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.
The Emotional Labour and Mental Health among Nurses Working with Chronic Disease Patients
The mental issues that have been identified to be of great concern to the nurses include occupational stress and depression, especially in the nurses working with long-term patients that have chronic diseases with prolonged emotional, physical, and psychological strains. This paper was intended to measure the occupational stress, stress related to sleep, coping strategies, organizational support, and depression and to determine the correlation between these variables. The quantitative cross-sectional design was used, and 210 nurses in chronic care units were included in the study sample through a structured self-administered questionnaire. The data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS. The findings obtained showed that there were significant positive relationships between sleep-related stress and depression (r =.469, p <.01) and occupational stress and depression (r =.266, p <.01), which implies that the higher is the level of stress the higher depressive symptoms. The results have shown that work and sleep stress are the key determinants of depression among nurses who deal with patients with chronic diseases. The research describes that organizational interventions, better work conditions, and mental health support programs are needed to decrease stress and improve the psychological well-being of the nurses who would deal with patients better.
Occupational Stress, Sleep-Related Stress, Depression, Nurses
Copyright (c) 2025 Iqra Naseem, Faheem Gulzar, Zarqa Azhar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Social Skills on Resilience and Self-Efficacy among Young Orphans
Access to safe and reliable water is generally considered to be a This paper examines the influence of social skills on resilience and self-efficacy of young orphans. Not being under parental control, psychological problems are more widespread among teenagers. The methodology of the present study was correlational as it was aimed at studying whether social skills could act as a protective resource that improves resilience and self-efficacy. The participants were selected (N = 78) conveniently at SOS Village in Rawalpindi, and were aged 15-19. Three instruments were used, which were validated, including the Social Skills Questionnaire (Spence, 2003), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer and Jerusalem, 1995), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (Liebenberg et al., 2012). The SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that social skills were positively correlated with self-efficacy (r =.608, p <.01) and resilience (r =.518, p <.01). Regression analysis revealed social skills as one of the significant predictors of resilience and self-efficacy. These findings suggest that enhancing social abilities of orphans might be an effective intervention method to enhance their psychological comfort. Implications on the future policy and intervention are investigated.
Social Skills, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, Orphans, Adolescence
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Saqib Shabir, Farhana Kazmi , Noreeta Suleman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Gender and Education: Exploring the Differences in Learning Experiences and Academic Achievements Among Universities of Punjab's Students
The gender differences in relation to learning process and female academic performance in the Universities of Punjab province, Pakistan using a narrative inquiry methodology. While quantitative research describes the statistical gender disparities in higher education, it fails to examine the actual experience of students in the realities of sociocultural factors, economic factors, and institutional environments. The study, utilizing deep and semi-structured interviews with both male and female undergraduate and postgraduate students in both public and private universities, examines how gender influences academic responsibility, classroom involvement, motivation, self-belief, and how the construction of academic success is done between men and women. Results indicate that female students tend to focus on future expectations, fortitude, and perseverance, while male students focus on social and economic duties, confidence, and physical successes. There are also different experiences of classroom engagement, learning strategies, and psychosocial well-being that are also gendered. The research highlights the relational and context-dependent nature of gender by placing the narratives of students in advance, instead of singling them out as a fixed category. The research paper is added to the literature on gendered academic experiences in the Global South and provides implications for inclusive, context-sensitive policies and pedagogies in higher education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Tahir, Komal Sawera, Shazib Iqbal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Organizational Learning and Service Innovation Performance in Hospitality Management: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Integration
This study examines how organizational learning practices influence service innovation performance within hospitality management organizations. Drawing on organizational learning theory and the knowledge-based view of the firm, the study proposes a model in which continuous learning systems, cross-departmental collaboration, and knowledge-sharing routines enhance service innovation performance through the mediating mechanism of knowledge integration. Data were collected from managers and supervisory-level employees working in hospitality organizations using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings demonstrate that all three organizational learning practices exert significant positive effects on knowledge integration, which in turn significantly improves service innovation performance. Furthermore, knowledge integration partially mediates the relationship between organizational learning practices and service innovation outcomes, confirming its central role in translating learning processes into innovation capabilities. Practically, the results highlight the importance of fostering integrated learning environments and cross-functional knowledge flows to strengthen innovation performance in service-intensive hospitality setting.
