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Strategic Analysis & Customer Acquisition Plan for Pandamart
No full textThe research explores the strategic challenges and opportunities for customer acquisition at Pandamart, the grocery delivery arm of Foodpanda in Pakistan. Despite Foodpanda\u27s widespread popularity in the food delivery sector, Pandamart has struggled to gain comparable traction. Therefore, using a mixed-methods research approach, the study combines qualitative data from focus group discussions and in-store interviews with quantitative data from user surveys, UI/UX platform audits, and retail outlet and customer observations. The research identifies key drivers and barriers influencing online grocery shopping behaviour, such as convenience, trust, service quality, platform functionality, pricing, and product availability. The findings reveal that while younger consumers and working professionals lean toward online platforms due to time constraints and digital familiarity, traditional in-store shopping remains dominant among homemakers and older consumers due to sensory needs, quality assurance, and habitual behaviours. Although Pandamart scored well in digital design and loyalty programs, it faces significant challenges in perception, product freshness, and customer trust. The report concludes with a strategic communication campaign tailored to address these concerns, suggesting improvements in app personalisation, targeted messaging, and operational consistency to enhance Pandamart’s market positioning and customer acquisition in the evolving Q-commerce landscape of Pakistan
The Red Sea Crisis and Its Effects on European FMCG Supply Chain: Balancing Resilience and Carbon Emissions
No full textThe Red Sea that has emerged as a critical maritime chokepoint, with escalating instability since late 2023 disrupting the global trade flow severely. For European fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, these disruptions created a tension balancing supply chain resilience and meeting decarbonisation commitments. This research project examines how firms navigated through this dual challenge by adopting short-term crisis responses while being constrained by long-term sustainability goals.
This study aims to apply GVC (Global Value Chain) framework by using a systematic literature review of academic studies, industry reports, and policy documents published between 2020 and 2025, to analyse four areas. Firstly, it assesses the operational and cost impacts of rerouting and delays. Secondly, this research evaluates the increase in CO₂ emissions per TEU from diversions and modal shifts, particularly the greater reliance on air freight. Thirdly, it nvestigates the alignment between crisis-driven operational strategies and corporate decarbonisation targets. Finally, it explores the adoption and feasibility of low-emission alternatives, including green corridors and biofuel-powered shipping initiatives.
The findings of this research highlight that while resilience measures such as rerouting and modal shifts secured supply chain continuity, they also drove significant emissions rise, often conflicting with the firms’ publicly stated sustainability commitments. Green shipping initiatives offered potential mitigation, but their uptake remained limited due to high costs, weak port infrastructure, and uneven supplier capabilities. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that resilience and sustainability, often assumed to be complementary, can instead stand in direct conflict under crisis conditions. It also provides practical insights for FMCG firms and policymakers aiming to balance operational continuity with the need to advance long-term decarbonisation objectives
Impact of Workplace Ostracism on Next Day’s Work Engagement: A Quantitative Daily Diary Study
No full textWorkplace ostracism, the experience of social exclusion, has been extensively studied among permanent employees. However, the experiences of Non-Standard Employees (NSEs), including contractual and third-party staff, remain unexplored. Grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this quantitative diary study investigated the daily impact of workplace ostracism on next-day work engagement among Non-Standard employees, for example, project-based or third-party employees. Data was collected from a sample of 48 NSEs over 12 days and twice a day using daily surveys. Bayesian Multilevel modeling was employed to analyze within-person relationships by examining the mediating roles of emotional dissonance and daily resources like physical strength and emotional energy between Workplace ostracism and Work engagement. Findings of the study revealed that daily experiences of ostracism, among employees on Non-Standard contract, significantly impacted emotional dissonance which in turn depleted emotional energy impacting the next day\u27s work engagement
آئی بی اے افسران کے غیرملکی سفری ٹکٹوں کی تفصیلات طلب، ایف آئی اے کی کارروائی کا آغاز
No full textوفاقی تحقیقاتی ادارے (ایف آئی اے) نے انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف بزنس ایڈمنسٹریشن (آئی بی اے) کراچی کے خلاف اینٹی منی لانڈرنگ ایکٹ 2010 کے سیکشن 25 کے تحت باضابطہ کارروائی شروع کر دی ہے۔ ایف آئی اے نے آئی بی اے کے ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر، رجسٹرار اور ڈائریکٹر ایچ آر کے تمام غیر ملکی سفری ٹکٹوں کی تفصیلات 3 اکتوبر تک طلب کی ہیں۔ اس کے علاوہ ایف آئی اے نے ٹینڈرز، فیزیبلٹی رپورٹس، بولیوں، ادائیگیوں اور بھرتیوں کے مکمل ریکارڈ کے ساتھ مالی سال 2019-20 سے 2024-25 تک کے دوران سینئر افسران کی تنخواہوں، الاؤنسز اور اثاثہ جات کے اعلان فارم کی نقول بھی طلب کی ہیں
Career Pathways: Actuarial Science and Beyond
