bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metaphors in Acehnese Literature Work
Authors: Lubis Tasnim
Published: February 2019

The objective of the study was to describe Acehnese conceptual metaphor. Qualitative method was applied in this study and documentary technique was used as the way to collect the data.The source of data were two poems (Hikayats) of Acehnese in colonialism era, they were Hikayat Ranto and Hikayat Teungku di Meukek. Kovecses theory was applied in this study to find out the most common source domain used in these hikayats. To identify the metaphor in these Hikayat, the writer used Praglejazz Group Theory (2007). Then, the data were analyzed by using Miles and Huberman through data reduction, data display and verifying/drawing conclusion Through the dominant common source domain, the findings showed that Acehnese conceptual metaphor were human body that stand for love was LOVE IS LIVER and movement that stand for struggle was STRUGGLE IS MOVEMENT. Relating to the source domain, the types of metaphor in these hikayats were Conventional metaphor and Ontological metaphor.
The Relationships between the Socioeconomic Profile of Farmers and Paddy Productivity in North-West Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Siwar Chamhuri , Talib Basri , bin Toriman Mohd Ekhwan
Published: February 2019

Paddy is the main food crop in Malaysia, but due to a low rate of productivity, the land area for paddy production is gradually decreasing. As a consequence, it is critically important to know the socio-economic characteristics of the paddy farmers and their linkage with agricultural productivity to ensure the sustainability of paddy farms as well as farmers’ livelihood. This study analyses the relationships between the paddy yields and the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers in the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA), North-West Selangor, Malaysia. The data was collected through a survey. To analyse the data, this study conducted cross-sectional multiple OLS regressions. The findings of the study revealed that several socio-economic and physical characteristics had significant effects on paddy productivity in Malaysia. Based on the findings, some policy recommendations and action plans have been proposed focusing on paddy productivity and socio-economic sustainability of the livelihood. The findings of the study are important for the policymakers and relevant agencies.
Delivering Countywide Cost-Effective and Better Education Services: The Models of Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Abu Rashed
Published: February 2019

Like other social services, education is one of the essential services that government is obliged to arrange for its country people, but to meet such increasing demand of educational infrastructures, government alone faces hues difficulties in capital investment especially in the developing countries. So, for developing the education infrastructure and providing quality education programmes, Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been proven an advanced tool for government in many of the countries. However, private investors may not have much interest for a typical PPP deal in education sector, because government provides the education services for free at the primary and secondary level. Therefore to make the PPP deal attractive to private investors, this paper suggests two approaches of PPP funding under the Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) models. Both the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and Annuity Payment provide the investors the required subsidy from the government through payment in the construction or operation phase to make the project viable. This allows private investors to make revenue at expected level and government to save of hues up-front investments. Moreover, among different types of PPP models, the suggested types – BOT - also ensures the quality of education programmes.
Determining the Profit Maximizing Point: An Empirical Investigation for Navana Furniture, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Mahadi , Chowdhury Nour Mohammed , Alam Md. Mahmudul
Published: February 2019

Business always tries to find ways to improve its competitiveness and gain maximum profit. Organizations easily determine the maximum production and profit level through the simplex method in linear programming. This paper examined the profit maximization point for dining chair and sofa manufacturing by Navana Furniture Company, Bangladesh through simplex method in linear programming and graphical method. The findings showed that Navana Furniture Company can improve its profit by 4.03% for dining chair and sofa manufacturing cases if it follows the new profit maximizing point that is determined by this study. The findings of the paper will be helpful for the company management, shareholders as well as other companies to improve their performance.
Climate Change Induced Adaptation by Paddy Farmers in Malaysia
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Siwar Chamhuri , bin Toriman Mohd Ekhwan , Molla Rafiqul Islam , Talib Basri
Published: February 2019

The climatic factors are changing very rapidly in Malaysia. For the farmers to adapt with the changes, government and other external agencies are providing several supports. But still there is a gap between farmers’ adaptability with climate change and current level of supports. This study uses descriptive statistics, ordinal regression, and percentile analysis to measure the level of farmers’ adaptability to climate change as a result of the various existing supports and encouragements provided by the government and other external agencies, and new supports expected by farmers. The data were collected through questionnaire survey on 198 paddy producing farmers in the area of Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA), North-West Selangor, Malaysia. The study found that among current types of supports provided by different agencies, only farmers’ accessibility in the market is statistically significant for influencing their current adaptability to climatic changes. Though 58.6% of the farmers agree that government supports are enough to cope properly with climate change, 12.1% of farmers are not able to cope with climate change with the current level of supports. Farmers’ expectations of several new supports has no statistically significant influences on their current adaptability with climatic changes, but their priority ranking for these expected supports will help policymakers to determine the future supports for climatic change adaptation for agriculture sustainability and livelihood sustainability under adverse climatic changes scenarios, especially for Malaysia.
Motivasi Guru Sekolah Minggu Buddhis di Vihāra-vihāra Kecamatan Getasan-Kabupaten Semarang
Authors: Sukodoyo
Published: February 2019

