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1 – 10 of 489Arshad Hasan, Zahid Riaz and Franklin Nakpodia
This study aims to investigate the impact of family management and ownership structure, including foreign ownership and business group ownership, on corporate performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of family management and ownership structure, including foreign ownership and business group ownership, on corporate performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an agency perspective and a quantitative research methodology, this study examines listed firms in Pakistan from 2009 to 2018.
Findings
The results suggest that family management and concentrated leadership constrain, whereas family leadership, foreign ownership and group ownership strengthen monitoring effectiveness and corporate performance. These findings imply that the shareholder governance logic offers optimal solutions in an emerging economy, as relational governance may activate agency problems.
Originality/value
The findings are consistent with the relevance of relational governance mechanisms in the form of family leadership. However, the results suggest that emerging economies require a hybrid governance model to address their unique agency problems, thereby underlining context relevance in corporate governance scholarship. Furthermore, this research adopts a thick view of institutions to clarify institutional embeddedness and corporate governance contextuality in an emerging economy.
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Adeel Ahmed, Mohd Anuar Arshad, Arshad Mahmood and Waseem Barkat
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of spiritual values (i.e. sense of community, sense of meaning and wisdom) on employee loyalty. Spiritual values are widely…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of spiritual values (i.e. sense of community, sense of meaning and wisdom) on employee loyalty. Spiritual values are widely accepted by scholars and practitioners as a fundamental element for employee performance. This study explored and enriched the body of knowledge on spiritual and Islamic values, as it investigated the interactive effect of Islamic work ethic (IWE). The theoretical foundation of this research is based on social exchange theory.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional design with purposive sampling was used to collect data from the airline industry. A partial least square (PLS) second-generation structural equation modeling method (Smart-PLS software) was used to test the hypothesized relationship.
Findings
The study findings revealed that giving importance to spiritual values could add value to the performance of the organization. In addition, based on study findings, organizations should give high priority to Islamic orientations at work and promote IWEs in the true sense.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of the study is one of the limitations. This study was unable to get a random sample due to the unavailability of a comprehensive and complete list of employees. In addition, from a methodological point of view, this research relied on a single source, which is subjected to bias. Future studies should replicate and test the applicability of the current framework in any other global context.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, no studies in past tested these relationships, which is a contribution to the literature. This research should be an avenue for further inquiries using more rigorous approaches.
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Irfan Ullah, Wiqar Ahmad and Arshad Ali
This paper aims to identify the key patronage factors that encouraged the public for investment in the Modaraba scam – a Ponzi scheme perpetrated in Pakistan with a whim of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the key patronage factors that encouraged the public for investment in the Modaraba scam – a Ponzi scheme perpetrated in Pakistan with a whim of Sharīʿah-compliant business and intermediation of religious clerics.
Design/methodology/approach
In a qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the investors of the scam followed by thematic analysis to conclude on the subject matter.
Findings
The results reveal numerous stimuli, thematically categorized as the monetary stimulus, religiosity stimulus and lubricants, which mobilized investment towards the scam. In general, a lucrative rate of return on investment and personality of the agents, being religious clerics, were the two prominent reasons, which convinced unanimously all investors. In particular, the religiosity stimulus (agents’ personality and Sharīʿah-compliant business) was a novel and eye-catching slogan of the scheme.
Originality/value
Keeping in view the amount of scam and number of victims, this research is a robust attempt to conclude on the determinants of investment decision in the Modaraba scam.
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Syed Awais Ali Shah, Bingtuan Gao, Ajeet Kumar Bhatia, Chuande Liu and Arshad Rauf
Barge-type offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT) commonly exhibits an under-actuated phenomenon in an offshore environment, which leads to a potential vibration-damping hazard…
Abstract
Purpose
Barge-type offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT) commonly exhibits an under-actuated phenomenon in an offshore environment, which leads to a potential vibration-damping hazard. This article aims to provide a new robust output feedback anti-vibrational control scheme for the novel translational oscillator with rotational actuator (TORA) based five-degrees of freedom (5-DOF) barge-type OFWT in the presence of unwanted disturbances and modeling uncertainties.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, an active control technique called TORA has been used to design a 5-DOF barge-type OFWT model, where the mathematical model of the proposed system is derived by using Euler–Lagrange's equations. The robust hierarchical backstepping integral nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (HBINTSMC) with an adaptive gain is used in conjunction with extended order high gain observer (EHGO) to achieve system stabilization in the presence of unwanted disturbances and modeling uncertainties. The numerical simulations based on MATLAB/SIMULINK have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and control law.
Findings
The numerical simulation results affirm the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed control law for the TORA based OFWT system. The results demonstrate that the proposed control law is robust against unwanted disturbances and uncertainties. The unknown states are accurately estimated by EHGO which enables the controller to exhibit improved stabilization performance.
Originality/value
A new mathematical model of the 5-DOF barge-type OFWT system based on TORA is the major contribution of this research paper. Furthermore, it provides a new adaptive anti-vibration control scheme by incorporating the EHGO for the proposed model.
