Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences and Management Practices
Journal Description Research journal Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences and Management Practices (CISSMP) is run by registered research consultancy " Research Consultancy on Social and Management Development" . The consultancy is registered with Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under section 1 of the companies act, 2017 (XIX of 2017) with registration Number 0220469. Read More
Research Consultancy on Social and Managment Development
Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences and Management Practices (CISSMP) licenses published works under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 license.
Reconfiguring Political Participation: Youth Engagement in the Digital Era
Digital age has radically changed the way youth interacts in politics. Youth - the term usually describes people in their late teens and 20s - have new avenues to express themselves, develop mutual action and influence the society with the help of online technologies. With social media, messaging apps, online petitions, e government portals, it makes the participation more expansive, involving more than the customary rallies and elections. This report is a review of contemporary scholarly works concerning this change, which is discovered to focus on key mechanisms (mobilization, deliberation, identity formation, networked publics, slacktivism, activism) and theoretical approaches (political opportunity structures, resource mobilization, network theory, affordances theory, medialization, digital citizenship, youth political socialization) to explain the digital youth engagement. The Pakistani examples demonstrate these trends: urban young people discuss the governance issues more openly with the help of Twitter and Facebook than those in rural areas, whereas online campaigns (e.g. #JusticeForNaqib) demonstrate that the digital mobilization can cause street action and draw not only attention but also policies. The report ends with research gaps (e.g. long-term effect of online campaigns, platform-specific research, youth involvement in policy development) and policy implications (expanding connectivity and digital literacy, protecting internet freedoms, facilitating e-participation activities)
Digital Divide, Echo Chambers, Social Networks
Copyright (c) 2024 Sajida Feroze , Asiya Saif Alvi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Workplace Diversity and Inclusion: The Role of Organizational Culture and Justice
The present study explores the impact of transformational leadership on workplace diversity and inclusion, over mediating role of organizational culture and justice in higher education institutions context in southern region, KP, Pakistan. The data was collection through secondary and primary sources and analysis was conducted using statistical procedures to test direct and indirect relationships among variables. The results validate that transformational leadership has significant effect upon workplace diversity and inclusion and organizational culture and justice were found to mediate this relationship. The findings suggested that transformational leaders play critical role in shaping inclusive cultures by promoting values and justice. These results have practical implications for leadership development programs, and educational policy mainly in regions with socio-cultural complexities such as KP. By fostering the equitable treatment and inclusive practices, the higher educational leaders can improve the faculty engagement, enhance organizational performance and reduce discrimination overwhelmed at the desired leading outcome. The future research may explore the longitudinal effects and extend the study towards other sectors for comparative analysis in order to compare the diverse outcome and contribute the knowledge from different dimensions
Copyright (c) 2024 Shafqat Ullah , Irfan Ullah Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Impact of Financial Literacy and Overconfidence Bias on Investment Decision-Making Behavior: The Mediating Role of Psychological Well-Being
Behavioral finance theory suggests that investors’ financial decisions are influenced not only by rational evaluation but also by psychological and emotional factors. This study examines the impact of financial literacy and overconfidence bias on investment decision-making behavior, with psychological well-being acting as a mediating variable among individual investors. Financial literacy enhances investors’ ability to understand financial information and make informed investment choices, whereas overconfidence bias may lead individuals to overestimate their knowledge and underestimate investment risks. Psychological well-being is proposed as a mediating factor because emotionally stable and psychologically healthy individuals are more likely to make balanced and rational financial decisions. The study adopts a quantitative research design using survey data collected from individual investors. Statistical techniques such as correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis will be employed to test the proposed relationships among the variables. The findings are expected to extend the literature on behavioral finance by explaining how psychological well-being influences the relationship between cognitive biases and investment decision-making behavior. The study may also provide practical implications for investors, financial institutions, and policymakers in developing strategies that improve financial awareness and psychologically informed investment practices
Copyright (c) 2026 Saqlain Abbas, Arroj Imtiaz , Qazi Rehmatullah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Intersection of Destiny and Free Will in Paulo Coelho’s ‘Alchemist’: A Jungian Psychological Approach
This paper analyzes The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho using the Jungian psychology approach in the connection between fate and free will in the story of Santiago. Based on the ideas of Jung that came to mind during his work in terms of the Self, archetypes, individuation, and synchronicity, the study holds the view that the novel forms the idea of destiny not as something external and predetermined, but as a psychological calling. The discussion is done through qualitative, interpretive textual analysis which reveals how the repeated dream and the concept on the Personal Legend imagined by Santiago can be interpreted as the teleological attraction of the Self to completeness. Certain people like Melchizedek and the alchemist are perceived as archetypes of Wise Old Man, and ordeals, bleak moments, fright etc are interpreted as having to confront the Shadow. It is also shown in the analysis that the move of Santiago is based on the conscious decisions that are risky which proves that free will is the active execution of the ego to cooperate with the Self instead of its denial. The article concludes that The Alchemist puts a spin on individuation as the place where destiny and free will meet, and it is implied that Jungian reading complements an already existing spiritual and motivational interpretations by placing the novel in a psychology model of inner evolution
