Abdur Rahman Aleemi

This study probes semi-strong market efficiency in leading altcoins by examining how various regulatory and international events impact the daily returns of altcoins. We aspire to contribute valuable insights into the behavior of altcoins market in response to external stimuli, highlighting the implications for investors and market analysts in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital currencies. Several events over the period of 2018 to 2024 are considered categorized in two distinct groups namely, crypto-regulatory events and international events, ranging from outbreak of global pandemics, geo-political events and wars, including COVID-19 waves, vaccines authorizations, imposition of lockdowns, BREXIT post 2018, US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Palestine conflict. Subsequently the impact of these events on the daily returns of five leading altcoins is assessed using the Auto-Regressive Component GARCH-Mean model. Altcoins have been responding to both positive and negative regulatory as well as international events. However, the significance of cumulative abnormal returns in the event window indicates signs of semi-strong market inefficiency. The findings provide new insights into the response of cryptocurrencies to various events at a global level, contributing to the understanding of market behavior and market efficiency, particularly, in the leading crypto-assets other than bitcoin. The findings can help altcoin investors devise trading strategies and build investment portfolios in an optimal manner, thereby minimizing the risks involved.

In recent times, increasing regulatory pressure and changes in investor preferences have led to an increase in the importance of sustainable investment at both academic and practitioner levels, with the field still occupying the formative stage. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to explore the intellectual underpinnings of and suggest future research avenues in the discipline of sustainable investment, as well as to conduct a systematic review and bibliometric analysis. In total 1,222 articles were selected from the Scopus database for the period 2013-2023. The study follows the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, involving performance analysis and science mapping using VOSviewer and the R-package. Network analysis revealed eight major clusters primarily focusing on firms’ financial performance, stock returns, contributions to climate change, economic growth, sustainable development goals, risk assessment, and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, the study developed a unified taxonomy model based on a causal framework that includes the foremost independent, mediating, moderating, and dependent variables, studied in the field of sustainable investment.

Sustainability is one of the fastest-growing research areas globally. Irrespective of industry and economic activity, it is the need of the day. This study examines the impact of green process innovation and green production on sustainability in Pakistan and India’s cement and plastic manufacturing industries. The study also addresses the moderating role of environmental awareness, which increases the effect of green productivity and green innovation towards sustainability. The research is based on a quantitative approach to addressing the issue in question. Primary data were collected via a closed-ended questionnaire from 657 employees of Pakistan and India’s plastic and cement manufacturing industries, and were analyzed via partial least square structural equation modeling via SmartPLS. The findings show that green productivity and green process innovation have a significant impact on sustainability, while environmental awareness also plays a significant role in sustainable practices in the cement and plastic manufacturing industries of Pakistan and India. The results are helpful for policymakers, industries, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure sustainability through green process innovation, green productivity, and environmental awareness.

Purpose. Nietzschean proponents classify people into seemingly two distinct groups: those possessing 'Master' moralities and those with 'Slave' moralities. Each type of person is characterized to have certain qualities, traits, ideologies, and methods of dealing with everyday situations. This paper attributes these moralities to the personnel working in the corporate sector of Pakistan to observe their prospects of success. Originality. A specialized survey instrument was designed to gauge different Morality Types of the study subjects by calculating a Morality Quotient. The respondents were then categorized into three categories possessing, Slave, Master and Neutral or Mixed traits. These traits are then contrasted to the position(s) held by the subjects to see which morality type was more prevalent in higher management levels and whether the association was significant. Conclusions. Our results prove to be contradictory to common wisdom and shows that despite the leadership-like qualities of those with Master moralities, the proportion of those with Slave moralities was significantly higher at senior management levels of the corporate sector in Pakistan. Moreover, a trend of declining Master morality traits is observed with the rise in managerial level. In addition, an association between work experience and Morality type was also observed indicating adaptability of cross morality traits with increasing job experience. These findings are in line with the increasing focus on democratic and adaptable leadership instead of autocratic leadership styles in contemporary organizations. Мета. Прихильники Ніцше поділяють людей на дві групи: тих, хто має мораль "господаря", та тих, хто має мораль "раба". Кожному типу притаманні характерні риси, якості, ідеології та набір засобів для вирішення повсякденних проблем. Презентована авторами стаття ставить собі за мету осмислити зазначені моральні якості персоналу сучасного корпоративного сектора Пакистану, щоб спостерігати за перспективами їх росту. Наукова новизна. Були підготовлені спеціальні методики опитування відповідно до розроблених етичних тестів для респондентів із метою виявлення їх моральних якостей. Респонденти були поділені на три категорії: підлеглі, керівники та змішані групи. Порівняння трьох категорій протестованих дало можливість виявити певні типи моральної свідомості респондентів. Висновки. Наші результати суперечать загальноприйнятій думці й демонструють, що лідерські якості керівника не завжди вищі моральних якостей підлеглих. Значна частина людей з типології "рабів", як підлеглих, була в моральному плані значно вищою типології "господарів", тобто керівників корпоративного сектора. Спостерігається певна тенденція до зниження моральних якостей керівників при підвищенні їх статусу та посад в управлінській ієрархії. Такі результати свідчать про посилену увагу до демократичного лідерства, яке приходить на зміну автократичному стилю управління в сучасних організаціях.