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Arshad Ali Javed, Wei Pan, Le Chen and Wenting Zhan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the complex interdependence of the factors in driving or hindering construction productivity at the industry, project and activity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the complex interdependence of the factors in driving or hindering construction productivity at the industry, project and activity levels in a systemic manner.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods design, which combines a critical literature review, an interview-based survey with 32 industry experts and five focus group meetings participated in by 109 representatives of a wide range of industry stakeholder groups, was employed to identify the drivers for and constraints on construction productivity enhancement in Hong Kong and explore the interrelated insights into the drivers and constraints.
Findings
The study conceptualised and validated a systemic framework for examining construction industry productivity, and developed three causal loop diagrams (CLDs) for illustrating the dynamic structures that underpin the complex systems of the drivers and constraints.
Research limitations/implications
Although the scope of the study was limited to Hong Kong, the results could be interpreted for critical learning in other urban contexts.
Practical implications
The systemic perspective of construction productivity and the CLDs of the drivers and constraints support the systems thinking of industry stakeholders in the formulation of holistic strategies for long-term construction industry productivity enhancement.
Originality/value
The study conceptualises construction productivity from a systemic perspective and provides empirically supported CLDs to facilitate future investigations into the complex system of construction productivity.
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Norfaridah Ali Azizan, Amirul Afif Muhamat, Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi, Husniyati Ali and Amalia Qistina Casteneda Abdullah
Waqf (endowment) lands constitute as among the highest types of waqf (endowment) properties in Malaysia; yet it is still unable to reach its maximum potential due to various…
Abstract
Purpose
Waqf (endowment) lands constitute as among the highest types of waqf (endowment) properties in Malaysia; yet it is still unable to reach its maximum potential due to various challenges such as capital, location, legal and administrative issues. Therefore, this study intends to explore these issues by focussing on the two states in Malaysia (Selangor and Perak) that have fertile lands but different management authorities.
Design/methodology/approach
There were series of interviews that had been conducted with ten (10) key informants who are experts and practitioners in the areas of Shariah (Islamic law), farming, agribusiness, land management and waqf.
Findings
Findings exhibit that constraints and challenges that had been highlighted in the previous literature still exist (although some improvements had been made), but there is emerging theme that the study intends to highlight which is on the needs to secure market for the agribusiness produce and the potential role of anchor company in the agribusiness. It is pertinent that for agribusiness to thrive, selecting the right anchor company that has the capacity to address the challenges is necessary. This study posits two anchor company models (Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company and Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company-Community Farmers) that can be applied for agribusiness on the waqf lands.
Research limitations/implications
This study is based on the Malaysia's context influenced by specific country's features. Nevertheless, such findings can still be used as reference or benchmark by other endowment trustees in other countries especially for the Muslim countries as well as the non-Muslim countries that have significant Muslim populations.
Social implications
The suggested models have potentials to improve the living condition of the B40 (below 40% household income) in Malaysia because the models encourage their participation in the agribusiness activities.
Originality/value
This study focusses on the agribusiness, which is rarely being given attention in previous literature in the context of endowment lands. Therefore, this article bridges the literature gap and at the same time attempts to provide suggestion to address the pertinent issue – the underutilised endowment lands.
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Aamar Ilyas, Muhammad Shehryar Shahid and Ramraini Ali Hassan
Conventionally, the marginalised population was considered to engage in child labour due to poverty, education or lack of other options, but indeed, a few children work…
Abstract
Purpose
Conventionally, the marginalised population was considered to engage in child labour due to poverty, education or lack of other options, but indeed, a few children work voluntarily. However, a growing number of scholars, in recent years, have drawn their attention to the valuable question, “why children are engaged in child labour in the informal economy”. Even though a few studies have explored the motives of informal workers, to our knowledge not a single paper has explored the motives of child labourers working in the informal economy. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by evaluating the motives of child labourers, through three competing theorisations of the informal economy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, face-to-face structured interviews of 45 child labourers were conducted, who worked in different automobile workshops in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Respondents were selected using the snowball sampling technique as this strategy is suitable for researching sensitive issues and is feasible for small sample sizes.
Findings
The main finding is that no single explanation is universally applicable to all child labourers. Some (27 per cent) justify their participation in the informal sector as driven by necessity (structuralist perspective), majority (40 per cent) explain their participation in the informal economy as a rational economic choice (neo-liberal perspective) and finally, more than a quarter of respondents (31 per cent) engaged in child labour due to their own free will or voluntarily to work for their family (post-structuralist perspective). This study also revealed that entrepreneurial spawning is a key determinant of child labour as the majority of children, in our study, working in automobile workshops intended to start their own workshop business in the future.
Research limitations/implications
This article shows that children early engaged in work with entrepreneurial intention/spawning. Entrepreneurial education is very important in a child’s life. Entrepreneurial education will be a ticket to fulfill their dreams and learn new things with entrepreneurial attitude.
