Mediating role of attitude, behavioral control, and stakeholders' support on the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurial intentions of it employees in Pakistan

Pakistan being a developing country has a high rate of unemployment among young population. This present study examines the effects of entrepreneurial skills on developing entrepreneurial intentions of IT employee of Punjab, Pakistan. The study also examines the mediating role of attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control, and stakeholders’ support system in the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurial intentions. The probing into the literature of concepts and conceptualizations of the theories permitted a theoretical framework that identified the research issues and the research gap. The data were collected from IT employees working with SECP registered companies in Punjab, Pakistan using a cross-sectional study design. The study used simple random sampling technique to the selected 398 employees working with Information Technology (IT) companies in Punjab, Pakistan. For the initial data screening SPSS 20 was used, and then the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the present study hypotheses. This study found the significant mediating effects of attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control, and stakeholders’ support system on the relationship between EPS, LS, MS, PMS, and TS and entrepreneurial intentions of IT employees in Punjab, Pakistan. The findings of this study further reveal that entrepreneurial intentions depend on the degree of EPS, LS, MS, PMS, and TS. The results of this study provide important insights to the policy making institutions, government, and the researchers to further understand the effects of entrepreneurial skills on developing entrepreneurial intentions and mediating role of attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control, and stakeholders’ support system. The findings of this research extended to the body of knowledge on entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurial intentions in Pakistani context

The Relationship between Product Nature and Supply Chain Strategy; An empirical evidence

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to explore the relationship between the nature of product and respective supply chain strategy of the firms operation in manufacturing sector. The relationship is investigated by using the fishers model as conceptual framework. Data was collected through questionnaire-based self-administered survey. The results of the survey were analysed by testing the fishers model related to Supply Chain Strategy and product characteristics. The results of the study indicated that there is a significant relationship between nature of the product and supply chain strategy in manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The practical implication can be derived by the policy makers and practitioners of the supply chain strategy domain that characteristics of the product can have an impact of the decision to device supply chain strategy. Furthermore, this study is conducted in special context of underdeveloped country like Pakistan. Therefore, results of this study enhanced the existing literature on underdeveloped economies

Application of Artificial Intelligence powered digital writing assistant inhigher education: randomized controlled trial

A major challenge in educational technology integration is to engage students with different affective characteristics. Also, how technology shapes attitude and learning behavior is still lacking. Findings from educational psychology and learning sciences have gained less traction in research. The present study was conducted to examine the efficacy of a group format of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered writing tool for English second postgraduate students in the English academic writing context. In the present study, (N = 120) students were randomly allocated to either the equipped AI (n = 60) or non-equipped AI (NEAI). The results of the parametric test of analyzing of covariance revealed that at post-intervention, students who participated in the AI intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in the scores, of the behavioral engagement (Cohens d = .75, 95% CI [0.38, 1.12]), of the emotional engagement Cohens d = .82, 95% CI [0.45, 1.25], of the cognitive engagement, Cohens d = .39,95% CI [0.04, .76], of the self-efficacy for writing, Cohens d = .54, 95% CI [0.18, 0.91], of the positive emotions Cohens d = . 44, 95% CI [0.08, 0.80], and of the negative emotions, Cohens d = −.98, 95% CI [−1.36, −0.60], compared with NEAI. The results suggest that AI-powered writing tools could be an efficient tool to promote learning behavior and attitudinal technology acceptance through formative feedback and assessment for non-native postgraduate students in English academic writing

The effect of innovative cultural processes on performance of small and medium size enterprises

The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of innovative cultural processes (ICP) on SMEs performance in Punjab, Pakistan. Data was collected through survey method. 60 usable questionnaires were used for collecting the information from SMEs CEOs/owners/senior managers from Punjab, Pakistan. Research design was consisted on developing the hypothetical framework with innovative cultural processes set as an independent variable to test SMEs performance as a dependent variable. Validity and reliability of the scale were assessed by experts and also a small set of the data was used for analysis through SPSS version 20.0 and PLS-SEM 3.0 for analyzing the effect. The results of the research confirmed the validity and reliability of the instrument used in this study. The findings of this study also validate the empirical linkage between capturing ICP and SMEs performance in Punjab, Pakistan. This study has some practical implications especially for SMEs in Pakistan and recommendations to have ICP for enhancing the performance of SMEs