Connection between inferior leadership and massive business meltdown and inadequacy of seasoned leadership models create an urge to seek leadership equipped with ethical behavior, concern for subordinates, all the stakeholders and the society as a whole. This literature survey examines existing literature addressing servant leadership theory. Servant leadership theory has not yet been legitimized as a mainstream leadership theory therefore, it is worthy to examine its antecedents, outcomes and different mediating and moderating mechanisms to have in-depth knowledge of servant leadership concept and to understand how it differs from other mainstream leadership theories. This study analyzed the literature using descriptive approach as proposed by Turnnidge & Côté (2016). The study has been carried out in three phases. First phase is concerned with screening of abstracts and citations related to variable of interests, in second phase, peer discussion was made to retain valuable literature and exclusion of literature which does not fall in set criterion. In the third phase, full text of articles and relevant literature were reviewed which were potentially related to and are of interest. It was found that servant leadership is a different concept which is more comprehensive and predicts more positive outcomes than its predecessor leadership models. Systematic literature review provided detailed insight with respect to servant leadership theory and its outcomes which led to the development of taxonomy which was further used to develop integrated model of causal fl ow through mediating and moderating mechanisms; and then was further refined to identify servant leadership interaction with different organization and behavioral variables. Findings of this research suggest possible impact of servant leadership in power distant culture which is inconsistent in contemporary research and needs to be investigated for validation of servant leadership’s concept in Third World countries.

This study aimed to evaluate the challenges and patterns of seeking primary health care services in slums of Karachi, where about 60% of the population lives in various informal settlements. We surveyed 8 largest slums of the metropolitan, and analyzed the data both descriptively and inferentially to evaluate the factors associated with health care seeking behavior. Significantly positive association of quality health care seeking behavior and various socioeconomic indicators were found. In addition, substantial insights about the conditions of slum dwellers and health challenges of the population, such as low immunization and low vaccinations, among others, were reported. Thus, the role of policymakers is emphasized to strategize for the inclusion of these people in national health plans and to develop health infrastructure near these communities. Furthermore, there is a strong need to increase awareness of the population about hygiene practices, importance of immunization, and importance of utilizing appropriate health care services.

Purpose-This study helps to understand the successful path of micro-financing, which can plays a vital role in poverty alleviation in Pakistan. Methodology/Sampling-To collect data authors of this paper visited different microfinance institutions (MFIs) like Tameer Micro Financing Bank and Khushali Bank Limited in Karachi. A structured questionnaire was designed for data collection of consumers of microfinance. Statistical data of 100 samples showed 46% of respondents acquired loan for agricultural purposes while 54% loans were business based. Findings-It is observed that male respondents are higher than female. Regression model showed 38% variation in consumer preference regarding the microfinance services. Statistic in the ANOVA shows the significance of model. The coefficient of MFI’s Approach with negative sign indicates an inverse relationship with that of consumer preferences. It means that MFI agents do not give proper value to the targeted consumers. Finally, the amount of loan and interest charged by the MFI’s is also having a negative impact on the consumers of micro- finance. Practical Implications-This study deliver statistical evidence of utilization of funds as well as the consistency of gathered data. Work showed that responded are need to be acquired more knowledge about the microfinance services in Pakistan.

Purpose: This study is designed to investigate the role of microfinance on the economic and social development of people in the rural areas of the Province of Sind Pakistan. This study considers and compares two situations of the respondents: economic and social conditions before and after taking micro loan. Methodology/Sampling: The target population for this study is those people who planned to take microcredit from the banks with the objective to change their lives by investing such funds in their existing business or opening new business. We conducted a survey about their economic well-being before taking microcredit (Feb-July 2013) and then revisited to them after a year and determined their status after taking microcredit. The study considers descriptive as well as statistical analysis such as Chi square, OLS estimation and one sample T test. Findings: The study concludes that there is no change in Economic Conditions of Borrowers after accusation of Micro finance. The microfinance could not improve their Business growth as well. However, in Social Development, there is significant improvement in the Lifestyle of borrowers, whereas, there is no significant improvement in Health and Education needs of Buyers before and after taking of microfinance. The study further concludes that borrowers believe that the Loan Amount provided is not sufficient for their needs and both the repayment schedule and interest rate are not reasonable to facilitate them. Practical Implications: this study provides bases for new dimensions especially for the policymakers and the regulatory bodies that the term structure of Micro credit should be revised as well as the amount of loan should also be sufficient for the borrowers’ need.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of psychological problems faced by IDPs (displaced as a result of Operation Zarb-i-Azb) of North Waziristan on local Community. IDPs coming from Waziristan and surroundings including men and women of all ages and children are the ones who are more vulnerable to physical and mental stresses likely to be caused by military actions of terrorists and counteraction by Pakistani Armed Forces. They have residence in shelter homes, tents are in a community which is different and most of the time hostile from their own community. The stresses like violence, migration, imposed poverty unhygienic and unsystematic living atmosphere of camps lead the IDPs to a change in everyday life activities away from their own cultural routines which in turn is causing deterioration of society as well. Methodology/Sampling: This is primarily an exploratory study done on the field in IDP camps situated in Bannu district. We approached a sample of 500 IDPs and identified around 200 to be suffering from psychological issues, who were interviewed and were administered with questionnaires with the help of trained surveyors and medical team. Findings: It is noted that such transitory unplanned no systemic living has caused an increase in activities like thieving, use of drugs, abduction for ransom, and other forms of violence and such like activities. The relationship between psychological issues of IDPs and the effects on community (Proxied by Crime rate) were subjected to descriptive analysis and were found that significantly good number of IDPs suffers from psychiatric disorders and there is a significant increase in crime rate for areas with sufficient number of IDPs around. Practical Implications: Displacement results in emergence of particular vulnerabilities for those affected, and also for the surrounding communities, thereafter necessitating specific measures for the provision of assistance and further protection corresponding to vulnerabilities.