Organizational Learning, Service Innovation Performance
Copyright (c) 2025 Hajira Tahir, Fatima Mushtaq, Abdul Haye Lucman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Green Human Resource Management and Organizational Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Employee Pro-Environmental Behavior in Manufacturing Firms of Pakistan
This study examines the relationship between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices and organizational sustainability in manufacturing firms in Pakistan, with employee pro-environmental behavior serving as a mediating mechanism. The study focuses on green recruitment and selection, green training and development, and green performance appraisal as key GHRM practices influencing sustainability outcomes. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, the study posits that environmentally oriented HR practices build valuable human capital that encourages pro-environmental behavior among employees, thereby enhancing organizational sustainability. Data were collected from 280 HR professionals and line managers using a structured questionnaire, and the proposed relationships were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that GHRM practices significantly and positively influence employee pro-environmental behavior, which in turn has a significant positive effect on organizational sustainability. The study contributes to the sustainability and human resource management literature by clarifying the behavioral pathway through which GHRM practices promote sustainable outcomes in a developing-country context.
Human Resource Management, Organizational Sustainability
Copyright (c) 2025 Hafiz Saad Khan, Seerat Fatima , Muhammad Mubushar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Urban Water Access, Social Inequality, and Public Health Outcomes in Formal Settlements of Sargodha City
Access to safe and reliable water is generally considered to be a social determinant of health, especially in the fast-urbanizing cities of developing countries. In Pakistan, the access to water in even formally planned urban settlements is still unequal, and the water quality is low, as well as the governance arrangements, which has led to poor health outcomes on the population. This paper will examine the connection among urban water, social inequality and public health in the formal settlements of Sargodha City. Quantitative research design was used and primary data were gathered on the basis of a household survey conducted among 155 respondents, who were chosen with the help of stratified random sampling in five formal urban localities. Statistic and inference analysis were done in Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show that the use of Canned water and other water resources is high, people are dissatisfied with the quality of water, and the level of water-borne diseases in households is also significant. The findings indicate that social inequality, lack of policy awareness and infrastructural gaps are the combined factors that increase health susceptibility in cities. The research also identifies the necessity to discuss the sociological and structural problem of urban water access as not a purely technical problem, but the significance of community involvement, equal distribution of resources, and health-oriented urban water management.
Urban Water Access, Social Inequality, Public Health, Sociology of Health
Copyright (c) 2024 Hanzala, Ume Farwa , Zarqa Azhar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Social Media Exposure on Vaccine Trust and Vaccine Utilization During Public Health Emergencies
The study seeks to investigate how exposure to social media affects vaccine trust and its resultant vaccination Utilization in times of pandemic during a public health emergency with a case study in District Sargodha, Pakistan. The quantitative, cross-sectional design was used to gather the data on 300 responders in the tehsils of Bhera, Bhalwal, and Silanwali through the use of a structured questionnaire. The proposed relationships were tested using statistical analysis, which was conducted with the help of SPSS and comprised descriptive statistics, reliability test, and Pearson correlation. The results indicate that there is a high yet statistically significant positive correlation between the exposure to social media and the vaccination trust (r =.717, p <.01) meaning that greater exposure to vaccine-related information on online platforms has a significant influence on the development of trust in the efficacy and safety of vaccines. Moreover, the vaccination trust had a strong positive correlation with the actual vaccination utilization (r =.760, p <.01), which validated its status as a behavioral determinant that is critical. Social media exposure and vaccination uptake were also associated with a direct significant positive correlation (r = .675, p < .01). It closes by offering strategic advice that the health authorities proactively use these platforms to communicate transparently and evidence-based messages to support the trust of the people and increase their acceptance of vaccines during related emergencies.
Social Media Exposure, Vaccine Trust, Vaccine Utilization, Public Health Emergencies
Copyright (c) 2024 Darain Fatima, Khawar Hussain , Zarqa Azhar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Illness and Inequality: Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive Women and Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities in Muzaffargarh, South Punjab
This study explores the lived experiences of HIV-positive married women of Muzaffargarh in South Punjab, Pakistan. The focus of the current paper is on the social and economic conditions of the HIV-positive women of South Punjab. This qualitative study uses the phenomenological research design. This study takes the ontological position of interpretivism and epistemological position of social constructivism. The theoretical lens of stigma theory is used to analyze data. Six interviews were conducted with married HIV-positive women who were selected purposely from HIV treatment center in Muzaffargarh. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed social exclusion and economic marginalization of HIV-positive women of Muzaffargarh. The overarching themes from thematic analysis were economic dependency, social exclusion and gendered economic roles. The study showed how the structural arrangements in South Punjab amplify the consequences of living with HIV.
