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Integration of Indigenous Art and Craft in Sustainable Packaging as a Mediator Between Brand Heritage and Promotion of Local Sustainable Practices in the FMCG Industry
No full textThis study aims to locate sustainable embedded and indigenous art and craft packaging as a mediating mechanism in bridging the gap between brand heritage and promotion of local sustainable practices in the FMCG industry in Karachi, Sindh. In the context of this research, the integration of the cultural aspect into the packaging not only brings the brand’s heritage to life but also serves to improve awareness and engagement with the localized sustainability efforts among consumers. 215 respondents, including FMCG brand managers, packaging designers, and sustainability experts from Karachi, were sampled, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The findings also point out that brand heritage has a considerable direct influence on the promotion of local sustainable practices. What is more important is that the relational sustainability between CPGs and suppliers can be significantly mediated by indigenous art-integrated sustainable packaging that calls out its cultural, ecological, and market sustainability. This research shows that this mediating mechanism has rarely been empirically tested, yet it is a key potential source of competitive advantage for firms operating in a global setting, particularly in an emerging market such as South Asia. Consequently, this research provides practical implications for FMCG firms who wish to localize sustainability, support circular economies, as well as develop consumer–brand authenticity by adopting culturally rich packaging solutions
From Automation to Collaboration: Understanding AI Chatbot Effectiveness in Customer Value Co-Creation
No full textPurpose
As businesses increasingly adopt advanced AI chatbots, understanding what drives meaningful customer engagement is crucial. This study explores how perceived interactivity, personalization, and ease of use influence customer value co-creation. It also investigates the moderating role of customer AI literacy a factor often overlooked in existing literature.
Study Design/ Methodology
The study is based on data collected from 300 respondents in Karachi who have prior experience using AI chatbots. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS was employed to assess both direct effects and moderating relationships.
Findings
Results indicate that perceived interactivity and personalization significantly enhance customer value co-creation. However, perceived ease of use does not show a direct significant effect. Customer AI literacy moderates the relationships between personalization and value co-creation, and between ease of use and value co-creation, but does not moderate the effect of interactivity.
Originality/ Value
The study contributes to AI-driven service research by incorporating customer AI literacy as a moderating variable. It offers a nuanced understanding of how different chatbot features contribute to value co-creation, especially when user capability is considered.
Research Limitation
The research is limited to one geographic location and uses self-reported data, which may introduce bias. Additionally, it does not account for potential mediating factors such as trust in AI.
Practical and Social Implications
E-commerce platforms should enhance chatbot personalization and interactivity while promoting AI literacy through user-focused education to improve value co-creation. Besides, Fostering AI literacy and user-centric chatbot design can enhance digital engagement, inclusivity, and consumer well-being
Harnessing Industry 4.0 for Enhanced Corporate Performance: An Integrated Framework
No full textThis study investigates the nexus between Industry 4.0 technologies and company performance, focusing on key variables such as IoT, AI, big data analytics, and automation. It also examines the mediating roles of digital skills and operational efficiency and the moderating effects of organizational culture and regulatory environment to understand how these factors influence the adoption and effectiveness of Industry 4.0. Quantitative survey data was collected from 300 mid-to-large-scale companies across various industries and the data were analyzed using multiple regression, mediation, and moderation analyses to explore the relationships among the variables.
The results demonstrate that the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies has a significant positive impact on company performance, mediated by digital skills and operational efficiency. The analysis also highlights that an innovation-driven organizational culture and a supportive regulatory environment enhance the positive outcomes of technology integration. The study underlines the importance of strategic investments, continuous workforce training, and robust digital infrastructure. The findings suggest that businesses should focus on upskilling their workforce and streamlining operational processes to maximize the benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies.
