iRepository (Institute of Business Administration)
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Career counselling: questions and answers
No full textThis Q&A-based career counselling article offers expert advice to students from various academic backgrounds. It covers pathways in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, Digital Marketing vs. Film Production, Genetic Engineering vs. Pharmaceutical Research, and Urban Planning vs. Structural Engineering. The responses highlight growth potential, required skills, and leading institutions in Pakistan and abroad. Emphasis is placed on aligning career choices with individual interests and long-term goals, alongside the importance of certifications and further specialization for professional advancement
AI Agents - Flomny
No full textTraditional workflow automation platforms such as Zapier, IFTTT, and n8n have empowered users to connect disparate services through triggers and actions. However, they typically require either an understanding of API mechanics or the use of rigid graphical interfaces, limiting their accessibility for non-technical users and restricting flexibility for more advanced automation. In parallel, the emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) has revolutionized how systems can interpret and respond to natural language, offering a unique opportunity to simplify software development and workflow automation through conversational interfaces. Our methodology emphasizes modularity, robustness, and traceability. The system begins with prompt validation and task decomposition using LLMs, followed by graph-based orches- tration of agents. Integration Agents leverage Pinecone for vector-based retrieval and produce code grounded in documentation rather than relying solely on the LLM’s internal knowledge. Additionally, Flomny integrates the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable advanced agent- based execution capabilities, allowing for dynamic discovery and utilization of external tools while maintaining security boundaries and user control. Static code validation precedes optional execution in isolated subprocesses, enhancing both safety and reliability. Through a detailed case study involving Custom Servers and Discord integrations, we demonstrate Flomny’s ability to automatically generate and execute a four-step workflow derived entirely from a natural language prompt. The results show successful task decomposition, accurate API calls, and seamless execution with real-time updates. By combining the interpretability of LLMs, the structure of graph-based multi-agent systems, the precision of retrieval-augmented code generation, and the flexibility of MCP integration, Flomny paves the way for more accessible, scalable, and human-centric workflow automation
Indus Sahulat
No full textIn underdeveloped countries like Pakistan, the lack of an efficient emergency response system often results in delays in medical assistance, leading to preventable deaths. Our Final Year Project (FYP), ”Indus Sahulat,” aims to address this critical issue by developing a mobile application that automates and streamlines the emergency ambulance dispatch process for Indus Hospital. The app will allow clients to instantly notify nearby hospitals, prompting the immediate dispatch of ambulances and enabling real-time tracking of the ambulance’s location. This solution ensures that hospitals are pre-alerted and doctors are prepared to treat patients as soon as they arrive, significantly reducing wait times and improving emergency care outcomes
Autobiography detailing key events in judicial history launched
No full textThe autobiography “Adliyah Mein Mere 44 Saal” by retired Justice Agha Rafiq Ahmed Khan was launched at IBA Karachi. The book offers a first-hand account of the judicial system in Pakistan, chronicling significant events, challenges, and personal experiences from his 44-year legal career. Speakers, including judges, lawyers, and journalists, praised the book for highlighting issues like nepotism, favoritism, and delayed justice. Noted lawyer Muneer Malik described it as a historic document, while Justice Khan emphasized the importance of timely justice, especially by the district judiciary
Evaluating Transformational Leadership\u27s Role in Enhancing Environmental Performance through Green HRM: Evidence from Pakistan
No full textThis study seeks to examine the extent to which Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices contribute to Green Organizational Performance, with Green Employee Engagement serving as a mediating variable and Sustainable Leadership acting as a moderating factor. Amid the current economic downturn, achieving Green Organizational Performance has emerged as a global priority, with green initiatives increasingly recognized as the most effective means to attain this objective. Because of the increased attention this issue has received from regulators and recent research, the current study looked at sustainable leadership role in implementing Green Human Resource Management practices in banks of Karachi. An investigation was conducted into the moderating effect of perceived Sustainable leadership role on the relationship between Green Human Resource Management practices, Green Employee Engagement, and Green Organizational Performance in banking sector of Karachi. The smart PLS-SEM was used to test the hypotheses after the questionnaires approach was employed to gather data. The findings showed a strong and direct correlation between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), Green Employee Engagement (GEE), Sustainable Leadership (SL), and Green Organizational performance of banking sector in Karachi. The results also showed that the relationship between all the variables strongly moderated by organizational support. In addition to guiding future researchers on this area, the current research assists regulators in developing policies
Walkthrough of IPO Process
No full textThe Experiential Learning Project (ELP) was designed around the concept of simulating an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the primary objective of identifying a private company that could strategically benefit from going public based on its operational and financial performance.