HIV/AIDS, HIV-positive, HIV-positive women, stigma theory, South Punjab, Muzaffargarh
Copyright (c) 2025 Noshaba Asghar, Ambreen Salahuddin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Globalization and Environmental Quality in Emerging Economies: A Panel Quantile Approach across ASEAN, BRICS, and Next-11
This study investigates the link between globalization and environmental quality in emerging economies, using panel data from 2011 to 2024. Theoretically, globalization can shape environmental outcomes through multiple channels. On one hand, increased trade, technology transfer, and cross-border cooperation can promote cleaner production and environmental standards. On the other hand, economic expansion and industrial integration may heighten environmental pressure through resource depletion and emissions. To explore these dynamics, the study employs Panel Quantile Regression (PQR) under a fixed effects framework for three groups of emerging economies: ASEAN, BRICS, and Next-11. Environmental quality, measured by indicators such as lead exposure, outdoor air pollution, particulate matter, and waste recovery, is regressed on overall globalization, as captured by the KOF index. The results reveal a U-shaped relationship across all groups, suggesting that globalization initially improves environmental quality but later deteriorates it after reaching a certain level. However, when interacting globalization with renewable energy consumption, the moderating effect differs across groups. Institutions and technological innovations are included as control variables to account for governance and innovation dynamics. These findings highlight that the environmental outcomes of globalization depend on the stage of integration and the capacity to manage energy transitions effectively.
Globalization, Environmental Quality, Renewable Energy, Emerging Economies
Copyright (c) 2025 Sidra Liaqat, A. R Chaudhary , Nawaz Ahmad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Green Human Resource Management Practices as Drivers of Organizational Sustainability: Evidence from Pakistan’s Manufacturing Industry
The present study examines the influence of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on organizational sustainability within manufacturing firms in Pakistan. Specifically, the research focuses on three core dimensions of GHRM green recruitment and selection, green training and development, and green performance appraisal as independent variables, while organizational sustainability serves as the dependent variable. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, this study proposes that adopting environmentally oriented HR practices enhances firms’ sustainable performance by promoting pro-environmental behavior among employees. Data were collected from 280 HR professionals and line managers through a structured questionnaire, and the hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that all three GHRM practices significantly and positively influence organizational sustainability, with green training showing the strongest effect. The study contributes to the growing literature on sustainable management by highlighting how HR practices can drive ecological and social responsibility in developing economies. Practical implications suggest that managers should integrate environmental objectives into HR policies to strengthen long-term sustainability outcomes.
Green Training, Organizational Sustainability, Green Performance
Copyright (c) 2025 Jawairia Mehrin Nasir, Tehmina Akhtar , Huma Ali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Domestic Fundamentalism, Strategic Traps and Indian Offensive Strategic Behavior: A Neo-Classical Analysis
The paper examines the relationship between two variables to understand contemporary offensive posture in India's strategic behavior at the regional and international levels. First, Hindutva fundamentalism, as a domestic variable, and the structural dictation named strategic traps. The analysis uses a neo-classical realist approach to understand the emerging offensive character of Indian strategic behavior at the regional and international levels. The design uses the explanatory method and deductive reasoning for analysis. Hindutva ideology increasingly shapes India's domestic political landscape, resulting in a new orientation in its governance structure. It also led to offensive approaches in India's foreign policy and security decision-making. The strategic consequences of this fundamentalist governance heighten the risks of miscalculation at the regional and global level. The strategic traps are also dictating India's offensive behavior, as major powers did not endorse India's bid to join the NSG. As a result, India is adopting a reactive, fundamentalist approach in its strategic moves.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shahid Hameed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Cross Border Migration and Social Transformations: A Qualitative Study of Pakistan-China Migration Dynamics
This study explores the experiences, motivations, and social implications of migration between Pakistan and China. It aims to understand how cross-border migration shapes livelihoods, cultural interactions, and community networks from the perspectives of migrants and local stakeholders. A quantitative research design was employed. Data were analyzed using Smart PLS SEM. The study reveals that migration between Pakistan and China is driven by a combination of economic opportunities, educational aspirations, and infrastructural development projects. Migrants navigate complex social, cultural, and bureaucratic challenges, while contributing to knowledge exchange, economic growth, and cross-cultural interactions. Gender roles, family networks, and community support emerged as critical factors shaping the migration experience. Insights from this study can inform policymakers, social planners, and development agencies in designing interventions that support migrants, foster cross-cultural understanding, and ensure equitable socio-economic benefits. The study provides an in-depth quantitative account of Pakistan-China migration, highlighting human experiences, social dynamics, and policy-relevant implications that are often overlooked in quantitative analyses.
