Journals of Forman Christian College
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Our Lived Realities: Zahra Mughis
Full text linkReview of Ellen J. Helsper’s The Digital Disconnect: The Social Causes and Consequences of Digital Inequalities.
Gendered Perceptions and Experiences of Food Allergy in Pakistan: Myths, Misconceptions, and Realities: Maryam Zafar, Muniza Javed and Sheeza Bashir
Full text linkThe study aimed to explore gendered perceptions, experiences, and common myths about food allergies in Pakistan. The study employed a qualitative research method, collecting data through purposive sampling and interviews with 5 male and 5 female participants from Lahore. The most common allergens among the study participants included spices, flour, milk, eggs, dry fruits, meat, and fish. The thematic analysis explored four major themes including (1) lived experiences and social interactions of individuals with food allergies (2) impact of food allergies on emotional well-being (3) social stigma and exclusion associated with food allergies and (4) awareness, myths, and social responsibility. Gender differences emerged in the experiences and social implications of living with food allergies. Both male and female participants faced social pressure to consume allergenic foods, mostly due to peer influence and traditional gender roles expectations. Men were more likely to encounter stigma questioning the legitimacy of their condition. Moreover, due to male superiority embedded in the patriarchal structure of society, their food preferences were more likely to be prioritized. Both genders experienced significant impacts of food allergies on daily life and social interactions; however, women reported heightened feelings of isolation and a tendency to avoid social events due to fear of criticism or bullying. These results highlighted the need for gender-sensitive awareness campaigns and support mechanisms to address the social and emotional challenges associated with food allergies in Pakistan.
Review Essay: Culture, Information, and the Digital Subject: Evaluating Byung-Chul Han in a Global Context
Full text linkCulture, Information, and the Digital Subject: Evaluating Byung-Chul Han in a Global Context
Challenges to Nigeria\u27s Economic Growth: The Impact of Climate Change and Population Growth
Full text linkThis study investigates the impact of climate change and population growth on the economic growth of Nigeria. The analysis is conducted by considering certain independent variables, including population growth rate, exportable goods and services growth rate, temperature, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption, rainfall, and GDP. The relationships between these variables are examined using the ARDL cointegration technique, covering the data from 1980 to 2019. The results reveal significant correlations between economic growth and independent variables, with particular emphasis on the roles of CO2 emissions, temperature, and rainfall in supporting productive production. In addition, a unidirectional causal relationship was found between gross national product and CO2 emissions, indicating significant implications for Nigeria\u27s productivity. Based on these findings, the study recommends investing more in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower, reducing reliance on coal and nuclear power, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and developing new technologies that will increase productivity while minimizing environmental impact
Financial Decisions, Growth Options and Firm Valuation: An Empirical Investigation
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This research examines the impact of firm’s financial decisions dividend payouts and corporate ownership concentration on firm market value. A sample of 164 non-financial firms listed on Karachi stock exchange of Pakistan for the period of 2011 to 2018 using Generalized Least square Equations has been applied for results. It demonstrates dual impact of leverage, cash dividends and ownership concentration in availability and non-availability of growth options. The findings reveal that leverage indicates a negative relationship in availability of growth options while sign turn to be positive in non-availability of growth options. Further, we found that cash dividends and bonus shares have uncertain relation in availability of growth options and positive relation in non-availability of growth options. The results demonstrate the significance of corporate ownership concentration relevancy in alteration of firm financial decision policies indicating availability of agency costs in Pakistan.