Policymakers are encouraged to create regulatory frameworks that support technological adoption while ensuring data protection and security. Investment in digital infrastructure and targeted programs for SMEs can drive more inclusive technological transformation
Grad-Lify | Podcast: Amplify Your Career
No full textThis podcast features Mr. Ali Zia, Manager of IT, Automation & Reporting at Gerry\u27s dnata, in a discussion on the essential skills, mindset shifts, and strategies required for computer science graduates to excel in the evolving technology landscape. The conversation offers practical insights to support graduates in transforming their career ambitions into actionable pathways
A Study on Treatment of Wakala Fee in Pakistan: Critical Analysis of Shariah Principles, Laws and Prevalent Practices
No full textConventional insurance is considered to be Shariah non-compliant because it contains elements of gharar (uncertainty), maysir (gambling) and riba (usury) in the sense that an insurer indemnifies a policyholder for an uncertain loss occurring due to an unforeseen event / happening against some consideration called “insurance premium”, the policyholder also transfers its unforeseen risk completely to the insurer by making the insurance premium payment to the insurer, the insurer, on the other hand, pays excess amount (riba) to the policyholder in case of occurrence of a covered asset / risk suffers loss, and the surplus amount generated as a result of insurance underwriting is then invested in interest bearing investments (including conventional bank accounts). Hence, due to presence of these forbidden elements, the conventional insurance is considered and declared as haram (forbidden) as per Islamic Shariah. However, Islamic insurance (takaful) provides an alternative to conventional insurance, as former is based on the principle of sharing, care and mutual assistance (towards the other participants).
There are various takaful models across the globe (presented 10 different models in this paper), in which the takaful operators takes on different roles towards the participants / participants’ fund. More specifically, in Wakala Waqf Model that is prevalent in Pakistan, the takaful operator act as agent (Wakeel) of the policyholders (participants) in respect of the Participants’ Takaful Fund (PTF), and Mudarib of the Participants’ Investment Fund (PIF), which is the fund created for and owned by the participants for making investments and generating profits thereon. As Wakeel, the takaful operator charges Wakala Fee; however, in addition to the Wakala Fee, the takaful operator takes the share as Mudarib from the investment performance generated in the PIF.
The PTF maintained by a takaful operator in Pakistan, if it generates surplus, the same is shared, owned or distributed to its participants, however, in case there is a deficit in the PTF, the takaful operator makes Qard-e-Hasan (interest-free loan) to the PTF so as to make it a workable model and also to keep the PTF solvent, given the regulatory requirement laid down by the Regulator. So, on one hand, the takaful operator charges a hefty Wakala Fee that varies from operator to operator and from fund to fund on accrual basis, in line with the contributions received or receivable, and when the fund (PTF) runs into losses / deficit, Qard-e-Hasan is made to PTF. Moreover, upon perusal of the Takaful Rules, 2012, and Waqf Deeds and PTF Policies of the takaful operators, it transpired that this PTF is liable to pay off Qard-e-Hasan first upon PTF’s dissolution or as soon as surplus or liquidity is there in the PTF, and thereafter, the remaining balance may be distributed among the participants in the proportion of their respective contributions or in such a manner as may be determined with the approval of the Shariah advisor(s). This practice poses serious question about how the participants’ money / fund is being ripped off to the benefit of the takaful operator / Wakeel in the sense that takaful operators first charge their income in the shape of Wakala Fee (through amortization of the deferred Wakala income) and then in case the PTF runs into losses / deficit, Qard-e-Hasan comes into play to keep the fund apparently workable – PTF becomes liable to pay off Qard-e-Hasan on top priority as soon as it generates surplus or adequate liquidity. In any case, it becomes a win-win situation for the operator, as its income becomes guaranteed.
This study aims to answer the very question that “how the takaful operators in Pakistan charge and treat Wakala Fee at the cost of incurring losses to the Participants’ Takaful Fund (PTF)?
