Search results

Although the importance of climate change is generally acknowledged, its impacts are often not taken into account explicitly when planning development projects. This being due to limited resources, among others, this paper aims to propose a simple and low-cost approach to assess the viability of human activities under climate change.

Many human activities are feasible only within a narrow range of climatic conditions. Comparing such “climate corridors” with future climate projections provides an intuitive yet quantitative means for assessing needs for, and the viability of, adaptation activities under climate change.

The approach was tested within development projects in Pakistan, Peru and Tajikistan. The approach was shown to work well for forestry and agriculture, indicating positive/negative prospects for wheat in two districts in Pakistan, temperature constraints for maize in Peru and widening elevation ranges for walnut trees in Tajikistan.

Climate corridor analyses feed into the preparation of Local Adaptation Plans of Action in Pakistan.

The simplicity and robustness of climate corridor analysis allow for efficient analysis and communication of climate change impacts. It works when data availability is limited, but it can as well accommodate a wide range of complexities. It has proven to be an effective vehicle for mainstreaming climate change into adaptation planning.

This study aims to explore entropy evaluation in the bi-directional flow of Casson hybrid nanofluids within a stagnated domain, a topic of significant importance for optimizing thermal systems. The aim is to investigate the behavior of unsteady, magnetized and laminar flow using a parametric model based on the thermo-physical properties of alumina and copper nanoparticles.

The research uses boundary layer approximations and the Keller-box method to solve the derived ordinary differential equations, ensuring numerical accuracy through convergence and stability analysis. A comparison benchmark has been used to authenticate the accuracy of the numerical outcomes.

Results indicate that increasing the Casson fluid parameter (ranging from 0.1 to 1.0) reduces velocity, the Bejan number decreases with higher bidirectional flow parameter (ranging from 0.1 to 0.9) and the Nusselt number increases with higher nanoparticle concentrations (ranging from 1% to 4%).

This study has limitations, including the assumption of laminar flow and the neglect of possible turbulent effects, which could be significant in practical applications.

The findings offer insights for optimizing thermal management systems, particularly in industries where precise control of heat transfer is crucial. The Keller-box simulation method proves to be effective in accurately predicting the behavior of such complex systems, and the entropy evaluation aids in assessing thermodynamic irreversibilities, which can enhance the efficiency of engineering designs.

These findings provide valuable insights into the thermal management of hybrid nanofluid systems, marking a novel contribution to the field.

The purpose of the study is to analyse the occurrence and distribution of different tree species in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, as a baseline for further inventories, and estimate the biomass per species and plot. Furthermore, it aims to measure forest biodiversity using established formulae for tree species diversity index, richness, evenness and accumulative curve.

Field data were collected, including stratification of forest sample plots. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out, and locally appropriate allometric equations were applied for biomass estimation.

Representative circular 556 forest sample plots of 1,000 m² contained 13,135 trees belonging to nine tree species with a total aboveground biomass of 12,887 tonnes. Sixty-eight per cent of the trees were found between 2,600 and 3,400 masl; approximately 63 per cent had a diameter at breast height equal to 30 cm, and 45 per cent were less than 12 m in height. The Shannon diversity index was 1.82, and Simpson’s index of diversity was 0.813.

Rough terrain, long distances, harsh weather conditions and location of forest in steep narrow valleys presented challenges for the field crews, and meant that fieldwork took longer than planned.

Estimating biomass in Gilgit-Baltistan’s forests using locally developed allometric equations will provide transparency in estimates of forest reference levels, National Forest Monitoring System in Pakistan and devising Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation national strategies and for effective implementation.

This paper presents the first detailed forest inventory carried out for the dry temperate and semi-arid cold region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

This study examined the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in the environmental performance of higher education institutes (HEIs). The study also examined the mediating effect of green commitment and green behaviour. Furthermore, the study explored if green self-efficacy (GSE) moderated the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The ability, motivation, and opportunity (AMO) theory were employed to explain the relationship between the study's variables.