Copyright (c) 2026 Fawad Ali, Sana ul Adil Ali , Hadia Ahmad Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Quantitative Study of Slow Living: Mindfulness, Spirituality and Perceived Stress
This study employed a correlational research methodology. Convenient sampling was utilized, and the sample consisted of 73 individuals: 50 females (65%), 13 males (16%), and 10 others (13%). The study measured the constructs using the Spirituality Perspective Scale (SPS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Lifestyle Questions, and Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R). There was no significant correlation found between any of the study factors and the outcome variable. Spirituality, mindfulness, and lifestyle are the predictor variables that adversely but not substantially predicted perceived stress (F (3, 68),.998, p =.399), indicating that the four elements under investigation do not significantly affect the level of perceived stress in the overall model. Furthermore, R2 =.04 indicates that the model accounts for 0.4% of the variation in perceived stress. Because of sample size and additional theoretical and data-driven considerations in this specific sample, none of the model's components, either separately or collectively, significantly affect the outcome variable
Copyright (c) 2026 Nadia Arif , Chris Young https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Influence of Environmental Deprivation and Socioeconomic Inequality on Waterborne Disease Burden among Informal Urban Settlements
Rapid urbanization and environmental degradation have intensified public health inequalities in informal urban settlements, particularly regarding access to safe water, sanitation, and healthy living conditions. This quantitative study examined the influence of environmental deprivation and socioeconomic inequality on the burden of waterborne diseases among residents of informal urban settlements. The study investigated how poor environmental conditions, including inadequate sanitation infrastructure, unsafe water sources, overcrowding, waste accumulation, and limited drainage systems, contributed to the prevalence of water-related illnesses. Additionally, the research assessed the role of socioeconomic inequality in shaping differential exposure to environmental health risks and healthcare access. The study further demonstrated that low-income populations faced disproportionate environmental and health risks due to structural inequalities and inadequate urban governance. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of poverty, environmental injustice, and public health disparities in informal settlements. The study recommends inclusive urban health policies, improved sanitation infrastructure, equitable resource distribution, and community-based environmental interventions to reduce waterborne disease burdens among vulnerable urban populations
Copyright (c) 2026 Saadat Ali, Furqan Yaseen , Taimoor Iftikhar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Negotiating Climate Vulnerability: A Sociological Exploration of WASH Inequalities and Community Adaptation Strategies in Climate-Stressed Rural Settlements
Climate change has significantly intensified challenges related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in rural communities, particularly in regions already affected by poverty, social exclusion, and inadequate infrastructure. This qualitative study explored how climate vulnerability intersects with social inequality to shape unequal access to WASH services in climate-stressed rural settlements. Using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and community narratives, the study examined the lived experiences of households facing water scarcity, sanitation insecurity, droughts, floods, and declining environmental resources. The findings revealed that marginalized groups, particularly low-income households, women, and geographically isolated communities, experienced disproportionate WASH-related hardships during climate stress.. Despite limited resources, strong social networks and community cooperation played a critical role in supporting local adaptation efforts. However, the findings indicated that many adaptation practices remained temporary and insufficient without long-term policy support and inclusive governance mechanisms. The study concludes that addressing WASH inequalities in climate-vulnerable rural settlements requires socially inclusive, community-centered, and climate-responsive governance approaches that prioritize equity, resilience, and sustainable rural development
Copyright (c) 2025 Furqan Yaseen, Saadat Ali , Taimoor Iftikhar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Introspection and the Limits of Physicalism in Consciousness Studies: Toward an Analytic Idealist Framework
Consciousness represents one of the greatest philosophical and cognitive scientific problems to date. Contemporary neuroscience and artificial intelligence have been immensely successful in describing neural mechanisms and behavior, yet the subjective, qualitative essence of conscious experience remains difficult to explain within either discipline. It is argued here that functionalist and physicalist approaches are fundamentally flawed because they are largely based on third-person methodologies and fail to accommodate the first-person nature of consciousness. Phenomenological introspection is utilized to examine aspects of conscious experience such as intentionality, temporality, self-consciousness and the human quest for meaning. It then looks at the dimension of consciousness' existential meaning as analyzed in phenomenology and existential philosophy. It is further argued that the human search for meaning is a constitutive aspect of consciousness, rather than an accidental evolutionary byproduct. The present inquiry provides a framework for addressing these questions via the metaphysical approach of Analytic Idealism. The metaphysical argument offered is that consciousness is ontologically primary and the external world represents the appearance of these internal processes. In conclusion, the study contends that the field of consciousness studies can best be advanced through a dual approach of empirical research combined with first-person introspective inquiry, as well as a metaphysics which positions consciousness as fundamental
