This paper presents a survey on the effect of corporate dividend payout policy on stock price volatility. The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of dividend payout ratio on the stock price volatility in Pakistan Stock Exchange. A sample of 15 firms from PSX is considered and the study covers the historical data over the period 2011-2015. Stock Price volatility is the dependent variable in this study and dividend payout ratio is the main independent variable. For this purpose, some other independent variables are also included such as Earnings Volatility, Size of the firm, Leverage and Assets Growth. The study has determined a positive relationship between stock price volatility and dividend payout ratio. In addition, our results show that earnings volatility and leverage had negative relationship with stock price volatility. Other independent variables including assets growth and size have maintained positive relationship with stock price volatility.

In this paper, computational intelligence technique are presented for solving multi-point nonlinear boundary value problems based on artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing approach, and active-set technique. The neural network is to provide convenient methods for obtaining useful model based on unsupervised error for the differential equations. The motivation for presenting this work comes actually from the aim of introducing a reliable framework that combines the powerful features of ANN optimized with soft computing frameworks to cope with such challenging system. The applicability and reliability of such methods have been monitored thoroughly for various boundary value problems arises in science, engineering and biotechnology as well. Comprehensive numerical experimentations have been performed to validate the accuracy, convergence, and robustness of the designed scheme. Comparative studies have also been made with available standard solution to analyze the correctness of the proposed scheme.

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the various factors influencing on people to invest in mutual funds and examine the mediating role of investor’s perception. By using quantitative research approach and cross-sectional research design, 300 questionnaires are distributed among the individual investors and Smart PLS 3 is used to analyze the data. The results reveal that risk and return, liquidity of assets, demographic factors (gender, age, and material status), convenience, reduction in transection cost, tax benefits and transparency were the key factors and maintained significant relationships with investment in mutual funds. Moreover, investor’s perception maintains mediating role between all these factors and investment in mutual funds. The study contributes in literature by investigating the various factors, which influence on investors to invest in mutual funds. Moreover, it also contributes by investigating the mediating role of investor’s perception.

This study examines the impact of internal and external green supply chain management on consumers’ environmentally friendly purchase behavior. Green supply chain management (GSCM) has emerged as a key approach for enterprises seeking to become environmentally sustainable. This study targets all sectors to investigate the impact of internal and external GSCM on consumers’ environmentally friendly purchase behavior. This paper proposes to study and emphasize GSCM practices and their impact by using quantitative methods. Responses were collected from different organizational sectors and analyzed by 50 people using regression and CFA. Internal and external green supply chain management positively impacts consumer purchasing behavior.

Investors’ decision-making are influenced by certain biases as reported in literature. Fundamental analysis is based on the assumption that investors think rationally, but in practice, things may be different. This study captures the impact of herding behavior and overconfidence biases on the investors’ decision-making in Pakistan. The proposed study collects the necessary data through questionnaires distributed among 150 respondents who were active in stock market and manage to process 100 completed ones. The relationships between investors’ decision-making and herding behavior as well as overconfidence biases were empirically tested using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The results show that Pakistani investors’ decisions were significantly influenced by both herding behavior and overconfidence biases.

Exchange rates always affect the prices of the imports and export of products and services in which countries are trading with other parts of the world. Therefore, exchange rate calculation is one of the essential issues for making appropriate policies. This research investigates the determinants of trade, i.e. import, export, industrial growth, consumption level and oil prices fluctuation, which bring changes in exchange rate and their influence eventually on balance of payments. Data of defined variables was collected on yearly basis for China and USA for thirty one years. By applying cointegration, it is estimated that there existed a long run relationship in both countries. USA and China had significant and correct signs on the short run dynamic and some of the factors did not. Exchange rate did not granger cause balance of payment and balance of payment did not granger cause exchange rate. In conclusion, we found that determinants of balance of trade could affect the exchange rates, also, these rates had considerable effect (positive or negative) on balance of payments. In this twofold study, we found relationship of exchange rate with selected determinants of trade, and also examined their bilateral effect, and then made contrast of both countries.