The study opted for a descriptive study using the convenience sampling technique by collecting data through a survey questionnaire administered to 208 individuals currently employed in Pakistani HEIs. Data collection was undertaken among senior, middle, and top management of the HEIs. The statistical software, partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), was used for data analysis.

The results provide empirical insights indicating the positive relation of GHRM practices with environmental performance in HEIs. Changes in employees' behaviour through human resource management practices can ultimately affect the organisations' environmental performance. Besides, the results also demonstrated that GSE moderates the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The findings highlight the role of commitment level and GSE in enhancing the environmental performance of HEIs.

The study proposes that HEIs' management take adequate initiatives to implement GHRM practices.

The current study contributes to the literature by empirically examining the indirect double mediation effect of green commitment and green behaviour on GHRM and environmental performance. Furthermore, the moderating effect of GSE, which is an under-explored area, was also studied.

Sustainable tourism will be an appropriate strategy to be promoted during the post COVID-19 pandemic, as this is a turning point for the tourism industry to grab the unique chance to have a true reset by focussing on achieving long-term sustainability and a shift from a ‘me to we’ economy. To support sustainable tourism and foster future success in the tourism industry, the process of integrating green knowledge and knowledge management can begin with entrepreneurial education in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, empirical research on university students' green entrepreneurial intention in sustainable tourism has not been exhaustively studied. Additionally, there is a need to further explore knowledge management process and entrepreneurial learning in HEIs. Hence, the aim of this study is to analyze knowledge management as a technique to explore the green entrepreneurial intention of students in HEIs in sustaining Malaysia's tourism post COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory research with quantitative analysis was conducted through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that there is a positive and significant relationship between green entrepreneurial knowledge and green entrepreneurial intention in sustainable tourism among university business students. Additionally, knowledge revision and conceptual change positively and significantly influence green entrepreneurial knowledge and green entrepreneurial intention in sustainable tourism. However, knowledge application has no impact on green entrepreneurial knowledge and green entrepreneurial intention. The results of this study also reveal that green entrepreneurial knowledge does not have a mediation effect on green entrepreneurial intention. The present work contributes by going beyond the study of entrepreneurial intention, as the research focusses on interconnection among these three major areas: knowledge management, sustainable tourism, and entrepreneurship education post COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the combination of these diverse aspects in this study provides insights to educators and policy makers to investigate the importance of green entrepreneurial knowledge and benefits of knowledge management that can be integrated into entrepreneurship education for current and future sustainable tourism development.

Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from the wrong' (al‐furqan). As this is accomplished by dint of knowledge (al‐ 'ilm). All these three guiding elements namely huda, furqan and ilm, are lined‐up by Allah, the Lord Providence (Rabb‐ulalamin), for earthly welfare (hasanah) and other‐worldly salvation (falah) of human beings. In Quranic context, knowledge, therefore, carries a great significance.

In recent years, the use of mobile devices for academic persistence has grown to be an indispensable element of students’ learning, highlighting the broad acceptance and adaptability of mobile technology in learning environments. The current study examines how college students in rural areas use mobile devices and how self-efficacious they are when seeking online information. Additionally, the study investigated the connection between mobile devices usage (MDU), mobile devices self-efficacy (MDSE) and online information seeking behavior (OISB) on the basis of demographic differences.

A quantitative research design was used by deploying a five-point Likert scale for measurement, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.26 was used for data analysis. A variety of statistical methodologies, including t-tests, ANOVA and correlation coefficients, were conducted to inspect and assess MDU, MDSE and OISB across gender and age groups. Data from 331 students at the public sector college in a rural region was gathered using a questionnaire. A total of 315 legitimate replies were received.

