Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) Options for Participating Countries

This study deals with Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC), one of six economic corridors of Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) designed by China in 2013 to establish regional connectivity with South Asian countries and Indian Ocean. The countries of BCIM-EC had a traditional interaction in the socio-economic and cultural fields under Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) forum that existed long before BRI since 1999. After the launch of BRI, the BCIM forum was brought under the umbrella of BRI which was objected by India due to its reservations towards BRI. The project got set back since the establishment of Modi’s government in India which ultimately halted the opportunity of development and integration of the region. This study argues that BCIM-EC provides the best opportunity for its participating countries to address their socio-economic problems through launching various infrastructural projects with the financial help of China. To explore the potentials of this corridor, qualitative research methods have been used and data collected from various articles, research papers, statements of leaders of participating countries and opinion of scholars of relevant fields. This research is conducted mainly under two theories i.e. the Complex Interdependence and Prospect Theory which helped in studying the potentials of this corridor for the participating countries on one hand and exploring the possible options to execute it successfully on the other hand. The findings of the study state that the BCIM-EC has great potentials for the participating countries but their geostrategic gains and losses must not be counted the same. It also gives certain options to put the BCIM-EC on track through misusing India for the time being by launching Bangladesh China Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCM-EC)

Organizational Determinants as a Barrier of Balanced Scorecard Adoption for Performance Measurement in Pakistan

The prime objective of this study was to identify the status of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) adoption in Pakistan and to what extent different organizational factors serve as barrier in the strategic adoption of BSC as administrative tool to measure performance of organizations. Different organizational theories, strategic adoption, innovation diffusion theory and general system theory were reviewed and to develop theoretical framework these theories were considered as starting point. The literature related to these theories aided in the development of four hypotheses. All organizations of Pakistan irrespective of type, nature and location were selected to test the hypotheses. These organizations were selected by systematic random sampling and a sample of 287 was calculated from a sampling frame taken from Karachi Stock Exchange. After pretesting the adapted instrument was furthermore validated through Cronbach alpha and factor analysis. The impact of different factors as barrier was tested through correlation and regression analysis. It was found through analysis that all four organizational factors were very strong barriers in the adoption of BSC. The salient nature of organizational factors supporting the resource based view in organization for strategic decision for adoption. Keywords: Organizational Performance, Balance Scorecard, organizational barriers

Revisiting Capital Structure and Firm Value: Moderating Role of Corporate Governance: Evidence from Pakistan

The aim of the study was to examine the most discussed relationship between capital structure and firm value by investigating the intervening impact of various corporate governance measures. chief idea of the study was to observe the moderating impact of chosen governance attributes (board size, board independence, CEO role duality, managerial ownership and ownership concentration) on the relationship between capital structure (leverage) and firm value (Tobin’ Q). The study used the 775 firm year observations of 155 non-financial companies listed at Karachi Stock Exchange for financial years containing 2008 to 2012. Keeping in view the nature of data (balanced panel), fixed effects regression method was employed to estimate the formulated relationship. In finding moderation, this study found significant positive moderation for board independence and ownership concentration. However for managerial ownership this study found significant negative moderating effect between leverage and firm value. Keywords: Moderation, Capital structure, Firm value, Corporate Governance

Assessing the Role of Mobile Banking Applications in Creating Brand Loyalty among the Consumers of Commercial Banks

The Internet is transforming the world and abruptly revolutionizing every field of life. Due to rampant advancement in internet technologies, the world is getting shrunk into the pocket and the concept of distances has been evoked. Advancement in the internet has given birth to many other distinguished technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and metaverse, and these inventions have revolutionized the whole technological scenario In this modern era and especially after the pandemic COVID-19 world has shifted to smart technologies and the use of mobile banking applications has been boosted, Mobile Banking Applications are like a virtual bank where customers can experience the quality of banking services through the interface of applications. In this current research, we will try to root out how mobile applications create brand loyalty among the consumers of commercial banks in Bahawalpur. Key Words: Mobile Banking, Brand Loyalty, Artificial Intelligence, Commercial Banks, Loyalty Schemes, Financial Application

Internal Audit

The internal audit is an efficient, free, and documented procedure for gathering audit evidence and objectively evaluating it to ascertain the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled. The internal audit is very effective tool not only to judge the level meeting the needed requirements but also to improve the Quality Management System of the organization and great impact for the improvement of the performance of testing laboratories, inspection, certification agencies, and can play vital role for the strengthening of any organization. Internal Audit is a major way out to read through to gain guarantee that the organization is actually doing what it says is doing. During the internal audits in accordance with any of the required check, an auditor makes sure that the actions taken to meet the quality objectives of the organization are appropriate, and management system is in compliance with the relevant standard/ check. Nowadays, quality is important in business and industrial world as it is actually the value addition. The organization must have a quality system in place to guarantee that the product or service being offered is of a high enough calibers to satisfy the needs of the clients

