Search results
1 – 10 of 99Saira Saira, Sadia Mansoor, Sadia Ishaque, Sadia Ehtisham and Muhammad Ali
This study aims to investigate whether the impact of effectiveness of diversity training on affective commitment is different for men versus women and whether affective commitment…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate whether the impact of effectiveness of diversity training on affective commitment is different for men versus women and whether affective commitment mediates the relationship between effectiveness of diversity training and employee outcomes of turnover intention and job satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 134 employees working in an Australian manufacturing organization by using an employee survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data using AMOS.
Findings
The results of this study support the proposed hypotheses, demonstrating a significant, indirect effect of effective diversity training on job satisfaction and turnover intention via affective commitment. Moreover, gender moderates the relationship between effective diversity training and affective commitment.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that organizations can enhance affective commitment and job satisfaction and reduce turnover intention by providing effective diversity training to employees. Gender of employees should also be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of training.
Originality/value
This study provides pioneering evidence of the following relationships: diversity training effectiveness and turnover intention via affective commitment; diversity training effectiveness and job satisfaction via affective commitment; and diversity training effectiveness and affective commitment for men versus women.
Details
Keywords
Saira Saira, Sadia Mansoor and Muhammad Ali
The purpose of this study is to empirically test the mediating effect of psychological empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership and two employee…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to empirically test the mediating effect of psychological empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership and two employee outcomes: organizational citizenship behavior and turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 316 employees working in the textile industry to empirically test the proposed model.
Findings
The findings of this study indicate that psychological empowerment mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and both employee outcomes of organizational citizenship behavior and turnover intention.
Research limitations/implications
This study suggests that organizations aiming to minimize turnover intention among employees should develop a transformational leadership style at the managerial level to enhance psychological empowerment among employees, which, in turn, will also improve organizational citizenship behavior.
Originality/value
This study proposes and tests the indirect effect of transformational leadership on organizational citizenship behavior and turnover intention via psychological empowerment.
Details
Keywords
Tauseef Hussain, Syeda Hina Batool, Saira Hanif Soroya and Nosheen Fatima Warraich
The purpose of the paper is to examine the current status of prison libraries, their role, services and collection in Pakistani context. It also attempts to highlight the main…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the current status of prison libraries, their role, services and collection in Pakistani context. It also attempts to highlight the main problems faced by selected libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative research approach was adopted to achieve the study objectives. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews to find out respondents’ views about libraries in prison.
Findings
Findings of the study confirmed that inmates’ library queries are mostly related to the legal matters, and it is quite natural. One of the significant services of the Pakistani prison libraries is to help prisoners in their education. The main role of the library caretaker was to educate and offer rehabilitation programs. Unavailability of library space, lack of professional staff, limited collections, poor budgetary situation and censorship issues are the major challenges that Pakistani prison libraries are facing.
Social implications
The study findings further implicate that open libraries and access to books would promote positivity within society and reduce criminal and immoral acts.
Originality/value
It is the first of its kind and unique study that presents the current situation of prison libraries in the Pakistani context. The study has practical implications for policymakers to give importance to prison libraries in terms of finance, professional staff and the availability of information sources.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Rafique, Mastura Jaafar, Aliya Zafar and Saira Ahmed
Little research has focused on abusive supervision in the context of project management, despite its prevalence and detrimental influence on the psychological health of…
Abstract
Purpose
Little research has focused on abusive supervision in the context of project management, despite its prevalence and detrimental influence on the psychological health of subordinates. Therefore, drawing on affective event theory (AET), this study sought to investigate supervisor-level antecedents of abusive supervision by considering the mediating role of emotional exhaustion and moderating role of psychological resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing a time-lagged design, data were collected through questionnaires from project managers and their immediate subordinates in construction projects. PROCESS macros were utilized to analyze a sample of 241 supervisor-subordinate dyads.
Findings
The findings revealed that time pressure and emotional exhaustion significantly predicted project manager abusive supervision. The authors also found that emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between time pressure and project manager abusive supervision. Furthermore, the results show that highly resilient project managers become less emotionally exhausted when facing time pressure. Lastly, psychological resilience moderated the indirect effect of time pressure on project manager abusive supervision through emotional exhaustion.