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Javid, Muhammad Jawwad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mediating Effect of Self Silencing and Cultural Expectations in Social Isolation and Psychological Well Being Of Established Adult Women Having Anuptaphobia
Initially, this study aimed to examine mediation between social isolation and psychological well being by self silencing and cultural expectations. The purposive sample in this study comprised of 390 adult established women aged 30-45. The participants completed the self-report demographic and standardized measures assessing fear of being single, social isolation, psychological well-being, self silencing, and perceived cultural expectations. Data was collected through mobile app that was especially designed for this study. For the data analysis, descriptive statistics, correlational procedures, regression technique, and mediation analysis were applied. Results depicted partial mediation between fear of being single and psychological well being, while taking self silencing and perceived cultural expectations as mediators. This study imply the critical role of self silencing behaviors, cultural expectations, and social isolation on the psychological well being of adult established women with anuptaphobia. Similarly, employment status, limited socioeconomic resources, lower level of education, and reduced income were associated with anupaphobia. Birth order and family system were also associated with anuptaphobia, women from collectivistic culture or extended family systems, often encounter greater societal pressure and closer scrutiny concerning marriage. The implications of this for the future research as well as bringing targeted clinical intervention for established adult women with anuptaphobia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kiran Tahir, Syeda Farhana Kazmi, Israr Muhammad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Impact of Workplace Social Inclusion and Workplace Social Support on the Work Performance of Employees with Disabilities
This study investigated the impact of workplace social inclusion and workplace social support on the work performance of employees with disabilities in the private manufacturing sector of Punjab, Pakistan. Drawing on social inclusion theory and social support theory, the study examined how inclusive organizational practices and supportive workplace relationships influenced the performance outcomes of employees with disabilities. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 798 employees with disabilities working in private manufacturing firms across Punjab. A stratified sampling technique ensured representation from major industrial cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gujrat. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires based on validated scales measuring workplace social inclusion, workplace social support, and work performance. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicated that both workplace social inclusion and workplace social support had significant positive effects on the work performance of employees with disabilities. Employees who experienced higher levels of inclusion and support in the workplace demonstrated better job performance. Furthermore, workplace social inclusion emerged as a stronger predictor of performance compared to social support, highlighting the critical role of inclusive organizational environments
Work Performance Employees with Disabilities
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Adnan, Aliya Khalid https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: A Systematic Literature Review at Organizational and Individual Levels
This study aims to review quantitative literature on the drivers of CSR disclosure from the two perspectives and analyze the differences and implications of the various factors to the theory and practice. This study uses a systematic literature review of forty empirical articles published in ABS journals between the years 2000 and 2024. It employs databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, SAGE, and others to source literature on factors influencing CSR disclosure. This study organizes determinants of CSR disclosure into organizational and personal factors. It shows how both levels substantially affect CSR practices and, more specifically, the role of individual-level factors that have received less attention. The organizational factors are governance mechanisms and regulatory compliance, and the individual factors are managerial values and leadership. This study is mainly based on ABS-ranked journals’ empirical articles, meaning that some valuable findings from grey literature or non-ABS publications may be excluded. Subsequent research can extend this research to include these sources and examine the intermediate variables, moderating variables, and different settings to enhance the knowledge of CSR disclosure. This study conducted a comprehensive and systematic analysis, contributes to the literature on CSR disclosure determinants, and offers a reference framework for extensional studies and applications across various types of organizations
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Raza Zafar , Muhammad Shaukat Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Impact of Green Human Resource Management on Corporate Environmental Sustainability: Mediating Role of Pro-Environmental Behavior and Moderating Role of Green Psychological Climate
The purpose of the study is to examine how the green human resource management, pro-environmental behavior, and green psychological climate affect corporate environmental sustainability within the Pakistani manufacturing companies. The study proposed various hypotheses based on the existing literature and theories. The research employed an online survey to collect information about 350 workers in manufacturing companies in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Structural equation modelling was applied in the analysis of the empirical data of the study. The findings revealed that the pro-environmental behavior is positively influenced by green HRM practices ( = 0.55, p = < 0.001). There is a strong effect of pro-environmental behavior on the environmental sustainability of corporations (= 0.48, = 0.001). The effect of green HRM practices on corporate environmental sustainability (indirect effect = 0.26, p < 0.001) is partially mediated by pro-environmental behavior. Green psychological climate also plays a great role in moderating the effect of green HRM practices on pro-environmental behavior ( = 0.28, p < 0.001). The study can be used to contribute to the body of environmental management literature by fostering the green behavior of employees in the situation of an emerging economy
