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1 – 5 of 5Shagufta Tariq Khan, Mohd Abass Bhat and Mohi-Ud-Din Sangmi
This study investigates the effectiveness of microfinance-backed entrepreneurship as a mechanism for the holistic empowerment of women.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the effectiveness of microfinance-backed entrepreneurship as a mechanism for the holistic empowerment of women.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a mixed-method research-design consisting of quasi-experimental design (quantitative approach) involving women, both entrepreneurs (132) and non-entrepreneurs (238), as well as in-depth semi-structured interviews (qualitative approach).
Findings
Quantitative analysis revealed that female entrepreneurs are better off than female non-entrepreneurs in terms of economic, social, political and psychological indicators of empowerment. However, relatively lesser impact was found in terms of political, and to an even smaller extent, social empowerment of women. Analysis of in-depth interviews corroborated these findings confirming that entrepreneurship serves as an effective tool for the holistic empowerment of women. However, non-entrepreneurs also exhibit social empowerment.
Research limitations/implications
Given the restricted geographical ambit of the study, prudence ought to be exercised in drawing inferences applied to alternate contexts. That the vast majority of questionnaire respondents are illiterate presented a notable impediment in the process of collection of accurate responses.
Practical implications
Microfinance intervention ought to be specifically directed to cultivating entrepreneurship among women; in particular, to achieve the full benefits of empowerment, women availing microfinance ought to exert full control over their own business ventures.
Originality/value
In analyzing holistic empowerment through microfinance supported businesses set up by women, the study adds to the existing literature on women entrepreneurship and empowerment.
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Mohd Abass Bhat and Shagufta Tariq Khan
The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of accounting students' decision to pursue a career path.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of accounting students' decision to pursue a career path.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative approach was used to analyze the impact of independent variables (career exposure, self-competence, financial award, work environment, social values and market factors) on dependent variable (career path). Data were collected from 264 students of University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Oman. Structural equation modeling technique was mainly utilized to determine the causal relationship between the variables.
Findings
The most influencing factor is financial award followed by market factors and work environment. However, other variables such as career exposure and self-competence though significantly determine career path of the students but are the least contributors to the model. In addition, social value was found insignificant and negative contributor to the model.
Practical implications
The findings of the current study confirm the propositions of the theory of planned behavior that student's decision to pursue career as ACCA-certified accountants is shaped by attitudinal factors as well as subjective norms factors and perceived behavior control. This study's theoretical findings can be used to supplement empirical evidence on impact of career exposure, self-competence, financial awards, work environment, social values and market factors to take the ACCA exam (career path). The implications of this research for academic institutions include providing convenience for students, such as ACCA exam scholarship offers if they have graduated with cum laude and obtained work experience because ACCA involves time and money to participate in.
Originality/value
There has been virtually little research in Oman on this subject though. Investigating Omani accounting students' aspirations to work in public accounting adds additional insight into the field.
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Mohd Abass Bhat, Shagufta Tariq Khan and Riyaz Ahmad Rainayee
This paper aims to examine employee perceptions of the labor market in the employee turnover intention model and explores how different situations outside work (labor…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine employee perceptions of the labor market in the employee turnover intention model and explores how different situations outside work (labor market conditions) play a role in employee-organizational membership. In addition, it also examines the mediating role of commitment in the relationship between stress and the turnover model.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 628 private school teachers working in the economically depressed state of J&K (India), which were randomly selected. Confirmatory factor analysis was used for validation of a scale. Structural equation modeling and PROCESS by Hayes was used to test the hypothesized relationships between the study variables.
Findings
The antecedents of occupational stressors contribute negatively toward employees’ psychological state resulting in undesirable employee-organizational relationships such as high turnover intentions and low organizational commitment. Nevertheless, lack of external job opportunities compels employees to maintain organizational membership, even though against the stressful working environment.
Research limitations/implications
This study while acknowledging the inherent limitations, questionnaires are susceptible to and single sectional nature of the study poses limitations.
Practical implications
The practical implication explains that the employee and organization relationship is governed more by external economic conditions than by the psychological feelings of the employees toward the organization (organizational commitment). As also, the moral system of employees, as well as their feelings toward the noble profession makes them feel morally exalted and this binds them to the membership of the organization.
Originality/value
This study mainly focuses on, to understand if and how the conditions of the labor market relate to the employees’ attitudes. This would enable us to gain more insights to the systematic relations of employees’ attitudinal variables such as occupational stress, organizational commitment and employee turnover intentions.
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Mumtaz Ali Memon, Hiram Ting, Christian Ringle, Jun-Hwa Cheah and Nuttawuth Muenjohn
Muhammad Qamar Zia, Muhammad Naveed, Tayyaba Fasih and Abdul Rehman Meero
The increasing ethical misconduct at job place demands to understand the role of ethics in a wide variety of disciplines. This paper aims to empirically investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing ethical misconduct at job place demands to understand the role of ethics in a wide variety of disciplines. This paper aims to empirically investigate the mediating mechanism of life satisfaction and subjective happiness between Islamic work ethics – innovative work behavior (IWB) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprised 296 employees and 58 head of departments (HODs) of top 11 business schools in Pakistan. The data of the study were collected in three waves and from two different sources (faculty members and their HODs) through questionnaire. The statistical technique SEM analysis was applied to inspect the proposed direct and mediating hypotheses.
Findings
Taken together, the findings revealed that Islamic work ethics (IWE) improves quality of life and by following IWE at workplace, employees feel pleasure and show satisfaction from life. The results supported the mediating role of both life satisfaction and subjective happiness between IWE-IWB and IWE-OCB.
Practical implications
This study provides practical insight that Islamic business ethics plays an important role at workplace and improves quality of life and individual behavior.
Originality/value
The current research is unique, as it empirically investigates the mechanism quality of life phenomena which connects IWE and individual behavior (innovative and citizenship). The mechanism quality of life is less studied, and therefore this study fills the gap of scant literature.
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