To achieve this, the project was divided into three major phases: Initial Pre-Screening Development of a Financial Model Preparation of the IPO Prospectus
The process began with an extensive screening of private companies operating in Pakistan. After thorough analysis of various sectors including Dairy, Electric wires and Cables, Pharmaceuticals, Textile, Logistics and Storage, Dairyland (Dayfresh) Pvt. Ltd. was selected as the ideal IPO candidate. The decision was driven by Dairyland’s consistent topline growth from FY21 to 1QFY25, notable recovery in profit margins, and its commitment to strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.
Based on this, we developed an IPO prospectus aimed at equipping both retail and institutional investors with key information to make informed investment decisions. The prospectus outlines the company’s potential market performance, financial outlook, and anticipated returns, assuming public listing through the issuance of ordinary shares.
While the valuation and prospectus are reflective of Dairyland’s business fundamentals and financial metrics based on our analysis, we advise the corporate client and prospective investors to exercise independent judgment and conduct their due diligence before making any investment decisions in the future
SME Community Banking
No full textThis report largely explores the sustainability, architecture and likely economic implication of a community solution to SME banking in Pakistan by the use of a digital platform. More than 5 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the pillars of the Pakistani economy because 80 percent of workforce in non-agricultural sectors and over 40 percent of country GDP is contributed by such enterprises. SMEs remain largely excluded in formal financial institutions due to tightly regulated bans, absence of credit history, financial illiteracy and limited access to electronic banking infrastructures, irrespective of the importance of SMEs in the economy.
The research provided a mixed-methods study design that included financial model, market research, and qualitative interviews to answer such questions. As it was revealed in the findings, neither the services, offered by the traditional banks, nor the realities of SME operations could be as synchronized as they should have been. The majority of the small businesses especially, the informal and rural, cannot utilize the traditional banking services because of the strict Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures they have to go through, high transaction costs, collateral requirements, and delays in approving the loans.
In turn, this study proposes a digital banking product to SMEs developed in collaboration with the leading B2B Fin-tech firm in Pakistan Haball Private Limited. The platform that will be equipped with features such as digital onboarding, QR payment, automation of bookkeeping, grading of credit with the assistance of AI, and microfinance and Shariah compliant services will offer a one-stop-shop business banking experience to SMEs. To fix scalability and real use, a working model was developed. It has provided the financial model to include its conservative operating assumptions and macroeconomic assumptions that show profitability within the first three years of launch. Its important figures such as the net profit margin, return on assets, and current ratio ever increase throughout the forecast period, which indicates scalability of operations combined with positive financial position state. It is more liquid at all points, low payback value, asset and equity-funded.
Ultimately, this paper proves that the SME digital banking project is a viable response in the long term as a socially useful, flexible, and scalable solution. It not only fills the gap in the financing of SMEs but also empowers national development goals given that we increase financial inclusion, economic development, and technological innovation
Competitive intelligence – nutrition business of Unilever
No full textThis project with Unilever Pakistan investigated how Generation Z (ages 13–28) in Pakistani cities are changing their eating habits, particularly when it comes to Knorr instant noodles. While Knorr brings back wonderful memories for millennials, it is having difficulty keeping Gen Z interested because they demand stronger, more individualized flavors, and healthier options.
To investigate this, an in-depth interview with fifteen participants was conducted followed by two group discussions. It was discovered that Gen Z\u27s snack selections were heavily influenced by their mood, what they sew online, how easy something was to obtain, and what their peers consumed. They enjoy global trends such as Korean cuisine, but prefer them to be tailored to local tastes.
Looking at the numbers, a revenue forecasting was done based on national census data. The data revealed that with Gen Z, Knorr could sell more than 49 million noodle boxes each month, generating around PKR 2.45 billion per month.