Green Human Resource Management, Pro-Environmental Behavior, Corporate Environmental Sustainability
Copyright (c) 2025 Saad Saif , Waqas Ahmad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Foundations of Green Consumption: How Environmental Awareness and Green Marketing Foster Trust and Environmental Concern
This research investigates the relationship of environmental awareness (ENAW) and green marketing (GM) as determinants of green consumption behavior (GCB) through the mediating roles of customer trust (CT) and environmental concern (ENVC). Although sustainability is increasing in relevance, limited empirical evidence has documented how these factors collectively influence consumers' behavior in developing economies. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Signaling Theory, survey data collected from 300 Pakistani consumers and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that ENAW and GM have significant positive influences on CT and ENVC, which are positive predictors of GCB. Specifically, ENVC was found the strongest predictor of pro-environmental behavior. CT also decreased skepticism and increased confidence in green marketing claims. Mediation analyses indicated that awareness and marketing indirectly influence GCB through trust and concern. This study provides insights into the psychological mechanisms that influence sustainable consumption, as well as useful knowledge for policymakers and practitioners to develop credible and emotionally engaging approaches that foster green behaviors in developing markets.
Environmental Awareness, Green Marketing, Customer Trust, Environmental Concern, Green Consumption Behavior
Copyright (c) 2025 Saad Saif, Kiran Bano https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital Green Advertising and Green Purchase Intention: Considering Attitude toward the Ad as a mechanism and Moderating Role of Environmental Concern
This study examines how digital green advertising, attitude toward advertisements, environmental concern, and advertising appeal types influence consumers’ green purchase intention in Pakistan. It contributes to digital green marketing literature by focusing on an emerging-market context. Data were collected through an online survey of 450 respondents from Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. The proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and PROCESS macro analysis. Digital green advertising positively influenced attitude toward the advertisement (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), while attitude toward the advertisement significantly enhanced green purchase intention (β = 0.51, p < 0.001). Attitude toward the advertisement partially mediated the relationship between digital green advertising and green purchase intention (indirect effect = 0.21, p < 0.01). Environmental concern also moderated the attitude–intention relationship (interaction β = 0.38, p < 0.001), with the effect being stronger among consumers with high environmental concern (β = 0.68) than those with low environmental concern (β = 0.34). Among the advertising appeal types, emotional appeals had the strongest effect on consumer attitude (β = 0.48, p < 0.001), followed by normative appeals (β = 0.35, p < 0.05) and informational appeals (β = 0.31, p < 0.05). The model explained 42% of the variance in green purchase intention. The findings show that digital green advertising can strengthen green purchase intention by shaping favorable attitudes toward advertisements, particularly among environmentally concerned consumers. The study also highlights the importance of emotional appeals in green advertising campaigns. By examining these relationships in Pakistan, this research extends green marketing knowledge in the context of a developing South Asian economy.
Digital Green Advertising; Attitude toward the Advertisement; Environmental Concern
Copyright (c) 2026 Saad Saif, Sadaf Amjab, Kiran Bano https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Psychological Ownership, Sustainable Work Environment, and Green HR Practices on Employee Engagement: Mediating Role of Organizational Commitment
In recent years, organizations in Pakistan have increasingly emphasized sustainability practices; however, effectively engaging employees remains a persistent challenge. In particular, insufficient attention to employees’ psychological attachment to the organization often limits the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the impact of psychological ownership, sustainable work environment, and green HR practices on employee engagement, with the mediating role of organizational commitment. This study adopts a quantitative research design, collecting data through structured questionnaires from employees working across various sectors in Pakistan. Established measurement scales were employed, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that psychological ownership, sustainable work environment, and green HR practices all have a significant positive effect on employee engagement. Furthermore, organizational commitment partially mediates these relationships, indicating that employees who feel a stronger sense of ownership and experience supportive sustainability practices are more likely to develop emotional attachment, which in turn enhances their engagementIn recent years, organizations in Pakistan have increasingly emphasized sustainability practices; however, effectively engaging employees remains a persistent challenge. In particular, insufficient attention to employees’ psychological attachment to the organization often limits the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the impact of psychological ownership, sustainable work environment, and green HR practices on employee engagement, with the mediating role of organizational commitment. This study adopts a quantitative research design, collecting data through structured questionnaires from employees working across various sectors in Pakistan. Established measurement scales were employed, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that psychological ownership, sustainable work environment, and green HR practices all have a significant positive effect on employee engagement. Furthermore, organizational commitment partially mediates these relationships, indicating that employees who feel a stronger sense of ownership and experience supportive sustainability practices are more likely to develop emotional attachment, which in turn enhances their engagement.