No full textThe Career Development Center (CDC), in collaboration with DD Consulting, recently hosted an insightful webinar featuring Husain Feroz Ali, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (USA), Founder & CEO of DD Consulting, and a seasoned actuary with experience across several markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Malaysia, and Pakistan. During the session, Husain shared his expertise on the emerging field of actuarial science, covering key topics such as the global demand-supply gap for actuaries, the evolving roles of traditional vs. non-traditional actuaries, and how Pakistan’s industry is aligning with international standards to create new opportunities for actuaries. He also discussed the important role actuaries play in business strategy and financial stability, along with the various professional development paths available, such as the three actuarial exams, new micro-credentials, and other learning avenues. This information is invaluable in helping our students understand how actuarial science can serve as a promising career path for their future and provides them with guidance on how they can pursue this dynamic field
Tariffs & export expansion
No full textNo country has achieved prosperity by relying solely on its domestic markets. The spectacular success of China, despite having a large market of 1.4 billion people, is primarily attributed to its integration into the world economy. In merely three decades, China has become the top exporting nation
Leadership Struggles and Organizational Resilience: Analyzing the Role of Leadership During Challenging Times
No full textAbstract
This research explores leadership struggles within organizations, particularly during periods of crisis. By examining challenges such as goal goal misalignment, unclear priorities, accountability issues, and lack of focus, this study provides insights into how leadership practices can impact organizational efficiency. Using a qualitative approach, 12 corporate leaders were interviewed, and themes related to leadership struggles and strategies for overcoming them were identified. A framework based on the findings is presented to guide future leadership practices. The study contributes to the field by highlighting the role of shared leadership, existential leadership, and organizational resilience in navigating difficult times.
Keywords: Corporate Leadership, Shared Leadership, Organizational Resilience, Leadership Struggles, Accountability
. Introduction
1.1 Research Problem
Leadership plays the most important role in organizational success, especially during the hard times. However, there are many factors internal and external that affect the leadership system It can also hinder effective decision-making or alignment in the forming strategies. Some of the barriers to leaders\u27 effective dealings include goal goal misalignment or lack of understanding among employees, unclear priorities, team conflicts, accountability issues, lack of focus, and transparency deficits. The current study is designed to investigate such leadership challenges into their major causes and analyzes the strategies undertaken by leaders in negotiating them towards improving the effectiveness of the organization
.1.2 Research Objectives
The objectives of the current research are:
1. Determine the main leadership challenges faced by corporate leaders in difficult times.
2. Establish an understanding of the causes of leadership failures as it relates to goal goal misalignment, lack of focus, and accountability.
3. Analyze strategies adopted by leaders to sustain organizational stability and effectiveness.
4. Create a framework meant for improving leadership effectiveness within organizational settings.
1.3 Significance of the Study
This study aims to contribute to the management literature on account of leadership challenges and their implications for organizational success. Specifically, an identification of critical leadership challenges with proposed solutions should be somewhat useful to business leaders, policymakers, and researchers. This could foster leadership training, enhance decision-making processes, and nurture an organization\u27s culture of accountability and transparency. 2. Literature Review 2.1. Leadership Struggles
Although leadership is the very core that determines organizational success, yet leaders find themselves confronting major struggles, at times especially in crises and uncertain situations. Among commonly discussed leadership struggles in management literature are those related to goal goal misalignment, reduced focus, and accountability concerns. An acute form of goal goal misalignment that exists between teams or departments causes confusion, delays, and resulting inefficiencies from eventually harming organizations. Recent research supports that the goal goal misalignment of common objectives among team members and lack of clarity in communication tend to provide fertile ground for leadership struggles (Gichuhi, 2021; Fernandez & Shaw, 2020). More over, the inability to hold a sustained focus on long-term strategic goals in the face of short-term pressures directly compromises a leader\u27s effectiveness (Kouzes & Posner, 1995). Another phenomenon hindering leadership is the failure of accountability within remote or hybrid environments. A new virtual workspace made performance monitoring challenging, making it more difficult for leaders to manage and motivate their teams (Babapour Chafi et al., 2022). New studies indicate that leaders need to design systems that ultimately ensure accountability, even amid the challenges of working from home (Kouzes & Posner, 1995). 2.2. Shared Leadership and Organizational Resilience
