Gomal University Journal of Research

FINANCIAL LITERACY, RISK TOLERANCE & OVERCONFIDENCE AS PREDICTORS OF INVESTMENT DECISION-MAKING: THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

2025-09-30T06:26:23Pakistan Standard Time

The current study explores the behavioral and psychological determinants of investment decision-making in the domain of management and finance. Specifically, it examines influence of three independent variables financial literacy, risk tolerance, and overconfidence on investment decision making as dependent variable, with emotional intelligence serving as a mediating factor. Drawing upon theories of behavioral finance and decision-making, research employs survey based quantitative approach targeting individual and institutional investors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) will be used to test the hypothesized framework. This study is expected to reveal that while the financial literacy, risk tolerance and overconfidence directly shape investment behaviors, emotional intelligence acts as a crucial mediator that refines these effects by enabling investors to regulate biases, manage risk perceptions, and make rational choices. These findings will enrich the field of behavioral finance by integrating emotional and cognitive dimensions into investment research, while offering practical insights for policymakers, financial advisors, along with the investors aiming to promote sustainable practices for the sustainable development as well as the informed financial decision-making.

THE INFLUENCE OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT UPON PROFITABILITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF PAKISTANI FIRMS

2025-09-30T06:26:23Pakistan Standard Time

The main objective of research to know that working capital management impacts significantly on the profitability of Pakistani firms. An analysis of 35 large manufacturing companies listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) was carried out in study using panel data. The firs' annual financial reports from 2012 to 2024 were the sources used to obtain this information. Using pair wise correlation analysis, it was examined that how working capital management affected businesses in Pakistan. For this purpose, statistical procedures were used to examine the assumed relationships among the research issues under consideration. The results show that liquidity (current ratio) has a beneficial effect on the profitability. An organization's bottom line takes a hit when accounts receivable are overdue. The influence of inventory (days) is negative. Equally detrimental to profitability is the cash conversion cycle, but accounts payable due dates are a positive indicator. The profitability of a corporation is positively affected by its size and sales growth, but negatively affected by financial debt. In this regard, the results provide significant information in reaching the desired conclusion in order to make some suitable decisions about the assumed relationships that may be supportive for the investors and decision-makers in particular situatiuons and contexts.

ENHANCING OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE & CUSTOMER SATISFACTION THROUGH LOGISTICS SERVICE QUALITY, INFORMATION SHARING, AND TECHNOLOGY IN WEST AFRICAN AIR CARGO OPERATIONS

2025-09-30T06:26:24Pakistan Standard Time

Air cargo logistics plays a vital role in trade and regional integration in West Africa, but the performance is limited by low service quality, ineffective data exchange, and low technology adoption. This paper has explored the role of logistics service quality, information sharing & technological innovation in determining the operational performance and customer satisfaction in major airports in West Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 logistics professionals across Lagos, Accra, and Abidjan. Data were analyzed using the structural equation modelling after confirming reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.79–0.88; CR = 0.83–0.90) and validity (AVE > 0.50). The model showed good fit (CFI = 0.958, RMSEA = 0.056). Results revealed that logistics service quality significantly improved operational performance, while information sharing had a stronger effect. Technological innovation enhanced operational outcomes and mediated the impact of information sharing. Operational performance strongly predicted customer satisfaction, with evidence of feedback from satisfied clients to efficiency. The research concluded that performance & customer experience are driven by service quality, data sharing & innovation. It recommends that investing in quality standards, integrated communication platforms and modern technologies, and ongoing monitoring of customer feedback to maintain operational excellence and loyalty.