Pakistan-China migration; Cross-border mobility; Qualitative research; Social transformation; Community networks
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Amir Sohail, Muhammad Temoor Roaf , Muhammad Hassan Babar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Influence of Gender Equality, Access to Environmental Resources, and Climate Change Awareness on Community Climate Resilience: A PLS-SEM Approach
Climate change impacts communities unevenly, with gender inequalities and unequal access to resources shaping adaptive capacities. This study investigates the structural relationships between gender equality, access to environmental resources, climate change awareness, and community climate resilience. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with participants from climate-vulnerable communities. Constructs were measured using validated scales. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess both the measurement and structural models. The measurement model was evaluated for reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural model examined the significance and strength of the relationships, the explanatory power of the model, and predictive relevance. The analysis revealed that gender equality in decision-making, climate change awareness, and access to environmental resources all significantly influence community climate resilience. The results confirm that these factors collectively contribute to enhancing the adaptive capacity of communities facing climate-related challenges. Policies promoting gender-inclusive decision-making, equitable resource access, and climate change education can strengthen community climate resilience. It provides empirical evidence for integrating gender-sensitive approaches into climate policy and environmental planning.
Gender equality; Climate change awareness; Environmental resources; Community resilience; PLS-SEM
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Amir Sohail, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem , Altaf Ghani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Emotion Regulation as Moderator between Body Image and Body Shaming Among Post Mastectomy Breast Cancer Women
Current research aimed to examine the relationship between body image, Body shaming and emotion regulation among post mastectomy breast cancer women. Additionally, study determine the moderating role of Emotion regulation between body image and body shaming. Participants (N=304) mastected women were approached by using purposive sampling. The data was collected from the Shifa International Hospital, (NORI) and (PIMS) of Islamabad’s hospitals. Lahore's Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Bahawalpur's BINU and (MINAR) from Multan with prior permission from hospital administration. The Body-Focused Shame and Guilt Scale, the Body Image Self-Rating Questionnaire were used to collect data for this study including Emotion Regulation Questionnaire along with demographic sheet and informed consent. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Emotion regulation significantly predicted body shaming whereas body image as key variable. The findings of current study emphasize the value of including psychological support, such as emotion regulation strategies, into post-mastectomy care. This Study will be helpful in understanding the mechanisms that protect women from the adverse effects of body image disturbance and body shaming and also suggests health professionals, counselors, and psycho-oncology practitioners to guide patients in developing emotion regulation skills.
Body Image, Body Shaming, Emotion Regulation, Breast Cancer, Mastectomy
Copyright (c) 2025 Aqsa Sajjad , Syeda Farhana Kazmi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Islamic Ethical Principles, Green Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Resource Stewardship as Drivers of Sustainable Business Performance: The Mediating Role of Environmental Innovation
This study investigates how Islamic ethical principles, green entrepreneurial orientation, and resource stewardship influence sustainable business performance, with environmental innovation acting as a mediating mechanism. Drawing on Qur’anic concepts of balance (mīzān), responsibility (amanah), and avoidance of waste (israf), the study develops a sustainability-driven behavioral model for firms. A quantitative design was adopted, and data were collected from small and medium enterprises engaged in environmentally conscious business activities. Results show that all three independent variables significantly enhance sustainable performance, and environmental innovation partially mediates these relationships. The findings highlight how faith-based ethical commitments can strengthen sustainability-oriented business practices. The study contributes to integrating Islamic sustainability perspectives with contemporary management research. The study also offers practical insights for policymakers and SME managers by demonstrating how integrating Islamic ethical values into strategic decision-making can promote innovation-led sustainability. Furthermore, it extends the sustainability and entrepreneurship literature by providing an indigenous, values-based framework that bridges religious ethics with modern environmental management practices.