University-industry collaboration plays a vital role in nation’s innovation system. This study presents an empirical analysis of R & D collaboration between university and industry. The literature focused on the all those factors including firm size, firm’s innovation activity and openness of the firm affecting university-industry collaboration. Primary data is used and sample contains 15 industrial sectors of Pakistan according to market capitalization at the time of data collection. The empirical results of the study suggest that firm’s size, number of employees and openness of the firm have positive impact on uni-industry collaboration for R & D projects. Whilst annual budget of the firms is found to have negative relationship with R & D collaborations and larger firms are found to be less efficient in taking advantages of R & D collaboration with universities because larger firms have more spending on their fixed costs as they have participated in so many R & D activities.

This research aims to explore the significance of supply chain (SC) resilience by integrating SC-Resilience and SC-Ambidexterity concepts. SC-Ambidexterity refers to the simultaneous application of SC-Adaptability and SC-Alignment capabilities within the supply chain. In line with the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) of the firm, this research adopts a quantitative approach to investigate the relationship between variables in the context of manufacturing and production companies in Pakistan, specifically in Karachi. The results of this case study have revealed a strong positive impact of SC-Ambidexterity on SC-Resilience, confirming the significance of adopting concurrent and synchronized supply chain capabilities. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that SC-Agility plays a crucial role as a mediator in the relationship between SC-Ambidexterity and SC-Resilience. The findings suggest that organizations that proactively invest in developing both ambidextrous capabilities and agility are more likely to achieve a higher level of supply chain resilience, enabling them to effectively navigate turbulent business environments.

Access to safe drinking water is essential for human health. In Abbottabad, tap and bore water are commonly used, but there has been a recent increase in bottled water consumption. This study aimed to compare tap and bottled water quality in Jinnahabad, Abbottabad. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis was conducted on water samples collected from various sources. Surveys and interviews were also conducted to assess consumer perceptions and costs. The study found that, on average, bottled water had better physicochemical quality, although both alternatives met WHO limits. Tap water had higher levels of E. coli due to a weak sanitation system. Interestingly, despite perceiving bottled water as safer, most respondents still consumed tap water daily. Shopkeepers reported higher bottled water purchases for travel but lower daily consumption. Tap water was the main source, according to the Cantonment Board Abbottabad, though resources were insufficient. Doctors confirmed tap water-related diseases. The study suggests further research into consumer behavior and recommends monitoring measures, staff evaluations, and penalties to reduce costs and waste.

During a pandemic like COVID-19, the country adopted a lockdown to minizine the spread of the pandemic which disrupted the global supply chain and supply chain resilience failed to minimize disruption. In this regard, this study aims to explore the resilience system among countries during a global disruption and the impact of supply chain disruption on supply chain resilience through misinformation/fake news, panic buying behavior, and inflation factors. For this purpose, the analytical study has been selected to predict the impact of supply chain disruption on supply chain resilience through misinformation/fake news, panic buying behavior, and inflation and propose a solution accordingly. The data from 89 countries are collected on various factors for the year 2020 and mediating analysis is selected to test the hypothesis through regression and correlation. They illustrate that there is a 46% correlation and 21% dependency between supply chain disruption and supply chain resilience through misinformation/fake news, panic buying behavior, supply chain disruption & inflation. The criterion validity of convergence validity and Cronbach of homogeneity test are applied. It has been found that panic buying behavior & supply chain disruption has a 71% strong correlation as compared to other factors and the reliability is 69% which is highly reliable and acceptable. In the end, it is concluded that strong coordination among countries will minimize global supply chain disruption through supply chain resilience for continuing supply chain activities and supply chain organizations & mass media organizations coordination with each other for minimizing misinformation/fake news, panic buying behavior supply chain disruption, and inflation factors to improve supply chain resilience by using artificial intelligence technology.