The report offers a two-part strategy: retain what makes Knorr unique while adding new features that Gen Z would enjoy. Ideas included developing new tastes containing protein or vegetables, selling combo packs, and sharing brand stories on TikTok and Instagram. Knorr can maintain their competitiveness in Pakistan\u27s instant noodle market by balancing familiarity with innovation
The New Age of Social Media Employer Branding: What Do the Gen Zs Want?
No full textThis study investigates the impact of employer branding on Gen Z in the context of Unilever Pakistan. It aims to understand Gen Z’s workplace preferences, how social media shapes their perceptions of employers, and what aspects of employer branding resonate with or fall short for this generation. The goal is to recommend strategies for Unilever Pakistan to enhance its employer brand appeal to emerging Gen Z talent. A mixed-method approach was adopted, relying entirely on primary data. Qualitative insights were gathered through six focus group discussions with university students (soon-to-be graduates) and ten in-depth interviews with Gen Z employees in various organizations. These conversations were transcribed and systematically coded to extract key themes and recurring ideas. Quantitative data were obtained from a structured survey of 284 Gen Z respondents, capturing their priorities, perceptions, and expectations regarding workplaces and employer branding. The survey results are presented with descriptive statistics and visualizations to complement the qualitative findings. The findings indicate that Gen Z places high importance on meaningful work, career growth, flexibility, competitive pay, and inclusive work cultures. They especially like valid and clear communication on the part of employers. The role of social media is both important and quite complicated, on the one hand, Instagram or LinkedIn are actively used to evaluate the employers, and on the other hand, too perfect posts tend to be understood suspiciously. Users were quite fond of behind-the-scenes content and employees generated content that portrays actual workplace dynamics. These themes were reinforced by the survey: more than 85 percent of respondents made flexible work and the ability to grow very high, and many pointed to the importance to them of the social or environment impact of a company. Remarkably, almost half of respondents indicated that staged branding content has an adverse impact on their impression of employer. To boost its popularity with employers, Unilever Pakistan needs to invest in genuine storytelling, market its culture of flexibility and value-based initiatives. To maintain the efforts on attracting talent in a competitive labor market, it will be important to commensurate the branding activities according to the values of Gen Z
Inventory & Manufacturing Planning - AZ Textiles
No full textThis Experiential Learning Project (ELP) was undertaken to address the recurring issue of stockouts at AZ Textiles, a Pakistan-based exporter of textile-based promotional products. These stock outs were leading to lost orders and declining customer satisfaction - particularly in the U.S. wholesale market. The project’s primary objective was to analyze historical sales and inventory data, develop a reliable demand forecasting model, and design an automated inventory and manufacturing planning system. The study focused specifically on QTB bags, comprising 26 SKUs, to create a targeted and effective solution.The project employed a structured approach combining data analytics, forecasting techniques, and interactive dashboard development. Sales and inventory data were cleaned and processed, followed by an exploratory analysis to identify seasonal trends, shifts in SKU demand, and year-over-year patterns. An interactive dashboard was developed using Python (Flask and Dash) to visualize these insights and support decision-making at the management level.
For forecasting, multiple models were tested. Ultimately, a log-linear regression model was selected for its interpretability and robustness, achieving a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of approximately 11% when back tested on yearly data. Forecasts were conducted at the category level, and subsequently disaggregated to the SKU and month level using product and monthly weights derived from historical contributions. This ratio-based methodology offered a practical solution to data limitations and allowed for seasonally adjusted, SKU-specific forecasts.
In parallel, the team implemented the Clark and Scarf Inventory Optimization Model to convert demand forecasts into operational inventory plans. This model calculated optimal order quantities, reorder points, and safety stock for each SKU across a five-year horizon (2025–2030), accounting for lead time and cost constraints.
The key deliverables included a validated forecasting model, a dynamic dashboard for operational visibility, and a set of actionable recommendations for improving AZ Textiles’ inventory management. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by encouraging the digital transformation of manufacturing SMEs through the use of data-driven planning systems.
The outcomes contribute to enhanced operational resilience, reduction in stockouts, and lay the groundwork for scalable, technology-enabled supply chain optimization at AZ Textiles