Practical implications
Government should develop the vocational training institutes for children who left the schools.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of literature by providing a better understanding of why children work in informal employment, an occupation generally perceived as constituting exploitative working conditions. This study also contributes to the wider literature of entrepreneurship by exploring “entrepreneurial spawning” as one of the major reasons underlying the participation of children in informal work.
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Albert P.C. Chan, Francis K.W. Wong, Carol K.H. Hon, Arshad Ali Javed and Sainan Lyu
With increasing employment of ethnic minority (EM) workers from different nationalities to mitigate the growing demand for a construction workforce, the safety and health problems…
Abstract
Purpose
With increasing employment of ethnic minority (EM) workers from different nationalities to mitigate the growing demand for a construction workforce, the safety and health problems of these workers have become a significant concern. The purpose of this paper is to identify and rank according to severity the safety and health-related problems confronted by EM construction workers.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded theory approach was employed to construct the main categories and subcategories of the construction safety and health problems of EM workers. A two-round Delphi survey of 18 experts, who are highly experienced in managing EM workers, was conducted to rank the relative severity of the identified safety and health problems.
Findings
A total of 14 subcategories and 4 categories of construction safety and health problems of EM workers were identified. Among the 14 subcategories, the most urgent and serious ones were insufficient safety materials and training in their native language, insufficient safety staff from EM origin, and safety communication barriers. In addition, safety and health problems at the corporate and governmental levels are also worth paying attention.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the update on the existing body of knowledge on safety and health problems encountered by EM construction workers and revelation of their peculiar situation in Hong Kong. Findings of the study will be of value to various stakeholders in formulating safety and health measures for EM construction workers.
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Ann Tit Wan Yu, Arshad Ali Javed, Tsun Ip Lam, Geoffrey Qiping Shen and Ming Sun
Integrating sustainability into the value management (VM) process can provide a strategic platform for promoting and incorporating sustainable design and development during the…
Abstract
Purpose
Integrating sustainability into the value management (VM) process can provide a strategic platform for promoting and incorporating sustainable design and development during the lifespans of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for integrating sustainability into the VM process in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an extensive literature review, 45 attributes were identified and grouped into strength, weakness, opportunity and threat elements. A questionnaire survey based on these groupings was supported by semi-structured interviews with public sector clients, value managers and VM facilitators. They shared their experience and views on how to integrate sustainability into the VM exercises.
Findings
The triangulated results of the survey and interviews are presented in this paper. The ranking of the SWOT analysis results indicate that VM does provide opportunities for multidisciplinary professionals and stakeholders to focus on issues relating to society and the environment, which is considered a main strength. The major weakness of integration is the lack of well-trained staff and low levels of VM participant expertise in relation to the sustainable construction issue.
Research limitations/implications
Current practices generally neglect integration of sustainability into the VM process due to cost and time constraints. There are ample strengths and opportunities recommended by this study for integrating sustainability into the VM process which are beneficial for the clients and contractors for achieving value for money and meeting sustainability targets.
Practical implications
There are immense opportunities for integrating sustainability into the VM process, including encouragement of the reduction, reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste. However, threats presented by integration include the additional time and costs required for achieving sustainability targets.
Originality/value
Findings and recommendations provided in this paper should be helpful to decision makers including clients and VM facilitators for the successful integration of the sustainability concept into the VM process.
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Arshad Ahmad Khan, Sufyan Ullah Khan, Muhammad Abu Sufyan Ali, Aftab Khan, Yousaf Hayat and Jianchao Luo
The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of climate change and water salinity on farmer’s income risk with future outlook mitigation. Salinity and climate change…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of climate change and water salinity on farmer’s income risk with future outlook mitigation. Salinity and climate change are a threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. However, the combined effects of climate change and salinity impacts on farmers' income are not well understood, particularly in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The response-yield function and general maximum entropy methods were used to predict the impact of temperature, precipitation and salinity on crop yield. The target minimization of total absolute deviations (MOTAD)-positive mathematical programming model was used to simulate the impact of climate change and salinity on socioeconomic and environmental indicators. In the end, a multicriteria decision-making model was used, aiming at the selection of suitable climate scenarios.
Findings
The results revealed that precipitation shows a significantly decreasing trend, while temperature and groundwater salinity (EC) illustrate a significantly increasing trend. Climate change and EC negatively impact the farmer's income and water shadow prices. Maximum reduction in income and water shadow prices was observed for A2 scenario (−12.4% and 19.4%) during 2050. The environmental index was the most important, with priority of 43.4% compared to socioeconomic indicators. Subindex amount of water used was also significant in study area, with 28.1% priority. The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution ranking system found that B1 was the best climatic scenario for adopting climate change adaptation in the research region.
Originality/value
In this study, farmers' income threats were assessed with the aspects of different climate scenario (A1, A1B and B1) over the horizons of 2030, 2040 and 2050 and three different indicators (economic, social and environmental) in Northwestern region of Pakistan. Only in arid and semiarid regions has climate change raised temperature and reduced rainfall, which are preliminary symptoms of growing salinity.
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