Sensibilidade do fluxo de caixa de investimento em empresas paquistanesas familiares

Different governance structure of family owned firms may impact their investment decisions and hence performance in the long run. This study investigates the impact of family ownership and control on investment-cash flow sensitivity of family owned firms listed in Pakistan Stock Exchange. Using the ownership threshold of >50% share holdings, panel data of 135 firms is analyzed from 2004-2017. Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) was used to estimate the coefficients of model. Results reveal the financing decisions are significantly sensitive to the cash flows generated by the firms in a credit constraint environment. The study recommends policy makers to facilitate capital funding to family owned firms and encourage the placement of professional CEOs instead of family members.La mayoría de la estructura de gobierno de la familia de propiedad propia puede afectar sus inversiones tomadas y rendimiento en el largo plazo. Este estudio investiga el impacto de la propiedad de la propiedad y el control en la inversión de flujo de flujo de la población de la sociedad de propiedad de la sociedad en cuestión. El uso de la propiedad de propiedad del 50% de los contenedores, se establece el certificado de seguridad de 135 de 135 a partir de 2004-2017. Se utilizó el método utilizado para medir los coeficientes del modelo (GMM). Los resultados que muestran las medidas de aprobación son sensibles a los flujos de flujo generados por la entidad en un entorno de restricción de contenido. El estudio considera que los responsables de la política de toma de posesión de capital para una sociedad de propiedad privada y la colocación de profesionales profesionales en lugar de miembros de familia.Diferentes estruturas de governança de empresas familiares podem afetar suas decisões de investimento e, portanto, o desempenho a longo prazo. Este estudo investiga o impacto da propriedade familiar e controle sobre a sensibilidade do fluxo de caixa de investimento das empresas familiares listadas na Bolsa de Valores do Paquistão. Utilizando o limite de propriedade de mais de 50% das participações acionárias, os dados de painel de 135 empresas são analisados de 2004 a 2017. O Método Generalizado de Momentos (GMM) foi utilizado para estimar os coeficientes do modelo. Os resultados revelam que as decisões de financiamento são significativamente sensíveis aos fluxos de caixa gerados pelas empresas em um ambiente de restrição de crédito. O estudo recomenda formuladores de políticas para facilitar o financiamento de capital para empresas familiares e incentiva a colocação de CEOs profissionais em vez de membros da família

Oman's Ability to Attract FDI: Dunning Instrument Survey Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to establish the extent to which Oman is capable of attracting more of the foreign direct investment (FDI) through dunning model instruments. The results of the analysis are determined using responses provided by the foreign companies concerning the features of Oman. Data used in the analysis were collected from 30 different foreign companies operating in Dhofar region of Oman using questionnaires. ANOVA test, Chi-square tests and Friedman's mean ranks were carried out to test the homogeneity and magnitude of the responses given by the respective companies. the findings of Effect size analysis indicate that Oman’s system structure, Policy framework, provision of facilities and ease of access are strongly contributing in attracting FDI. However, Oman needs to focus on the improvement of business friendly environment and compassionate policy formation in favor of investors

The Mediating Role of Business Simulations on the Relationship between University Role Entrepreneurship Curriculum and Assessment of Teaching Approaches and Entrepreneurial Inclination

The primary purpose of the paper is provide an insight into present landscape of the role that universities are playing through entrepreneurship curriculum and business simulations in enhancing entrepreneurial inclination of the students through business simulations. The underlying theories of Experiential learning theory, Constructivist learning Theory and Blooms Taxonomy are described in relation with the objectives of the research. This study is conducted in the context of Malaysian Universities. The results of PLS-SEM illustrate that there is a significant positive mediating effect of business simulations on the relationship between entrepreneurship curriculum and contents, assessment of teaching approaches and entrepreneurial inclinations of students at Universiti Utara Malaysia. The present study aimed at providing an overview of the role that is assumed by the institutions of higher education whereas recommendations have been proposed for practitioners and researchers to cope with the challenges that higher education is facing currently. The future agenda of the research on similar lines has also been proposed

