Social Entrepreneurship in Pakistan: Challenges and Prospects

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) benefits the society by helping to achieve social and economic goals. SE is receiving scholarly attention around the globe but its development is still moderate in Pakistan. Despite the growing trend, the dominant focus of scholars remains the ideological debate about the meaning and definition of SE. Such an approach inhibits the exploration of its other facets. Casting the gap in literature, this paper aims to find out the challenges and prospects that social entrepreneurs face in their journey, specifically in Pakistan. Keeping in view the emerging importance of this sector, this study discusses the findings of 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with leading social entrepreneurs, practitioners and academicians related to the field to understand the phenomenon at hand. Drawing upon the findings of the study, useful insights have been put forth as its theoretical contribution. Moreover, local and national government can benefit from the findings to enhance consciousness regarding the fourth sector of the economy, eventually augmenting the available social capital

Entrepreneurial Finance: Exploring the Drivers and Challenges Faced by Young Pakistani Entrepreneurs

Within the last decade, the popularity of entrepreneurship rose exponentially all over the world; however, research in this field within the context of developing countries is still lacking. Generally speaking, accessibility and availability of financial support is one of the most significant factors affecting an entrepreneur’s venture when it is in its initial stages. This is especially true in the case of developing countries such as Pakistan. For this reason, this study explored the drivers and challenges faced by Pakistani entrepreneurs regarding the access to and availability of financial support. Data was collected through 65 semi-structured interviews of budding Pakistani entrepreneurs until the saturation point was reached. Afterwards, the interviews were transcribed and imported to NVivo 12 plus, which was used to conduct a thematic analysis of the interviews. The major findings of the research revealed that entrepreneurs face many challenges with regards to the access and availability of financial support in Pakistan. Additionally, according to the respondents, the entrepreneurial journey in Pakistan is laden with challenges and has minimum drivers (opportunities available to the entrepreneurs). The respondents also expressed a lack of awareness and downright distrust of the government-sponsored financial support schemes.&nbsp

IMPACT OF JOB STRESS ON JOB PERFORMANCE WITH PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AS A MODERATOR

Perceived organizational support is based on the concept that how much leaders and management of organization give importance and show concern about the well-being of employees of their organization. Perceived organizational support has enhanced and polished the capabilities of bank employees and they are doing well in their jobs. Purpose of the study is to assess the impact of job stress on job performance and to check the moderating effect of perceived organizational support on the relationship between job stress and employee performance. In order to attain the objectives of the study, a survey conducted. Questionnaires were circulated to the public and private banks in Okara. We took sample of 150 respondents. The results of the study were according to our hypothesis. Results of the study will be practiced well in different organization and it also has made additions to the pre-existing theory. In our study we use hierarchical regression analysis to check moderating effect of perceived organizational support in the association between job stress and job performance

PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR: MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT

Effectiveness of performance management system has been a long-driven research for practitioners to explore ways of measuring it. It is crucial for organizations to understand how employees perceive the effectiveness of PMS for positive work outcomes such as OCB. Data of the study have been gathered from 251 employees by using questionnaires as a tool of data collection. Empirical results indicate that worker’s association to their organization is conceptualized as social exchange relationships. Employees will be more willing to participate in OCB, when they perceive the PMS framework as fair. Employees perceptions related to effectiveness of PMS have positive influence on psychological contract, it was concluded that employees with positive psychological contract will perform extra role behaviours such as OCB in order to exchange those higher salaries and more extensive benefits. An evidence of PMSE relationship with PC and ultimately with OCB may help the organization to ensure the effectiveness of their PMS and in turn improve their productivity and performance.&nbsp

Role of Microfinance Institutions in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Akhuwat, Pakistan

Gender discrimination is a persistent problem faced by women all over the world, which has ledto the need to empower women for uplifting their status as recognized by Millennium Development Goals (2010). The present study focuses on the role of microfinance in empowering women and also acknowledges its’ significance in alleviating poverty. The researcher used qualitative approach and case study method for in depth analysis of the phenomenon in context of Akhuwat, an interest free microfinance organization. It was recognized that microfinance brings about changes in women’s lives: household condition, family wellbeing and social status. It is improved by availing the services of microfinance institution and interest free loans further add to their well-being. Present study focused on four background variables to examine their influence on decision making ability of women in aspects of their domestic and social life. Age, education, marital status and family type are important contributing factors that influence women’s empowerment. It was also observed that women are more inclined to be altruistic and spend most of their income on their families. The present study can be further extended by incorporating more factors and increasing sample size in order to get more significant results

The impact of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on ethical decision-making in management in a non-Western and highly religious country