Psychological Ownership, Sustainable Work Environment, Green HR Practices Employee Engagement, Organizational Commitment
Copyright (c) 2025 Hajra Khan, Arroj Imtiaz , Riaz Hussain Shah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Relationships Among Digital Leadership, Crisis Management and Competitive Performance: Mediating Role of Career Development
This research study aimed to examine the intricate associations between digital leadership, crisis management, and competitiveness in higher education institutions by specifically looking at the mediating variables of career development. With the digital revolution occurring at the fast pace, and frequent upheavals in the higher education institutions, digitally competent leadership is becoming essential in universities as they find ways of weathering the storm whilst maintaining competitive edge. Thus, using leadership theory, crisis management literature, and literature on the digital transformation, the research hypothesizes that digital leadership improves the crisis management outcomes of institutions, as it leads to agile decision-making, technological flexibility, and innovative oriented cultures that also lead to competitive performance. Moreover, study claims that career development prospects and digital interaction are key psychological and behavioral processes where the digital leadership is to be transformed into actual crisis response and long-term performance outcomes that are aimed to be examined in the current study. The quantitative research design was applied, with data on surveys done on teacher in higher education institutions. To test proposed relationships and mediation effects, the statistical tools were used to chase hypothesized relationships.
Digital Leadership, Crisis Management, Competitive Performance, Career Development, Mediation & Higher Education
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Mujeeb Khan, Irfan Ullah Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
From Surveillance to Supervision: Supervisory Technology and Government Policies Framework: A Systematic Review of the Literature
An interpretative systematic literature review was conducted which aimed to ascertain how conventional regulatory instruments, such as reporting and databases, have evolved in their approaches to technology (particularly supervisory technology or “SupTech”) via the introduction of Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and Big Data analytics, hence transforming how regulators create and retain information with respect to regulated entities. The literature review indicated how SupTech enables sectoral regulators to move from the usage of data as a passive source for the collection of information, to actively governing entities with real-time decision-making; using data for automated, authoritative processes. The systematic literature review was conducted under the auspices of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), with a thorough investigation of peer-reviewed articles, white papers and conference papers from 2000 – 2025 across major scholarly databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore and Google Scholar. In light of the foundational articles, this study provides an understanding of SupTech under the umbrella of important theoretical frameworks related to Sup Tech, which include, inter-alia: Algorithmic Governance and Digital Governmentality.. The conclusion reached is that the required governance needs to balance the new technological innovations with ethical accountability and institutional capability
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Hasnain Ali, Huma Ali , Ahmad Tisman Pasha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
English as Linguistic Capital: A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Language Preference among Pakistani Youth
The present research explores the socio-cultural rationale behind Pakistani youths’ preference of English over their mother tongue in both personal and professional communication. This phenomenon is placed in perspective of the context of globalization and the proliferation of English based on how the global stance of English overlays on the local language practices. The current study is an attempt to investigate the correlation between the language preferences and socio-cultural factors through a quantitative approach. Structured questionnaires are used to collect the data that are examined using SPSS. It is determined that dreams about socio economic mobility, interconnected world, and cultural perceptions influence the preference of the English language with the consequences on the language policy and cultural identity. Empirical evidence of the findings gives solid theoretical arguments that make language a capital and a product of power relations. It also points to the increasing influence of globalization and digital media in transforming linguistic practices within the multilingual societies. These results align with the existing literature on globalization and language use, while also providing context specific insights into the Pakistani sociolinguistic landscape.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Zain ul Islam, Behzad Anwar , Tabassum Iqbal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Digital Innovation and E-Governance on Sustainable Entrepreneurship: The Role of Business Sophistication in Belt and Road Initiative Countries
This study examines the role of digital innovation and e-governance on sustainable entrepreneurship, with the moderating effect of business sophistication. This research comprises strongly balanced panel data of 73 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participating nations from 2011 to 2022. Baseline analysis results suggest the long-term panel analysis such as two-step system GMM is best in this case. Moreover, number of groups are greater than time. While the results robustness is conducted through alternate variables as well with Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR), Dynamic Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (POLS), and Static POLS regression alternate methods. The results of the direct channels show that digital innovation connectivity and e-governance statistically have a significant and positive effect on sustainable entrepreneurship. However, the interaction between business sophistication, digital innovation, and e-governance shows mixed effects, which drive BRI-participating nations to focus more on business-enabling innovative technologies and better governance-driven technology innovation systems to boost sustainable entrepreneurship. Furthermore, globalization and policy shocks, such as China’s digital economy in 2015 and the BRI in 2013, have enhanced sustainable entrepreneurship. In addition, the consumer price index indicates that the inflation rate has a mixed negative effect on sustainable entrepreneurship
