Foundation University Journal of Business & Economics

Role of Consumer Vanity in Driving the Conspicuous Consumption Behavior: The Moderating Effect of Gender

2025-05-09T03:40:54+00:00

This research aimed to understand the development of conspicuous consumption behavior among consumers of fashion clothing brands. The study examined the influence of psychological variables—physical vanity, achievement vanity, private consciousness, public consciousness, and brand consciousness—on the formation of conspicuous consumption. Gender is conceptualized as a moderator that moderates all the structural relationships between physical vanity, achievement vanity, private consciousness, public consciousness, and brand consciousness. A total of 426 respondents (193 males and 233 females) participated, with data collected through both self-administered questionnaires and web-based surveys. PLS-SEM was used for analysis due to its superior predictive capability with complex theoretical models. Results confirmed positive relationships between the constructs, although private self-consciousness did not significantly contribute to conspicuous consumption. Additionally, gender was found to moderate the proposed relationships. The study develops and validates a theoretical model that helps to explain the psychological motivations driving conspicuous consumption in developing countries, along with the relative influence of each variable. The target audience was limited to students from tertiary-level institutions in Punjab, Pakistan, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

The Impact of Corporate Sustainability Performance on the Financial Performance of Pakistani Manufacturing Firms: Evidence from GMM System

2025-05-09T03:49:21+00:00

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of corporate sustainability performance (SP) on the financial performance (FP) of non-financial manufacturing firms in Pakistan. The relationship between SP and FP is still unclear and the manufacturing sector facing some issues about sustainability, that ultimately affect their performance. Quantitative data from eight years of 65 sample firms listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is collected from annual reports. 2016 was selected due to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 issued by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. SP is measured through the global reporting indicator (GRI). SP is measured through the content analysis and index created. FP is
measured through return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Firm size (FS) and total debt to total assets (TDTA) are used as control variables. For analysis generalized moment method (GMM) system is employed. Findings show that SP has a positive significant effect on FP. The resource-based view (RBV) theory supports these findings. According to researchers' knowledge, this is the pioneer study conducted on Pakistani manufacturing firms and employed the GMM model. The findings contribute significantly to the policy implications for the creation of sustainability to improve their FP.

How Can Green Finance and Technological Innovation Transform Sustainable Performance Across G20 Nations?

2025-05-09T04:01:40+00:00

Achieving sustainable goals involves leveraging private sector investments in renewable energy sources. The global surge in demand for alternative renewable energy and green finance has spurred extensive research in these domains. Throughout the study period, the evaluation of sustainable practices is conducted through the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars. This study investigates the impact of green finance, green energy, and green economic development with the moderation of technological innovation by utilizes secondary data spanning from 2011 to 2020 across G-20 countries. Using the fixed effects method, the results confirm significant relationships between sustainability, green finance, economic development, GDP, and technological innovation. Green finance, green energy, and
green economy development negatively impact sustainability, while technological innovation shows a positive effect. However, the moderating role of technological innovation negatively influences sustainability when combined with green finance. The findings are robust and validated through Driscoll Kraay (D-K) standard error estimation. Policymakers should prioritize reforms in green finance policies to ensure they effectively contribute to long-term sustainability goals. Moreover, fostering a stronger integration of technological innovation with green economic development can significantly enhance the outcomes of sustainability in the G-20 countries. Encouraging investments in both green energy and innovation, along with the regulatory frameworks that promote sustainable development, will be crucial to advancing environmental sustainability while achieving economic growth.