This research is on the motivation of the teacher to become a Buddhist Sunday School (SMB) in the monastery’s Getasan subdistrict-Semarang district with the limited of youth who want to become SMB teachers, lack of support for the monastery administrators and parents on SMB activities, lack of respect and attention to the SMB teacher, and the still limited SMB teachers in a monastery. The purpose of this research aim to describe the motivation tobe come by the SMB teacher in the monastery of Getasan subdistrict-Semarang district.This research is using a descriptive qualitative approach. The echnique used in the data collection is in the form of interviews, observation, and documentation. Meanwhile, the data validation technique is performed by the continous observation, triangulation, and discussion among peers. Then, it is analyzed by using an interactive model of analysis techniques, consiststing of data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing or verification The results showed: (1) the care for SMB, spirit to dedicate, and a desire to care for the Dhamma, (2) seriousness in becoming a Buddhist Sunday school teacher through learning before teaching, active to teach SMB, SMB evaluation, as well as variations of SMB activities, (3 ) the conditions in society which encourage the subject to be a SMB teacher is the support from parents and administrators of the monastery which is still lacking.
An Empirical Evidence of International Fisher Effect in Bangladesh with India and China: A Time-Series Approach
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Alam Kazi Ashraful , Shuvo Anisuzzaman
Published: February 2019

This paper is an attempt to examine the empirical evidence of International Fisher Effect (IFE) between Bangladesh and its two other major trading partners, China and India. The IFE uses interest rate differentials to explain why exchange rates change over time. A time series approach is considered to trace the relationship between nominal interest rates and exchange rates in these countries. The estimated value, by applying OLS, is used to determine the casual relationship between interest rates and exchange rates for quarterly data from 4th Quarter, 1995 to the 2nd Quarter, 2008. The empirical results suggest that there is a little correlation between exchange rates and interest rates differential for Bangladesh with China and Bangladesh with India, and the relationship between the variables is also not noteworthy for Bangladesh. Further, the trends advocate that the forecasting of exchange rates with the hypothesis of IFE is not realistic for these countries.
A Paradox of the World Population Stabilization Policy
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Molla Rafiqul Islam , Rahman Khandaker Mizanur , Murad Wahid
Published: February 2019

Population explosion of the last century necessitated adoption of a population stabilization policy internationally but without due consideration of its paradoxical impacts on future world economic and environmental sustainability and progress of civilization. Population stabilization policy makes world fertility level (projected) to fall below the replacement level by 2043. This will result in a declining work-age population endangering economic and environmental sustainability particularly during 2050 and beyond. This study has made an attempt to highlight this paradox of population stabilization policy in terms of its impacts on economic and environmental sustainability. It analyses the catch of the need for a declining population in order to maintain a stable population. It also analyses the time taking process of changing fertility habit of the human community under the concepts of „child bearing habitual gap‟ and „work-age formation gap‟. It argues that for a progressive and sustainable world economy a greater and rising work-age population is required and observes that world needs to maintain population growth at a rate balanced in terms of countries and earth‟s absorption capacity.
The Dimensions of Finance Researches in Bangladesh: 1973-2006
Authors: Alam Md. Mahmudul , Abu Rashed
Published: February 2019

