https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/issue/feedJournal of Management and Research2024-09-02T07:51:35+00:00Editorial Office[email protected]Open Journal Systems<p style="text-align: justify;">Journal of Management and Research (JMR) is the flagship pragmatic journal in management, aims to present the latest thinking and research on all major and minor management areas in indispensable way for readers. The Journal welcomes a broad view of business and management while encouraging new ideas and advanced perspectives on existing research and promising deep-exploration approach for the future possible research areas.</p>https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1109Best HRM Practices or Context-Specific HRM Practices: Evidence from the Telecommunications Sector of Pakistan2024-09-02T07:51:24+00:00Farwa Abbas[email protected]Muhammad Shahnawaz Adil[email protected]Asma Abdul Rehman[email protected]<p>The current study attempted to explore the idea of convergence versus divergence of best Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in the context of Pakistan. In recent years, the businesses of multinational companies have grown immensely. This, in turn, has raised a debate of divergence vs. convergence of management practices in general and HRM practices, in particular, due to socio-cultural constructs that exist in a society. While, a major part of the international HRM literature has focused on the developed countries or the Western world. The current study, however, examined the convergence vs. divergence of the best HRM practices of a developing country, keeping in view the individual cultural values that people possess. The data was collected through a survey questionnaire technique from the telecommunications sector of Pakistan, which comprises Multinational Companies’ (MNCs) subsidiaries. The results showed that the best HRM practices should be carried out by incorporating the cultural values of the host country. However, there are certain practices that people prefer to follow in a standardized manner. Hence, the managers working in MNCs’ subsidiaries are suggested to incorporate and take into account the cultural variations while designing the HRM policies and practices. The current study also provided insights into the Pakistani culture for international research and the business community as well.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1818Unlocking Pre-Primary Teachers’ Potential for Creativity through Job Crafting and Psychological Empowerment2024-09-02T07:51:26+00:00Shagufta Shaheen[email protected]Zainab Sohail[email protected]Amber Baseer[email protected]<p>In the present-day world, education is considered to be the key element of progress for any nation. Every stride towards progress demands efforts, and undoubtedly the educational institutions rely heavily on the efforts of the teachers. Ensuring the quality of students’ education and research to meet the challenges of the current era are paramount goals. The current research aimed to study the relationship between job crafting, psychological empowerment and creativity among pre-primary teachers. The study encompassed a total sample of 250 pre-primary teachers from the public and private schools of Lahore, Pakistan. Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Hayes PROCESS Mediation Analysis were applied to analyze the data through SPSS 26. The results of the study revealed a significant correlation among the variables. Results of regression analysis showed that job crafting (task and relational dimension), and psychological empowerment (meaning and impact dimension) were significant positive predictors of creativity. Furthermore, the mediation analysis showed that meaning significantly mediated the relationship between task crafting and creativity, as well as relational crafting and creativity. Similarly, impact was also found to be a significant mediator between relational crating and creativity. The findings of this research hold significant implications for both educators and policymakers of early childhood education. Confirming the crucial role of job crafting through the mediation of psychological empowerment in fostering creativity, this study underscores the necessity of integrating insights into the value, potential strategies, and effects of job crafting and psychological empowerment into teacher training programs.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1852Dynamics of Team-Member Exchange (TMX): A Bibliometric Analysis2024-09-02T07:51:29+00:00Muhammad Umar Shahzad[email protected]Arshia Mukhtar[email protected]<p>Team-Member Exchange (TMX) and its associated positive organizational outcomes have garnered significant interest among organizational researchers and psychologists. To address this interest, the current research through bibliometric analysis reviewed TMX and its profound impact on the related concepts within organizational research. Utilizing a targeted search on Scopus, 113 articles were shortlisted. The substantial influence of TMX on both individual and team-level outcomes was explored by applying the Social Exchange Theory (SET). The thematic analysis and the implications of TMX, including its connections to the leadership roles, cultural contexts, and individual attributes that can enhance TMX were discussed in detail. The research study contributes to the field by providing the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of TMX, highlighting growth trends, dominant themes, and key author collaborations which differentiates it from the previous reviews that lacked such detailed quantitative insights. This study thus, provides useful insights, recommendations, and theoretical contributions for future research in this domain.