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the indirect effect of intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity on ethical intention through ethical judgment. A review of the literature shows the need for more research at the intersection of religiosity and ethics, especially in non-Western, highly religious contexts. This research, therefore, addresses the research question: Do intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity indirectly impact ethical intention through influencing the ethical judgment of management professionals? Data were gathered from members of the Management Association of Pakistan through a questionnaire. Pearson correlation results show the overall trend between the constructs of interest. Multiple regression results show that both intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity are significant positive predictors of ethical judgment. Ethical judgment was also found to be a significant, positive predictor of ethical intention. The main contribution of the study is evidence that ethical judgment acts as a mediator between religiosity (whether intrinsic or extrinsic) and ethical intention in a non-Western highly religious context. This research also found that intrinsic religiosity impacts ethical intention directly as well as indirectly through ethical judgment, but extrinsic religiosity influences ethical intention only through its effect on ethical judgment. We discuss our results along with practical and research implications, and limitations of this research are highlighted to guide future research

The impact of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on ethical decision-making in management in a non-Western and highly religious country

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the indirect effect of intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity on ethical intention through ethical judgment. A review of the literature shows the need for more research at the intersection of religiosity and ethics, especially in non-Western, highly religious contexts. This research, therefore, addresses the research question: Do intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity indirectly impact ethical intention through influencing the ethical judgment of management professionals? Data were gathered from members of the Management Association of Pakistan through a questionnaire. Pearson correlation results show the overall trend between the constructs of interest. Multiple regression results show that both intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity are significant positive predictors of ethical judgment. Ethical judgment was also found to be a significant, positive predictor of ethical intention. The main contribution of the study is evidence that ethical judgment acts as a mediator between religiosity (whether intrinsic or extrinsic) and ethical intention in a non-Western highly religious context. This research also found that intrinsic religiosity impacts ethical intention directly as well as indirectly through ethical judgment, but extrinsic religiosity influences ethical intention only through its effect on ethical judgment. We discuss our results along with practical and research implications, and limitations of this research are highlighted to guide future research

THE EFFECT OF FINANCIAL COMPENSATION AND PERCEIVED CAREER PROGRESSION ON EMPLOYEE TURNOVER INTENTIONS WITH SELF ACTUALIZATION AS A MEDIATOR

Organizations desire that turnover intentions of its workforce do no arise, as the continuation of employees enables the organization to focus on productive tasks rather than having to recruit and train employees again. The study aims to measure the relationship between turnover intentions, financial compensation and perceived career progression. The study also aims to test the mediating effect of self-actualization in the relationships of financial compensation and career progression with turnover intentions. The data was collected through self-administered questionnaire from 167 employees in the software industry using non probability purposive sampling. The survey instrument used for  collection of primary information comprised of 28 items Likert scale with 5 demographic questions. Significant correlation was found between financial compensation and perceived career progression with self-actualization i.e., an inverse relationship between employees self-actualization, financial compensation and perceived career progression with turnover intentions. Regression analysis found that self-actualization mediated the relationship between financial compensation and turnover intentions and between perceived career progression and turnover intentions which was endorsed by the values of SOBEL test

WORKPLACE BULLYING: CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY

Workplace bullying is an amalgamation of negative behaviors of varying intensity that can severely damage one‟s ability to work effectively or efficiently. The study aims to examine the prevalence, forms and perceived perpetrator(s) of workplace bullying in a public sector university, ultimately highlighting the existing policies and procedures aiming to discourage the practice of workplace bullying at an organizational level. The study adopts a mixed method strategy. A two-step sampling approach is adopted for gathering quantitative data, where stratified sampling was followed by simple random sampling technique. For qualitative data, purposive sampling is used. The study identifies that workplace bullying prevails among university‟s faculty members where more than half of the respondents were exposed to it. The perceived perpetrators were mostly male employees targeting male employees on the same  hierarchical level. Also, faculty members belonging from the middle age and those who are at the middle of their career experienced highest exposure to bullying at work

An open label hepatoprotective activity of Jawārish bisbāsā in central obesity patients

Liver plays a major role in metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics. Liver dysfunction is a major health problem that challenges health care professionals, pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. The most common symptoms are fatigue and discomfort in abdomen while in patients who are obese with BMI > 25, about one third have metabolic syndromes. The present clinical research was conducted in Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Aligarh. The patients under trial were selected from GOPD of institute for obesity and it was observed that out of total registered patients’ approx 28% have elevated liver enzymes from its normal range without any sign and symptom of hepatitis etc. Total 23 patients were selected from the study whose liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) were high at the baseline. Unani pharmacopoeial drug Jawārish bisbāsā 7 g daily was prescribed with lukewarm water in the morning and evening empty stomach for 8 weeks. At the end of study the result were compared with base line. It was observed that Jawārish bisbāsā significantly reduced the liver enzymes, e.g. SGOT, SGPT, Alkaline Phosphatase in comparison to baseline values. It may be concluded that Jawārish bisbāsā showed hepatoprotective effect in this clinical study.