Copyright (c) 2026 Shabana Nawaz , Ahmad Tisman Pasha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Impact of Despotic Leadership on Emotional Exhaustion: Mediating Role of Dehumanization and Moderating Role of Organizational Justice
Among the most significant variables are leadership which has been the subject of various scholars over the past several years. Since its beginning, leadership has been viewed through the perspective of emphasizing the good influence of the leaders on the subordinates without paying much attention to the dark side of leadership. In light of this gap, the current study aims to investigate the connection between emotional weariness and autocratic leadership while moderating organizational justice and mediating dehumanization. The sales force survey of the banking sector was used to gather the data for this study, and 820 valid replies were examined. This relationship is somewhat mediated by the discovery that autocratic leadership positively affects emotional weariness and dehumanization. Additionally, organizational justice mitigates the dehumanizing impacts of autocratic leadership. The investigation of dehumanization as a mediator between dictatorial leadership and emotional weariness is novel. The study also looks at the moderating impact of organizational justice on the connections between dehumanization and autocratic leadership. The study also looks at the moderating impact of organizational justice on the connections between dehumanization and autocratic leadership, and there is no scholarly literature on these connections.
Organizational justice, Dehumanization; Despotic leadership, Emotional exhaustion
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Salman, Mula Nazar Khan , Muhammad Wasim https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Abusive Supervision on Knowledge Sabotage and Employee Creativity: A Mediation Perspective
This study investigates the impact of abusive supervision on knowledge sabotage and employee creativity, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of key organizational and psychological factors within the pharmaceutical sector. It explores how negative leadership behaviors influence employees’ knowledge-related actions and creative performance, and how supportive organizational mechanisms help explain these relationships. Specifically, the study highlights the roles of Adaptive Business Strategy (ABS) and Psychological Safety (PS) as mediating mechanisms linking supervisory behavior to employee outcomes. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, using structured questionnaires complemented by interviews and focus group discussions. Data were collected from 275 employees and managers in pharmaceutical organizations through purposive sampling. Standardized measurement scales on a five-point Likert scale were used, and reliability was confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.794). Ethical considerations, including confidentiality and voluntary participation, were strictly maintained. The findings indicate that abusive supervision is associated with higher levels of knowledge sabotage and reduced employee creativity. The results emphasize that the impact of abusive supervision on employee behavior is not purely direct but operates through organizational and psychological pathways.
Abusive Supervision, Knowledge, Employee Creativity
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Shahzad, Ahmad Tisman Pasha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Leadership as Predictors of Employee Innovative Behavior: The Mediating Roles of Psychological Safety and Learning Orientation
The integration of psychological capabilities and effective leadership practices plays an important role in shaping employee behavior in contemporary organizations. This study examined the impact of emotional intelligence and ethical leadership on employee innovative behavior. Emotional intelligence reflects an individual’s psychological ability to understand and regulate emotions, whereas ethical leadership represents managerial practices characterized by fairness, integrity, and transparency. The study also investigated the mediating roles of psychological safety and learning orientation in explaining the relationships among these variables. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from employees working in service-sector organizations. Established measurement scales were used to assess the study variables, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. The results indicated that emotional intelligence and ethical leadership had significant positive effects on employee innovative behavior. Furthermore, psychological safety and learning orientation significantly mediated the relationships between the independent variables and innovative behavior. The findings suggest that psychological competencies and ethical leadership practices together create a supportive organizational environment that encourages employees to share ideas, learn continuously, and engage in innovative activities within the workplace.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hamid Bilal , Ayesha Kashif https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
From Steel to Symbol: Cultural Re-Authoring and Visual Hierarchy of Pakistani Truck Art
Pakistani truck art has been described as one of the most complex and socially integrated types of vernacular visual culture in modern South Asia. The practice started in carriage transport communities and not in institutional art spaces, and alters standardized industrial vehicles into highly ornamented, mobile cultural spaces. Working together in the workshop production of painting, calligraphy, mirror inlay, carved wood, embossed metal, illumination, poetic inscription, and devotional imagery trucks are re-written out of the utilitarian machines into stratified symbolic infrastructures. Based on the material culture theory, the paper discusses truck art as a vibrant socio-visual system between 1990 and 2023 affected by regional craft traditions, religious symbols and vernacular aesthetics. According to the multi-sited ethnographic research, the visual hierarchy analysis, the motifs categorization, and the regional comparison have been included into the present study. The research reveals the manner in which decorated trucks act as concurrent devotional technologies, work spaces, autobiography surfaces, and mobile artworks. Their visual hierarchy is structured to create sacred, narrative and communicative spaces so that they can be legible in motion and turn highways into a space of symbolic exchange. Finally, the adorned trucks also show how mobility is made culturally productive, steel is turned into symbolic, labour is turned into aesthetic expression, and infrastructure makes meaning in motion.
