Foundation University Journal of Business & Economics

Sectoral Energy Consumption and Environmental Degradation in Pakistan: An Empirical Evidence from Correlated Component Regression

Muhammad Naveed — 2025-08-15

This study has investigated the sectoral energy consumption influences on CO2 emissions in Pakistan while
analyzing data from 1992 to 2022. The correlated component regression method has been adopted in this research
because it works effectively to address multicollinearity challenges, manage high-dimensional datasets with
limited sample size and numerous independent variables and also produce reliable results. Moreover, as a
relatively new methodological approach, the correlated component regression provides a novel contribution to
analyzing complex data structures. Our findings show that oil consumption in five sectors including household,
industrial, transport, power and government produces increased CO2 emissions which enhances environmental
pollution. According to the estimated results, increasing oil consumption by 1 percent in the households,
industries, transport, power, and government sectors leads to an increase in CO2 emissions by 0.010 percent,
0.025 percent, 0.118 percent, 0.010 percent and 0.016 percent, respectively. In contrast, oil consumption in the
agricultural sector indicates a negative effect on CO2 emissions, implying a 0.024 percent decrease in
environmental pollution following a 1 percent increase in agricultural oil consumption. Moreover, gas
consumption in the household, commercial, fertilizer, power, industrial and transport sectors is found to have a
positive relationship with CO2 emissions. A 1 percent increase in gas consumption in the household, commercial,
fertilizer, power, industrial and transport (CNG) sectors leads to an increase in environmental pollution by 0.047
percent, 0.061 percent, 0.223 percent, 0.093 percent, 0.055 percent and 0.010 percent, respectively. Conversely,
gas consumption in the cement sector demonstrates a negative influence on CO2 emissions, suggesting that
environmental degradation decreases by 0.014 percent following a 1 percent increase in cement sector gas
consumption. Additionally, coal consumption in the power and brick kiln sectors, both have positive effects on
CO2 emissions, showing that a 1 percent increase in coal consumption in the power and brick kiln sectors leads
to a 0.014 and 0.039 percent corresponding increase in CO2 emissions. Based on the study’s findings following
are the key recommendations. Energy-saving technologies should be promoted in high emissions-intensive
industries and renewable energy-based technologies including solar and wind along with public and electric
transportation should also be encouraged. The gas-using sectors need to adopt hydrogen and biogas as cleaner
alternatives for their operations. The power and brick kiln sectors need to transition their coal usage with
renewable power generation technologies while the fertilizer sector requires low-emissions-intensive solutions.

Determining the effect of Financial and Non-Financial Compensation on Employee Motivation and Commitment in Higher Education Institutes, Jamshoro.

Ghulam Murtaza Shah — 2025-08-15

The main objective of this research is to measure the effect of financial and non-financial
incentives on employee motivation and commitment in higher education institutes. Primary data
was collected from employees of three large public sector universities located at Jamshoro city.
Using survey research method, survey questionnaire is used to collect primary data. After data
analysis it is interpreted that observed data is statistically valid and reliable. Discriminant validity
analysis confirm no any specific item or construct is highly correlated with the measure of other,
means all items are statistically different from one another. Standardized Root Mean Square
Residual and Normed Fit Index analysis confirm significance of financial and non-financial
incentives with motivation and commitment and Variance Inflation Factor analysis reveal no
multicollinearity issues with predictors. Positive Beta and P values indicate all four alternate
hypotheses are accepted. It is concluded that employees in higher education institutes are given
fair and equitable compensatory benefits which not only motivate them but enhance commitment
to work with employer. The findings of this research are valuable insight for top management of
higher education institutes to devise compensation policy for employees. Future researchers may
conduct this research in private educational institutes of country as well as comparative analysis
between financial and non-financial incentives is also needed to achieve more diversified
findings in compensation management.

Impact of Perceived Generational Conflict on Workplace Stress with Moderating Role of Social Support in Educational Institutions: A Case of Twin Cities

Sadia Bukhari — 2025-08-15

In today’s diverse workplace, multiple generations often work side by side that can
sometimes lead to perceived conflicts between younger employees particularly Generation
Z and their older colleagues. This study explores how these generational conflicts are
perceived by Generation Z employees by focusing on their impact on stress levels in the
workplace. Additionally, it examines whether social support from peers and supervisors
can help to reduce this stress. To analyze these relationships, data was gathered from
Generation Z employees working under older generations at various universities in the
Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions. The study employed Partial Least Squares Structural
Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using the SMART PLS software to test the proposed
hypotheses. The results revealed a significant but moderate positive link between perceived
generational conflict and increased workplace stress among Generation Z employees.
However, the presence of social support was found to play a crucial role in moderating this
effect. This research contributes to existing literature by emphasizing the value of social
support in easing workplace stress caused by intergenerational conflicts. These findings
suggest that fostering a supportive work environment can help organizations to mitigate
stress and enhance overall performance for their younger workforce.

