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The study examines export impact of Pakistan's integration into Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on its export's performance. We apply Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) on augmented gravity model to estimate trade data from the period before and after permanent membership with Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2017. The study aims to explore changes in exports volume and analyze the key mechanism through which Shanghai Cooperation Organization promotes exports. The study assesses that after integration which key exports sector such as agriculture or manufacturing sectors are affected more significantly. The initial findings suggest that SCO integration positively affect and provide access to Central Asian markets, leading to modest but noticeable promotion in exports promotion. In heterogeneity analysis we find that exports of Pakistan are more significant with low and middle-income level countries compared to higher-income level countries. Additionally, exports in the manufacturing sector benefited more than in the agriculture sector. The significant and positive findings of mechanism analysis indicate that the belt and road (B&R) initiative and bilateral trade agreements are the key factors to enhanced exports. The overall impact remains moderated by structural changes in Pakistan economy, such as poor infrastructure, deficiency in energy sector and limited trade relations with its neighbors India and Iran. The study concludes that although the SCO integration has positively promoted exports of Pakistan however, it requires to address domestic economic constraints and capitalize more effectively the benefits of SCO membership through regional cooperation mechanism. For more potential benefits in the region SCO needs to expand B&R connectivity, encourage more trade agreements, and adopt favorable environment to attract high income countries in the organization. The study provides the base for future research in depth analysis of long-term impact of SCO integration on Pakistan exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to examine the impact of e-WOM on customer purchase intentions in Facebook fan pages using theories of trust, value co-creation and brand attitude. The present research has set out to explore this emerging domain of study and has thus developed & tested propositions which attempt to establish a relationship between e-WOM and customer's purchase intentions. A deeper understanding of this possible association is obtained by studying the mediating roles of Trust, Value Co-Creation, Brand Image and Brand Attitude. Methodology: The context for exploring this phenomenon is chosen to be the fan pages of smartphone brands on Facebook. The study involved conducting a sample survey of 490 respondents, comprising of both male and female, who belong to 5 smartphone brands Facebook fan pages–Samsung, Moto G, Lenovo, MI and ASUS are considered for the study. Out of which sample of 100 each has been targeted individually Findings: The findings suggested that e-WOM significantly predicts the purchase intentions of the customers of a specific product and considerable impacted on the purchase decision. The findings of the study also reveal that customer 's trust beliefs, perceived value co-creation, brand image and brand attitude partially mediate in between relationships of e-WOM and purchase intention Conclusion: The actual presence of different types of consumer electronics brands on the social media, more prominently, the smartphones, which undoubtedly are the most ubiquitous product of this segment. In fact, this indicates that presence on social media is a well- thought organizational strategy developed by companies to gain partial control over the customer 's decision- making process by establishing a close connect with the customers for a long period. Implication: This consequence will significantly impact the decision-making process of marketers or practitioners in relation to their marketing tactics. This research also indicates that marketers could devise more effective methods for distributing marketing content through social networking sites, while corporations can cultivate favorable electronic word-of-mouth for their products or services. Through the implementation of social media marketing strategies, companies can increase their sales volume and generate higher revenue. The study examined the role of trust, virtual community participation, and desire to purchase as mediators on smartphone brand fan sites on Facebook. It was observed that these factors had a partial influence on customer purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role of legal structure in explaining financial development in twenty-three emerging markets, which has not been explored in institutional economics literature before. This study relied on Pedroni, and Kao cointegration tests, which is followed by the renowned panel cointegration technique. The results of the Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests show that the variables understudy is cointegrated in the long-run. These findings are confirmed by the panel cointegration showing that legal structure (LS) has positive impact on financial development (FIND) in long-run that support Law and Finance, and New Institutional Economics theories in emerging markets. This study is the first to directly examine the long-run impact of LS on FIND in emerging markets, and the result remains consistent across alternative measure of FIND. The findings of this study have important policy implications for emerging markets. Policymakers should focus on creating a legal environment that is conducive to financial development. This includes strengthening the legal framework, improving regulatory regimes, and promoting market autonomy. Additionally, policymakers should work to attract foreign investment, which can help spur economic growth and development in emerging markets. The findings of the study are consistent across battery of robustness testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article investigates the influence of compensation plans - financial as well as nonfinancial and performance feedback - with respect to the retention of the employee considering the retail sector in India from viewpoint of employees. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather information from the Hyderabad city and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) consisting of 571 retail outlet employees as sample respondents. The collected data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the hypothecated relationship among financial that is, extrinsic rewards (FR), non-financial that is, intrinsic reward (NFR), performance feedback (PF), and employee retention (ER). The findings reveal that intrinsic and extrinsic benefits portray an important role in performance feedback (PF) which in turn helps the organization to retain their employees for years to come. The study offers academia and practitioner a thoughtful and insightful understanding of some of the important aspects of keeping skillful and talented performers and ultimately increasing productivity and providing a competitive advantage to the organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: To research the prevalence of hepatic abscesses at our facility. To examine the Age and Sex distribution. to examine the clinical characteristics based on variations in symptoms and symptomatology. To determine the disease's microbiology. To shed light on the role that radiological imaging plays in making a diagnosis and organising treatment appropriately. to classify the disease's mode of therapy. Method: On 100 patients who were enrolled in the trial throughout the time, a study was conducted at Department of General Surgery, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India from to December 2022 to October 2023. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of hepatic abscess in these patients. Result: Men are more common than women. 