How Work from Home can Improve Job Satisfaction of IT Sector Employees? Putting Work Life Balance and Work Enrichment into The Picture

2025-05-09T04:56:17+00:00

The aim of this paper is to establish a more nuanced understanding of relationship between Work-From Home (WFH) and Job Satisfaction (JS), by looking at the mediating role of Work-Life-Balance (WLB) and Work Enrichment (WE). The Person-Environment (P-E) fit theory underpins this research, which suggests that occupational factors such as WFH and environmental factors such as WLB and WE, can play an important role in enabling employees to achieve positive outcomes. Primary data were gathered
from 352 employees of IT and Telecom sector in Pakistan through an online survey. Instrument reliability and validity was established and hypotheses were tested by performing Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using SmartPLS 4.0. Our results show that WFH leads to satisfaction when family and work resources are well aligned and complimentary. Implications for IT businesses regarding design of strategies to improve employee outcomes of WFH are discussed.

Understanding Stakeholder Perspective on Multi-Modal Route Optimization Through New Border Crossing Point of Kharlachi on The Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) Corridor

2025-05-09T05:02:59+00:00

Pakistan’s major border land ports of Torkham and Chaman are located on the CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) corridor and currently handle the transit trade under the 11-member CAREC Cross-Border Trade Facilitation Agreement and the bilateral Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to which Pakistan is a signatory. Both Torkham and Chaman face periodic supply chain disruptions and cargo traffic congestions on the CAREC Corridor. The present research therefore intends to understand stakeholders’ perspective to choose an alternate trade route at the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border. Qualitative method was used through survey questionnaire to identify the critical factors of port competitiveness related to port infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, port costs, and port location for such interventions at Kharlachi BCP. A sample of 15 well-experienced respondents from the domains of supply chain management, logistics, trade and public sector were selected. The study affirmed that Kharlachi Border Crossing Point (BCP) located at the Pak-Afghan border having prospective multi-modal facilities is best suited to help distribute the prospective CAREC transit cargo load by rail and road transportation to overcome such disruptions. The multi-modal facility is also expected to reduce transportation costs and time. However, being in a primitive state, Kharlachi BCP requires critical development intervention to make itself regionally competitive among other BCPs to attract and manage the regional trade flow.

Factors Influencing Intrinsic Motivation: A Study of the Association between Employees Autonomy, Family Motivation and fairness Perception

2025-05-09T05:21:29+00:00

Intrinsic motivation plays a crucial role in an organization as leaders aim to boost employee effectiveness. This study examines the factors that impact intrinsic motivation, with a focus on employee autonomy, familial drive, perception of fairness, and intrinsic motivation. Data was gathered from 418 teachers in various schools in Lahore, Pakistan. Using the Self-Determination Theory, this research highlights the significant role of employee motivation in aligning with individuals' natural desire for personal and
professional growth. This study uses a survey questionnaire and target public, private and semi-private 418 teachers from 39 schools. Convenience sampling technique has been used to gather the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics have been implied to analyze the data. SPSS & Process Hayes have used for data analysis. Statistical findings demonstrated a positive link between employee autonomy, family motivation, fairness perception, and intrinsic motivation. These findings have important
implications for organizations looking to foster a positive environment for their employees. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on organizational culture and behavior. By offering practical insights, this research aids organizations in understanding the importance of motivation and recognizing employees as essential assets.

Societal Trust Dynamics: Impact on Stock Market Responses to Corporate Earnings Announcements in Emerging Markets

2025-05-09T05:29:54+00:00

Investors' responses have garnered significant interest in recent years, especially in emerging economies where shifting preferences are prevalent. Investors constantly seek valuable information to make more secure investments. As therefore, while making investment choices, investors question the reliability of the information provided by companies through corporate disclosure. This study examines the impact of societal trust, as a cultural factor and behavioral trigger, on investors' perception and utilization of information provided by corporations. As therefore, while making investment choices, investors doubt the
accuracy of the information disclosed by corporate organizations. The paper utilizes event study methods to examine the average anomalous returns during the earnings announcement period in a substantial number of observations across three emerging countries: China, India, and Pakistan. The findings demonstrate a clear and meaningful correlation among trust of society trust and responses of the investor to business earnings statements. This supports the idea that societal trust plays a crucial role in shaping investors' behavior in these markets. Furthermore, the level of trust throughout society positively influences the way investors respond to company earnings statements in the emerging economies of China, Pakistan, and India.

