Gomal University Journal of Research

THE INFLUENCE OF HRM PRACTICES & TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE: MEDIATING ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE HIDING

Bella Gulshan — 2024-09-26

This study examines the impact of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and transformational leadership on employee performance, with a focus on the mediating role of knowledge hiding. As organizations strive to enhance employee performance through effective HRM and leadership, understanding the underlying mechanisms that influence performance becomes crucial. Employing a quantitative research design and sample of employees from manufacturing SMEs, study used structured questionnaire to collect data, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. Findings revealed that HRM practices significantly & positively affect employee performance but also contribute to knowledge hiding. Transformational leadership positively influences employee performance and knowledge hiding, though its impact on the performance is less direct compared to HRM practices. This study offers original insights into complex interplay amid HRM practices, transformational leadership, and knowledge hiding, highlighting standing of addressing knowledge hiding to optimize employee performance. Recommendations include refining HRM practices to prevent knowledge hiding and training leaders to manage knowledge sharing effectively.

FROM ACCESS TO SUCCESS: THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND LEADERSHIP ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SMEs

Abdul Rauf — 2024-09-26

This research employs a quantitative technique to evaluate the effect of financial inclusion & transformational leadership on economic performance of SME in Lahore manufacturing sectors. Self-administered questionnaires were completed separately by managers and other key decision-makers for financial service sector, leadership behaviors and economic measures. The dimensions of financial inclusion include service, credits & knowledge and on other hand, transformation leadership was captured by visionary communication and innovation. In this drive, Smart PLS regression analysis results indicated that there was direct positive relationship amid financial inclusion and economic performance while the transformational leadership was also proved to have a positive influence but to a limited extent. Thus, the paper also emphasizes importance of leveraging funds and leadership in order to support development of SMEs. The results provide significant information in reaching the conclusion and making the suitable decisions. The study suggests that improving financial inclusion through easier access to banking and financial education can help the SMEs grow and succeed in Lahore.

PODCASTING AS AN EMERGING EDUCATIONAL TOOL IN PAKISTAN: THE POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES

Komal Mehboob — 2024-09-26

This study examines podcasting as emerging educational tool in Pakistan, exploring its potential benefits and challenges within local socio-cultural and technological context. Through a qualitative case study involving the semi-structured interviews and focus groups with educators, students, and policymakers, the research highlights podcasting’s promise in enhancing education, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The asynchronous nature of podcasts improves accessibility and flexibility, addressing issues such as irregular internet connectivity and limited educational resources. However, several challenges impede adoption of podcasting in Pakistan’s educational system. The digital divide, mainly in the remote regions, restricts access to necessary technology and reliable internet. There is a shortage of high-quality, locally relevant content, which poses language barriers for students contented with Urdu or regional languages. Study recommends improving digital infrastructure, developing content in local languages, & enhancing digital literacy to ease podcasting’s integration into educational system. With the strategic efforts, podcasting could play a significant role in improving educational outcomes and bridging existing gaps in Pakistan’s education system.

LEADERSHIP STYLES AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: MEDIATING EFFECT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN DESPOTIC AND ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Basharat Raza — 2024-09-26

This study investigates the impact of despotic and ethical leadership upon employees’ engagement, focusing on the mediating role of psychological distress. Using a quantitative approach with data collected from employees in manufacturing SMEs, research analyzes the direct and indirect effects of different leadership styles on employee engagement. The findings reveal that despotic leadership negatively affects employee engagement both directly and indirectly over increased psychological distress, highlighting the detrimental impact of authoritarian leadership styles. Conversely, ethical leadership positively influences the employees’ engagement by reducing psychological distress, underscoring the benefits of ethical leadership in fostering a supportive work environment. The study's results emphasize the importance of addressing psychological distress to enhance employee engagement. The recommendations include that implementing leadership development programs and prioritizing mental health initiatives to improve employee well-being and productivity. The study contributes to literature by elucidating complex relationships amid leadership styles, psychological distress and employee engagement offering insights for the organizational effectiveness.