Islamic Ethical Principles, Green Entrepreneurial Orientation, Resource Stewardship
Copyright (c) 2025 Muddasar Iftikhar, Hina Saleem, Arooj Zeb https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Workplace Flexibility, Job Autonomy, and Career Development Opportunities as Predictors of Employee Engagement: The Mediating Role of Work–Life Balance
This study examines how workplace flexibility, job autonomy, and career development opportunities influence employee engagement, with work–life balance serving as the mediating variable. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among employees working in service-sector organizations. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed relationships. Findings are expected to demonstrate that all three independent variables significantly improve work–life balance, which in turn enhances employee engagement. The study contributes to human resource management literature by clarifying the indirect pathways through which supportive HR practices foster employee engagement. Practical implications highlight the importance of flexible scheduling, employee empowerment, and career advancement initiatives to strengthen engagement in modern workplaces. Additionally, the results are anticipated to offer evidence-based guidance for managers and policymakers in designing holistic HR strategies that align organizational performance goals with employee wellbeing. By empirically validating work–life balance as a key mechanism, the study also opens avenues for future research to explore sector-specific and longitudinal dynamics of employee engagement.
Workplace Flexibility, Job Autonomy, Career Development, Work–Life Balance
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Ashraf Ratta, Shoib Nisar , Hina Saleem https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Unemployment Stress, Societal Pressure, and Late Marriage Decisions: The Mediating Role of Psychological Wellbeing
The purpose of this study was to explore the connection between unemployment stress and postponed marriage among young adults in Pakistan with the aim of investigating how cultural and societal influences influence the decision to get married. The quantitative research design was used and a structured questionnaire was used to conduct the research with a sample of 200 respondents that were administered using Purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Regression was an analytical method that was used to test the offered hypothesis. Results showed that there was significant negative correlation between unemployment stress and not delayed marriage (= -0.380, p < 0.001), which implies that increased unemployment stress was linked to earlier not delayed marriage. These finding counters the traditional beliefs that unemployment prolongs the period of marriage. Alternatively, the results indicate that marriage can be used among collectivists like Pakistan where it could be an effective coping mechanism against stress where social, emotional, and financial aid is received despite unstable economic conditions. Finally, the research has added to the literature because it has shown that unemployment stress, as opposed to postponing marriage, can hasten the process of marriage among collectivist societies. The implications of these findings to policymakers, sociologists, and psychologists dealing with the family and youth development concerns in Pakistan are informative.
Copyright (c) 2025 Halema Sadia, Shazib Iqbal , Fareeha Ghafoor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pak-Saudi Defense Pact: Strategic Implications and Way Forward
In September 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan came into an agreement known as a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement that made a declaration that aggression against one country should be treated as aggression against another one. This deal indicates a possibility of the U.S.-centric security assurances being replaced by a more independent and regional security order in the South Asian region and the Gulf by the Saudis. The paper is a qualitative analysis of SMDA implications, which concentrates on the military cooperation, nuclear deterrence, balance of power in the region, and economic integration. The secondary sources used in this research are policy-oriented think-tank report, news media and academic research. This paper explains the way SMDA can re-align Saudi security calculus, extend the strategic significance of Pakistan, and create possibilities and threats. Pakistan has always been one of the most competent states regionally, which can call adversaries to account in respect of any form of misadventure against it. The Israeli mishap in Qatari territory attracts the interest of Saudi Arabia and forced the country to sign an agreement with Pakistan. In addition, it will implicitly expand nuclear deterrence of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, affecting domestic power structures. The agreement may enhance lucrative and defense-artificial partnership. Its success will be based on its successful perpetration and how it will affect stability in South Asia and the Middle East.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khurram Shahzad Siddiqui, Saqib Hussain , Mustansar Abbas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Project Leadership Competence and Knowledge Sharing as Predictors of Creative Work Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Team Collaboration in Pakistan’s IT Project Teams