The study's conclusions showed that the respondents used their mobile devices for educational purposes less frequently. Nonetheless, the respondents' degrees of MDSE and OISB appear to be high. Furthermore, a strong link was demonstrated among the MDU, MDSE and OISB. On the contrary, there was a negative correlation link between MDU and both MDSE & OISB, while a positive correlation between MDSE and OISB was found. The results also showed substantial variance in all research components based on age and gender, indicating that male and younger respondents performed more efficiently than female and adult respondents.

These results indicate that information literacy guidelines and a variety of educational initiatives should be put together by the government, educational policymakers, librarians and educators, with a focus on how to use mobile devices for learning and information seeking. This will make it possible for students to more efficiently find the information using their portable devices.

Present study investigated the influence of female descendent entrepreneur's self-compassion on the perceived succession success of small-family businesses (S-FB) with the mediating mechanism of financial literacy.

The primary data was collected from 319 female descendent entrepreneurs who were designated as chairwomen, and managing director positions in their retails sector S-FBs. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. The provided hypotheses are tested using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. This study followed multiple regression analyses to see the influence of self-compassion (mindfulness, self-isolation, self-judgment and over-identification) on financial literacy and perceived succession success.

The results reveal that female descendent entrepreneurs mindfulness and over-identification significantly increase but self-isolation decreases the likelihood of successful succession transition. Moreover, female descendent entrepreneur's financial literacy increases mindfulness and overidentification while it decreases self-isolation and improves the likelihood of succession success. However, financial literacy does not influence self-judgmental traits and perceived succession success.

This study highlights a vital issue, how the financial literacy of female descendent entrepreneurs manages their self-compassion and increases the likelihood of succession success. In addition, it covers a research gap and helps the S-FBs to improve their survival rate by focusing on the descendent entrepreneur's self-compassion and financial literacy.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by emphasizing predictors that influence the successful succession transition to subsequent generations. This study determines the influence of self-compassion of female descendent entrepreneurs on perceived succession success and financial literacy as a mediator by using the self-control theory. The study can be useful to family business consultants, policymakers and family businesses.

The purpose of this paper is to advance the theoretical perspective of complexity leadership paradigm to introduce shared leadership style as a precursor of taking charge behavior in public sector higher educational institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. Moreover, this study unveils the underlying mechanisms of the climate of initiative and psychological safety for clarifying the link of shared leadership and taking charge.

The multi-source and multi-wave data were analyzed by employing double mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 4); using 282 valid responses obtained from a proportionate stratified sample of faculty members working in public sector HEIs of Pakistan.

The result indicates that shared leadership is a suitable style for governing the public sector HEIs and it fosters taking charge behavior in teaching faculty. Additionally, shared leadership creates climates that support initiatives and are psychologically safe that set stage for taking charge behaviors in teaching faculty of public sector HEIs of Pakistan.

This research has filled the gap of focusing on more collaborative leadership styles instead of traditional vertical leadership practices in public sector HEIs of Pakistan. Theoretically, this study suggests new insights into the contextual antecedents and mediating mechanisms of taking charge behaviors.

Online learning gained ground during the pandemic and has continued to be used in the post-Covid era. Items related to online learning should be included in service quality assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of service quality, which includes the online learning dimension, on student satisfaction in higher-education in a blended learning environment.

A total of 452 valid questionnaires were collected from business undergraduate students enrolled in public universities in Greece. A modified version of HEdPERF is used to evaluate service quality. Due to the extensive use of online learning, an additional dimension was added to the HEdPERF scale which focuses on online education, a field that has not yet been widely examined. Structural equation modeling is used to examine the relationships between service quality, and student satisfaction.

The research findings verify the six-structure scale of the HEdPERF instrument (non-academic aspects, academic aspects, reputation, access and programs issues and online learning), providing satisfactory results in terms of reliability and validity tests. Service quality dimensions such as academic aspects, access, program issues and online learning are the influential dimensions of student satisfaction in a blended learning context.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has expanded traditional service quality instruments to include the dimension of service quality of online learning.