Naheed Sultana

Bio: Naheed Sultana is an academic researcher from University of Lahore. The author has contributed to research in topics: Entrepreneurship & Emerging markets. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 12 publications receiving 105 citations.

Determinants of individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions: a gender-comparative study

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the differentiated effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and social norms on individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions (EIs), through the mediation of attitude toward entrepreneurship, by integrating the framework of gender schema theory with the theory of planned behavior. The authors posit that different factors stimulate the EIs of males and females, through attitude toward entrepreneurship, in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected from graduating students of South Asia’s largest university. Structural equation modeling is used for model testing. Findings The results show that perceived entrepreneurial self-efficacy has a greater effect on the attitude of males toward entrepreneurship than on the attitude of females, but perceived social norms have a greater effect on female attitude toward entrepreneurship. Attitude toward entrepreneurship has a positive impact on EIs. Originality/value This is the first study of its nature which demonstrates that the EIs of males and females are induced by different factors. Where the social norms are the major factors in determining the EIs of the females, self-efficacy plays a vital role in predicting the EIs of their male counterparts. This study also attempts to clarify the relationship between self-efficacy, social norms, and EIs by positing entrepreneurial attitude as mediator. Moreover, it brings a fresh perspective through its setting in South Asia. By testing a model in the cultural setting of a developing country, this study differentiates the research from that conducted in the developed world.

Economic reforms, corporate governance and dividend policy in sectoral economic growth in Pakistan

Abstract: Economic reforms are inevitable for the development of an economy like Pakistan. During the last two decades, Pakistan has passed through phenomenal economic changes and reforms. In the 1990’s, we had seen privatisation plans initiated by the government as a major economic reform. Similarly, to demonstrate the seriousness of the government in encouraging foreign investment flows in Pakistan; there has been a perceptible liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime. Allied to these efforts, the trade regime was opened up and the maximum tariff rates were cut down to 25 percent with only four slabs and the average tariff rate was lowered to 14 percent. The financial sector too, was restructured and opened up to the foreign competition. Foreign and domestic private banks currently operating in Pakistan have been able to increase their market share to more than 60 percent of assets and deposits. Central to the economic reforms process is a clear progression towards deregulation of the economy. Prices of petroleum products, gas, energy, agricultural commodities and other key inputs are mostly determined by market. Imports and domestic marketing of petroleum products have been deregulated and opened up to the private sector. More importantly, taxation reforms have been prominently on the government’s agenda, with no real reforms undertaken. This is another area where policy makers and business community has innumerable grievances and dissatisfaction with the arbitrary nature of tax administration.

The effect of family business exposure on individuals' entrepreneurial intentions: an institutional theory perspective

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of family business exposure on individuals' entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). By applying the institutional framework at the micro level, this study proposed the mediation of three types of institutional forces (coercive, normative and mimetic) between the relationship of family business exposure and EIs.,Data were collected from 367 university students in Pakistan. The survey design was used for the data collection. The measurement and hypothesized models were tested using the structural equation modeling technique in Mplus 7.0.,The findings of this study revealed that family business exposure positively influenced the institutional forces (coercive, normative and mimetic) which further developed the individuals' EIs. However, family business exposure did not affect the EIs directly that showed the full mediation of institutional forces between the relationship of family business exposure and EIs.,This is the first study in its nature which applied institutional theory from the macro level to the micro level within the context of family business. The results revealed the institutional forces as the underpinning mechanism which explains the relationship between family business exposure and EIs.

Impact of socio-psychological factors on investment decisions: The mediating role of behavioral biases

Abstract: Unlike previous studies that examine the effect of behavioral biases on investor decision-making, this study explores the root causes of behavioral biases and examines the mediating role of behavioral biases in the relationship between different types of emotions and investment decisionmaking. The cognitive theory of depression, attentional control theory, and prospect theory together provide the foundation and anticipate that stress, depression, anxiety, and social interaction are the major sources of cognitive mistakes that,in turn, affect investment decisionmaking. Model testing relies upon the data collected from 252stock investors trading in different stock exchanges of Pakistan; in order to test the hypothesized relationship, structural equation modeling has been used. Depression is a major source of loss aversion bias. Anxiety is a strong source of herding. Stress is a major source of representative bias.Social interaction is a root cause of overconfidence. Loss aversion bias, herding, and overconfidence fully mediate the relationship between depression, anxiety, social interaction, and investor decision; however, anxiety has the strongest impact on investor decision via herding bias, while stress has both insignificant direct and indirect effect on investment decision-making.

The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields (Chinese Translation)

Abstract: What makes organizations so similar? We contend that the engine of rationalization and bureaucratization has moved from the competitive marketplace to the state and the professions. Once a set of organizations emerges as a field, a paradox arises: rational actors make their organizations increasingly similar as they try to change them. We describe three isomorphic processes-coercive, mimetic, and normative—leading to this outcome. We then specify hypotheses about the impact of resource centralization and dependency, goal ambiguity and technical uncertainty, and professionalization and structuration on isomorphic change. Finally, we suggest implications for theories of organizations and social change.

Family, Socialization and Interaction Process

Abstract: This book is altogether unlike any other sociological treatise on the family. There are two generally recognized types of books on marriage and the family. One, theoretical in nature, deals with the family as a social institution. The other deals with the problems of courtship, marriage and parenthood—more or less as a manual for youths in contemporary society. The book at hand does not structure the family as a social institution, but neither is it in any sense a popular, practical manual for the guidance of youth in pursuit of marital bliss!

Personality traits and theory of planned behavior comparison of entrepreneurial intentions between an emerging economy and a developing country

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the existing literature on entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) by employing the integrated model of personality traits and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). It further examines the mediating role of TPB’s dimensions between personality traits and EIs of final-year university students in two diverse economies: China and Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a survey method for data collection, administered both in electronic and paper form. The authors use structural equation modeling and the partial least square (PLS) method on a sample of 1,016 students and present PLS path modeling, mediation analysis and multigroup analysis. Findings Results reveal several differences regarding personality traits and TPB on EIs across the two countries. The impact of TPB was positive and significant in both countries; however, TPB demonstrated more explaining power in China’s student sample. Using three personality traits (risk-taking propensity, proactive personality and internal locus of control) as antecedents to TPB, the results reveal a stronger influence of personality traits among Chinese students. The mediation of three dimensions of TPB also revealed differences between country samples. Originality/value This is the first study of its kind to compare and contrast the differences between EIs in terms of personality and the determinants of planned behavior among university students in two diverse economies. The integrated model is original, supports both TPB and personality factors and provides a valuable perspective through its findings on two culturally diverse Asian countries. By applying the model in two different cultures, this study distinguishes the results for the two economies from those conducted in other economies.

Firm performance, corporate governance and executive compensation in Pakistan

Abstract: This study examines the effects of firm performance and corporate governance on chief executive officer (CEO) compensation in an emerging market, Pakistan. Using a more robust Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation approach for a sample of non-financial firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange over the period 2005–2012, we find that both current- and previous-year accounting performances has positive influence on CEO compensation. However, stock market performance does not appear to have a positive impact on executive compensation. We further find that ownership concentration is positively related with CEO compensation, indicating some kind of collusion between management and largest shareholder to get personal benefits. Inconsistent with agency theory, CEO duality appears to have a negative influence, while board size and board independence have no convincing relationship with CEO compensation, indicating board ineffectiveness in reducing CEO entrenchment. The results of dynamic GMM model s...