The Nexus between Capital structure, Macroeconomic Factors, Firm-specific Factors & Financial performance: A Sectoral Analysis of Cement and Energy Industry in Pakistan
Full text linkThis study aims to empirically examine the nexus between capital structure, macroeconomic factors, firm-specific factors and financial performance. This research work uses regression approach for the analysis of textile sector of Pakistan from 2001 to 2018. The current study has deeply observed the interpretation of statistical findings. The total debt to total assets ratio and taxation expense possesses insignificant association with firm’s profitability whereas debt to equity ratio, assets turnover ratio, growth rate and exports growth exhibit a positive and significant impact on firm’s financial health in case of cement industry. Capital structure exhibits an insignificant relationship with firm’s profitability while macroeconomic and firm-specific factors are significantly correlated with the overall performance of the energy sector
Motto Vest: Innovation in Motorcycle Safety Technology for Emerging Markets
Full text linkThis case explores the evolution of Motto Vest, a Pakistani startup aiming to address the country’s growing motorcycle safety crisis through the development of an affordable airbag vest. The case follows the founders as they navigate the complexities of local manufacturing, funding constraints, and market awareness challenges. Initially supported by incubators and grant programs, the team iterated through 17 prototypes before reaching a commercially viable product. A key milestone came in 2024, when the startup secured investment on Shark Tank Pakistan, enabling the establishment of a local production facility and accelerating its go-to-market efforts. The case highlights the company’s efforts to build traction in B2B sales, negotiate export deals, and pursue a dual-market strategy targeting Pakistan and the UAE. Central to the discussion are issues around product-market fit, pricing in emerging economies, and the strategic pathways for scaling impact-driven hardware startups. Through engaging with this case, students will examine the operational and strategic decisions behind building a hardware venture in a resource-constrained setting and evaluate how such businesses balance innovation, affordability, and sustainability to deliver long-term valu
Effect of Climate Change on Production Related Methane Emissions from Rice Production in Pakistan
Full text linkClimate change poses a significant global threat, profoundly impacting all economic sectors, particularly agriculture. Severe weather patterns, including rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts, regularly affect Pakistan. Rainfall and floods, along with crop-damaging conditions, force farmers to lose both their homes and livestock. To examine how climate change influences rice production levels in Pakistan, this research investigates various elements contributing to rising methane (CH4) emissions during rice cultivation. The study relies on time series data from 1990 to 2022 to fulfill its objectives. Empirical estimations depend on Newey-West least square regressions for analysis. The first regression analysis indicates that temperature fluctuations, rice area expansion, increased pesticide utilization, higher agricultural value-added per employee, and population growth significantly enhance rice output. Additionally, it demonstrates that real per capita GDP exhibits an inverted U-shaped correlation with rice production. The results of the second regression analysis indicate that pesticide use or water productivity, along with the area harvested, are factors increasing CH4 emissions from rice production; however, rice yield and the labor force in agriculture negatively influence such emissions. The findings will assist policymakers in developing suitable regulations to minimize the growing adversity of climate change on rice cultivation. Furthermore, the study\u27s findings enable policymakers to identify the causes behind elevated methane emissions in rice production so they can effectively reduce methane output in paddy fields
Taxation, Corruption and Economic Growth: A Causality Analysis of Developed and Developing Countries
Full text linkThis study aimed to examine the impact of corruption on the relationship between taxation and economic growth. It sought to determine whether corruption acts as a moderating factor that disrupts the positive association between taxation and economic growth rate. To achieve these objectives, the study employed panel data for the year 1985-2016 of developed and developing countries. Additionally, the study employed causal analysis techniques to establish a deeper understanding of the causal relationships between taxation, corruption, and economic growth. This was followed by estimating a co-integration regression using the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) method. The empirical results of DOLS show that taxation and corruption both are lubricating the wheel of economic growth for developed while for developing countries taxation is stimulating growth, but corruption sands the wheel of growth. Similarly, the indirect effect of taxation through the channel of corruption is also negative for both samples. Likewise, the impact of the square term of taxation is also negative. The VECM Granger causality test shows that bidirectional causality exists between all variables in the long run. During the causality analysis, it was found that in developing nations, there is unidirectional causality from economic growth rate to tax revenues and from corruption to taxation. In developed countries, unidirectional causality was observed from corruption to tax revenues. However, bidirectional feedback exists between economic growth rate and corruption in developing countries, and bidirectional causality exists between taxation, economic growth rate, and corruption in developed countries. The study also suggests policy implications based on these empirical findings to improve the situation of these factors
From Perceived Usefulness to Behavioral Intention: A Technology Acceptance Study of AI Voice Assistants
No full textGoogle Maps is a prime example of the revolutionary effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on location-based services and navigation in a time of rapid technological advancement. This study examines how user acceptance and impressions of Google Maps are affected, with a particular emphasis on the AI-powered voice control function, which is informed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), looks at variables that influence information relevance, resistance to technology, and trust. A probability sample of 230 Google Maps users was used in the quantitative methodology, which was examined using Process Macro by Hayes in SPSS. The results indicates that the variables are highly correlated. Novelty value, interaction, and trust\u27s influence on the intention to use is mediated by perceived usefulness. The findings indicate how helpful established theoretical models such as TAM are in understanding consumers\u27 sentiments about emerging technology. Improving user experience, solving privacy concerns, and promoting technology adoption are recommended by practical implications. The article does note drawbacks, though, such as privacy issues and the seeming lack of variety on Google Maps. To increase acceptance and contentment, Google should prioritize customer privacy, transparency, and ongoing innovation