Mediating Effect of Green Innovation and Knowledge Sharing on the Relationship between Green Entrepreneurial Orientation and Environment Performance

Nimra Azam — 2025-08-15

The purpose of this research is to examine the mediating effect of green innovation (GI) and
knowledge sharing (KS) on the relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and
environment performance (EP) with special reference to in context of industrial firms in Pakistan
which is one of the contextual gap of the study. This study used a quantitative approach due to its
ability to produce large and standardized data sets. The data was collected using structured
questionnaires on 216 respondents drawn from different industrial firms. To examine the
mediation effects, the Process Hayes (2012) was used whereby the data was analyzed using SPSS.
The findings obtained show that GEO has a positive impact on EP in the organization. The results
obtained demonstrate that GI and KS mediate the impact of GEO on EP, which means that the
positive effects of GEO emerge through the strengthening of green innovation and knowledge
sharing. These results also reveal positive statistical relationships between GEO, GI, KS, and EP
that may support the mediation shown in the proposed model. Managers are advised to enhance a
comprehensive green entrepreneurial culture, which involves the establishment of sustainable
organizational objectives and targets, dedication of resources to green innovation and diffusion of
available knowledge. Such actions can improve environmental performance and full establish
companies as leaders, especially in sustainable development. It is an original contribution to the
literature aimed at explaining how precisely process GEO affects evaluation EP with the help of
theoretical constructs GI and KS. It offers an explicit account of how companies’ active green
initiatives can be a catalyst for superior environmental conditions.

Consumer brand identification and purchase intention: Mediating role of customer brand engagement and moderating role of self-esteem in the fashion apparel industry

Muhammad Asim Aziz — 2025-08-15

This study emphasizes the role of customer brand identification in predicting customer brand
engagement using social exchange theory. The study investigates the connection between
customer brand engagement and purchase intention. Furthermore, the research investigates the
mediatory role that customer brand engagement plays in the relationship between consumer
brand identification and purchase intention. The moderating function of self-esteem between
customer brand engagement and purchase intention also examined. This research used an online
questionnaire and a convenience sampling technique to obtain valid data from 392 respondents
who were either Pakistani fashion apparel users or those who intended to purchase fashion
apparel brands. The structural equation modeling with partial least squares was employed to
conduct the investigations. Social exchange theory was employed in this research. Consumer
brand identification predicts customer brand engagement. Additionally, customer brand
engagement has a favorable impact on purchase intention. Additionally, the relationship between
consumer brand identification and purchase intention is partially mediated by customer brand
engagement. Self-esteem moderates the relationship between customer brand engagement and
purchase intention. The outcomes of this study suggest fashion apparel marketers explore the
significance of CBE in the formation of purchase intention. This article is one of the few
published manuscripts that belong to the Pakistani fashion apparel marketing sector. The results
shed fresh insight on the causes of customer brand engagement and gave empirical evidence for
customer brand engagement's partial mediating influence. Additionally, the study contributes to
the literature on purchase intention by establishing the favorable influence of customer brand
engagement on purchase intention.

Decoding Influence Marketing: The Interplay of Credibility, Informativeness, and Entertainment in Shaping Consumer Behavior on SNS

Shakeel Iqbal — 2025-08-15

Given its widespread popularity among younger demographics, social media has become a prime platform for businesses to reach and engage their target audiences online. One effective strategy is to collaborate with social media influencers (SMIs), who can authentically promote products and services to their followers. Studies show SMIs can really influence people's choices. This study investigates how social media influencers' posts influence their followers' purchasing decisions and willingness to recommend brands. A survey-based methodology is used in this study, where data is gathered from a sample of 500 active social media users. The collected data is further analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS and AMOS. The novelty of this study lies in testing the simultaneous impact of information credibility, informativeness, and entertainment value on social media users' intention to purchase and spread positive word-of-mouth. Our findings have practical implications for content creators and digital marketers.