Truck-Art, Material Culture, Socio-visual Systems
Copyright (c) 2024 Syeda Sana Munir Kazmi, Ghani-ur-Rahman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
An Ethical Examination of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is one of the most influential inventions throughout the history of mankind. It has changed nature and dynamics of modern societies in significant ways and effects decision making processes and human to human interaction. However, it has also raised many ethical questions in which one of the most important is that who is responsible for the action taken by AI if they harm someone or particular group. This article undertakes an ethical inquiry into artificial intelligence in regard its philosophical, social, and economical aspects. This article focuses on the main questions what is the status of AI in humanistic society? Is it just an instrumental tool or an entity holding moral responsibility, also the question which is most discussed in contemporary discussion if AI can achieve consciousness or not. Artificial Intelligence is a total novel phenomenon to the human kind and the existing theories of the ethics whether they are traditional or modern and lack the full framework which can govern this new aspect of humanistic society. This study is nothing but an approach toward making an ethical framework which can address the concerning question about AI and its role in society. Unlike an objective evaluation based solely on technical assessments, this paper considers AI in view of moral philosophy, pointing to the limitations of value-neutral development. The article asserts that the importance of considering ethics cannot be overlooked in the appropriate growth of Artificial Intelligence. It concludes that, although Artificial Intelligence can improve human qualities, it has to remain ethically restricted by human-centric moral standards to avoid the loss of accountability and erosion of ethical standards. The article’s ethics analysis essentially implies that there should be a philosophical consideration of Artificial Intelligence in order for growth to remain in line with moral accountability.
Artificial Intelligence, Moral responsibility, Moral Imperative, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, Human dignity, Accountability, Utilitarianism, Machine learning, Ethical Inquiry, Meta Ethics
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar Janjua, Muhammad Jawwad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ecopreneurship Developments and Their Impact on Export Performance: A Systematic Review of Manufacturing SMEs
The findings of this paper are based on a PRISMA- guided systematic review of the literature on ecopreneurship and export performance in manufacturing SMEs. Analyzing the accumulated research under the CREATE program published from 2020 to 2023, this review extract’s themes that suggest how sustainable business practices enhance exports and competitive- ness. The initial documentation search yielded 1,150 articles and 45 articles for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis according to the PRISMA selection criteria. The findings also indicate that ecopreneurship assists SMEs in gaining international markets, supporting them in meeting high standards of legal require- ments on environmental standards, differentiating their products, and increasing return on revenue. Moreover, solutions devised as part of innovation that embeds sustainability are another consideration that supports the creation of new market spaces. Nevertheless, there were some evident limitations reported by the interviewees as influencing the UK ecopreneurial activities; they include financial constraints and inadequate technical know-how. This review therefore calls for more research on how ecopreneur- ship influences the world’s competitiveness and manufacturers’ sustainability in the long run.
Ecopreneurship Developments, Export Performance, PRISMA
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Kamran, Muhammad Shaukat Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
University Teachers’ Awareness of Gamification and Their Attitude towards Gamification-Based Pedagogy
Gamification is an innovative instructional approach that integrates game elements into teaching to enhance learner motivation, engagement, and active participation. Guided by Constructivist Learning Theory, gamification emphasizes active involvement, interaction, and problem-solving, enabling learners to construct knowledge rather than passively receive information. Teachers’ awareness and attitudes toward gamification play a critical role in its successful implementation in higher education settings. This study employed a quantitative research design using adapted questionnaires derived from validated instruments. Data were collected from university teachers selected through multistage random sampling from public sector universities. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis, were conducted using SPSS. The findings indicated that teachers demonstrated moderate to high awareness of gamification and held generally positive attitudes toward its pedagogical use. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between awareness and attitudes, suggesting that higher awareness is associated with more favorable perceptions. Regression results confirmed that awareness significantly predicts attitudes toward gamified pedagogy. No significant differences were observed based on gender or academic designation, though variations emerged across experience levels.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anam Hameed, Nargis Abbas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mediating Role of Green Leadership in Linking Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Performance
This study examines the mediating role of green leadership in the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable performance within the banking sector of Pakistan. CSR is increasingly recognized as a strategic tool for achieving sustainability; however, limited empirical research explains the mechanism through which CSR initiatives translate into improved sustainable performance, particularly in emerging economies. Drawing on stakeholder and resource-based perspectives, this study proposes that green leadership acts as a critical mechanism linking CSR practices to sustainability outcomes. A quantitative research design was employed using survey data collected from 339 employees selected from a population of 2,244 banking professionals working in conventional, commercial, and Islamic banks across Pakistan. A convenient simple random sampling technique was adopted. Data were analyzed using Smart BLS-SEM to assess measurement reliability, validity, and the structural relationships among variables. The findings reveal that CSR significantly influences sustainable performance and positively predicts green leadership. Moreover, green leadership significantly enhances sustainable performance and partially mediates the CSR–sustainable performance relationship. The results suggest that environmentally responsible leadership strengthens the effectiveness of CSR initiatives in achieving economic, social, and environmental performance. The study contributes to sustainability and leadership literature and provides practical insights for banking managers and policymakers in Pakistan.