The role of growing financial sectors is already marked with good attention of the policy makers, investors, academicians and researchers in Bangladesh. To accelerate and sustain the economic growth, the dimension of finance research is very critical which subsequently results diversified types of researches being conducted continuously in this area. At the same time, assessing the directions of researches is also very important to find out the gap in the research vicinity and to explore uncovered issues keeping in mind that the world of finance is vast and there is little success in Bangladesh in terms of area wise research conducted. Moreover, the financial crisis of the world allows us to think further and look back on the finance researches being conducted and its evolution. This paper is an attempt to analyze the dimensions of financial researches that published in Bangladesh from 1973 to 2006. This study analyzes 549 papers covering from available issues (612 issues out of 750) of 18 journals published by well reputed academic institutions in Bangladesh. This paper categorizes the existing finance publications into different major areas and sub-areas. The category of finance researches is also segmented in three time periods based on the research trend in three decades. Finally the paper highlights the most focused areas and its outcomes, where most of the researches have been conducted but still need to do further study, and unexplored areas, where research works is highly required. This paper will be helpful for the financial institutions, researchers and policy makers.
Studi Kelayakan Pembukaan Program Studi S1 Nava Dhammasekha di Sekolah Tinggi Agama Buddha Negeri Sriwijaya Tangerang Banten
Authors: Suntoro  , Heriyanto
Published: February 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prospek minat masyarakat melanjutkanstudi di Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha; kompetensi yang dibutuhkan pengguna(steakholder) terhadap lulusan Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha; dan penilaian pakar terhadaprencana pembukaan Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha. Penelitian ini menggunakan metodesurvei di Provinsi Banten dan Jawa Tengah dengan responden pengurus dan gurudhammasekha, kepala dan pimpinan sekolah berciri Buddhis, siswa SMA/SMK sederajat,dan pakar pendidikan. Pengumpulan data penelitian ini menggunakan kuesioner danwawancara, sedangkan analisis datanya dilakukan secara kuantitatif dan kualitatifdeskriptif.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) prospek minat masyarakat untukmelanjutkan studi di Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha sangat baik, sebanyak 8%responden menyatakan akan mendaftar, 25% mungkin mendaftar, 25% belum tahu,27% tidak mendaftar dan 10% lainnya tidak menjawab; (2) pengguna sangatmendukung pembukaan Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha dan masuk dalam katagorikebutuhan yang sangat mendesak. Kompetensi utama yang diharapkan oleh penggunadari lulusan Nava Dhammasekha yaitu memiliki kompetensi kepribadian, sosial,profesional, dan pedagogik yang baik, sedangkan kompetensi tambahan yangdiharapkan antara lain bidang seni dan budaya, bahasa, olahraga dan permainan,hypnoteaching, dan manajemen; (3) pakar pendidikan menyatakan dukungan dankelayakan pembukaan Prodi S1 Nava Dhammasekha selama ada kepastian dan payunghukum yang menaungi Dhammasekha sebagai satuan pendidikan formal; (4) kondisiinternal STAB Negeri Sriwijaya cukup siap dalam menyelenggarakan Prodi S1 NavaDhammasekha, namun masih perlu investasi SDM dalam beberapa tahun ke depansembari menunggu kepastian regulasi terkait dhammasekha. Oleh karena itu, STABNegeri Sriwijaya harus melakukan strategi investasi SDM yang tepat untukmengakomodasi pengembangan prodi di kampus, termasuk Nava Dhammasekha.
Review the development of digital economy in indonesia - Martin Jonathan 130216053
Authors: Jonathan Martin
Published: February 2019

Tujuan dilakuka penelitian ini adalah memberitahukan Jumlah pengguna internet saat ini di Indonesia telah melampaui 50%
The Rise Ideology of Kiai at State Senior High School Darussholah Singojuruh Indonesia
Authors: (Proseding Seminar Nasional FKIP UNIBA 2018)  , Salain Putu Rumawan , Kumbara A.A. Ngr. Anom , Sukardja Putu
Published: February 2019

This research has the goal to the rise of ideology kiaiat State Senior High School (SMAN)Darussholah in the progress of the implementation of quality education organized by the government. There is avery dominant influence from outside that affects the process of the ongoing education. This study concludesthrough the analysis that the inclusion of ideology kiaiinterfere with the development of education in SMANDarussholah to become a professional educational institution. It is necessary for the role of government inproviding facilities and infrastructure to achieve professional education institutions. Likewise with the kiai byentering ideology kiai should be able to provide infrastructure such as dormitories and human resources toimprove the quality of education in the boarding school.
Review " The Development of Digital Economy in Indonesia "
Authors: Setiawan Michael Jerrico Ongko
Published: February 2019

Jumlah pengguna internet di Indonesia saat ini telah melebihi 50% dari total populasi, dengan pengeluaran rata-rata Rp6,5 juta per tahun untuk belanja online. Nilai dari e-commerce telah mencapai US $ 87,8 atau 52% dari e-commerce pasar di Asia Tenggara. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian kualitatif dengan positif paradigma. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dan data sekunder dengan fokus pada Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah (UMKM) dan perilaku konsumen sebagai pengguna internet (smartphone).
Review Pemikiran Ekonomi dan Bisnis (Vensie_130316050_KP C)
Authors: Suryanto Vensie Meylina
Published: February 2019

Pada tugas ini membahas tentang digital ekonomi, mulai perkembangan keuangan hingga pengaruhnya terhadap gaya hidup masyarakat
Review Jurnal Indonesia's Efforts To Archive Globally Competitive Human Resources
Authors: wijaya venesia novianti
Published: February 2019