6:1 ratio; 5 th decade is peak incidence. Eighty four percent of cases had alcohol as the cause. The most prevalent clinical features are abdominal pain (96%) and soreness (72%), with the typical mode of presentation being observed in 81% of patients. Sixty five percent of cases had a right lobe abscess. Aspiration is the most often used therapeutic method (45%). Conclusion: According to an ultrasound, the abscess in the current study had completely disappeared after three to four months; in our series, individuals with lower socioeconomic status account for roughly 70% of all abscesses examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In tropical nations like India, ileocaecal emergencies are common in emergency rooms. Disorders such as typhoid, tuberculosis, and blunt force injury to the abdomen are acknowledged. This illness continues to be linked to high mortality and inevitable morbidity, even though there are contemporary diagnostic facilities and advancements in treatment regimens. The objective of the operating procedure is to fix the pathology while preventing major problems. Material and Methods: It was the combination of a retrospective and prospective study. In this study 40 individuals as subjects was used. This study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Study period for this was the October 2022 to September 2023. Result: The purpose of this research was to catalogue the variables that influence the initiation, progression, and resolution of emergency laparotomies for ileocaecal emergencies. Assessing the linked rates of illness and mortality was another objective of the study. Forty individuals were evaluated, ranging in age from eighteen to seventyeight. Ten percent of individuals with systemic hypertension also had diabetes mellitus, making it the most common comorbidity. Half of all patients died if they went to the ER more than three days after their symptoms first emerged. Resection and anastomosis were the most common procedures. Conclusion: In order to treat a large number of patients effectively, it is necessary to integrate hydration, electrolyte correction, dietary management, and psychological support teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although rare, locally progressed breast cancer is a major obstacle for clinicians. This study was conducted because there is a direct correlation between the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and disease free survival. This study was out to evaluate the histological impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on breast cancer patients with locally advanced disease. Material and Methods: This study was observational based study. The research was carried out at the Department of General Surgery, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The study was done from September 2022 to July 2023. A total of twenty-five people were used as subjects in this research. Modified radical mastectomy was performed after clinical evaluation of tumour response and patient follow-up. Pathological reaction was assessed and notes were made on the specimen. Result: People in their 50s and 60s made up the bulk of the population. The majority of the 30 patients with locally advanced cancer (73%), ranging from stage IIIA to stage IIIB, were men. Nearly half of the patients tested positive for oestrogen receptors but negative for HER2, and a quarter of those individuals tested positive for all three. Everyone who tested positive for HER 2 was also considered to be a triple negative. Both the ER and PR positive tumour percentages were 67%.Forty percent of tumours tested positive for HER2. Possible explanations for the low response rate and high rate of ER positive include the fact that 83% of patients did not react to NACT and only 17% demonstrated a pathological response. Conclusion: Better prognosis may be possible if we could determine which tumours would respond best to which treatments. Recent developments in cancer biology and genetic profiling have the potential to revolutionise the clinical management of LABC by allowing for a more targeted and personalised approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the factors that affect online trust in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce transactions in India. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in e-commerce as people turned to digital channels for their purchases. However, this also created opportunities for digital fraudsters, raising concerns about online trust. The study found that online security, online privacy, and website appearance have a significant positive impact on online trust. Online trust was also found to be a predictor of purchase intention. The study suggests further research to explore new antecedents of online trust and to investigate the appearance of e-commerce websites in more depth. [Extracted from the article]

The given text is a research article that explores the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate brand awareness in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study surveyed 548 customers in Saudi Arabia and found that customers have a positive perception of CSR activities and that CSR and brand awareness are positively associated. The article emphasizes the importance of CSR in today's sustainable environment and its role in addressing societal needs. The study suggests that CSR activities can enhance brand recognition and awareness among customers and society. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a list of references to various research articles and studies related to consumer behavior and green purchasing. The articles cover topics such as the impact of packaging, price, and brand awareness on brand loyalty, factors influencing consumers' green purchase behavior, the role of government and media exposure in shaping values and green product purchase behavior, and the determinants of green purchase intentions. The studies examine consumer perceptions of eco-friendly products, the willingness of consumers to pay more for environmentally friendly products, and the impact of conscious consumer behavior on environmental friendliness. The articles provide valuable insights into consumer behavior and can be useful for researchers and individuals interested in understanding and promoting green purchasing. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID-19 epidemic has forced the closure of educational institutions all over the globe since it put academic schedules in peril. To maintain academic activity, the majority of academic institutions have turned to online instruction platforms, which immensely affected instructors' and pupils' one-on-one interactions, among other things, causing a paradigm change in the teaching–learning approach. In light of this, it is essential to examine pupils' perceptions and difficulties associated with online learning amid of the COVID-19 epidemic. The current research adopts a sample survey and a quantitative method. In February and March 2022, a sample of 369 Iraqi school pupils was collected using a Google Form Questionnaire. Several statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability, logistic regression, and the Chi-square test, were used to analyze the data in Statistical Package for Social Science. The findings of the study indicated that, on average, students had mixed opinions toward virtual classes during the outbreak because it became a solution to fill the learning gap. On the other hand, inadequate tools and uneven access to the internet make it difficult for students to learn online. The outcome of the logistic regression analysis demonstrates that the number of rooms, family income, father's education, and ICT device all have a favorable impact on virtual classes. Meanwhile, students confronted a lot of challenges in taking online classes. Therefore, the findings of this study will persuade academic institutions and policymakers to improve the effectiveness of online learning with the most modern teaching techniques while also encouraging the government to advance remote regions and foster basic infrastructure and Internet access, narrowing the digital divide and making e-learning more fruitful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimum economic outcome of financial system development depends on its level of efficiency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of institutional quality on financial system efficiency. For empirical analysis, we have used a panel dataset of 108 countries from 1996–2020 and employed fixed effect regression