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1929Impact of MBA Programs in Fostering the Development of Professionals: The Case of Bangladesh2024-09-02T07:51:31+00:00Md. Ashraful Alam[email protected]Md. Saiful Islam[email protected]<p>The human capital theory suggests that individuals can significantly enhance their knowledge, skills, and marketability by participating in education and training programs relevant to their job. Many professionals in Bangladesh are returning to academia, since they consider the MBA degree as an advanced managerial degree for their professional development. Enrolling in an MBA program represents a strategic investment in one's human capital. The impact of the MBA degree on the development of employability and the factors contributing to it remains undetermined. Thus, this study aims to evaluate how managerial education enhances employability and shapes attitudes in Bangladeshi professionals. An explanatory sequential approach based on mixed methods research design was followed for collecting and analyzing data. The study population consisted of the alumni of evening MBA programs conducted in public universities in Bangladesh and their employers. The analysis was based on 390 valid questionnaire responses and 10 comprehensive interviews with employers. The alumni of MBA programs acknowledged substantial improvement in managerial knowledge, skills, and attitudes, a viewpoint endorsed by their employers. These results may inspire individuals without an MBA to consider pursuing the degree, aiming to improve their understanding and abilities in management with the purpose of developing their future careers. The results present a persuasive case for employers to support their employees in pursuing managerial education. It is important to recognize that the growth of the knowledge and skills of professionals is closely linked to organizational development. An employee with proper managerial capabilities is considered as a valuable resource for any organization and also contributes to national development.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1839Impact of Job Stress on Job Performance and Innovative Work Behavior in the Construction Industry of Pakistan: Role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) as a Mediator2024-09-02T07:51:35+00:00Nadia Shafeeq Mughal[email protected]<p>The current research explores the relationship between job stress, job performance and innovative work behaviour, as mediated by psychological capital (PsyCap), in the construction sector in Pakistan. More specifically, it investigates as to whether PsyCap indeed helps to mediate the interaction between job stress and job performance. For this purpose, cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and questionnaires were administered on one hundred (100) construction workers. The results revealed that high levels of PsyCap have a positive relationship with job performance and innovative work behaviour, as well as a negative relationship with job stress. The study also examined how PsyCap mediates the negative impact of job stress, as well as the need to reduce it and improve employees’ productivity and creativity in stressful areas. The findings enhance the knowledge base of PsyCap as an organizational asset that may effectively minimize the effects of job stress and provide suggestions to enhance the management of employees’ outcomes. In light of these findings, organizations in the construction sector should promote PsyCap to boost the performance and resistance of workers to stress in the demanding environment that characterizes the industry.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1889Enhancing University Students' Career Orientation Through Personal Growth Tools: The Moderating Role of Career Self-Management2024-09-02T07:51:33+00:00Humira Mirza[email protected]Zerish Tasleem[email protected]<p>Gaining self-awareness can be accomplished through practicing personal growth tools. This study highlights how career self-management moderates the impact of coping strategies, mindfulness, and self-regulation on students facing challenges. Furthermore, the study contributes to an expanding body of research on how the university students in Lahore, Pakistan, relate mindfulness, coping mechanisms, and self-regulation to their career orientation. With a sample size of 384 students, the survey data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing descriptive analysis, Cronbach's Alpha, response rates, and response profiles. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was also used for hypothesis testing. The findings of this study reveal that effective coping strategies, when moderated by career self-management, significantly influence career orientation. Students who adeptly manage challenges are more likely to overcome failures and remain optimistic about their career future. Furthermore, it suggests that enhancing coping abilities can improve the student goal adjustment skills when facing future challenges. To align their effects and drive themselves towards realistic goal coping strategies is essential for building a successful career orientation. Additionally, these developmental strategies are recommended to the universities because by considering factors such as mindfulness, coping strategies and self-regulation, policy makers can design more effective interventions.</p>2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1767Influence Of Spiritual Leadership on Green Behavior: The Mediating Role of Green HRM and the Moderating Role of Individual Green Values2024-04-09T12:53:50+00:00Sonia Hassan[email protected]Dr. Ahmed Tisman Pasha[email protected]<p>Given the importance of fostering green behavior among employees in multinational corporations (MNCs), the current study aimed to determine how spiritual leadership influences employees' in-role and out-of-role green behavior. The data was gathered from MBA executives’ programs with at least one year's experience working in the pharmaceutical industry. The sample size was 658 and PLS-SEM software was selected to perform the analysis. According to the findings, MNCs may develop in-role and extra-role green habits with the support of spiritual leadership and adopting green Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. Additionally, this relationship may be restrained by individual green values. Organizations can encourage to promote a culture of environmental sustainability by utilizing green HRM techniques, fostering spiritual leadership, and inspiring people to adopt green behavior through training programs and eco-friendly policies and practices. The results further emphasized that how crucial it is to include spiritual leadership in the creation and application of HRM practices. By doing this, companies may encourage a culture of sustainability and green behavior among their staff which can enhance both organizational performance and social responsibility. The current study added to the body of knowledge by providing new reasons to determine the relationship between spiritual leadership and staff members’ environmentally friendly behaviors (both inside and outside the workplace). Due to environmental concerns, the corporate sector now has a larger role in protecting the environment.