Era industri 4.0 ditandai dengan adanya penggunaan teknologi informasi, kecerdasan buatan dan mesin atau kendaraan otomatis. Saat ini, pelau industri otomotif di Indonesia juga telah menggunakan beberapa teknologi yang sudah mengarah keefisiensi seperti teknologi robot. Salah satu penentu untuk berinovasi adalah kesiapan dunia bisnis yang mampu membangun dan menyediakan sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas dan unggul. Saat ini, Indonesia sangat membutuhkan sumber daya manusia yang kompeten. Hal ini disebabkan karena adanya tuntutan akibat revolusi industri 4.0 yang telah mengubah lanskap politik dan ekonomi yang akan mengakibatkan adanya peluang hilangnya banyak pekerjaan yang lama kelamaan akan tergeser karena adanya teknologi. Namun, teknologi ini juga banyak memberikan dampak posotif seperti meningkatnya produktivitas, meminimumkan biaya produksi dan bahkan mampu menciptakan profesi baru.
Error Correction Model dengan STATCAL dan EViews
Authors: Gio Prana Ugiana , Caraka Rezzy Eko
Published: February 2019

Dalam tulisan ini dijelaskan langkah demi langkah penggunaan STATCAL & EViews untuk metode Error Correction Model (ECM)
jurnal review paper Development of Digital in Indonesia
Authors: Anugrah Putu Eka
Published: February 2019

rivew tentang perkembangan bisnis online telah menjadi pusat perhatian diseluruh dunia dengan adanya era industry 4.0 menambahkan tingkat pebisnis dalam berbisnis dan memudahkan pengusaha lainnya khususnya untuk Indonesia
Experiments in syntax and philosophy: the method of choice?
Authors: Schindler Samuel , Brøcker Karen Kiil
Published: February 2019

Within Chomskyan syntax, linguistic intuitions have traditionally been gathered informally from small samples of linguists. Since the mid-1990s, however, several linguists have called for more “scientific” methods, including the use of larger sample sizes of ordinary speakers and the use of statistics. In the first part of this chapter, we discuss whether such an “experimental approach” to obtaining syntactical intuitions is really methodologically superior to the informal approach, as sometimes claimed. We think the answer is: not always. In the second part, we turn our attention to another academic field in which intuitions arguably play an evidential role, namely philosophy. Also here, critics have demanded that intuitions be harvested more systematically and have even appealed to experimental syntax in order to support their cause. However, given our assessment, experimental methods in syntax can be a model for the promotion of experimental methods in philosophy only under certain conditions.
Dispositional negativity, cognition, and anxiety disorders: An integrative translational neuroscience framework
Authors: Hur Juyoen , Stockbridge Melissa D. , Fox Andrew S. , Shackman Alexander J.
Published: February 2019

When extreme, anxiety can become debilitating. Anxiety disorders, which often first emerge early in development, are common and challenging to treat, yet the underlying mechanisms have only recently begun to come into focus. Here, we review new insights into the nature and biological bases of dispositional negativity, a fundamental dimension of childhood temperament and adult personality and a prominent risk factor for the development of pediatric and adult anxiety disorders. Converging lines of epidemiological, neurobiological, and mechanistic evidence suggest that dispositional negativity increases the likelihood of psychopathology via specific neurocognitive mechanisms, including attentional biases to threat and deficits in executive control. Collectively, these observations provide an integrative translational framework for understanding the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders in adults and youth and set the stage for developing improved intervention strategies.
Editorial Note: Vol.1(1)
Authors: Risal Nischal
Published: February 2019

No abstract available.
An Overview of SME Sector and Examination of Banks Lending to SMEs: A Case Study of Jodia Bazaar - Karachi
Authors: Ahmad Fiaz , Salam Abdus
Published: February 2019

SMEs are considered as driving force for the economy both in developing as well as in developed countries. In the given economic structure, no one can deny the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises. They are contributing in employment generation, GDP growth, poverty reduction and earning foreign exchange for the  country by boosting its exports. Pakistani economy has good potential for the growth of SME sector but still they  are unable to get the maximum benefit from this sector. There are multiple reasons behind this, including lack of  good policies, current law and order situation as well as political instability in the country. One important problem  faced by SMEs is unavailability of finances from the formal sources including banking channels. SBP and other  specialized institutions like SME Bank, SMEDA is playing major role in the development of SME sector but still  there is a lot of cushion available. Jodia Bazaar is considered as one of the major whole sale markets in  Karachi. It consists of thousands of SMEs which includes whole sellers, retailers, importers, exporters, grain  traders etc. Due to large potential in this market almost every bank has its presence in this market in the form of  branch at Jodia Bazaar. If we look at the credit portfolio of these branches, we will come to know that the  contribution of SME portfolio in their major credit portfolio is very small. We have conducted our research to  know the factors due to which banks are reluctant to have exposure in the SME sector, especially in the Jodia  Bazaar. Data have been collected from fifteen branches of banks located in Jodia Bazaar. Results are analyzed  through Pie Charts. This research will be helpful for the Banking professionals, especially associated with credit  departments and those who want to enhance the credit portfolio of the Branch in the Small and Medium  Enterprises. Results show that Banks in Jodia Bazar are reluctant to take exposure in SME sector due to number of reasons, mainly due to unavailability of correct information, maintenance of proper accounts and  availability of trained professionals hired by SMEs. Results also show that some banks have not developed  specialized products for SMEs and they are not properly marketing the same.
Relationship between Movement of Stock Prices and Bond Prices: A Case Study of Karachi Stock Exchange
Authors: Mohammed Farah , Salam Muhammad Abdus
Published: February 2019