Originality/value
According to Fordjour et al., abusive supervision is a critical factor that deteriorates the psychological health of subordinates in the project. Nevertheless, this phenomenon remains uninvestigated. Therefore, this research contributes to the project management literature by investigating key predictors of abusive supervision, thus filling both a theoretical and practical gap.
Details
Keywords
Saira Hanif Soroya, Liqaa Habeb Al-Obaydi and Mohsin Abdur Rehman
In the digital transformation race, the older generation, called digital immigrants (generation X), encounter various obstacles. This study aims to investigate the e-reading…
Abstract
Purpose
In the digital transformation race, the older generation, called digital immigrants (generation X), encounter various obstacles. This study aims to investigate the e-reading adoption and cross-cultural differences among generation X.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected survey-based data from generation X e-readers in Iraq and Pakistan (Pakistan, N = 235; Iraq, N = 251). Structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis (MGA) were used to arrive at a statistical decision regarding the hypotheses and the study’s primary objectives.
Findings
Three hypotheses (H2, H3 and H8) were supported by both data sets. However, there is positive variance based on MGA for two hypotheses (H1 and H3) where the Pakistani sample’s path coefficients are greater than the Iraqi sample’s path coefficients. In contrast, there is negative variance based on MGA for two hypotheses (H7 and H9) where the Iraqi sample’s path coefficients are greater than the Pakistani sample’s path coefficients. Finally, these distinctions are examined, along with a few potential research topics
Originality/value
Although there is a plethora of literature on digital immigrants and technology adoption in general, and specifically on e-reading uptake. Research on e-reading adoption in a global learning context is still lacking. Therefore, this study examines the e-reading behavior of digital immigrants from two developing countries (Iraq and Pakistan) and identifies significant cross-cultural differences in e-reading adoption.
Details
Keywords
Rana Muhammad Ayyub, Saira Naeem, Shehzad Ahmed and Chanaka Jayawardhena
The main purpose of this paper is to study the changing consumer behavior toward broiler meat and apprise its consequences toward food insecurity.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to study the changing consumer behavior toward broiler meat and apprise its consequences toward food insecurity.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a sequential exploratory mixed-method study in which qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 38) by snowball sampling. The quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire survey (n = 975) by convenience sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed through NVivo 10 software by using thematic analysis, i.e. the qualitative content analysis (QCA). The theory of consumer alienation provides the theoretical underpinning for a quantitative study. The established scales were adopted and adapted. The quantitative data was analyzed through AMOS 24 software by using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
It was found that people have many reservations regarding broiler meat. Thus, consumer alienation negatively (ß = −0.10) and the subjective norm positively (ß = 0.82) affects the intention to buy broiler meat.
Research limitations/implications
The ongoing consumer alienation toward broiler will force them to avoid using this cheapest protein and ultimately will lead to food insecurity in developing countries. It is recommended that people must be adequately educated about the real broiler business and its operations to counter their ongoing misperceptions.
Originality/value
It is the original empirical Research Work.
Details
Keywords
Claire Hannibal, Jack Rowan, Olatunde Durowoju, David Bryde, Jake Holloway, Omolola Adeyemi and Saira Shamim
Currently there is no universally accepted approach to supply chain risk management and assurance. To begin to shed more light on the practical operational challenges presented…
Abstract
Purpose
Currently there is no universally accepted approach to supply chain risk management and assurance. To begin to shed more light on the practical operational challenges presented when considering supply chain risk mitigation through the sharing of information, this paper discusses the results of an empirical study conducted with manufacturing supply chain professionals. The study examines state-of-the-art challenges to managing risk in today's supply chains by reporting on data collected in 2021.
Design/methodology/approach
To develop a rich picture of the challenges of information sharing in multi-tier supply chains, the authors adopted a qualitative research design. The authors conducted 14 interviews with supply chain professionals and ran two focus groups that were industry specific: one focused on the nuclear industry and the other on automotive.
Findings
The study identifies contemporary practical challenges to information sharing in supply chains – specifically challenges related to data quality and the acceptance of sub-optimal normative supply chain practices, which have consequences for supplier assurance fatigue and supply chain transparency.
Originality/value
The topical and contemporary study shows how an acceptance of the normative practices of a supply chain can have a cumulative effect on the likelihood of supply chain disruption due to shortcomings in approaches to information sharing. The notion of the acceptance of the status quo in this context has received limited research attention, and hence offers an extension to current discourse on supply chain risk and resilience.