The implementation of shared leadership is gaining ground as a feasible solution to overcoming challenges associated with leadership. Shared leadership is when decision-making is dispersed among team members so that, in turn, they can own it and be responsible for it. Research has shown that shared leadership promotes organizational resilience, enabling companies to react swiftly to the changing environment and minimize the crisis effects (Cullen-Lester & Yammarino, 2016). It is stated that shared leadership promotes cooperation, and enhances the team\u27s dynamics, which are important for innovation, especially in organizations faced with fast-changing markets and disruptions (Gichuhi, 2021). References Gichuhi, J. M. (2021). Shared Leadership and Organizational Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Organizational Leadership. Hanaway, M. (2020). An Existential Approach to Leadership Challenges. Routledge. Fernandez, A. A., & Shaw, G. P. (2020). Academic Leadership in a Time of Crisis: The Coronavirus and COVID-19. Journal of Leadership Studies, 14(1). Babapour Chafi, M., Hultberg, A., & Bozic Yams, N. (2022). Post-Pandemic Office Work: Perceived Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Work Environment. Sustainability, 14(294). Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (1995). The Leadership Challenge. Jossey-Bass Publishers. Cullen-Lester, K. L., & Yammarino, F. J. (2016). Shared Leadership and Team Effectiveness. The Leadership Quarterly, 27(5), 759-774
Family Firm Internationalization and Role of Contextual Resource Availability
No full textThe Current body of research has highlighted the importance of familiness in firm performance and internationalization but the specific firm-level conditions, and the role of contextual resources in the form of government support are largely unexplored. To address the gap, this study attempts to extend the conceptualization of the Resource-based view (RBV) at the industry level by proposing government support as an essential, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable (VRIN) resource that grants competitive advantage to the industry. Using the sample of 100 family firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), findings reveal that contextual support, especially in the form of resource availability from government plays an important role in family firm internationalization. Furthermore, it was identified that firm performance, profit retention, and leverage are key boundary conditions for family involvement and internationalization in the absence of government support. The study has important theoretical and practical implications for future researchers, policymakers, and family firms
Enhancing SME Sustainability through Knowledge Integration: A Dual-Method Analysis of Green Knowledge Sharing, Intellectual Capital, and Innovation
No full textPurpose – This study delves into the complex relationships among green knowledge sharing (GKS), green intellectual capital (GIC), green innovation (GI), environmental knowledge (EK), and environmental performance (EP) within the framework of the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. It investigates how knowledge-based resources drive operational efficiency and support environmental sustainability, particularly within manufacturing SMEs.
Design/Methodology/Approach – The research adopts a dual-method approach, combining Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). These methods allow the exploration of both linear and non-linear relationships between the core variables. Data was gathered from top management, including CEOs, executives, and managers from production and HR departments via online and offline surveys.
Findings – The analysis reveals that GKS significantly boosts GIC, which in turn positively influences both GI and EP. Furthermore, GI mediates the relationship between GIC and EP, demonstrating its role in driving sustainability and improving business processes. The study also highlights that EK acts as a moderator in the GI–EP link, showcasing how environmental awareness enhances the impact of innovation on performance. These results contribute to advancing knowledge management and process efficiency in SMEs.
Originality/Value – This paper introduces a novel framework linking green knowledge sharing, intellectual capital, and environmental outcomes. By employing both PLS-SEM and fsQCA, it addresses methodological limitations and offers new insights into how SMEs can leverage knowledge-driven resources for improving both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Paper Type – Research Pape
Stock Market Volatility and Economic Downturn: Investigating the Role of Investor Gambling Behavior during Periods of High Unemployment and inflation in Pakistan
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between lottery feature stocks, the lottery feature index, and future stock returns across different economic phases characterized by high or low unemployment rates, economic growth, and inflation expectations. Monthly data from December 2000 to December 2023 was collected from DataStream and the official website of the State Bank of Pakistan. The analysis focuses on common stocks traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during this period, utilizing the Fama-French six-factor model to examine how lottery-like characteristics in stocks influence future returns.
The study posits that stocks exhibiting stronger lottery-like features tend to underperform in terms of future returns, particularly during adverse macroeconomic conditions such as high unemployment and elevated inflation expectations. To test this conjecture, the top and bottom 30 percentiles of stocks were analyzed based on their lottery-like features, using quantile regression to assess their performance across different economic conditions. The robustness of the results was further tested through Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression.
The findings reveal that investing in lottery feature stocks is riskier during periods of high unemployment and inflation expectations. More specifically, future returns were more negatively associated with the overall lottery feature index, idiosyncratic volatility, and the MAX effect, with higher values of these characteristics leading to lower subsequent returns. Conversely, stocks with low or high idiosyncratic skewness performed relatively better during economic downturns