Energy Crisis and Productive Inefficiency: Micro-Evidence from Textile Sector of Faisalabad

Energy, being an essential component of every production process, plays a pivotal role in the growth process of a country. The production process has undergone a massive transition from labour intensive to energy intensive techniques [Stern and Cleveland (2004)]. Now, it is widely recognised that industrialisation is an energy-intensive process; hence, uninterrupted supply of energy is necessary to keep the production process in run. In addition, high percapita energy consumption is considered as an indicator of the level of economic development. This positive correlation between energy consumption and output growth (and development) led many countries, particularly developing ones, to design policies for subsidised energy provision with focus on supply-side in late eighties. At the same time, some European countries (i.e. Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden) formulated energy policy focusing on demand-side (energy conservation), and achieved smaller growth rates in energy consumption without any reduction in economic growth [Pintz (1986)]

The effects of cutting interval on agro-qualitative traits of different millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) cultivars

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to study the forage yield and qualitative traits of different varieties of millet with different days of harvest during the summer, 2014 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under factorial arrangement having three replications. Pearl millet seeds of three varieties viz. BS-2011, Ghana White and MB-87 were grown in 30cm apart rows. Net plot size was 3.6m×8.0m. Three different harvesting times were adopted i.e. 55, 65 and 75days after sowing (DAS). Maximum plant height of pearl millet was recorded for cultivar BS-2011 at harvest time of 75DAS. Maximum leaf area per plant was observed for the cultivar BS-2011 when it was harvested 75DAS. Maximum dry matter percentage was also attained in cultivar BS-2011 where plots were harvested at 75DAS. The highest forage yield was obtained where variety BS-2011 was grown and harvested at 75DAS. Similarly, maximum dry matter production of BS-2011 was recorded in plots harvested at 75DAS followed by Ghana White and MB-87 harvested at 55DAS. Higher crude protein content was recorded where plots were harvested at 55DAS and cultivar BS-2011 was sown. Higher crude fiber and total ash percentage was also seen in BS-2011. Finally, cultivar BS-2011 proved best for cultivation with harvest time of 75 DAS under Faisalabad conditions to obtain higher forage yield and better quality

The Role of Organizational Strategies, Social Support, and Technological Capabilities in International Marketing Channel Performance

Information communication technologies increase the competitive intensity among organizations. The only way to get a sustainable competitive advantage is to focus on their resources, and capabilities to establish, and implement effective strategies to increase international marketing channel performance (IMCP). The target population of this study is the food industry in Pakistan, and the sample size is 400. Data has been collected through survey method based on an adapted questionnaire. Data has been analyzed through partial least square – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. Results showed that validity and reliability of data, and organizational strategies (OS) focused on relationship strategies (RS) and marketing integration strategies (MIS) has positive and significant effect on IMCP. Whereas, technological capabilities (TC) has moderated and significant effect between OS and IMCP. Furthermore, social support (SS) has insignificant effect.  This study has theoretical and practical significance. Because this study opens the new horizons in literature and provide guidelines to align their strategies with their capabilities to gain sustainable competitive advantage, which will improve their IMCP.

The Role of Organizational Strategies, Social Support, and Technological Capabilities in International Marketing Channel Performance

Information communication technologies increase the competitive intensity among organizations. The only way to get a sustainable competitive advantage is to focus on their resources, and capabilities to establish, and implement effective strategies to increase international marketing channel performance (IMCP). The target population of this study is the food industry in Pakistan, and the sample size is 400. Data has been collected through survey method based on an adapted questionnaire. Data has been analyzed through partial least square – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. Results showed that validity and reliability of data, and organizational strategies (OS) focused on relationship strategies (RS) and marketing integration strategies (MIS) has positive and significant effect on IMCP. Whereas, technological capabilities (TC) has moderated and significant effect between OS and IMCP. Furthermore, social support (SS) has insignificant effect.  This study has theoretical and practical significance. Because this study opens the new horizons in literature and provide guidelines to align their strategies with their capabilities to gain sustainable competitive advantage, which will improve their IMCP.Â

ROLE OF BRAND LOYALTY IN BUILDING BRAN EQUITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT LEVELS

Although the concept of brand loyalty and equity in recent times has evolved one of the dominant phenomena of brand management, yet the picture is incomplete without considering the role of consumer involvement levels. The purpose of this study is to investigate significant antecedents of brand loyalty, and its role in building brand equity, relationships are also measured by conducting comparative analysis of consumer involvement levels. The self-administered survey and regression analysis used to measure relationships of variables. The findings showed significant and positive relationship of perceived quality, brand trust, and customer satisfaction with brand loyalty, and highly significant and positive impact of brand loyalty is found in building brand equity. Significant differences are found between high and low involvement settings. This research will provide exceptional learning opportunities for brand managers and scholars alike, through empirical verifying the relationships of variables, by using two brands of different consumer involvement levels.Â

Impact evaluation of structural adjustment program: a case of Pakistan

We analyzed the effect of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on macroeconomic variables of Pakistan using annual time series data for the years 1981-2001. The impact of four policy instruments of SAP, i.e. reduction in budget deficit, increase in indirect taxes,adjusting the exchange rate and sliding down of subsidies, on employment, income distribution, per-capita income and inflation has been analyzed. It is found that the first policy instrument, i.e. decrease in budget deficit has affected employment, income distribution and inflation adversely. The second policy instrument of imposition of indirect tax negatively affected the employment, income distribution, per capita income and positively affected the inflation. The third policy instrument of SAP was adjustment of exchange rate. It is estimated that adjusting exchange rate has resulted into increased unemployment and inflation. The fourth policy instrument of shrink in subsidies augmented the unemployment, unequal distribution of income and inflation and dwindled the percapita income. It appears that SAP has adversely affected the major socioeconomic variables of the economy. Currently the government is considering for loan from IMF, so it is proposed to avoid such type of policy directives from IMF.Structural Adjustment Program, Budget deficit, Indirect taxes, Exchange rate, Subsidies, Employment, Income distribution, Per-capita income, Inflation,Pakistan

Combined Influence of Fly Ash and Recycled Coarse Aggregates on Strength and Economic Performance of Concrete

Recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and fly ash (FA) are materials with least to very low global warming potential. Considering long term strength and durability, various studies have suggested to use RCA in concrete with FA. This research paper deals with the strength and economic performance of concrete made with individual and combined incorporation of FA and RCA. Nine different mixtures of concrete were prepared by varying the incorporation levels of RCA and FA. 0% RCA, 50% RCA and 100% RCA were used in concrete with three different levels of FA (0%FA, 20%FA, and 40%FA). The compressive strength of each mixture of concrete was determined at the age of 3, 28, 90 and 180 days. To evaluate economic performance cost of 1 m3 of each mixture of concrete was compared to that of the control mixture having 0% RCA and 0% FA. Results showed that RCA was detrimental to the compressive strength of concrete at all ages, whereas, FA reduced early strength but improved the strength at later ages of testing i.e. 90 and 180 days. FA plus RCA mixes also showed lower early age strength but gained higher strength than conventional concrete at the age of 180 days. RCA did not reduce the cost of concrete effectively. FA despite having a very high transportation cost, it reduced the cost of concrete efficiently. FA did not only reduce the cost of binder but also lower the demand of plasticizer by improving workability. Cost to strength ratio (CSR) analysis also indicated that FA significantly improve the combined economic and strength performance of RCA concrete mixes