Details
Keywords
Iqra Mubeen, Saira Hanif Soroya and Khalid Mahmood
As the revolution of information takes place, industrialized societies are going to become information societies. Developing countries such as Pakistan are going to change due to…
Abstract
Purpose
As the revolution of information takes place, industrialized societies are going to become information societies. Developing countries such as Pakistan are going to change due to technology and, in turn, transform the whole structure of libraries. The concept of digital libraries (DL) has emerged due to technological advancements. This study aims to highlight the factors that encourage and discourage the use of the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) National Digital Library (NDL).
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was selected for the investigation, while the data collection instrument was a questionnaire. Postgraduate research students were the population of the study. A convenient sampling technique was used for sample selection.
Findings
The results of the study indicated that the use of HEC (NDL) was frequent monthly. The display of search results, 24/7 access, the authenticity of items, availability of navigational assistance and up-to-date information encourage researchers to use DL. However, their preference for print material over electronic material, slow downloading speed of the internet and non-availability of older and archival publications were the common reasons for the low use of DL. Furthermore, there are significant differences in terms of using the NDL based on gender, the program of study and the stage of the study.
Originality/value
This study will contribute significantly to the literature from the developing countries and would also helpful for HEC (NDL) authorities and university libraries to design information services.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Abbas Ranjah, Amir Ismail, Muhammad Waseem, Saira Tanweer, Baila Ahmad, Tahir Mehmood, Faiz-Ul-Hassan Shah, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Majid Hussain and Tariq Ismail
This study aims to compare the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of different parts (tip, mid and base portion) of lemongrass leaves for application as a natural ingredient…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to compare the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of different parts (tip, mid and base portion) of lemongrass leaves for application as a natural ingredient in the functional drink.
Design/methodology/approach
Lemongrass leaf powder was prepared from different parts of leaves and evaluated for nutritional composition. Additionally, the extracts of different portions of lemongrass leaves were analyzed for total phenolics, free radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and antimicrobial activities for their application in food products.
Findings
Tip portion of lemongrass leaf anticipated significantly (p < 0.05) higher contents of ash, protein, calcium, potassium and iron i.e. 6.2 mg/100 g, 18 mg/100 g, 340 ppm, 819 ppm and 32 ppm, respectively. Maximum (p < 0.05) phenolics (14.7 mg GAE/100 g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydroxyl (86.3%) and FRAP (200 mmol/100 g) were observed in lemongrass leaf tip methanolic extracts. Moreover, lemongrass leaf tip hydro-methanolic extracts portrayed maximum zone of inhibition against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus i.e. 16.7 and 18.2 mm, respectively.
Practical implications
This study demonstrated higher antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the tip of lemongrass leaves as compared with mid and base portions, hence suggesting its role in the improvement of physicochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of food products. Consequently, the application of lemongrass methanolic extract up to 10% remarkably enhanced the nutritional value and sensorial acceptance of the beverages.
Originality/value
The present research draws evidence from laboratory analysis of fresh lemongrass grown in Pakistan. The findings suggest that lemongrass methanolic extracts could be used as a nutritionally rich source of antioxidant activity in functional drinks.
Details
Keywords
Saira Hanif Soroya, Malik Muhammad Yasir Iqbal, Muhammad Shahid Soroya and Khalid Mahmood
The study was designed to examine the predictors of information literacy self-efficacy skills (IL skills) of medical students.
Abstract
Purpose
The study was designed to examine the predictors of information literacy self-efficacy skills (IL skills) of medical students.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was quantitative in nature and was carried out by using survey research method. Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale for medical students (ILSES-M) were used to collect the data. Data was collected randomly from 223 out of 526 undergraduate medical students on proportionally random basis according to the number of students available in each year. PLS-SEM analysis was run with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that three subconstructs for emotional intelligence (EI), that is, self-emotions appraisal, others-emotion appraisal, use of emotions, had a statistically significant positive impact (p < 0.05) on information literacy (IL) self-efficacy of the medical students. The findings further confirm that English language proficiency and frequency of attended IL instruction sessions also have a significant positive impact on IL self-efficacy of medical students.
Originality/value
The exploration of EI in relation to IL is comparatively a novel area. The study observed the influence of EI level on IL self-efficacy of medical students. The study will be a significant contribution to the IL literature. The results may help the information professionals/librarians, particularly those who are engaged in teaching and designing IL programs.
Details