and two stages least squares (2SLS) regression methods. The empirical results show that institutional quality has a significant positive effect on financial system efficiency. Particularly all the constituting elements—voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, regulatory quality, government effectiveness, rule of law, and control of corruption—of institutional quality are found to have a significant positive impact on financial system efficiency. Moreover, we found that the effect of institutional quality is more pronounced in countries with low-income levels and strong institutional quality. These findings are robust across several robustness tests conducted using additional controls, alternative methodologies, an alternative measure of institutional quality, and financial system efficiency. The results of the study suggest that policy makers should prioritize both enhancing and sustaining institutional quality to promote the efficiency of the financial system, which is crucial for sustainable growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the literature, it is commonly understood that stock prices (SP) are influenced by economic policy uncertainty (PU), with a rise in PU typically having a negative impact on SP. However, the relationship between PU and SP may not always be linear due to the varying risk preferences of individuals. Risk preference theory posits that individuals respond differently to different levels of risk. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether PU determines SP asymmetrically (i.e., in a non-linear manner) by considering risk preferences and addressing a gap in the literature. To answer this question, the study employs a panel threshold approach to examine the effect of PU on SP in the Group of Seven (G7) countries, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and the US. In contrast to previous research, this study finds evidence of an asymmetric effect of PU on SP in the G7 countries. Specifically, the panel threshold results reveal that the impact of increased PU on SP is positive up to a certain level (Threshold1), beyond which it becomes negative (Threshold2). These findings are in line with information asymmetry hypothesis, prospect theory, behavioural finance hypothesis, and market liquidity hypothesis and shed light on the asymmetric behaviour of SP in response to varying levels of PU. The implications of these findings are significant for understanding how to manage risks effectively in the financial markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration has become a de facto phenomenon in the contemporary globalized world and India is not untouched. Indian labourers from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrated to the UAE in search of better jobs and prospects. They migrated alone and left behind their families. The distance between them and their family can also create mental disorders; therefore, it becomes necessary to analyze the mental health of the migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study is quantitative and based on a sample survey approach. The researchers collected 416 samples through a structured questionnaire and used the snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, chi-square test and logistic regression were utilized to analyze and interpret the results. The outbreak of coronavirus disturbed their livelihood resulting in a cut to their salary or earnings; in total, 83% of migrants were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of loss of their income, out of which 76% were affected by less than AED 1000. The respondents' mental health was worrisome, but they were hopeful for the future. In total, 73.5% of respondents felt nervous, 62% felt depressed, 77% felt lonely, 63.4% had a hard time sleeping, and 63% had difficulties concentrating. The findings of the study draw attention to the policymakers to carry out necessary provisions to the targeted psychologically affected community. The findings also suggest creating awareness among the people by using social networking sites and diagnosing mental disorders on an urgent basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to investigate the green practices in the mega construction project of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Over recent years, there has been an increasing need for adopting and implementing more green and sustainable practices, leading to national and international sustainable and green environmental agendas. To address the issue, green project practices were considered an independent variable comprising green design, procurement, and construction. The dependent variables were environmental performance and economic performance. Primary data were collected from respondents working on the CPEC project. A representative sample of 276 respondents was used. The analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM. The results indicated that green design significantly influences economic performance, green procurement has a positive and significant effect on environmental performance, and green construction has a positive and significant impact on both environmental and economic and financial performance. The research showed that construction management at CPEC should adopt all facets of green project practices together, reducing negative environmental effects, increasing environmental benefits, and improving long-term economic performance in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in institutions have garnered much attention in recent years as one of the primary reasons for long-term economic performance, and a vast corpus of theoretical and empirical research demonstrates that financial development can have a substantial impact on economic and financial performance. In fast-growing emerging markets, the demand for financial services has considerably increased, which amplified the need for an efficient regulatory framework to deal with the sensitive nature of financial activities. Surprisingly, the existing literature on the impact of institutions and finance is focused on developed economies, while emerging markets are rarely focused on. Since emerging markets are becoming increasingly important as a result of the swift evolution of institutional and financial transformation, it is crucial to examine how the growth of financial markets reacts to institutional quality. This study investigates the role of institutions in promoting finance in emerging economies using the balanced panel dataset of 21 emerging market. Given the endogenous relationship between institutions and finance, the paper applies a two-stage least squares estimator to test the settler mortality hypothesis in this context. Aligned with theoretical intuition, the empirical result shows that settler mortality is a relevant instrument to institutions. Furthermore, the study performs robustness, using framework that deals with heterogeneity, and cross-section dependence. This empirical effort validates La Porta's Law and Finance Hypothesis in the context of emerging markets. The results of the study are found robust across the variety of alternative measures of institutions and finance, and standard error correction specifications. Therefore, the study offers useful insight into policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social networking influencers are those who use images, videos, and other updates on social media platforms to affect consumers' impressions of a company or product. The purpose of this study is to assess the present status of social networking sites and the online purchase intentions of consumers. This research paper is an attempt to identify the effect of various attributes of social networking that influence credibility and brand image, eventually leading to the purchase intention of consumers in Delhi NCR (National Capital Region), India. The data were collected using Google Forms via an online questionnaire with a sample size of 262 respondents. A convenient sampling technique was used; structure equation modeling (SEM), convergent and discriminant validity, and model fitness were achieved through Smart PLS 3. This study's findings reveal that expertise, information quality, and trustworthiness have significant positive effects on credibility and brand image, as well as a