A potential investor may have different options for utilizing its excess ideal money but he will avail that option  where he can have maximum satisfaction in terms of profitability and security. However, the higher level of  uncertainty de-motivates an investor to employ his funds in a risky venture, especially during the period of  economic instability. As a result, one must evaluate the factors which act as a key determinant in the market  to boost up investors’ confidence. KSE has been termed as high risk high premium market by researchers,  so the higher persistence of volatility discourages an investor to rely on uncertain market. Instead he would  be more willing in fixed income securities or may opt for diversification of its portfolio. For this purpose  correlation analysis will be a helpful technique as it supports in asset allocation, portfolio selection and risk  management. It identifies the degree of dependency of one portfolio on another and helps in deciding the  correct proportion of allocation of funds on various assets. The two major forms of investment, stock and  bonds do follow a particular pattern in the market and by analyzing their trend one can opt for a proper mix  which will avert the risk associated with them. As per correlation analysis carried out on monthly data of KSE  100 and KSE all index from Nov 2003 to May 2009, it has been concluded that share indices have a positive  correlation with GDP, interest rate and money supply and a negative correlation with bond prices and T-bill rates. The regression analysis of the model presented the higher value of R square of 96%, which represents  the significance of the model.
Impediments in the Execution of Wind Power Projects: A Case Study of Gharo Wind Projects in Sindh
Authors: Ahmed Masood , Jalbani Amanat Ali
Published: February 2019

This paper analyses the current status of the wind power projects in Gharo Wind Corridor in Sindh. Recently the Government of Sindh has given lands to different investors to establish wind farms in the area. However since 2006 when the short term renewable energy policy was introduced only one project has been executed producing currently 6 MW of energy. The objective of this study is to find out what has been the problems associated with the implementation of the policy to promote renewable energy in Pakistan especially with reference to wind energy. The study has found out that the government agencies regulating the renewable energy sector were in-experienced in dealing with the renewable energy sector therefore they took lots of time in deciding about the important issues like tariff rate etc. The investors left the renewable energy sector due to slow processes on their work. However with the success of initial project and the acquirement of substantial experience in documentation the expectations are high that in couple of years at least 200 MW of wind energy projects would be added. The power firms also mentioned that lack of financing options, supply crunch from wind turbine manufacturers before financial crises of 2008 and volatile law and order situation in Pakistan have led to the non implementation of their power projects. It is recommended that a specialized financial institution for the promotion of renewable energy be established in Pakistan. The government should establish model wind power project so that more private investors are willing to take risk in the wind energy market.
Does Privatization Impinge Price Levels?
Authors: Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Mumtaz Asim
Published: February 2019

In the last few decades the transformation of ownership rights of state owned enterprises (SOEs) to private sector, the privatization, is being considered as an important craft to reduce fiscal deficits, increase organizational efficiency, and to control macroeconomic barometers. In Pakistan, especially after 1988, most of the governments have adopted the privatization as mainstay artifice to reduce fiscal imbalances, augment organizational competence and bring macroeconomic stability. The favorable fiscal impact of privatization has been expected from the sale proceeds being used to retire national debt, as well as elimination of losses of the public sector units as these losses are financed from the budget. It is also considered important to foster competition, strengthen capital markets and to encourage foreign direct investment. Since privatization is an exercise with multifaceted implications, many of the studies have been made to evaluate its diversified impacts. But most of the researches carried out have explored its affects on fiscal shortfalls, organizational efficiency and economic growth. Only a few studies have been ,conducted to see its impacts on economic development, especially on inflation, the single most important macroeconomic indicator which can destabilize the life of masses substantially, if not completely. This research article attempts to highlight the influences of privatization on inflationary pressure and its repercussions. It has been argued that privatization accelerates the inflation thus affecting the development negatively. We are making an effort to test the credibility of the fact through scientific tools. Last thirty years data have been taken for analysis purpose. The econometrics model using "Regression Analysis" would be developed to analyze and interpret the data.
Relationship between Unemployment and Gross Domestic Product: Evidence from Pakistan using Okun's Law
Authors: Batavia Abdul Rahim , Salam Muhammad Abdus
Published: February 2019

