Firm Level Determinants of Entrepreneurial Success

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to determine those factors which contribute to achieve the success at firm level. Methodology: Questionnaire technique is used to determine the performance of the firms. A structured questionnaire is employed to collect data and test the model through snow ball sampling method. Findings: The results of chi-square in all four performance dimensions suggested that these dimensions have strong impact on the performance of the firm's. Limitations and Implications: The research was conducted in particular geographical area. The findings will help managers to put more focus on the mentioned four dimensions and their related variables like innovation, technology, structure, risk, resources, investment plan etc which affect these dimensions. Findings also tell the managers about the factors which are the true determinants of entrepreneurial success at firm level. The fore most limitation of this research is that the sample was collected from the population of Bahawalpur which has limited successful firms. This research may miss some of the key factors because of limited time available to researchers. Value: This study shows that firm's owners and managers should more focus more on firm level determinants like innovation, strategy, technology, structure etc which help to made firm successful. Keywords: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, E-V-R Congruenc

Structural Changes in Radio and Impacts on Music Listeners

The current study explores structural changes in radio and assesses their impact on music listeners in Pakistan utilizing the theoretical underpinnings of the political economy of communication. A mixed-method approach was used to answer research questions and evaluate hypotheses. A contextual analysis was utilized to evaluate the qualitative analysis after the interviews with 14 experts in the Pakistani radio industry were transcribed. Cross-tabulation with chi-square test, Independent Sample T-test, and AVOVA with Tukey tests were used to analyze survey responses from 200 respondents in order to determine the correlations between variables. The findings show that structural trends in the radio industry\u27s deregulation and commercialization have curtailed access to a varied range of listeners in Pakistan. According to the research, deregulation, licensing fees, new license fees, and the restriction of Indian music, revenue generation, and licensing to nonprofit FM radio have all limited access to a diverse spectrum of radio music listeners in Pakistan. This trend also leads broadcast media in Pakistan to produce and disseminate more entertainment programming rather than information and education programs

Women Prisoners: A Case Study of Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore

Despite having kaleidoscopic culture, discrimination of womenfolk is quite common in Pakistan even today – seemingly fulfilling an undeclared agenda that women should be restricted from having liberty, education, economic exposure, and rights. But going behind the bars makes them even more vulnerable and adds to their exploitation because of the stigma they carry for whole of their lives. This descriptive research deals with the crucial issue of women prisoners in Pakistan; identify the factors that lead the involvement of women in criminal activities; and looks into the condition of women prisoners in jail through qualitative methodolog

The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firm’s Financial Performance

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now an integral part of business model of most of the modern organizations. Companies are making efforts to play their role in improving society in one or other ways. The scope of efforts ranges from donating money to nonprofit organizations to employing environmental-friendly policies in their workplace. As per the general global perception the corporate sector of Pakistan has been lacking behind in respect of CSR implementation. It has largely concentrated on profit minting rather than taking care of the welfare aspects of employees and other stakeholders. This attitude has affected the business and as a result industry has failed to keep pace with the modern industry. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of CSR on firm’s financial performance. The research therefore predicates that increase in CSR activities of poor CSR firms shall have a negative effect on the company’s financial performance. Whereas, Middle CSR firms having a positive relationship with Excess Value (EV) will enhance the project performance, financial stature and future prospect of the firms. However, the firms with the best CSR will always have a positive relationship with the firm’s financial performance but its impact will not be observed significantly on the firm’s financial condition.&nbsp