Effects of Veratrilla baillonii Extract on Hepatic Gene Expression Profiles in Response to Aconitum brachypodum-Induced Liver Toxicity in Mice

This manuscript was aimed to explore the hepato-protective effect of water extract of Veratrilla baillonii Franch. (Gentianaceae) (WVBF) on serious hepatic toxicity induced in mice treated with Aconitum brachypodum Diels (Ranunculaceae) at transcriptome level. The physiological and pathological symptoms were evaluated as the markers for hepato toxicity induced by A. brachypodum Diels (CFA) extracted compounds. Moreover, gene chip method was used to compare and investigate the gene expression level of WVBF on CFA induced-liver toxicity to identify the potential target of WVBF and CFA on liver. The results showed that WVBF had a significant detoxification effect on CFA-induced acute hepatic toxicity. There were 130 genes with lower expression and 124 genes expressed at higher rate in CFA treated group as compared with normal control group, while there are 67 genes down-regulated and 74 genes up-regulated in WVBF treated group in comparison with CFA treated group. WVBF could attenuate CFA-induced liver damage in mice through regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory injury and cell apoptosis/necrosis pathways. On the other hand, WVBF and CFA may have potential synergetic effects on the target genes of certain diseases such as inflammation, cancer and diabetes

Methodologies for Housing Justice Resource Guide

This Resource Guide is the outcome of a Summer Institute on Methodologies for Housing Justice convened by the Institute on Inequality and Democracy at UCLA Luskin as part of the Housing Justice in Unequal Cities Network, which is supported by the National Science Foundation (BCS 1758774). Held in Los Angeles in August 2019, the Summer Institute brought together participants from cities around the world. As is the case with the overall scope and purpose of the Housing Justice in Unequal Cities Network, it created a shared terrain of scholarship for movement-based and university-based scholars. Dissatisfied with the canonical methods that are in use in housing studies and guided by housing justice movements that are active research communities, the Summer Institute was premised on the assertion that methodology is political. Methodology is rooted in arguments about the world and involves relations of power and knowledge. The method itself – be it countermapping or people’s diaries – does not ensure an ethics of solidarity and a purpose of justice. Such goals require methodologies for liberation. Thus, as is evident in this Resource Guide, our endeavor foregrounds innovative methods that are being used by researchers across academia and activism and explicitly situates such methods in an orientation towards housing justice

Innovation and affordability : strategies for including workforce housing in the Austin Innovation Zone

Existing literature on innovation districts and global case studies relate the importance of including housing opportunities in innovation district planning, including housing for employees. Innovation districts are dense and vibrant urban areas that provide opportunities for research institutions, technology firms, entrepreneurs, and local businesses to coexist in one space, creating economic growth and strengthening local institutions. The dense and mixed-use urban planning model used to define and design innovation districts requires creating a mix of opportunities for research, work, living, shopping, and entertainment. Former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Texas State Senator Kirk Watson created an Innovation District Advisory Group in 2013 to explore the idea of creating an innovation district in Austin. The establishment of the Dell Medical School, the redevelopment of the Central Health Brackenridge Campus, and the creation of the Dell Seton Medical Center in the northeast quadrant of Downtown Austin laid the foundation for establishing the Austin Innovation Zone in 2014. In March 2016, Senator Watson and Central Health announced the creation of a newly formed nonprofit, Capital City Innovation Inc., which will help drive the process of establishing the Zone and engaging local businesses. Planning for the Zone should further the vision and goals of the Downtown Austin Plan and create a dense and livable Downtown that includes various housing choices, including workforce housing. Workforce housing caters to households earning between 60 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Changing demographics and shifting housing preferences indicate workers prefer living close to work and in vibrant downtown settings. Employers are locating offices in downtowns to attract new employees and prefer that employees live close to work to increase productivity. Creative strategies are required to include rental workforce housing in the plans for the Austin Innovation Zone, as the case studies in this report show. To create workforce housing in the Zone, this report suggests conducting further research and a needs assessment, creating an Innovation Zone Density Bonus Program, revising the Land Development Code, creating a Downtown Workforce Housing Corporation, revising the S.M.A.R.T. Housing Program, streamlining the current permitting processes and providing options for expedited review.Community and Regional PlanningPublic Affair