Análise de desenhos experimentais com outliers

Primary purpose of the article is to develop outlier robust designs. As a matter of fact, negative effect of outliers in any experimental settings is established where the outliers at any specific design point can destroy the features of the design for which it is being developed. It is attempted here in this article to develop a version of robustness for central composite designs which may protect it for outliers by introducing the idea of minimax outlying effect. This involves the calculation of the degree of outlying effect(s) outlier(s) may produce and then minimize the maximum of these outlying effects in an attempt to equalize the influence of all design points. On comparison, these outlier robust designs are proved to be more optimal, on the scales of A, D, and E optimalities, against existing conventional rotatable, orthogonal, and other such designs. The outlier robust designs, developed here, are suitable for settings prone to outliers where conventional designs fail to represent and analyze the processes and systems.El objetivo principal del artículo es desarrollar diseños robustos atípicos. De hecho, el efecto negativo de los valores atípicos en cualquier configuración experimental se establece donde los valores atípicos en cualquier punto de diseño específico pueden destruir las características del diseño para el que se está desarrollando. En este artículo se intenta desarrollar una versión de robustez para los diseños compuestos centrales que pueden protegerlo de los valores atípicos mediante la introducción de la idea del efecto periférico minimax. Esto implica el cálculo del grado de efecto (s) externo (s) que puede producir un valor atípico y luego minimizar el máximo de estos efectos externos en un intento de igualar la influencia de todos los puntos de diseño. En comparación, se demuestra que estos diseños robustos atípicos son más óptimos, en las escalas de las optimidades A, D y E, frente a los diseños convencionales existentes, ortogonales, rotativos y otros similares. Los diseños robustos atípicos, desarrollados aquí, son adecuados para configuraciones propensas a los valores atípicos en los que los diseños convencionales no representan ni analizan los procesos y sistemas.Objetivo principal do artigo é desenvolver projetos robustos outlier. De fato, o efeito negativo de outliers em qualquer ambiente experimental é estabelecido onde os outliers em qualquer ponto de design específico podem destruir os recursos do design para o qual ele está sendo desenvolvido. Neste artigo, tenta-se desenvolver uma versão de robustez para projetos compostos centrais que possam protegê-lo de outliers, introduzindo a ideia de efeito periférico minimax. Isso envolve o cálculo do grau de efeito (s) outlier (s) outlier (s) pode produzir e, em seguida, minimizar o máximo desses efeitos periféricos em uma tentativa de equalizar a influência de todos os pontos do projeto. Em comparação, esses designs robustos discrepantes são comprovadamente mais otimizados, nas escalas de otimalidades A, D e E, contra os designs convencionais rotacionais, ortogonais e outros existentes. Os designs robustos outlier, desenvolvidos aqui, são adequados para configurações propensas a outliers em que projetos convencionais não representam e analisam os processos e sistemas

Catalyst Role of University Green Entrepreneurial Support Promoting Green Entrepreneurial Inclinations Among Youth: Empirical Evidence from Oman

Purpose: The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate the green entrepreneurial inclination of youth and sustainable development in Sultanate of Oman. It has a secondary objective of stimulating more research in areas identified as still being under‐explored.   Theoretical framework: The framework is developed covering the personality factors, support factors and inclination towards green entrepreneurship furthermore the moderating role of institutional support has been inculcated.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper is discursive using quantitative research methodology, based on analysis and synthesis of green entrepreneurial literature the framework was developed. The data has been collected from 384 students studying in Dhofar University and University and Technology and Applied Sciences, Salalah. Structural Equation modelling has been conducted to test the model.   Findings: Despite a broad spectrum of disciplines that investigate green entrepreneurial inclination and despite this special issue in the area of entrepreneurship, there are still areas open for research into green entrepreneurial intentions. The paper develops a model to explain green entrepreneurial inclination.   Research limitations/Implications: As a conceptual paper, the study is limited to literature and prior empirical research. It offers the benefit of new research directions for researchers/ universities in understanding and promoting the culture of green entrepreneurship among university students. The paper provides researchers with a proposed and tested integrated model of green entrepreneurial inclination.   Originality/Value: The paper links a significant body of literature within a unifying theoretical framework and identifies under‐researched areas of green entrepreneurial inclination of youth in an entrepreneurship context