Sustainable Development of Chitral: A CPEC Perspective

The vision of sustainable growth of any community or region cannot be materialized unless provided with equitable socio-economic opportunities with environmentally friendly conditions. In the mountains of Hindukush, Chitral has remained significantly important from a geographic and strategic perspective. The piece of land in the extreme north of Pakistan is blessed with numerous natural resources and it is also a gateway to Central Asia. This valley is surrounded by rugged mountains, due to neglect and lack of land connection with the main country it has been deprived of the required development. The construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an alternative passage through Chitral will bring economic opportunities through investment in different sectors. With the materialization of the CPEC route, the potential in the valley will be explored and utilized for the betterment of the country in the broader spectrum and the local economy will strengthen as well. The opening of this trade route will not only change the economic landscape of the valley but will change the sociology of the area. This mega venture along with economic opportunities will also generate challenges for the indigenous community. Expected opportunities will attract more businessmen and investors from outside. This migration process will open the door to social transformation along with challenges not only from an economic perspective but an indigenous cultural heritage of the society will be endangered. Only an inclusive and integrated development stratagem with the involvement and support of all stakeholders will lead to the sustainable economic growth of the valley. Further, the people-centric development approach will bring economic opportunities for the people, otherwise, there will be more challenges than opportunities. This research work has been conducted to investigate the expected challenges threatening sustainable growth of the community and region. Furthermore, it suggests policy guidelines based on empirical evidence for curtailing those challenges.&nbsp

Causes and Consequences of Child Marriages in South Asia: Pakistan’s Perspective

The problem of Child Marriages is quite common and pervasivepractice and an instrumentof gender based violence against women and high population growth rate in South Asia including Pakistan. Though Child Marriages Restraint Act, 1929 (CMRA) got reformed in India and Bangladesh, but remained toothless and out-dated in Pakistan. In fact Pakistan had accepted UNCRC way back in 1990 buther law on child marriage has not been harmonized with it. Child marriages take place mostly in the pretext of poverty, illiteracy and gender inequality. The physical, social, psychological and economic consequences of child marriage are severeongirls,who are generally pulled out of primary/secondary education and more likely confront physical,emotional and sexual violence. Pakistan is in the midst of demographic transition and a big portion of the population comprises of children. This ‘youth bulge’ withoutample opportunities poses a threat to the social fabric, if not tackled appropriately. A serious attention is needed to transform this bulge into a productive future resource of the country only if this portion of the population is properly guided and educated in a healthy and constructive environment.&nbsp

Future Time Perspective and Frustration Intolerance in Medical students

Background: The future perception of students is affected by a series of events happening throughout their course of studies. The objective of this study is to measure the Future time perspective (FTP) and Future intolerance (FI) among medical students during the COVID-19 lockdown.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study done from January 15, 2020 to July 20, 2020 among MBBS students of Rawalpindi Medical University. The questionnaire consisted of 1) Socio-demographic details, 2) Future Time Perspective scale, and 3) Frustration Discomfort scale. An online survey was done using Google Forms. An ANOVA was run to check for differences in FTP and FI between the classes. Bivariate analysis for continuous variables was applied. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.23.0 (IBM, Armonk, US). Results: Mean age of participants was 21.8 (SD=1.66) with majority females 331(58.4%). The mean FTP score and mean FI scores were 50.8(SD=19.43) and 91.46(SD=17.65) respectively. Final-year students had the highest mean score (Mean=57.94(SD=7.72)) for FI. On the other hand, mean scores for FDS were highest in first-year students (Mean=102.89 (SD=13.52)) while lowest in fourth-year students (Mean=81.73(SD=17.49)) with P=.005. There was a significant difference in the dimensions of Emotional Intolerance and achievement among females and males. Bivariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation was found between FTP and the dimension of discomfort intolerance (r = -0.158, p < 0.001), while a significant positive correlation was found between FTP and the dimension of achievement (r = 0.225, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study concludes that final-year students have a much higher tolerance level for adversities. Furthermore, they also have a much more positive perspective and a clearer vision regarding their future

China’s Policy towards South China Sea and its GeoPolitical Impact (2009-2020)

China‟s policy of strategic ambiguity towards the territorial dispute in South China Sea has altered the geopolitical architecture. China‟s use of delaying tactics to appease ASEAN states and methods of distraction in its bilateral relations with competing states has improved the security in the region. However, the Chinese leadership is simultaneously conducting domineering activities in the disputed waters of South China. In this context, the study explores China‟s policies in the South China Sea. Additionally, there is a general understanding of the external motives and domestic sources being behind China‟s policy towards South China Sea, however, these factors are often analyzed and studied in isolation. This research article examines both the factors simultaneously and draws conclusions on the potential of armed conflict in the region, especially with respect to the claimant littoral states and the American pivot