Examining Knowledge Hiding and Abusive Supervision: Mediating Role of Job Strain and Moderating Effects of Prosocial Motivation

Humaira Arzoo — 2025-08-15

The major aim of this research is to examine how employees’ action of knowledge hiding is impacted by abusive supervision. The current study also investigates the roles of job strain as a mediator between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding. Prosocial motivation is taken as a moderator between job strain and knowledge hiding. Data were collected from the managers and middle-line employees of the banking industry in major cities of Pakistan. Data was collected with the help of an adopted questionnaire at three-time lags. Researchers collected 280 responses by employing purposive sampling. Multiple regression technique was used for the sake of data analysis.This study acclaimed that when employees work under high task pressure environment and observes their bosses as abusive; they got stressed and faced job strain, which positively affects their KH behavior. However, employees with high level of prosocial motivation are capable of managing such strain and are not likely to engage in knowledge hiding behavior because, being prosocially motivated, they want to assist others..The outcomes indicated that abusive supervision has significant positive relation with knowledge hiding, mediation of job strain between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding was also proved by results, and moderation of prosocial motivation was also significantly proved. The research model was supported by transactional theory of stress. Organizations should implement abusive behaviors control programs that prioritize ethically effective communication, and emotional intelligence to mitigate instance of abusive supervision. It is important for managers to makeup the workload in reducing stress which can in turn lead to knowledge hiding behaviors.

Farmers’ Perceptions Regarding the use of Digital Marketing Solutions Research Article Farmers’ Perceptions Regarding the use of Digital Marketing Solutions

Tariq Jamil — 2025-08-15

The foremost objective of the study is to explore the perception of the farmers regarding the application of Digital
Marketing Solutions by the Bureau of Agriculture Information Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for the dissemination of
information from agriculture experts to the farmers across the province. These Digital solutions are virtual call
center, Masking SMS (Agri-Info) and Robo calls. The study was qualitative, cross sectional and inductive. The
source of the data has been primary and detail interviews were conducted at convenience from the registered
farmers and agriculture officers working at call center and different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The
population of the study were agriculture officers working as call center agents and those registered farmers who
are frequently calling on the virtual helpline (0348-111-70-70), receiving regular SMS that are broadcasted with
(Agri Info) masking and Robo calls having different contents related to agriculture. After the implementation of
Digital Marketing Solutions (virtual call center, Csms and Robo calls) all the barricades like communication,
geographical and lingual have been over-throned as major outcomes. Previously, it was perceived by the farmers
that the bureau of agriculture information department is only facilitating large-scale and influential farmers.
With the introduction of such digital marketing solutions the perceptions of the farmers changed in a positive
manner. As every farmer can call on the helpline number for their queries and complaints. This was the first time
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that research has been conducted on the mentioned digital marketing solutions. So, the
novelty factor of this research has its place in terms of uniqueness and examining different perspectives of digital
marketing solutions. Such Marketing Solutions have a brighter scope in terms of empowering farmers. Other
Government departments can also utilize such digital solutions to address public issues, concerns, queries and
complaints.

Does Consumer Regret have an Impact on Negative WOM? The Role of Brand Hate and Brand Loyalty

Imran Sarmad — 2025-08-14

This study examines the relationship between consumer internal negative emotions and their
external negative emotions, brand loyalty, and negative word-of-mouth. We look at how brand
hate that consumer experience while selecting a mobile network provider is affected by
consumer regret. Using the suggested model, the influence of brand loyalty and brand hate on
negative word-of-mouth is also investigated. 361 users of a mobile network provider in
Pakistan participated in our online poll. We used structural equation modeling to examine the
data. The findings demonstrate that brand hate, an outwardly unpleasant feeling, is positively
influenced by consumer regret, a negative inside emotion. Brand loyalty and negative WOM
are both favorably and adversely impacted by consumer regret. The findings also showed that
although brand hate had a favorable impact on consumers spread of negative information,
brand loyalty does not affect negative word-of-mouth.

Front-Line Employee Attitudes and Their Turnover Intentions: Role of Their Affective Commitment and Job Satisfaction in Call Centers

Dr. Madiha Shabbir — 2025-08-15

The research was conducted in a non-contrived environment in call center industry and it aims to examine the impact of front-line employee attitudes such as their affective commitment and job satisfaction on their turnover intentions. Survey based quantitative approach was utilized and primary data were gathered by using questionnaire as an instrument from 262 front-line employees in call center industry on all the variables of interest across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Validated scales were used for assessing job satisfaction, affective commitment, and turnover intention. Survey data were quantified on a five-point response scale. Statistically data analysis was done through descriptive measures, correlation, and regression. Statistical findings have shown the affective commitment and job satisfaction of employees were inversely associated with turnover intentions of front-line employees. Implications of these results have been discussed in the paper, which infers, increase in positive attitudes of front-line employees result in lowering their intentions to leave organization.