significant positive indirect effect on online purchase intention. Other factors, such as entertainment, attractiveness, and likability, have no significant effect on credibility and brand image. The credibility of social networking and brand image mediate the positive relationship between information quality, expertise, trustworthiness, and consumer online purchase intention. On the other hand, the credibility of social networking and brand image mediate the lack of a positive relationship between likability, attractiveness, entertainment, and consumer online purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to assess the relationship between fiscal decentralization and climate change mitigation to warrant the direction for the carbon-capturing systems of China. The study estimated the results of China and applied unit root test, cointegration analysis, CS-ARDL test, and robustness analysis. The survey results highlighted a significant relationship between the fiscal decentralization index and climate change mitigation. More specifically, the budgetary decentralization index's economic, governmental, and institutional factors play a substantial role in climate change mitigation in the short run. While governmental factors are found insignificant asein the long run, economic, institutional, and cultural factors revealed a significant connection in the Chinese setting. The results of the study are robust in both long-run and short-run perspectives. The study also presented prudential guidelines for using fiscal decentralization as an environmental tool for climate change mitigation and launching an effective system for carbon capture management from the Chinese perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three levels of the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia (primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors) are collectively regarded as a pillar of the economy, with great potential that offers attractive job prospects. Therefore, the success of Saudi private sector companies and foreign companies operating in the Kingdom is pivotal. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of incentives and rewards on the performance of employees in the Saudi industrial sectors, and the role of job satisfaction in this relationship. The research population consisted of employees working with the industrial sectors in Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia, and the sample comprised 216 full-time employees. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as a statistical method for testing the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that there is an insignificant direct effect between incentives and rewards, and employees' performance. However, evidence shows a significant direct effect between incentives and rewards, and job satisfaction, as well as a significant direct effect between the mediating variable, job satisfaction, and performance. Furthermore, when job satisfaction acts as a mediator, the influence of incentives and rewards on employees' performance is significant. The research findings have notable theoretical and practical implications for incentive and rewards systems. The present study seeks to further our understanding of the incentive and reward effect on employees' performance by examining job satisfaction as a mediating variable to the relationship. Additionally, the study attempts to explain how the relationship between proposed variables works in Saudi cultural context, which differs than Western contexts where most of the previous studies have been conducted. Analyzing employee job satisfaction as a mediator facilitates a better understanding of how and why different forms of incentives and rewards enhance employees' behavior at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted structural shocks on the global economic system by raising high economic uncertainty. Policymakers are exploring alternative measures and incentivizing foreign direct investment for the restoration of global economic operations to achieve short- and long-term growth. Given this, the study examines the global response of FDI inflow to measure the change in productive capacity. The productive capacity is proxied by structural change, private business sector, institutional quality, transportation infrastructure development, and natural capital. The study implements empirical analysis for a large panel of 170 countries in a data set from 2000 to 2021. Furthermore, the study employed the cross-sectional augmented auto-regressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) econometric estimation method for better examinations of current changes in an economic outbreak. From the results of the study, the estimations reveal that FDI inward has significant positive impact over the private business sector, institutional quality, transportation infrastructure, and natural capital on inward FDI. In accordance with discussions, the study suggests several pragmatic policy implications to achieve maximum output by utilizing the inward FDI as incentivized by the governments of the selected countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research is to identify the impact of store design and ambience on consumer purchase decisions in retail chain outlets in Delhi-NCR, India. The foremost purpose of this research was to examine if the design and ambience of retail stores have any effect on the decisions of customers' purchases. The study was descriptive in nature. For this research, a sample of 100 consumers was drawn who generally visit retail stores for shopping. A systematic questionnaire was prepared to collect the data and to analyze it; SEM, reliability, Convergent, Discriminate Validity and model fitness were achieved through SmartPLS3. The current study's findings indicate that variables, such as window and mannequin display, visual merchandising, and store design and atmosphere have an effective impact on shoppers' purchase decisions, whereas lighting and color, music, and signage have negligible effects. The findings of this study will provide managerial involvement to the industry in order to emphasize purchase ambition in order to improve profitability and sustainability. More examination of the factors that contribute to purchase aspiration and in other geological areas is advised for future scrutiny. This study presents a validated instrument for measuring the association between design atmosphere and consumer purchasing behavior and serves as a tool for evaluating the influence of various design atmospheric indicators. It is important to keep a steady staff of well-trained, polite salespeople on hand at all times. Customers are more likely to come back and eventually recommend the store to others if their needs are met by customer-focused salespeople who provide excellent service. This helps the merchant to compete in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green leadership (GL) concept has significantly gained popularity over the last decade. Consequently, more research has been conducted on this emerging leadership concept, emphasizing leadership styles that promote the green environment so that sustainable goals can be achieved. In the present research, leaders' emotional intelligence (EI) is positioned as a mediating variable between GL and employees' green organizational citizenship behavior (GOCB). The data of this research comprised managerial and non-managerial staff from the manufacturing and service industries. A PLS-SEM was used to evaluate the relationship between the various factors among 422 employees. The empirical findings indicated that GL and GOCB had a favorable and robust relationship. The results of the study also suggested that a leader's EI mediates the influence of green leadership on their employees' green organizational citizenship behavior. Green leadership is essential in creating sustainable environmental behaviors among employees. It can strengthen leaders' EI, which successively helps them to garner positivity and foster an environment of mutual harmony and cooperation in the workplace to support pro-environmental policies. Overall, our study contributes to and advances previous studies and shows that green leadership plays a critical role in influencing a leader's own EI which, in turn, predicts the green OCB of