Green Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Performance
Copyright (c) 2025 Erum Gul, Irfan Ullah Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Determinants of Supply Chain Financial Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Finance Adoption
This study aims to examine the factors influencing financial sustainability in supply chains and to analyze the mediating role of supply chain finance adoption in this relationship. A quantitative research design was employed using survey data collected from manufacturing and logistics firms. Established measurement scales were used, and the proposed mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that supplier trust, information sharing, and credit accessibility significantly influence supply chain financial sustainability. Supply chain finance adoption was found to mediate these relationships by improving liquidity, reducing financial risk, and strengthening financial integration across supply chain partners. The study contributes to supply chain and financial management literature by validating supply chain finance adoption as a key mediating mechanism linking relational and financial drivers to sustainability outcomes. The findings provide valuable insights for managers and policymakers to enhance financial resilience and sustainability through effective implementation of supply chain finance solutions. This study offers empirical evidence on the mediating role of supply chain finance adoption in achieving financial sustainability within interconnected supply chain networks.
Supply Chain Financial Sustainability, Supply Chain Finance Adoption
Copyright (c) 2026 Javeria Islam, Muhammad Ali Mufti, Naveed Mushtaq https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Entrepreneurial Capabilities and Startup Performance: The Mediating Role of Business Model Innovation
This study aims to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial capabilities and startup performance, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of business model innovation. The study adopts a quantitative research approach using survey data collected from startup founders and early-stage entrepreneurs. Measurement scales were validated and the mediation model proposed was tested in structural equation modeling. The findings show that entrepreneurial orientation, innovation capability, and risk-taking propensity have a significant impact on startup performance by business model innovation. The mediating effect emphasizes the role of new business models in converting entrepreneurial capabilities into performance outcomes. The research is valuable to the entrepreneurship literature because it empirically confirms the process where entrepreneurial capabilities influence startup success through business model innovation. The results offer meaningful suggestions to entrepreneurs and startup support institutions to consider business model innovation as a way of achieving sustainable performance. The paper describes a full mediation model that demonstrates how entrepreneurial capabilities are used to achieve startup performance in dynamic and competitive contexts.
Entrepreneurial Capabilities, Startup Performance, Business Model Innovation
Copyright (c) 2025 Naveed Mushtaq, Muhammad Ali Mufti , Salma Mukhtar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Organizational Capabilities and Sustainable Project Performance in the Construction Industry: The Mediating Role of Digital Project Management Adoption
This study aims to examine the factors influencing sustainable project performance in the construction industry and to investigate the mediating role of digital project management adoption in this relationship. A quantitative research design was employed using survey data collected from project managers and professionals working in construction firms. Validated measurement scales were used to assess the constructs, and the proposed mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results reveal that leadership commitment, resource capability, and stakeholder collaboration significantly influence sustainable project performance. Digital project management adoption was found to mediate these relationships by improving coordination, transparency, and monitoring of sustainability-related project outcomes. The study contributes to construction management and sustainability literature by empirically validating digital project management adoption as a mediating mechanism linking organizational capabilities to sustainable project performance. The findings offer practical insights for construction firms and project managers to leverage digital project management tools in order to enhance sustainability performance across project life cycles. This study presents an integrated mediation framework that explains how organizational capabilities translate into sustainable project performance through digital project management adoption in the construction industry.
Organizational Capabilities, Sustainable Project Performance, Digital Project Management Adoption
Copyright (c) 2025 Nimra Zafar, Sheza Mukhtar , Aamir Shahzad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0