South Asian Review of Business and Administrative Studies (SABAS)

Promoting Online Education in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan: Insights from the Technology Acceptance Model

2023-12-30T18:42:42+00:00

This study investigates the effect of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) on university students’ attitudes toward online education, their behavioral intention, and subsequent actual adoption/use of online education, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical lens. It is also hypothesized students' geographic status (e.g., urban vs. rural) and educational levels (e.g., undergrad vs. grad) as moderating variables towards a positive effect of PU and PEU on actual adoption/use of online education through the mediation of attitude and behavioral intention. To this end, three hundred and thirty-one students were recruited from both public and private universities and sub-campuses in Pakistan, and the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) and multigroup modeling in AMOS (Analysis of a moment structures in SPSS). SEM results supported the positive effect of PU and PEU on university students' attitudes toward online education, their behavioral intention, and subsequent actual adoption/use of online education. Finally, the important implications for policy and research are discussed.

Impact of Sustainable Packaging Practices on the Preferences and Purchasing Behaviour of Youthful Bangladeshi Consumers in the Food and Beverage Market

2024-01-12T20:16:12+00:00

Sustainable practices, such as sustainable packaging, have risen in importance for consumers and businesses as global environmental concerns grow. This research investigates the impact of sustainable packaging practices on the preferences and purchasing behaviour of youthful Bangladeshi consumers in the food and beverage market, illuminating a crucial aspect of sustainable consumption in a developing country. The primary methodology used in this study is a cross-sectional causal quantitative approach. The study authors employed a self-selection sampling strategy to obtain the 384 samples. This study identified the most influential factors on youthful consumers' preferences and purchasing behaviour in the food and beverage market, including price, environmental impact, and packaging convenience. The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion, namely over one-third, of young consumers possess an absolute inclination to purchase products in the food and beverage market if they are packed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Businesses and policymakers in developing nations must collaborate to promote sustainable practices that meet consumer demands and align with global sustainability goals.

Assessment of Formality, Innovation and Productivity in Small and Medium Enterprises of Pakistan

2024-01-17T05:51:22+00:00

This study aims to assess the dynamics of innovation and productivity of formally registered small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. It considers learning by doing and learning by schooling theories along with stylized facts about determinants of firms’ ability to practice innovation. This is the first detailed study that considers learning by doing and learning by schooling aspects of firms determining innovation practices. These are considered building blocks of sustainable economic growth and hence the growth processes of the firms. Realizing the state of these aspects provides valuable support to policymakers in developing effective policies for the manufacturing sector. For this purpose, a structural model is used to assess the factors affecting innovation followed by the effects of innovation on the productivity of the firms with reference to formality. The latest data by World Bank collected through Enterprise Survey between May 2013 to May 2015 is used to address the purpose. It is found that novel organizational and management practices promote the innovation of small and medium firms significantly. It is concluded that higher levels of productivity can be achieved through better organizational structure, employee training, the transformation of the internal structure of the production process, export growth, and the development of the business environment in various locations. These findings imply that export-oriented policies, research, and development for SMEs, training provisions for managers and employees, and changes in the hierarchal structure of the old established enterprises are the key elements for SMEs growth in Pakistan. Therefore, it is suggested to promote positive competition among SMEs as it works as a driving force to bring innovation and enhance the capacity utilization of the firms. It is observed that non-exporting firms are less concerned to adopt innovative practices that limit their productivity and growth. Thus, it is recommended to encourage these firms to grow at the par of their exporting counterparts by following their innovative strategies. These strategies bring direct benefits to the firms in terms of productivity and growth and have the potential to ultimately improve the livelihood and socio-economic status of the associated employees. Moreover, with higher levels of growth informal sector may also catch up with the formal sector through the effect of agglomeration economies of the formal firms located in the region.

Arima Based Forecasting of an Integrated Model of 360-Degree Feedback for Administrative Staff of HEIs

2024-03-07T12:50:21+00:00

This research focuses on enhancing the performance of a novel model called the Integrated Model of 360-degree feedback for Administrative Staff in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The study employs a time series approach to analyse historical data from this model to inform future strategic decisions. The selected ARIMA models demonstrated high forecasting accuracy, with Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) approaching negligible values (0.12 for job performance, 0.04 for change in appraisal satisfaction, and 0.05 for job capability). Specifically, the ARIMA (1, 0, 1) model predicts moderate job performance, the ARIMA (0, 1, 3) model suggests relatively low appraisal satisfaction, and the ARIMA (0, 0, 4) model indicates a moderate job capability level, assuming other factors remain constant. The study explores the interconnectedness of data between appraisal satisfaction, job capability, and job performance, highlighting the potential for improved performance within the 360-degree feedback framework. In summary, this research constructs ARIMA models to forecast job performance, appraisal satisfaction, and job capability, demonstrating their effectiveness in the short term. Utilizing precise ARIMA models tailored to these performance indicators has the potential to significantly enhance forecasting accuracy and subsequently boost employee productivity within the Integrated Model of the 360-degree feedback framework.