their employees in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we examine how the quality of institutions promotes financial market development (FMD) in 21 emerging markets (classified by the Financial Times Stock Exchange Group). The moderating role of culture is also empirically tested. For this purpose, a balance panel dataset of 21 emerging markets from 1984 to 2020 is utilized from various secondary data sources. The study applies two-stages least square regression with the instrumental variable, and lag transformation to overcome the endogeneity problem in the nexus of institutions and finance, which is least focused on in prior literature. The empirical findings show that institutional quality and the national culture promote FMD in these economies. The main findings are consistent with law and finance, and financial socialization theories. We argue that academics, policymakers, and researchers should comprehend the critical role of institutional and cultural indicators in forming an effective financial system that may lead to sustainable economic development. This research contributes to the literature on emerging markets in this helpful paradigm. We conclude that quality institutions play a critical role in magnifying the FMD of emerging markets. It is crucial to comprehend the connection between FMD and institutions, as the growth dividend from financial development can be boosted by strengthening institutions and understanding the culture. Our results are robust to alternative measures of institutions and FMD and the correction of potential endogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good health and reduced inequality are factors of sustainable development. Healthcare systems are considered on68e of the most important activities of the creative economy that arise from research and development activities. Therefore, facilitating access to healthcare is one of the most important challenges guiding the development of the healthcare systems. Access is a complex concept and requires at least four aspects of evaluation. These include whether services are available, whether there is an adequate supply of services, whether people could obtain healthcare, and finally, evaluating whether a population may have access to services. Most countries are working hard to explore the means of providing better healthcare services to their population, especially in the pandemic age of crisis. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one such country that is continuously trying to enhance healthcare access to its citizens by adopting different means and policy interventions. The primary objective of this study is to assess whether gender differences exist with unmet healthcare needs among the citizens of the KSA. In this study, we examined the factors affecting the healthcare system in the Kingdom through access to and use of primary healthcare centres in urban and rural areas and whether there is a gender gap in access to healthcare services. In addition, we have tried to explore the current challenges faced by the healthcare system and key points about immediate measures to overcome the crisis in this sector. A well-structured questionnaire was designed covering different dimensions of the study objectives. The population of the study includes both male and female citizens of Makkah city of the KSA. In a survey of 529 respondents, it was found that people's access to the healthcare service system in the area is good. Test statistics confirm the significant difference in healthcare access across the gender categories of respondents. The availability of services, as well as the barriers to access, must be evaluated in the context of varied groups in society's differing perspectives, health requirements, and material and cultural surroundings. Some theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and scope of future research are also presented in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is a global problem and the transportation industry is one of its major causes, yet the impact of transportation infrastructure on air quality is little understood. It is vital to know about evaluating the effects of transportation infrastructure on air quality. The urban road has a role in defining air pollution and automobiles significantly contribute to the air quality in urban areas. The issues are a result of the automobile's impact on air quality. China put substantial investments in its metropolitan subway networks. The information on air quality on an hourly basis, daily metrological data, and demographic profiles of various cities with significant subways from the year 2013 to the year 2014 used. This study examines the effect of substantial investment on urban air quality. The Discontinuity Based Ordinary Least Squares (DB-OLS) on data for further analysis with results are incorporated in the study. The researchers witnessed a 14% reduction in air pollution during the daytime in those not rushed cities. Researchers discovered that the impacts are less severe in urban areas with a lower population density and a higher income. The results will be less dangerous if more subways affect the air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a virus that has disastrous effects on human lives globally; still spreading like wildfire causing huge losses to humanity and economies. There is a need to follow few constraints like social distancing norms, personal hygiene, and masking up to effectively control the virus spread. The proposal is to detect the face frame and confirm the faces are properly covered with masks. By applying the concepts of Deep learning, the results obtained for mask detection are found to be effective. The system is trained using 4500 images to accurately judge and justify its accuracy. The aim is to develop an algorithm to automatically detect a mask, but the approach does not facilitate the percentage of improper usage. Accuracy levels are as low as 50% if the mask is improperly covered and an alert is raised for improper placement. It can be used at traffic places and social gatherings for the prevention of virus transmission. It works by first locating the region of interest by creating a frame boundary, then facial points are picked up to detect and concentrate on specific features. The training on the input images is performed using different epochs until the artificial face mask detection dataset is created. The system is implemented using Tensor-Flow with OpenCV and Python using a Jupyter Notebook simulation environment. The training dataset used is collected from a set of diverse open-source datasets with filtered images available at Kaggle Medical Mask Dataset by Mikolaj Witkowski, Kera, and Prajna Bhandary. To simulate MobilNetV2 classifier is used to load and pre-process the image dataset for building a fully connected head. The objective is to assess the accuracy of the identification, measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of algorithms for precision, recall, and F1 score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the perception of students regarding an e-learning system adopted by various educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A web-based-survey was conducted among selected university students in Saudi Arabia. A total of 294 students were randomly chosen to determine the utilities and credibility of the adopted e-learning mode of education. The reliability of latent constructs was assessed according to Cronbach's alpha, and confirmatory factors analysis was conducted via AMOS software (version 24) to measure the students' perceptions of online learning. Results: The outcomes of the present study reveal that e-learning has been very useful throughout the pandemic period among selected Saudi Arabian universities. The students have a positive view of the online system of education, which has many benefits, including flexibility, low cost, self-learning, and convenience. Implications: The results of the present study will be beneficial for all educational institutions that are largely dependent on the findings of the online survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine how the CSR activities facilitate a company's brand-building process and useful in building its Brand Equity i.e., Firm-Based Brand Equity (FBBE). Methodology: For the present study, responses have been elicited from a sample of 69 company executives. Multi-stage sampling (method of random sampling) is used in the present study to select the sample executives. The collected sample dataset is analyzed through SPSS (version 25) and AMOS (version 24) software. Cronbach's Alpha technique is used to measure how closely related a set of items are as a group. This is considered to be a measure of scale reliability. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) statistical method is used to uncover the underlying structure of a relatively large set of variables. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is conducted in the study in order to test the statistical hypotheses formulated for the study and to examine the effect of CSR on Brand Equity with the moderating effect of Marketing Communication and Brand Identity. Findings: The outcomes of the study revealed that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Marketing Communication, Brand Identity and Brand Equity are positively associated. Thus, it can be surmised that CSR affects Brand Equity with the mediating effect of Marketing Communication and Brand Identity. Originality: The present study is based on original research that facilitates new insight instead of summarizing what is already known in a new form. Though many studies on CSR have been conducted in the past, but studies on the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm-Based Brand Equity with the moderating effect of Marketing Communication and Brand Identity are few and far between. Implications: The outcome of the study will cast new light on the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Corporate Brand Image and also facilitate future research endeavors on CSR. The results of the study will help corporate houses in building a strong brand image. As a matter of fact, the CSR activities implemented by the companies offer a better brand recognition, resulting in greater brand awareness among customers and society at large. Such awareness is related to CSR initiatives of the companies brings brand trust and loyalty. Consequently, the trust and loyalty so developed enhances the Brand Image and strengthens the Brand Equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing academic interest in transformational leadership and employee creativity, the banking sector has not yet received enough consideration. Mostly, the banking sector was assumed to be an inappropriate setting for employee creativity as it is a tightly supervised and controlled segment of an economy. Nevertheless, some research studies in advanced nations emphasized the significance of employee creativity in a banking context. However, the case of developing countries (e.g., Pakistan) has remained an understudied area. Against this background, the objective of this study was to examine the relationships between transformational leadership (TL), perceived organizational support (POS), and employee creativity (EC) through work engagement (WE). Some private banks were selected, situated in a large metropolitan city, with data collected for the present research by a self-administered questionnaire. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was employed to analyze data. It was observed that TL and POS induce EC, whereas WE mediated these relationships. These findings may help policymakers of the banking industry to improve employee creativity through WE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operations of many industries, such as banking, insurance, energy, healthcare, and retail, have been improved and transformed by the application of artificial intelligence. The education sector is the particular one which has more potential for artificial intelligence and its applications. Universities and colleges are currently facing a number of challenges, including high rates of dropouts and student disengagement in their classes, as well as the failure of traditional learning techniques in the face of ongoing outbreaks. Major issues in the educational sector can be resolved by the proper application of artificial intelligence and big data, which can facilitate learner-centred approaches as per the needs of today's era. This can be better described as a personalised learning approach, in which the needs of each and every student can be considered and education can be provided uniquely for them. In this way, the educator can provide a better learning experience according to the needs and ability of the learners/students. Thus, it also assists in enhancing the motivational level of the learners and minimising the dropout rates of the students. The main purpose of the study is to examine the role of artificial intelligence and big data in the adaption of the E-learning system for imparting better education facilities to the students of various colleges and universities situated in Saudi Arabia. The sample dataset for this study was collected through a purposive sampling technique from the 290 students enrolled in numerous higher educational institutions. The collected data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS 3 software. The findings of this study reveal that AI and big data assist educators and students as well to run the teaching and learning process smoothly even in the period of an ongoing pandemic at the higher levels of the education system. It also explores the educational inferences of transpiring technologies in the ways of students' "learning and institutions" teaching and their adaption. In recent eras, technological evolution and an increase in the adoption of latest technologies in the field of higher education have been scouted to forecast the essence of higher education globally in the near future, where AI will be the gist for universities. This study reveals some issues faced by higher educational institutions and students related to the adaptation of these technologies for learning, teaching, administration, and student support. The implications of the present study will be helpful for students and teachers to access educational resources effectively and for educational institutions to improve the efficiency and personalization of learning tasks. Furthermore, it will allow students to get more time with their respective teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at analyzing students' perceptions toward mobile assisted language learning (MALL), their use patterns, and their usefulness in their academic outcomes. The results indicated that students use widely different MALL software for different applications. In a survey of 581 students from Indian colleges and universities, the research identified five antecedent factors (namely, individual desire and motives, perceived ease of use, technological factors, social influence, and perceived usefulness) which influenced students in the areas of adopting MALL software, students' readiness, students' motivation, and the subsequent effect on student performances. The research further indicated that students' readiness and their motivation level mediated the relationship between factors of adoption of MALL and perceived outcome. The relevance of positive language learning outcomes, theoretical contribution and managerial implications of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the impact of bank performance determinants on bank performance by applying robust regression analysis. For this, the relationship between return on assets and net interest margin with bank performance determinants has been discussed using robust regression. Robust regression offers a better and more realistic analysis owing to reducing the impact of outliers and influential data, and it is recommended for more precise results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is critical for meeting the needs of the world's population, in terms of food production. As a result, it has become a significant contributor to economic growth. According to various studies, agricultural production is one of the most widely recognized sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. This study explores the causal link between aggregate energy consumption resources, trade liberalization, CO2 emissions, and modern agriculture in selected ASEAN nations from 2000 to 2020, through the use of panel FMOLS data