Friends and colleagues remember Zubeida Mustafa’s pioneering contribution to Pakistani journalism
No full textThe IBA Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) hosted a memorial to honor veteran journalist Zubeida Mustafa, who broke barriers in Pakistan’s male-dominated newsrooms and mentored generations during her over three decades at Dawn. Speakers recalled her humility, principled work ethic, and pioneering role as one of the first women in senior editorial positions in 1975. Senior journalist Ghazi Salahuddin praised her intellectual rigor and contributions to research-based journalism, while colleagues and friends like Mukhtar Husain, Muna Khan, Rumana Husain, and Zofeen Ebrahim highlighted her encouragement, adaptability, and generosity as a mentor. Her sister, Dr. Fatema Jawad, shared personal memories, emphasizing family values of honesty and punctuality. The gathering collectively recognized Mustafa’s transformative influence on journalism, mentorship, and the pursuit of truth
Threats in adopting financial technologies: Unlocking the role of technological literacy
No full textFinancial technologies have been considered a transformative strategy in the contemporary world, paving the way for high-quality, time-convenient, and affordable financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. Despite the increasing security and financial risk, the perception of cyber threats remains unchanged. We conducted this study to analyze the perception of cyber threats, factors related to cybersecurity, and the behavior of customers adopting financial technologies through banking channels. To understand the behavior of individuals and business corporations, we developed a theoretical framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model. A convenient sampling method was used, and 390 customers who frequently used banking technologies were our ultimate respondents. Firstly, correlation and regression analysis were conducted. The questionnaires were sent to 450 individuals and business enterprises. The response rate was 89%, with 13.8% of respondents being female. The mediator and moderator were tested. The outcomes revealed that personalized digital banking and user-friendly behavior have a positive impact on user perceptions of adopting financial technologies, influencing both intention and decision. Cyber threats, encompassing both financial and security risks, significantly influence the adoption of these technologies. Moreover, the user\u27s perspective significantly influences their intention toward financial technologies, ultimately shaping the decision-making process. However, intention did not have an impact on cyber threats. Additionally, this study confirms that decisions and user perspectives partially mediate the intention of adopting financial technologies. The study found that technological literacy did not mediate the decision or intention to acquire financial technologies. The study has proven beneficial for policymakers, bank service providers, and the government in formulating policies that mitigate cyber threats and facilitate the use of digital banking technologies offered by financial institutions
Beyond slogans
No full textNadeem Hussain argues that Pakistan remains focused on symbolic nationalism such as flags, songs, and slogans while neglecting economic nation-building. Despite facing its 24th IMF programme, the country lacks a culture of scientific inquiry, innovation, and knowledge production for global competitiveness.
Pakistan’s talent pool and diaspora are underutilized, treated mainly as sources of remittances instead of partners in policy, innovation, and institution-building. Hussain calls for moving from political theatre to coherent economic governance, emphasizing investment in research, entrepreneurship, and youth innovation. True sovereignty lies in building a resilient, knowledge-driven economy capable of sustaining 240 million people
Excessive Residential Relocation during Early Childhood and its Impact on Social Bonds and Attachment
No full textThis thesis looks at the implications of excessive relocation during childhood, focusing on a group of 20 young adults from different areas of Pakistan. Through a mixed methods approach of surveys and interviews, the research explores how repeated moves in the childhood years affects later attachment patterns, and the ability to form lasting friendships. The findings show that experiencing multiple relocations often led to moderate feelings of difficulty and a pattern of shallow friendships. While many participants received help from supportive families and good school environments, the study emphasises how instability from frequent moves can disrupt secure attachment and create emotional fatigue, which may continue into adulthood and lead to challenges with trust and social connections. These results are understood through attachment theory, Erikson\u27s psychosocial stages, and family systems theory, and they align with existing research on moving homes. The research highlights the need to understand the specific impacts of mobility and support systems are essential for helping children who often relocate in other to mitigate the effects of such excessive residential relocation
Tailored Financial Solutions for the Armed Forces: A Specialized Product Launch by JS Bank
No full textProviding tailored financial solutions has become a key focus area for banks aiming to better serve the exclusive needs of diverse customer segments. With this approach, JS Bank aimed to target Pakistan’s Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force). As a result, the project was built on 3 key objectives – understanding consumer insights, suggesting product features and marketing strategy. Through exploratory research, factors such as service quality, convenience, trust, financial benefits, word-of-mouth influence, security, and the usefulness and ease-of-use of banking services emerged that influence customer satisfaction among armed forces personnel. The quantitative findings revealed that while the financial needs of armed forces personnel are similar in some respects, their preferences can differ based on field, rank, and lifestyle. Therefore, emphasizing personalized approach. Based on the findings, the target audience was divided into four rank wise distinct groups to better understand their varying needs and JS Bank was recommended to introduce a specialized current account ‘Pak Heroes Current Account’. Proposed key features include essential banking benefits such as no account opening charges, same day account activation, and simplified documentation requirements to ease onboarding with personalized services through branch staff. Lastly, to support the product rollout, various marketing strategies are also suggested for the proposed launch in two phases – Pre Launch and Launch. Pre-Launch is focused on building anticipation and trust while Launch activities would shift toward high-impact engagement with on-base event sponsorships