PERCEIVED PARENTAL INFLUENCE & CAREER DECISION MAKING SELF-EFFICACY AMONG PAKISTANI UNDERGRADUATES

2025-09-30T06:26:24Pakistan Standard Time

This study examines the relationship between perceived parental influence and career decision-making self-efficacy amid the Pakistani undergraduate students. The objectives of study were, to understand that how Pakistani undergraduate students' confidence in making career decisions is linked to how much influence they feel their parents have; To examine whether parental support and involvement affect students' career decision-making confidence, regardless of their gender or which year of study they are in; and to provide practical, research-based suggestions on how universities in Pakistan can better involve families in the career counselling and guidance services. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that, although gender and academic year had no significant effects, perceived parental significantly influence predicted CDM-SE, accounting for 11% of the variance (β = .33, p < .001). These results demonstrate the continued value of family guidance in Pakistan's changing educational environment. To evaluate the longevity and regional variation of parental influence on students' career self-efficacy, future research should employ longitudinal approaches that incorporate parent perspectives.

PEACE EDUCATION IN PRACTICE: A STUDY OF PUBLIC SECTOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS AND TEACHER PERCEPTIONS IN QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN

2025-09-30T06:26:24Pakistan Standard Time

Pakistan is a cosmopolitan, multilingual, and multi-ethnic country whose social variety frequently raises peace and conflict issues. In Balochistan, the research on peace education is limited, highlighting necessity for rigorous investigation in this field. The current study, therefore, aimed to examine peace education within the province by analyzing public sector primary school textbooks developed by the Balochistan Textbook Board, Quetta, alongside exploring the perceptions and classroom practices of primary teachers. Data were acquired using multiple qualitative study approaches. The findings revealed that the Islamic Studies curriculum incorporated a comprehensive range of peace-related themes, whereas the Social Studies, Urdu and English textbooks demonstrated noticeable lack of such content. Teachers' perceptions indicated a lack of knowledge of notion of peace, despite their willingness to participate positively if given sufficient training. Classroom observations revealed an absence of structured peace-related activities at both the classroom and school levels. Based on the findings, the study recommend that curriculum developers & policymakers incorporate peace education topics into primary-level textbooks to build a culture of peace from early years of schooling. Further, study will be helpful for policy makers, curriculum developers for evolving real peacebuilding approach through curriculum.

LAWYERS IN THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM: NAVIGATING RESPONSIBILITY, MORALITY AND ETHICAL BOUNDARIES

2025-09-30T06:26:24Pakistan Standard Time

The present research aimed to explain relationship and prediction between adversarial advocacy, responsibility, morality and ethical considerations in lawyers. It was hypothesized that there will be significant relationship amid adversarial advocacy, responsibility, morality and ethical considerations in lawyers. It was also hypothesized that adversarial advocacy, responsibility, and morality will likely to predict ethical considerations in lawyers. In this regard, a correlational research design and purposive sampling technique was used to assess the relationship between study variables. The data was collected from 79 lawyers who are currently in practice. Findings of the study describes that there is no association and correlation found between age, adversarial advocacy, responsibility, morality & ethical considerations. But there is a negative correlation found in the adversarial advocacy and responsibility and there is a highly significance level in positive correlation found amid responsibility, sub scales of morality and ethical considerations. By regression analysis, study says that responsibility was a good predictor of ethical consideration and analyses were significant with 50% of variance. The study concluded that lawyers in Pakistan have adversarial advocacy may have very less responsibility, but the moral decision making and ethical consideration doesn’t have any effect on lawyers with either high or low adversarial advocacy.

GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE JOB? THE SATISFACTION WITH JOB ACROSS VARIOUS SECTORS AND GENDERS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

2025-09-30T06:26:25Pakistan Standard Time

This research was aimed to compare the Job Satisfaction (JS) in private and public sector employees and also explored the gender difference in JS. A stratified convenient sample of 300 (female: 123, male:177) employees was drawn from Karachi. The total number of government employees was 143 and there were employees of private sector. The sample was of ages amid 19 to 64 years (mean age=36.47, SD=11.33). The sample belonged to a wide range of fields like banking and finance to police and teaching. It was hypothesized that (1) there will be significant difference in JS in private and public sector employees, (2) there will be gender difference in JS. The first hypothesis of study was proved. Generic Job Satisfaction scale was used on the sample. The results indicated that the public sector employees score significantly higher in job satisfaction as compared towards private sector employees however gender difference is insignificant in JS in the sample under study. The results provide significant information in reaching desired conclusion of study by extracting suitable information used for the decision -making. Consequently, the conclusion of current study offers the valuable insights into the dynamics of job satisfaction across various job sectors as well as genders.