from the United Nations Development Program (fully modified ordinary least square). According to scientific research, the value addition of agricultural commodities helps to reduce CO2 emissions in polluted countries such as the United States. In addition, it was revealed that the quantity of CO2 released per unit of energy spent was positively associated with the amount of energy consumed. The reduction of CO2 emissions is possible in nations where environmental pollution is reducing due to trade liberalization. Although fossil fuels have increased CO2 emissions, research has shown that adopting renewable energy can help mitigate environmental damage. Revenues and productivity in agriculture are increased due to climate-smart agricultural-favored institutions, while greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. As an example of renewable energy, new energy resources may contribute to the preservation of a clean and healthy environment. The use of renewable energy in agriculture reduces the dependency on fossil fuels, which is beneficial for farmers. Trade policy, on the other hand, may stimulate the movement of money and technology, in order to specialize in economies of scale and manufacturing. It is imperative that ASEAN countries examine policies that will improve living standards, while also protecting the environment. This includes measures that will stimulate agricultural sector production and create active marketplaces for international trade [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and an organization's financial performance are well discussed in the literature. However, the role of employees to spur the financial performance, especially the mediating effect of employees' pro-environmental behavior between CSR and financial performance, is not well explored. Literature also shows that connectedness to nature can drive the pro-environmental behavior of individuals. However, the role of connectedness to nature in a CSR–financial performance framework has not been realized. Observing the above knowledge gaps, the current study investigates the CSR-financial performance relationship in the SME sector of a developing country with the mediating effect of employees' pro-environmental behavior. The current study also notes the conditional indirect effect of connectedness to nature in the above-mediated relationship. A self-administered questionnaire (n = 489) with a paper–pencil technique was employed for data collection. Structural equation modeling was considered to validate the hypothesized relationships. The findings revealed that CSR could lead an SME to a higher level of financial performance via pro-environmental behavior. It was also noted that connectedness to nature produces a significant conditional indirect effect. Such findings have seminal implications for the SME sector, which are discussed in detail. One important implication is to realize the importance of employees' pro-environmental behavior, through CSR and connectedness to nature, to thrive the financial performance of an SME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operations of many industries, such as banking, insurance, energy, healthcare, and retail, have been improved and transformed by the application of artificial intelligence. The education sector is the particular one which has more potential for artificial intelligence and its applications. Universities and colleges are currently facing a number of challenges, including high rates of dropouts and student disengagement in their classes, as well as the failure of traditional learning techniques in the face of ongoing outbreaks. Major issues in the educational sector can be resolved by the proper application of artificial intelligence and big data, which can facilitate learner-centred approaches as per the needs of today's era. This can be better described as a personalised learning approach, in which the needs of each and every student can be considered and education can be provided uniquely for them. In this way, the educator can provide a better learning experience according to the needs and ability of the learners/students. Thus, it also assists in enhancing the motivational level of the learners and minimising the dropout rates of the students. The main purpose of the study is to examine the role of artificial intelligence and big data in the adaption of the E-learning system for imparting better education facilities to the students of various colleges and universities situated in Saudi Arabia. The sample dataset for this study was collected through a purposive sampling technique from the 290 students enrolled in numerous higher educational institutions. The collected data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS 3 software. The findings of this study reveal that AI and big data assist educators and students as well to run the teaching and learning process smoothly even in the period of an ongoing pandemic at the higher levels of the education system. It also explores the educational inferences of transpiring technologies in the ways of students' "learning and institutions" teaching and their adaption. In recent eras, technological evolution and an increase in the adoption of latest technologies in the field of higher education have been scouted to forecast the essence of higher education globally in the near future, where AI will be the gist for universities. This study reveals some issues faced by higher educational institutions and students related to the adaptation of these technologies for learning, teaching, administration, and student support. The implications of the present study will be helpful for students and teachers to access educational resources effectively and for educational institutions to improve the efficiency and personalization of learning tasks. Furthermore, it will allow students to get more time with their respective teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempts to evaluate the ongoing position of the modalities exercised in India concerning digital payments. Largely appraised as a success story in the making, this research examines several instrumental factors in India's digital payment systems. It further extends to identifying the impact of demographic attributes and constructive variables, such as service quality, reliability, satisfaction, and security on digital payment system, Delhi NCR, India. A Google form questionnaire was adopted to collect data through online mode. The researcher collected the primary data from 165 respondents. Purposive sampling method was exercised, along with CFA technique and parameter test used through SPSS (version 25), reliability issue, validity issue, and model fitness achieve through SPSS-AMOS (version 24). The significant peculiarities and analysis are presented further in this research contributing to a precise depiction of findings and then, based on it, the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of the banking system to the Global Financial Crisis attracted attention to the study of riskiness and spillover. This paper studies the pattern of systemic risk and size effect in the Indian banking sector. Based on market capitalization, three public sector banks and three from the private sector were taken. Data are taken from the year 2007 to 2020. The analysis is done through quantile- CoVaR (Conditional Value at Risk) and TENET (Tail-Event-Driven Network) measure. State variables like Indian market volatility and global risk measures negatively influence the Indian banks' returns. Liquidity risk is a crucial aspect of private banks. Public banks experience public confidence even in the distress period. Large banks like HDFC and SBI bank offer the highest degree of systemic risk contribution. The role of private banks in transmitting systemic risk has been intensifying since 2015. Small-sized banks like PNB and BOB have become significant receivers and transmitters of risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing importance of the concept of circular economy, the case of developing countries remains under-explored. Against this backdrop, the present research aims to examine the association between the constructs of total quality management (TQM) and organizational sustainability (OS) with the mediating effect of knowledge management (KM) from the perspective of a circular economy. The data were collected from the manufacturing sector of a developing economy (n = 510) to serve the purpose of the current research through a self-administered questionnaire (paper-pencil technique). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for hypothesis testing of the current survey. Six TQM dimensions were drawn from the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award (MBNQA) model. OS is composed of economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and KM is composed of four dimensions including acquisition, creation, sharing, and application of knowledge. The empirical examination suggests that TQM positively relates to OS, with KM playing a partial mediation role between this association. This study provides important insights for the management of the manufacturing industry of Pakistan on how to ensure organizational sustainability in the age of a circular economy by using the constructs of TQM and KM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the working environment, occupation, and living style of billions of people around the world. The severest impact of the coronavirus is on migrant communities; hence, it is relevant to assess the economic impact and mental status of the Indian migrants. This study is quantitative in nature and based on a sample survey of 180 migrant workers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, dependent sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were utilized to analyze the surveyed data. The findings of the study reveal, through the working experience of the migrants, that new international migration has reduced due to lockdown and international travel restrictions. It was also reported that the majority of the migrants worked less than the normal working hours during the lockdown, causing a reduction of salary and remittances. Chi-square test confirms that the perceptions of migrants towards the COVID-19 management by the government were significantly different in opinion by different occupation/profession. Majority of the sampled migrants reported the problem of nervousness, anxiety, and depression; however, they were also hopeful about the future. The psychological problem was severe for the migrants above the age of 40, not educated, and with a higher number of family members. Subsequently, the policy implications from the findings of the research can draw attention of the policy makers towards protective measures which need to be implemented to support migrants during the ongoing pandemic. The government should take some necessary steps, such as a financial benefit scheme, to overcome the problems in the reduction of migrant earnings and remittances. The government should not focus only on vaccination and physical fitness of the migrants but also need to find out the cure of the psychological impact arising during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how electronic work of mouth (eWOM) mediates the relationship between marketing relations and brand resonance. Based on the information obtained from 473 customers using an online questionnaire, this study analyses the relationship between eWOM, relationship marketing practices and the brand resonance of lifestyle products in an Indian context. The results from the multiple regression analysis indicate that the proposed hypotheses are valid, that relationship marketing significantly affects brand resonance, and that eWOM significantly mediates the relationship between the relationship marketing and brand resonance of branded apparel. The findings suggest that personalized attention and tangible rewards are effective relationship marketing strategies, and that these relationship-marketing practices—in association with eWOM—build up the strong brand resonance of branded apparel. The present study recommends that marketers should place emphasis on effective online and offline relationship marketing strategies, and should design appropriate eWOM strategies to enhance brand loyalty, brand attachment, brand community and brand engagement. Some of the managerial implications and the future scope of study based on the empirical findings are also highlighted in the present research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the worldwide education system has been severely affected, following the shutdown of schools and colleges/universities since March 2020 in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Conventional classrooms shifted to online classrooms which profoundly impacted teachers' and students' closed interaction, making a paradigm shift in the teaching-learning process, inter alia. Against such a backdrop, it is relevant to analyze the perception of students and the challenges of online classes during this ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The present study is based on a quantitative and sample survey approach. The respondent sample of 385 secondary school students from grades 8 to 12 in Delhi have been collected through a Google Form Questionnaire. The study was conducted in the months of January and February 2021. Statistical techniques, such as Descriptive Statistics, Chi-Square Test, Factor Analysis, Reliability Test and Logistic Regression, were used for analyzing the data. The Logistic Regression result shows that the quality of Internet, prior knowledge of ICT, family income, mother's education and the number of rooms are positively impacting online classes. The findings of the study revealed that, on average, students have positive perceptions towards online classes during the pandemic to maintain their academic growth. Nonetheless, they experienced several challenges in online classes. Thus, the outcome of this research study will encourage policy makers and educational institutes to handle online classes in a better way, by adopting the latest techniques of online classes and by training teachers and students continuously so that the teaching–learning process becomes more enjoyable and effective during this ongoing pandemic. The government must take certain remedial measures to overcome the challenges in online classes and reduce the digital divide so that no students will be left out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The educational system across the world has immensely been affected due to outbreak of COVID-19; it forced the shut down of educational institutions, which adversely affected student fraternity across the globe. Due to its contagious nature, COVID-19 demanded containment and enforced isolation that tremendously affected personal interaction of teachers and students. In the absence of traditional classroom teaching and one-to-one interaction, computer-based learning has emerged as closest substitute for off-line teaching. Against such a backdrop, it is pertinent to examine the students' perception and readiness about online-learning system adopted at the university level during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the present study, the quantitative approach has been adopted and responses from 184 university students of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, India namely Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University) and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University are collected through online questionnaire. This research study was conducted during June–August 2020. The findings of the study reveal students' positive perception towards e-learning and thus acceptance of this new learning system. It has also empirically demonstrated the significance of e-learning in the time of COVID-19 crisis. In fact, e-learning has emerged as a new way of enhancing the learning process where social media may further improve the learning output. The findings of the study will facilitate educational institutions and policy makers to take this online-learning process to the next level in a better way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes geological and hydrogeological studies of groundwater in Derajat Leghari in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. The studies include study of various lithostratigraphic units exposed in the mountainous region, determination of chemical quality of surface and groundwater of the area, and its use for drinking purpose. A description of the study area is included.