global concern of biodiversity loss highlights the significance of sustainable practices protecting natural resources, which require massive investment. However, scarce resources often hinder this, particularly in emerging economies. Biodiversity finance can be an anticipated solution to this burning issue that can ensure the sustainable management of the ecosystem. Still, due to the evolving nature of the concept, its application is restricted to different stages. The current study explores the impediments to biodiversity finance implementation in emerging economies like Pakistan. It is based on a qualitative research design and is conducted in two stages. Initially, an extensive literature review was conducted to clarify the concept of biodiversity finance and identify the impediments reported by prior researchers. Later, twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with the members of financial institutions, NGOs, agencies, policymakers, investors, and subject experts. Finally, the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo-14. The identified impediments were categorized into seven major themes: conceptual, social, environmental, finance, economic, framework-related, and territorial, and also suggest the future perspective of the concept. The findings suggest that the major hindrances in biodiversity finance adoption are lack of conceptualization, economic and political instability, inadequate funds, social injustice, environmental deregulation, and excess usage of natural resources. The findings will be helpful for financial institutions, NGOs, and agencies in policy-making and framework formulation for successfully applying the biodiversity finance system
Integrating Religiosity with Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Organization Environment (TOE) Frameworks: A Study on ICT Adoption in Micro and Small Enterprises
Full text linkThis study aims to develop an innovative TOE-TAM-Religiosity model that combines the TOE framework, TAM, and religious dimensions in adopting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in organizations, especially micro and small businesses (SMEs). The TOE-TAM-Religiosity Model describes and analyzes the complex interactions between organizational factors, perceptions of technology, and religious values. Religion in this context refers to cultural and ethical values that influence individual and organizational attitudes towards applying technology. Influence user attitudes and intentions when adopting ICT. This research involved 399 respondents who were SMEs who were determined using the Slovin formula. To test the causal relationship of the data in this research using a PLS-based structural equation approach using the SmartPLS as an analysis tool. This research found a positive influence between technology, organization, environment, Religiosity, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) on ICT adoption. Furthermore, PU can bridge technology and ICT adoption, while PEU can be a bridge between organizations and ICT adoption. The results of this research can provide a framework and guidelines for SME management to improve their business performance after implementing ICT