Today unemployment is a problem faced by many countries. It aggravated further when recession hit the globe in 2008-2009. Many countries are still unable to bring unemployment level to normal levels and struggling hard to bring economy back on track. The output unemployment relationship was postulated by Arthur Okun in 1962 which led to famous Okun's Law. The research is aimed at finding Okun Co-efficient and to verify the findings of this Law for the case of Pakistan economy. Annual Time series from 1985 to 2010 on unemployment and GDP was used for data analysis. Data was examined for CLRM conditions and Hodrick Prescot filter approach is used in gap model to examine direction and long run relationship between unemployment and GDP. This paper will be helpful for stakeholders in policy making and can be used for further analysis for cross country comparison(s) using panel data.
Analysis of Change in Profitability due to Reinsurance Utilization and Leverage Levels: Evidence from Non-Life Insurance Sector of Pakistan
Authors: Iqbal Hafiza Tahoora , Rehman Mobeen Ur , Shahzad Syed Jawad Hussain
Published: February 2019

This paper examines the relationship between profitability, reinsurance and leverage level of private sector non-life stock insurers of Pakistan. The value and significance of reinsurance and leverage levels is analyzed by observing their nature and benefits to the insurer, insurance industry and for financial system as a whole. The study further assesses whether the profitability of the non-life insurance companies dependent on the reinsurance operations and leverage level or not. Secondary data is taken from the annual financial reports of insurance companies over the period of 10 years from 2002-2011. A panel data regression model, Random Effect Model is used which reveals that the profitability is positively related with reinsurance utilization. The leverage levels have a significant negative impact on the profitability. However, the increased dependence on reinsurer decreases the profitability and hence the risk of insolvency may increase. Majority of the insurance companies in order to increase their underwriting capacity and to stabilize their earnings depend a lot on reinsurance and leverage, and this extensive use exposes them to the potential risk of insolvency.
Effect of Occupational Stress on Life Satisfaction among Private and Public School Teachers
Authors: Bano Shehnaz , Malik Sadia
Published: February 2019

The study intends to examine the effect of occupational stress on life satisfaction among school teachers. The sample was consisted of 200 school teachers from private and public sector schools of Bhakkar city. Questionnaires are used to assess the response of teachers. Descriptive statistics, Regression analyses and independent sample t- test are used to examine the data. Main findings of the study reveal that higher occupational stress is related to lower life satisfaction ( = .52, p < .001). Significant gender differences are found, as female teachers reported more severe job stress as compared to male teachers (t = 2.09, p <.05). Findings also indicate that there is no significant difference in occupational stress in private teachers and public school teachers. In the last, some limitations and suggestions are also included to facilitate future research studies.
Impact of Contextualized Text on Students’ Learning of Writing Skills at Tertiary Level
Authors: Saqlain Najeebus , Saad Ismail , Islam Rafiqul
Published: February 2019

Contextualized text is the text resulting from the local circumstances and in accordance with learners’ needs and cognition level. It also suggests that the text in use includes language, understandable to the target learners, and suits the philosophy and psychology of the learners and the society. Knowledge shifts from one context to another more successfully when the pupil understands not only the specific but also the generalized vision - the fundamental ideology, models, and associations attained through the application of comprehension. True experimental design is adopted for the research to explain the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Two groups (control and experimental) are selected randomly to conduct the experiment. The independent variable of the study is ‘contextualized text’ and dependent variable is ‘writing skills’ of the learners while learners’ socioeconomic status is taken as an attribute variable. One public sector business school is selected randomly for the experiment from which 80 students were distributed in two groups as control and experimental groups with 40 students in each group through a process of randomization. Simple factorial design is selected to study the effects of attribute variable on the dependentvariable. Descriptive statistics is used to convert the textual data into numerical one in order to make it measurable and statistically provable. ANOVA is used to draw inferences from the data obtained. The findings signify that improvement in students’ learning is because of the treatment and their socioeconomic status has no effect on the improvement in performance of students.
Channel Switching Behavior From Traditional Grocery Stores to Branded Grocery Chains in Karachi
Authors: Jaliawala Muhammad Mubin , Rahman Mustaghis ur
Published: February 2019

The advent of branded grocery chains has compelled customers to switch from traditional grocery stores to branded grocery chains or monthly grocery purchase. This phenomenon has been recently observed in Pakistan. The aim of this study is to explore the customers' level of switching over from traditional grocery stores to branded grocery chains and also to find out the determinants of switching over from traditional grocery stores to branded grocery chains in Karachi. This study is quantitative in nature and encompasses the Positivist paradigm. The deductive approach is employed and survey method is opted for in this research. As per the requirement of the theme, closed-ended questionnaire is used as research instrument and SPSS statistical software is employed for data analysis. As sampling strategy, convenience sampling technique is opted. Total of 105 valid questionnaires were received; 35 from each store i.e., Naheed Super Market, Imtiaz Super Store and Chaseup Departmental  Store. To ascertain level of switching over it can be seen from the results that 90% of the respondents have been buying since four months and above from branded grocery chains. The research study reveals that the three independent variables (Proximity, Environment and Engagement) are correlated with channel switching with proximity having a low correlation.
Motivation, Work Stress and Job Performance: An Analytical Study of Faculty in Higher Education Institutions of Sindh
Authors: Abro Zahida , Salam Muhammad Abdus
Published: February 2019