This study investigates how project leadership competence and knowledge sharing enhance creative work behaviour among employees working in Pakistan’s information technology (IT) project teams. The study further examines the mediating role of team collaboration, aiming to identify how collaborative project environments translate leadership and knowledge dynamics into creativity. A quantitative survey method was used to gather data from IT project coordinators, team leads, software developers, and system analysts employed in software houses across Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. Using purposive sampling, 420 usable responses were collected. Smart-PLS 4.0 was employed to assess the measurement and structural models. The study utilized two independent variables (project leadership competence and knowledge sharing), team collaboration as a mediating variable, and creative work behaviour as the dependent variable. Team collaboration emerged as a strong partial mediator, indicating that leadership and knowledge initiatives become more impactful when supported by a collaborative project culture. The model demonstrated strong explanatory power and predictive accuracy, confirming its robustness within IT project settings in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hassan Wajid, Syed Intasar Hussain Kazmi , Mohsin Musaddiq Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Remapping Feminism in Egyptian World: Psychological and Existential Crisis of Female protagonist in Nawal El Saadawi’s Novel "Searching"
The psychoanalytical feminism explores the new dimensions that play vital role in defining feminine identity by challenging the traditional western epistemology. This lens renders a novel meaning to Saadawi’s fictional work that depicts an Arabic woman who is struggling psychologically to find a meaning in the world. The author has depicted a realistic picture that is fragmented and alienated self of her female protagonist in her psychological fiction. Her protagonist seems to project her individual identity that is not linear rather it is a product of complicated interaction with different members of society from both genders. The views of traditional psychoanalytic theories are challenged that is phallocentric. “Penis envy” is replaced by “womb envy” and identity configuration is driven by mother rather than father figure. This study is an attempt to analyze the individual voices of major and minor male and female characters from various range of societal background with their own ideological bearing. It also makes an effort to position these voices in dialogue with each other through which power dynamics are being challenged, exchange of ideas occurs, and marginalized members of society are being armored with the epistemological strategies to face structural inequalities. A dialogue occurs even between different discourses: tradition psychoanalysis that is male dominated and psychoanalytic feminism to deal with stereotypical gender configuration.
Identity, Psychoanalysis, Relational Identity, Dialogue, Womb Envy
Copyright (c) 2025 Iqra Tariq , Tanzeela Tariq https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Innovation Climate and Leadership Support as Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The Mediating Role of Circular Economy Practices in Pakistan’s FMCG Sector
This study examines how innovation climate and leadership support affect sustainable supply chain performance in Pakistan’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The research also investigates the mediating role of circular economy practices, aiming to understand how organizational innovation and leadership translate into eco-efficient supply chain outcomes. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was adopted. Data were collected from supply chain managers, logistics officers, and operations executives in leading FMCG firms across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Using stratified random sampling, 470 valid responses were analyzed. Smart-PLS 4.0 was applied to test the measurement and structural models. The study included two independent variables (innovation climate and leadership support), one mediating variable (circular economy practices), and one dependent variable (sustainable supply chain performance). Reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and model fit were carefully assessed. The results indicate that both innovation climate and leadership support significantly enhance sustainable supply chain performance. Circular economy practices partially mediated these relationships, showing that innovation and leadership efforts are most effective when implemented alongside practices such as recycling, material reduction, and resource reuse. The model demonstrated strong reliability, validity, and predictive relevance, confirming robustness in the FMCG context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Talha Nisar Ahmad, Nida Qamar , Arooj Zeb https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Green Human Resource Practices and Environmental Awareness as Drivers of Organizational Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Environmental Innovation in Pakistan’s Banking Sector
This study explores how green human resource practices (GHRP) and environmental awareness contribute to organizational sustainability in Pakistan’s banking sector. The research further examines the mediating role of environmental innovation, aiming to determine how workforce-focused green initiatives and awareness translate into sustainable outcomes through innovative environmental solutions. A quantitative, cross-sectional approach was adopted. Data were gathered from branch managers, operational officers, and CSR personnel working in major commercial banks across Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan. Using simple random sampling, 480 valid responses were collected. Smart-PLS 4.0 was used to test the measurement and structural models. The model incorporated two independent variables (green HR practices and environmental awareness), one mediating variable (environmental innovation), and one dependent variable (organizational sustainability). Environmental innovation acted as a strong partial mediator, showing that banks with effective green practices and environmentally aware employees are more likely to develop innovative eco-friendly products, processes, and policies ultimately strengthening sustainability performance. The model demonstrated high reliability and substantial predictive capability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Talha Nisar Ahmad, Syed Intasar Hussain Kazmi , Shagufta Mahmood https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital Innovation & Knowledge Integration as Drivers of Sustainable Operational Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Process Innovation in Pakistan’s Construction Sector