</p>2023-12-31T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1447Role of Government in Making Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Conducive in Pakistan: Case of Emerging Businesses2024-04-09T12:53:55+00:00Urooj Qamar[email protected]Fatima Tanveer[email protected]Nighat Ansari[email protected]Nida Qamar[email protected]Shumaila Gull[email protected]<p>Entrepreneurship is strongly linked with prosperity, economic development, and wellbeing of a country. The current study attempted to fill this gap and intended to empirically assess the phenomenon of entrepreneurship in Pakistan as well. This process was carried out by analyzing the local context of Pakistan and the role of government according to the standpoint of entrepreneurs. The current study attempted to determine the entrepreneurial situation as experienced by the entrepreneurs in order to understand as to why the culture of entrepreneurship has not been developed in Pakistan in spite of self-employment arrangements introduced by numerous government regimes. For this purpose, a qualitative research strategy was employed to explore this phenomenon. Moreover, about 65 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted based on the experiences of the entrepreneurs with government in their entrepreneurial journey. The majority of the entrepreneurs revealed either a total ignorance or undeniable distrust in the government schemes. The entrepreneurs complained of bureaucratic bottlenecks, delays in responses, corrupt culture, and lack of support by government. The results also showed an indication of ‘informal<em> entrepreneurship’</em> in Pakistan which connotes that businesses prefer to remain unregistered and non-documented by keeping their financial transactions undeclared in order to escape labor law and tax regulations. This, according to the participants of the current study, is considered fundamental by business owners due to tough and complex regulatory procedures for their new businesses. Moreover, it is also further intensified by the unhelping behavior of the pertinent government institutes and their demand of “<em>illegal gratifications”</em> in lieu of offering any service.</p>2023-12-31T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1763Sense-Making of Governance and Institutional Responses to Covid-19 Pandemic in the Context of Pakistan and Afghanistan2024-04-09T12:53:51+00:00Abid Momand[email protected]Sobia Khurram[email protected]Syed Zulkifal[email protected]<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various aspects of the global community as an atypical disaster. Pakistan and Afghanistan, members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), also suffered significant consequences. The current study is based on the sense-making research strategy in which the early response strategies of Pakistan and Afghanistan towards Covid-19 pandemic were determined and compared. The current analysis relies on secondary data gathered from diverse sources. For instance, academic research studies, official government reports, credible statistical websites, emergency plans, and information provided by globally recognized organizations, such as World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The data was rigorously scrutinized through a comparative analysis of institutional and governance responses of prominent actors in both countries. The two nations of Pakistan and Afghanistan share several commonalities, yet their demographic and political nuances set them apart from one another. Notwithstanding the existing political, economic, and healthcare challenges, the initial responses of the two countries to the Covid-19 pandemic were comparatively favorable, as indicated by the research findings. Despite facing several obstacles, Pakistan, as a developing and burgeoning nation, mounted a relatively effective response to the crisis as compared to Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan's fight against Covid-19 pandemic also proved to be effective owing to the support of international organizations and the community.</p>2023-12-31T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##https://ojs.umt.edu.pk/index.php/jmr/article/view/1612The Lean Practices, Lean Culture, and the Industry 4.0 Implementation Process: Mediating Role of Green Practices in Pakistan’s Manufacturing Industry2024-05-01T16:36:59+00:00Mohsin Ali[email protected]Syed Aamir Alam Rizvi[email protected]Ealiya Batool[email protected]Umamma Batool[email protected]<p>This research aims to determine the effectiveness of lean practices and culture on the Industry 4.0 implementation. This aim is achieved in the context of Pakistan’s manufacturing industry keeping in view the mediating role of green practices. This is a quantitative study, positivism was used. The data was collected from 256 management-level professionals working in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan. Smart PLS was used for data analysis. Besides running structural and measurement models, some other advanced techniques namely Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IMPA) and PLS Predict were also utilized. The results revealed that lean practices and culture have a significant and positive effect on Industry 4.0 implementation in Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. Furthermore, green practices significantly moderate their effects. However, job experience has an insignificant role in this relationship. By implementing Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector, costs can be reduced and international competition can be met. Moreover, the current study revalidates the resource-based theory. The findings can be utilized by the manufacturing industry to implement Industry 4.0, successfully. The significance of lean practices and lean culture is well-established. This research would be helpful in strategic planning and decision-making for managers working in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan.</p>2023-12-31T00:00:00+00:00##submission.copyrightStatement##