Human Resources are very important for the organizations in the current competitive business environment and Human capital's well-being is one of the strong components to achieve organizational performance; this well-being is only possible when there is a low level of stress & high level of motivation maintained in working environment. Motivation of employees play a dual role, one it increases positive work-related outcomes second, it reduces level of stress, since motivated workforce conserve a healthy, competitive and congenial environment. Thus, the study aimed to explore the hidden relationship of job stress, motivation and job performance in Higher Educational Institutions operating in Sindh, Pakistan. This research is deductive in nature, with empirical approach and has been conducted through cross sectional survey by using structured tool to collect quantitative data. A sample of 155 faculty members working in higher educational universities in Sindh Province has been selected on convenience sampling basis from three public universities. The data analysis and findings provides insights and we may conclude that overall faculty working in public universities operating in Sindh report less stress level in context of teaching, but they do take stress for research and administrative activities. Their job performance is not affected by the stress level at workplace. Moreover, the relationship between motivation and stress has been found negative, job stress and motivation factors are found significant to the performance of the faculty.
Foreign Financial Inflows and Stock Market of the Host Country:Empirical Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Sajjad , Javaid Shahid Hussain
Published: February 2019

Foreign inflows play an important role in boosting the financial system and economic growth of a country. This paper aims to explore the impact of foreign financial inflows on the progress of stock market of a developing country like Pakistan. The study also intends to identify the relationship between foreign financial inflows and stock market development and to observe its short and long run dynamics. Variables like inflation, large scale manufacturing index and exchange rate are included in the study to determine stable stock market. For this purpose, monthly data from July 2001 till June 2012 is collected and analyzed through E-views statistical package. The vector error correction model (VECM), cointegration analysis and multiple regression analysis are opted for as part of methodology. The result shows that foreign financial inflows have a positive and significant impact on stock market returns.Moreover, the relationship between inflation and stock market returns is also positive, while there is a negative relationship of exchange rate and large scale manufacturing index with stock market returns. It is, thus, recommended that policies that attract foreign inflows should be pursued in order to improve stock market returns.
Role of Too Big to Fail Companies in the Financial Crisis
Authors: Mahmood Amir Bilal
Published: February 2019

The subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 in the US snowballed into the biggest financialmeltdown the world has seen since the Great Depression of 1930s. There have been various reasons cited for this crisis_commonly known as Global Financial Crisis_like deregulation, derivatives, out of control market, greed, undisclosed conflict of interest, bonus culture and credit rating agencies. This case aims to make a connection between the crisis and a handful of companies which are considered as the major contributor to or reason for the crisis. These companies commonly referred to as too big to fail which are so large and interconnected that their failure could prove disastrous for the economy. This phenomenon is most commonly found in the financial sector, especially banks. Here an attempt has been made to examine these too big to fail companies, their perceived benefits and the role they played not only in causing but also exacerbating the global financial crisis. With the benefit of hindsight this case sheds light on what went wrong and more importantly provides recommendations on avoiding a similar crisis in the future.
Testing Trade-off, Agency Cost and Pecking Order Predictions of Capital Structure: Lessons from the Pakistani Experience
Authors: Husain Fazal , Gul Sajid
Published: February 2019

Why the financial structure is still believed to be relevant within business firms? A number of competing theories have been developed for explaining this question. The three theories that stand out are Pecking order, Trade off and Agency cost. However, the first two are frequently referred to and contradictory to each other. The ‘trade-off’ theory suggests that corporate taxes in combination with bankruptcy costs imply that there exists an optimal combination of debt and equity capital that management should search for in order to maximize shareholder value. The challenging ‘pecking order’ theory recognizes no such optimum, but instead states that there is a ranking order in the firms between different types of capital where the issuance of equity capital is seen only as a last resort. This paper examines the role and importance of different firm characteristics that explain financial structure as well as the theories that best fit in Pakistani context and considers concepts like optimal capital structure, risk, financial hierarchy and asymmetric information. The sample of the study consists of firms extracted from financial (70 firms) and non-financial (120 firms) sectors listed on the KSE for a period of 2000-2013. Secondary data is extracted from firm’s annual reports. The sources like SBP publications; Bloom burgee business week and KSE were used to collect data. The results indicate that firms in the two sectors prefer funds generated internally for financing their assets. Moreover debt will be preferred to equity once external funds are required. The pecking order appears to be a good description of financing behavior for a large sample of firms over a long time period after accounting for debt capacity. We have also studied agency theory of the firm however there was little evidence to support the Agency cost theory.
Emotional Intelligence Predicting Leadership Effectiveness: Mediating Role of Personality Traits
Authors: Sultan Sarwat , Khan Maria Anwar , Kanwal Frasat
Published: February 2019