This study examines how digital innovation capability and knowledge integration influence sustainable operational performance in Pakistan’s construction sector, with a focus on the mediating role of green process innovation. The objective is to understand how technological advancement and organizational knowledge practices jointly enhance sustainability outcomes in construction projects, which are critical for environmental compliance and resource efficiency. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted. Data were collected from project managers, site engineers, and operations supervisors working in large and medium-scale construction firms across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. The findings indicate that both digital innovation capability and knowledge integration have a significant positive impact on sustainable operational performance. Green process innovation partially mediated these relationships, demonstrating that construction firms leveraging digital tools and integrated knowledge systems adopt greener processes, reduce environmental impact, and enhance overall sustainability. It contributes empirical evidence from a developing economy by highlighting how construction firms in Pakistan can achieve sustainable operational performance through coordinated technological and knowledge-driven strategies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Nasir Chaudhry , Hafiz Ahmed Ullah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Organizational Agility as a Mediator between Project Management, Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability Practices on Project Success in the Construction Industry
This study investigates how project management practices, innovation initiatives, and environmental sustainability practices influence project success, with a focus on the mediating role of organizational agility in the construction industry. While previous research has examined these factors individually, few studies have explored their combined impact on project outcomes within a mediated framework. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from project managers and organizational leaders using structured questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test the hypothesized relationships and mediation effect. The results indicate that project management practices, innovation initiatives, and environmental sustainability practices positively affect project success, and organizational agility significantly mediates these relationships, enhancing their overall impact. The study contributes original insights by integrating environmental sustainability and innovation in a mediated model, emphasizing organizational agility as a critical mechanism for achieving successful project outcomes. These findings provide practical guidance for managers and policymakers to improve project performance by combining structured management practices, innovative approaches, and sustainability considerations in the construction industry.
Organizational Agility, Project Management, Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability Practices, Project Success
Copyright (c) 2025 M. Faisal Chaudhry, Muhammad Arshad , AR. M. Nasir Chaudhry https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Role of Knowledge Sharing in Linking Leadership, Team Collaboration, and Environmental Sustainability Practices to Project Success in the Construction Industry
This study examines how leadership effectiveness, team collaboration, and environmental sustainability practices influence project success, emphasizing the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the construction industry. While prior research has investigated these factors separately, few studies have explored their combined effects through a mediated framework. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from project managers and team leaders using structured questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test the hypothesized relationships and the mediation effect. Results reveal that leadership effectiveness, team collaboration, and environmental sustainability practices positively impact project success, with knowledge sharing significantly mediating these relationships, thereby enhancing their overall influence. The study contributes original insights by integrating leadership, collaboration, and sustainability with knowledge sharing as a mechanism for achieving successful project outcomes. These findings provide actionable guidance for managers and policymakers to improve project performance in the construction industry by fostering effective leadership, collaborative teams, sustainable practices, and active knowledge sharing.
Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Team Collaboration, Environmental Sustainability Practices, Project Success
Qur’anic Guidance in Shariah-Based Business Ethics: How Halal Practices, Honest Dealings, and Kept Promises Shape Customer Satisfaction
This study examines how Qur’anic and Shariah-based business principles directly influence the way customers evaluate and trust the businesses they interact with. The purpose is to show that practices such as offering halal and lawful products, avoiding any form of deception, and consistently fulfilling promises are not only religious obligations but also powerful drivers of customer satisfaction. To explore this connection, data were collected from 300 customers in Lahore, focusing on how these ethical practices shape their overall experience with local businesses. The results reveal that customers feel significantly more satisfied when they know a business follows halal standards, maintains transparency, and delivers exactly what it commits to. These behaviors build trust, reduce uncertainty, and strengthen long-term customer relationships. The originality of this work lies in presenting a simple, business-oriented model that links Qur’anic guidance with modern customer expectations. Rather than treating religious ethics as separate from business, this study shows how Shariah principles naturally support ethical service, customer comfort, and sustainable business success.