The Impact of Inadequate Sleep Quality on The Act of Concealing Knowledge: The Mediating Effects of Psychological Discomfort and Impaired Self-Regulation, and The Moderating Effect of Social Isolation

2025-05-09T05:37:22+00:00

The research study presented in this paper examines the relationship between knowledge concealment and poor sleep quality, with psychological distress and self-regulatory impairment serving as mediators and occupational exclusion as a moderator. In this research, we aim to measure the following The study examines the correlation between poor sleep quality and knowledge hiding due to psychological distress and self-regulatory impairment. It also investigates the moderating role of workplace exclusion in the relationship between poor sleep quality and psychological distress, self-regulatory impairment, and knowledge hiding. Additionally, the study explores the mediating role of workplace exclusion in the relationship between poor sleep quality and knowledge hiding, as well as the relationship between workplace exclusion and self-regulatory impairment. Previous studies served as the basis for the hypothesis-based model that was then tested using SPSS and Smart PLS-SME. Out of 250 feedbacks obtained, data from 200 respondents was sifted. The validity and reliability of the data were assessed by tests. Beta and T-Values were also used to measure the impact intensity. The results show that poor sleep quality has a positive and substantial effect on knowledge concealment, with psychological discomfort and moderation of workplace exclusion mediating or moderating the relationship. Managers that want to boost their company's performance and productivity might use the study's conclusions. Because of constraints on time, money, and knowledge in the field, research results are always susceptible to inaccuracy, no matter how much time and energy is invested in them.

Impact of Financing Modes on The Financial Performance of The Islamic Banking System in Pakistan

2025-05-09T05:45:40+00:00

The purpose of this research was to observe the impact of financing modes of Islamic Banks on their financial performance i.e. Return on Assets, Return on Equity, and Default Ratio. Secondary data was collected from the annual financial statements of selected full-fledged Islamic Banks of Pakistan for the last 10 years from 2011 to 2020. Aside, SBP Policy rates from 2011- 2020, have also been included as a control variable. The logic behind the selection of this period was that the first decade from 2000-2010, is considered the development phase for Islamic Banks whereas during the selected period Islamic Banks have grown into independent institutions and captured handsome market share both in terms of amount & branch network. Accordingly, the variables were tested using Generalized Least Square Regression Analysis (Random and Fixed Effect Model) and the results are
presented. According to the findings of this research, Murabahah (MF), Istisna (ISF), and Private Sukuk (PS), are having significantly positive impact on Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) while Istisna and Private Sukuk financings are having a significantly negative impact on Default Ratio which suggest that increase in both these financing are causes no increase in default. These findings have led to the recommendations that above said financing modes are having a significantly favorable impact on the financial performance of Islamic Banks. Therefore, the management of Islamic Banks needs to prioritize their investment towards Murabahah, Istisna, and Private Sukuk, as they are yielding better results which will contributes more towards their financial performance and ultimately towards the economy.

Infrastructure Development (Non-Physical), Economic Growth and Policy Choices: A Cross-Country Analysis

2025-05-09T05:56:23+00:00

The relationship between the non-physical infrastructure and development has always been an eye catching issue. The following study inspects the influence of non-physical infrastructure on economic growth of Asian countries. Countries from where data is selected for examination are China, India, Bangladesh, Iran and Sri Lanka. The data of has been regressed from 1970 to 2019. Unit test technique has been employed and ARDL mechanism was chosen for long term and short-term analysis. The findings explain the substantial relationship between non- physical side of infrastructure development and economic growth. Social infrastructure variables i.e education and health showed positive significant relationship with economic growth. Policy has been recommended for economic growth is based on weightage approach to derive the quantitative value of the variables and then prioritize the sectors in which the government should invest according to the significance of variable.