In recent past the investigations on connection between leadership and emotional intelligence have become significant and one of the most attentive subject in any organization and management research. However, very few studies have addressed the role of personality traits in the relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. This study therefore, was designed to examine the interceding impact of personality traits between the relationship of emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness among managers. The study was carried out with a sample of 260 male executive heads and managers of different organizations in Multan. Their age range was between 32 and 60 years. All the participants provided data on three questionnaires; Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Ten Item Personality Inventory, and Leadership Effectiveness Scale along with a demographic variable sheet. Results indicated that the emotional intelligence significantly predicted the leadership effectiveness. Emotional intelligence was found significantly correlated with personality traits of emotional stability and extraversion. Results pertaining to personality traits indicated that emotional stability and extraversion personality traits were further positively correlated with effective leadership. Findings suggested that personality traits of emotional stability and extraversion played mediating roles between the relationship of emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness among heads and managers. The study findings have the implications for the organizations while assigning the task of leadership to the new recruitments by keeping their level of emotional intelligence and personality traits for effective leadership. Limitations and future recommendations are also discussed.
Quality in higher education- Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Talib
Published: February 2019

Education has different meanings as per different approaches. The quality in education is a complex and multicultural process. This study was conducted to check the Quality in higher Education. Four higher institutions were taken as sample. Out of which two were from public sector. The theoretical frame work consisted of the dependent variable which was, “Quality in Higher Education”, and the independent variables which were Management, Faculty, Infrastructure, Research Facilities and Evaluation Criteria. Overall results showed that majority (73%) respondents were in view that there is quality in education in higher education institutions. The most important factor which helps to maintain quality in higher education is the evaluation criteria in examinations (responded 23%). The lack of proper infrastructure is the main problem of education institutions (responded 35%). The above results show that quality in higher education is an essential tool to boost up the education sector of any country.
Impact of Urbanization on Economic Growth: Four Sector Analysis in Case of Pakistan
Authors: Nasir Azra , Naz Ayesha
Published: February 2019

The study analyses the impact of urbanization on economic growth of Pakistan from 1975-2012. Conceptual framework of the present theory is based on the theory of Lewis (1954) and Tadaro (1976). Co-integration analysis is used to examine the impact of urbanization on economic growth of four sectors namely agriculture, manufacturing, industrial and services sector of the economy. Results show that urbanization affect economic growth significantly and they have a long run relationship. It was found that urbanization is an important determinant of economic growth but it has negative impact on economic growth in agriculture sector. However, it has positive impact on economic growth in industrial, manufacturing and services sector.
Features of changes of the functional state of higher nervous activity of the students of higher educational medical institutions in the dynamics of the academic year
Authors: Moroz V. M. , Makarov S. Yu.
Published: February 2019

In the structure of the most important components to ensure the optimal course of processes of psychophysiological adaptation of student’s youth, a special place occupies a degree of psychophysiological readiness of the organism to effectively mastering professionally meaningful skills and actions. The purpose of the study is to determine the peculiarities of changes in the leading indicators of the functional state of higher nervous activity of students of medical institutions of higher education in the dynamics of the academic year. Determination of the level of development of indicators of the functional state of higher nervous activity of students was conducted during the academic year with the use of the licensed computer complex “Efecton Studio”. Statistical processing of the received materials was carried out on the basis of the use of parametric methods using the program package of multidimensional statistical analysis “Statistica 6.1”. The obtained results confirm the presence of certain regularities. First, attention should be paid to the deterioration during the period of stay in institutions of higher education in the medical profile of the expression of such indicators of the functional state of higher nervous activity as the speed of simple and differentiated visual-motor reactions and the balance of nervous processes. Secondly, it is necessary to determine stable results in the dynamics of the academic year, which are characteristic of the indicators of mobility of the nervous processes. Thirdly, it should be emphasized that for indicators of speed of audio-motor reaction the most typical tendency is gradual improvement in the dynamics of time of stay in medical institutions of higher education. Such a variety of palettes of the studied indicators of the degree of development of the leading indicators of the functional state of higher nervous activity of the body of students and students requires to be taken into account when assessing the psychophysiological status of the subjects and the development of a set of diagnostic means for identifying the processes of forming the functional capabilities and adaptive resources of youth, who receive medical education.