Qur’anic Guidance, Shariah-Based Business Ethics, Halal Practices, Honest Dealings, Customer Satisfaction
Copyright (c) 2025 Farah Kainaat, Mairah Ansar , Ar. Muhammad Nasir Chaudhry https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Determinants of Sustainable Project Performance: Evidence from Project-Based Organizations in Lahore
This study examines how three key project management factors green leadership, stakeholder engagement, and digital project integration contribute to sustainable project performance in project-based organizations in Lahore, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 300 respondents, including project managers, team members, and coordinators across multiple sectors. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the data were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques to assess the direct effects of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The results indicate that green leadership significantly enhances sustainable project performance by fostering environmentally conscious decision-making and team commitment. Stakeholder engagement also shows a strong positive influence, highlighting the importance of collaboration and participatory communication in achieving sustainability outcomes. Furthermore, digital project integration emerges as a vital contributor, as the use of digital tools and technologies improves process efficiency and resource optimization.
Green leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Digital Project Integration Sustainable Project Performance
Copyright (c) 2025 Asad Iqbal, Iram Shehzadi, Hafiz Ahmed Ullah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Innovation through Constraint: A Conceptual Framework of Entrepreneurial Bricolage and Knowledge Flows
This conceptual paper provides a behavioral explanation of the way startups in resource constrained economies pursue open innovation. Based on the bricolage perspective and the Knowledge Based View, the paper argues that entrepreneurial bricolage influences how entrepreneurs create knowledge, perceive constraints and keep relations with external partners. The framework suggests that inbound and outbound open innovation is enhanced by bricolage which makes entrepreneurs gain, adapt, and share knowledge through flexible and improvisational behavior. In the paper, the concept of knowledge bricolage is proposed as the integrative process that connects internal and external ideas with the help of the continuous recombination process. This view makes innovation under constraints as a learning and a behavioral based process and not the result of institutional frameworks or resource richness. The paper helps to develop the theory as it connects behavioral ingenuity to open innovation, provides practical advice to managers and policymakers, and provides research directions in the future to understand how innovation develops in the setting where scarcity is a standard of operation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Asma Tariq, Asma Imran https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Linking Green Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, and Technological Capability to Sustainable Project Performance: The Mediating Role of Sustainable Risk Management in Lahore, Pakistan
Sustainability has become a strategic priority for project-based organizations in Pakistan, especially in major urban centers such as Lahore where development activities continue to expand. This study examines how Green Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, and Technological Capability influence Sustainable Project Performance within project-driven organizations. It further investigates the mediating role of Sustainable Risk Management, proposing that effective identification, assessment, and mitigation of environmental and social risks strengthen the pathway between project capabilities and sustainability outcomes. Data were collected from 300 project professionals working in public and private sector organizations in Lahore, selected using structured sampling procedures. The findings reveal that all three antecedents significantly enhance sustainable project performance, both directly and indirectly through sustainable risk management. These results highlight the importance of integrating sustainability-focused risk practices into project workflows to ensure responsible, resilient, and high-performing project outcomes. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable project management and offers practical implications for managers seeking to embed sustainability into project planning and execution in the Pakistani context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Asad Iqbal, Samia Batool , Hafiz Ahmed Ullah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Innovation Capability as a Mediator of Financial Resources, Digital Marketing Capability, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Start-Up Growth
This study examines how entrepreneurial orientation, digital marketing capability, and financial resource accessibility influence start-up growth, with innovation capability acting as a mediating mechanism. A quantitative research design was used, and data were collected from founders and managers of active start-ups. After screening for completeness, the final dataset was analyzed using structural equation modelling to assess direct effects and the mediating role of innovation capability. The results show that entrepreneurial orientation, digital marketing capability, and financial resource accessibility significantly enhance innovation capability. Innovation capability positively influences start-up growth and partially mediates the relationship between the independent variables and growth. The capability of digital marketing appeared to be the most predictive factor, and the accessibility of financial resources offered necessary support to the results of innovations. The results highlight that start-ups must integrate entrepreneurial behaviour, effective digital marketing procedures, and availability of financial assets to enhance innovation and growth. This paper incorporates entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance into one explanatory framework and how the availability of financial resources can strengthen entrepreneurial and marketing abilities to achieve innovation and sustainable start-up expansion.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Mubushar, Fahmeed Idrees, Muhammad Ali Mufti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0