PurposeTo enhance the loan repayment performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Pakistan, this study aims to analyze the direct impact of social capital and loan credit terms on loan repayment performance and microenterprises’ business performance while considering the mediating role of microenterprises’ business performance on the relationship between social capital, loan credit terms and loan repayment performance.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was conducted based on the data gathered via a questionnaire distributed to 316 microenterprises owners. The respondents were selected using the stratified sampling technique by dividing the target population into three influential groups of manufacturing, trading and services microenterprises. The reliability and validity of the constructs were established using (1) factor loading, (2) Cronbach’s alpha, (3) composite reliability, (4) average variance extracted, (5) the variance inflation factor, (6) the Fornell–Larcker criterion and (7) the heterotrait–monotrait (HTMT) ratio. The structural equation modeling technique was then applied, and the hypotheses were tested based on the structure model generated through bootstrapping by using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results confirm the direct impact of social capital and loan credit terms on microenterprises’ business performance and loan repayment performance. It also supports the mediating role of microenterprises’ business performance toward the relationship between social capital, loan credit terms and loan repayment performance while considering the direct impact of microenterprises’ business performance on loan repayment performance.Originality/valueTo date, the direct impact of social capital and loan credit terms on microenterprises’ business performance and loan repayment performance has been hardly investigated in the context of Pakistan. This study also examines the mediating role of microenterprises’ business performance toward social capital, loan credit terms and loan repayment performance. The findings will enable both MFIs and microenterprises to improve their business performance and loan repayment performance through enhanced social ties and the development of more flexible credit products that protect the borrowers’ interests and the interest of lenders.

The study is aimed to analyze the determinants of the effectiveness of SOPs in mass gatherings for containing COVID-19. The overall design of the study involves a literature review, data collection by field survey, structural modeling, and analysis. The study is built on the experts' opinion of a focus group (representing people who recently participated in and are responsible for mass gatherings). The study uses the discussion of the literature review to identify the determinants, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) for developing and analyzing a structural model, and Matrice d'Impacts Croises Multiplication Appliquée a un Classement (MICMAC) for corroboration of results of the ISM/classification of determinants. From the literature review, a list of determinants is generated and verified by a panel of experts. The results of the ISM revealed that the determinants “legal environment of the country,” “practicability of SOPs,” “perceived benefit of adapting SOPs,” and “possibilities of avoiding gathering” occupied the top of the model, therefore, they are less critical determinants, whereas “nature of gathering” occupied the bottom of the model, and is thus the most critical determinant. The remaining determinants form the middle of the model, and are therefore moderately severe. The results of MICMAC show that the determinant “perceived benefit of adapting SOPs” is dependent, “nature of gathering” is independent, and all others are linked. The results of MICMAC implicitly substantiate the findings of the ISM. The overall results of the study show that “nature of gathering” is the key determinant. This research does not require a priori theory since it is a theory-building study that uses an inductive approach. It is based on real data and it is useful for local authorities, organizers, participants (attendees/visitors) of mass gatherings, health officials/regulators, researchers, and the community at large. This study has fundamental importance for planning and preparing for such events while ensuring the minimum risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the relationship between non-academic staff and student support services by developing a conceptual model of the mediation impact of affective commitment and job satisfaction on the relationship between high commitment HRM practices and non-academic staff performance. Design/Methodology/Approach:      For this study, primary data has been collected from survey methods of 250 respondents from non-academic staff and students of HEIs in public and private sectors. In order to examine the mediating mechanism of variables, 8 hypotheses were constructed based on the conceptual model and literature study and tested using the SPSS 25 and Smart PLS using the bootstrapping approach. Findings: The study's findings demonstrate that high-commitment HRM practices have a statistically significant influence on non-academic staff perceptions of behavioral outcomes such as affective commitment and satisfaction. Likewise, the extracted results show a statistically positive association between non-academic performance and student support services. Implication/Originality/Value: HEIs carry out HCHRPs, they will be able to replicate the level of organizational commitment and job satisfaction of their administrative staff which lead to student support services.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to develop an inclusive model that represents the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and religiosity. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research was conducted using sample of 338 undergraduate business students from universities in Punjab, Pakistan. The method used for collecting data was through self-administered questionnaire survey which contained two sections related to demographic characteristics and constructs of religiosity and entrepreneurial intentions. Analysis on the data was done using PLS-SEM. Findings: Contrary to the theory, the results revealed that entrepreneurial goal intention (EGI) is not influenced by social norms. However, EGI is positively influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity, perceived desirability, and opportunity for entrepreneurship, where extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity was found to have a mediating role between opportunity for entrepreneurship and EGI. Implications/Originality/Value: Deeper understanding of how religiosity influences entrepreneurial intentions in different cultures, settings and situations could help in the further advancements of knowledge in this field of study. Religious leaders, policy makers, university administrators can utilize the results of this study to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered a massive investment that can change the economic scenario of Pakistan. The purpose of the study is to examine the contribution to the economic growth of the sectors where CPEC is investing. This research uses time-series data for 31 years to investigate the impact of macro-economic variables like foreign direct investment (FDI), human capital investment (HCI), transport investment, and information communication technology (ICT) on the economic growth of Pakistan. The results of Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square Regression Specification (FMOLS) show a positive nexus between FDI, HCI, and economic growth while economic growth and ICT show a negative relationship. The results for the impact of transportation infrastructure on economic growth are statistically insignificant. This research suggests that an increased focus on building knowledge, expertise, and skillset of human resources will help in reaping the benefits of CPEC’s investment. Future researchers can increase the period of the study to ascertain the implicit or explicit impact of CPEC on economic growth. The results also suggest that policymakers and researchers should focus on developing human capital to reap the investment benefits of CPEC.