International Journal of Emerging Business and Economic Trends

Impact of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Factors on the Financial Well-being of Working Women: Mediation of Financial Behavior

Anam Nayab — 2026-06-27

The study investigates how financial literacy and the non-cognitive traits of self-control and grit contribute to working women’s financial well-being, and assesses the mediating role of financial behavior. Data from 247 female faculty members in Pakistan’s education sector, collected through stratified random sampling, were assessed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. It is found that financial literacy contributes to FWB via financial behavior, whereas grit directly and significantly predicts FWB. The study offers empirical and theoretical contributions by developing a comprehensive FWB framework and integrating grit to bridge finance and psychology. These insights open the gate for future investigations and policymaking.

Where the Sea Meets Opportunity: A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study of Women Workers in the Fish Processing Industry of Pakistan

Qurratulain Razak — 2026-06-27

The fish processing industry in Pakistan is widely perceived as male-dominated, as reflected in prevailing policy narratives and public discourse. Fishermen, vessel owners, and exporters are accorded central importance. Yet this narrative conceals a significant reality: women constitute a substantial portion of the post-harvest workforce. From peeling shrimp and fish to sorting, cleaning, grading, and packaging, they do it all. Women form the operational backbone of the fish processing industry. Yet their role is marginalized in many ways. This case study examines the existing work experiences of women in the Pakistani fish industry through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This case study employed a qualitative analysis that drew on 20 semi-structured interviews and close field observations of how these dynamic women function at a major fisheries harbour. The results reveal that these women are the pillars of the fish processing industry, sustaining both productivity and continuity, yet remaining unseen in sectoral governance. Moreover, this study aims to highlight how the fishing industry is sustained by these resilient women rather than merely serving as a support function for their male counterparts. Also, this study contributes to debates in maritime economies on DEI and the need for gender-responsive labor policies and inclusive fisheries development strategies in Pakistan.

Examining the Dynamics of HRM Accountability: Analyzing the Relationship Between Decentralization, Devolution, and Employee Autonomy in Multi-Unit Organizations

Kifayat Ali Larik — 2026-06-27

Abstract

This study explores the connection between decentralization and devolution in Human Resource Management (HRM) and helps to explain two terms that are often used interchangeably. Devolution is the delegation of HRM responsibilities from HR professionals to line managers, while decentralization is the authority to implement HRM policies from the head office to local organizational units. The study uses data from the Cranet survey and employs multilevel analysis to test this relationship and the moderating effect of HR department power. The result indicates that decentralization of HRM is positively related to devolution to line managers. But this positive correlation decreases when the HR function has greater influence within the organization, suggesting that stronger HR functions are more likely to retain policy decisions. By highlighting departmental power as a crucial boundary condition and offering more precise conceptual and operational differences between the two procedures, the study advances HRM theory. The results indicate that, in practice, the location of HRM authority needs to be intertwined with the actors involved in policy-making.

Business experience matters for a start-up: A review.

Prof Dr Muhammad Siddique — 2026-06-27

This study explores how work experience affects entrepreneurial development and growth, as well as the resolution of business issues. The study is based on the "Learning-by-Doing Theory," which provides the theoretical framework for investigating experiential learning and illustrates how experience impacts entrepreneurial success. The success stories of Walmart, BMW, Ford Motor Company, Dell, and Aldi are enough to inspire others regarding the significance of work experience. The literature was obtained from Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Google Websites for review. The findings show that business experience promotes creative thinking, calculated choices, and general economic advancement. The suggestions include creating a curriculum for skill transfer, incorporating experiential learning into entrepreneurship education, and leveraging business experience to influence decision-making. Prospective study directions include exploring past perspectives on business experience, examining diverse entrepreneurial environments, and examining the link between knowledge management and entrepreneurial advancement. The results encourage a more beneficial and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem and affect scholars, educators, entrepreneurs, and legislators. This study has improved our understanding of the complicated relationship between the depth of business skills and entrepreneurial success.

Although prior experience increases the likelihood of a venture's survival, there remains a lack of cohesive literature by approach and/or industry. To fill this gap, this study aims to link empirical data to Arrow's "Learning-by-Doing" paradigm to explain the direct relationship between experiential learning, problem-solving, and the growth of sustainable ventures. This review goes beyond a summary of literature, identifying niche aspects of business experience, such as industry knowledge, connections, and crisis management, and linking them to the benchmarks of business success in the real world.

The Role of e-Entrepreneurship in Fostering Youth Empowerment: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways for Socio-Economic Development

Junaid Ali Sohu — 2026-06-29

The Purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between e-entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, with a specific emphasis on the mediating effect of entrepreneurial mindset in a developing economy context. A quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey of 317 respondents aged between 18 and 35 from District
Khairpur and neighbouring regions in Sindh, Pakistan. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS, applying correlation, regression, and mediation analyses. The results indicate a positive and
significant impact of E-entrepreneurship on youth empowerment. Our findings also indicate that e-entrepreneurship strengthens the entrepreneurial mindset, as it is associated with better empowerment results. Mediation
analysis supports the conclusion that e-entrepreneurship influences youth empowerment, in part, through their entrepreneurial mindset. The study emphasizes bridging entrepreneurial upliftment within digital entrepreneurship
efforts to ensure maximum youth empowerment. These insights will benefit policymakers, educators, and other development actors seeking to leverage digital talent in order to foster economic growth through youth and
entrepreneurship programming in developing economies.

Volatility Analysis: An Empirical Investigation from South Asian Stock Markets Using the GARCH Model

Sadaf Nawaz — 2026-06-30

This study examines the risk, return, and volatility of selected South Asian stock markets. It helps to measure the volatility patterns and compare the stability and risk characteristics of these markets. Major South Asian stock exchanges (PSX, BSE, and DSE). The main objective of this research is to use sophisticated GARCH models to assess volatility persistence over time and provide empirical support for regional diversification strategies within the SAARC block. This study uses secondary data collected from sources including Yahoo Finance, Investing.com, and the official websites of the PSX, BSE, DSE, and CSE. Closing prices used to compute returns in time series data. The data frequency is daily from January 2022 to April 2026. Key variables are risk, return, and volatility. The Univariate GARCH model is applied to the data. KSE has the highest average return of 0.12% with a risk of 1.2%, whereas it has the lowest risk per $ of average return (10.44), followed by the Bombay and Dhaka stock markets, respectively. The results show that ARCH and GARCH coefficients for all markets are significant at the 1% significance level. Mean reversion is computed as the sum of the ARCH and GARCH coefficients; a value closer to 1 indicates slower mean reversion (i.e., higher volatility). The Bombay Stock Exchange is the most volatile, followed by the Karachi and Dhaka stock exchanges. Half-life indicates the number of days it takes for markets to revert to their mean positions. Bombay, Karachi, and Dhaka markets take 40.58, 20.8, and 6.37 days, respectively, to revert to their mean positions. KSE offers better returns with moderate risk, which is the best option for investors.