THE ISOLATION TRAUMA IN PERCEIVED NARCISSISTIC HOUSEHOLDS: CHILDREN’S PERSPECTIVE

2025-09-30T06:26:25Pakistan Standard Time

The present research study aimed to examine the psychosocial experiences of children residing with parents perceived to be in narcissistic household. The study recruited five participants (N=2 male, N=3 female) who were growing up within the household perceived to have a narcissistic parent. The data was analysed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed several themes & sub-themes. However, current research paper discusses one of the themes and its subsequent subthemes, i.e., Isolation Trauma: social isolation, financial isolation and social rejection. The findings of the study highlight psychosocial and emotional challenges that children undergo while growing up in a narcissistic household. Thus, this research contributes to understanding of the psychosocial and emotional abuse that children experience by parents with perceived narcissistic tendencies. The study provides significant and valuable information in reaching conclusion and contributing the existing knowledge from different perspectives. The study provides insight for future researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers in order to guiding them in the sensitive assessment and interventions for the considerations of these issues in a tailor-made format for ensuring desired consequences.

CHALLENGING MONOLITHIC REPRESENTATIVE: MOHANTY'S CRITIQUE OF "THIRDWORLD WOMEN" IN ANALYSIS OF SYRRINA HAQUE'S SAND IN THE CASTLE

2025-09-30T06:26:25Pakistan Standard Time

Western feminist scholarship tends to normalize & essentialize Thirdworld women experiences, disregarding their multiple and complicated realities. This study examines Haque (2010). Sand in the castle: A collection of short stories using the Chandra Mohanty’s thirdworld women hood theory by focusing on the complexity context-based depiction of women lives. This paper shows how Haque selected stories question universalizing Western feminist paradigms by presenting female characters whose struggles are profoundly rooted in particular historical, cultural, and economic contexts by using Mohanty criticism of Western feminism construction of monolithic “Third world women”. Analysis executed by quantitative method approach shows how Haque’s depiction of Pakistani women’s experience challenges Western feminist preconceptions by revealing forms of agency & resistance that negotiate overlapping power system. By applying Mohanty theoretical insights, thesis highlights how Haque’s literary strategies subvert Western feminist assumptions & emphasize importance of localized, context-specific womenhood. This analysis contributes to broader scholarly conversation on the need for diverse and inclusive feminist theories that recognize the heterogeneity of women’s experiences across different geographical and cultural landscapes.

EXPLORING THE INTERPLAY OF JOB RESOURCES, MORAL CHARACTER AND SELF- EFFICACY IN SHAPING AFFECTIVE COMMITMENT AND WORK ENGAGEMENT

2025-09-30T06:26:25Pakistan Standard Time

This research study investigates the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and analyzes the effects of job resources, job demands, self-efficacy and personality traits on work engagement and affective commitment in the banking sector. The data of 775 employees in the Pakistani banking sector was analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to understand the most direct and indirect effects of the variables upon commitment and engagement. The job resources, especially autonomy, feedback, as well as supervisor support, positively and significantly affect the work engagement and affective commitment. This study indicates that job demands act as the stressors to moderate these effects. The primary driver of these effects is self-efficacy, which strengthens the effect of job resources on engagement and commitment. Besides, engagement is positively affected by personality traits. Thus, one of the primary practical implications of this study relates to organizations especially those in high- demand industries like the banking sector reducing turnover and increasing employee retention through the enhancement of job resources and the improvement of self-efficacy and consideration of personality traits in recruitment and training. The future studies/ researchers should examine personality traits to study them across various cultures.