MEDIATING ROLE OF ONLINE SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS IN SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AND ONLINE RELATIONSHIP AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Palwasha Khan — 2024-09-26

The smartphones have transformed the way, young adults communicate and form relationships, but its misuse increasingly distracts from academic pursuits, that necessitate additional explorations towards diverse effects of smartphone addiction.This study aims to investigate that how online social connectedness mediates the relationship between smartphone addiction and online relationships among young adults, addressing gaps in existing literature. The correlational design and purposive sampling technique was employed wherein participants completed smartphone addiction scale to measure smartphone addiction, the social connectedness scale the online relationship initiation scale to measure online relationship in young adults. Findings revealed a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and online relationships. The results offer significant information in chasing the direct and indirect relationships, reaching the conclusion and making the suitable decisions about the hypotheses. The study concludes that the smartphone addiction significantly influences online relations, highlighting the standing of managing smartphone use to improve the young adult wellbeing. The study is expected to contribute the existing literature from different dimesnions.

UNRAVELING THE DYNAMICS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: A STUDY OF LIVED EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH

Mubeshera Tufail — 2024-09-26

Juvenile delinquency, the participation of minors in illegal activities, remains a critical social issue affecting communities worldwide. The purpose of the study was to assess the factors affecting child delinquency for the students enrolled in elementary grades. For this study, qualitative research design with phenomenological inquiry was adopted. In this regard, the purposive sampling technique was used to select 4-participants who were involved in delinquent acts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The duration of one interview was 30-35 minutes. The audio recording of interviews was transcribed. The data were analyzed through coding and thematic analysis. The result of the study found that there were personal, family and social factors that causing or triggering the delinquent youngsters for socially/legally disapproved acts. Dealing with the causes of child delinquency is important for effectively resolving problem. As there were multiple factors involved in the child delinquency, and multi-sectoral intervention may be adopted by involving the delinquent youngster, their family, their peer group, community, school and environment. The findings of suty provide sinfificant information in reaching the conclusion and thus conctributing the existing knowledge on the issues under consideration in particular context.

EFFICACY OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY IN MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET ADDICTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Raheen Tariq — 2024-09-26

The previous literature has provided insight about the role of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing internet addiction and accompanying psychological distress in adults. This study was conducted with an objective to assess efficacy of CBT in reducing internet addiction and psychological distress in young adults. The sample included the 89 young adults from the 3-campuses of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur situated in Bahawalpur city who met criteria of internet addiction. Forty five of those young adults were randomized to experimental group and 44 were randomized to the control group. The experimental group received the weekly sessions of CBT for a duration of 4-6 weeks depending upon the severity of symptoms while the control group did not receive any therapy for the whole duration of the trial. The results demonstrated that experimental group exhibited a significant decrease in internet addiction & psychological distress, whereas the control group experienced a significant increase in internet addiction but psychological distress did not show a significant increase for control group. The findings suggest that efficacy and cross cultural adaptation of CBT are vital for reducing internet addiction and psychological distress in young adults thereby managing the symptoms of internet addiction in the young children.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS IN LINKING LUDO STAR GAME ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Sobia Bashir — 2024-09-26

The trend of online games with chatting options has been rising; however, addiction to these games leads to adverse consequences. Ludo Star, the most popular game in Pakistan, has shifted from physical to online play due to convenience and lower device requirements. This study investigates the relationship amid Ludo Star game addiction & psychological well-being, mediated by social connectedness amid young adults. correlational design & purposive sampling was used. The Ludo Star game addiction correlates positively with social connectedness (r=.02, p>.05) and aggression (r=.13*, p<.05). The social connectedness also correlates positively with aggression (r=.01, p>.05), though not significantly. The statistical model shows social connectedness partially mediates effect of Ludo Star game addiction on aggression in young adults since direct & total effect is positively significant but indirect effect is insignificant. The men score significantly higher than women in the Ludo Star game addiction; no significant gender difference exists in social connectedness or aggression, despite men's higher mean scores. Study concluded that social connectedness significantly mediate relationship of Ludo Star game addiction and aggression in young adults. Recommendations, limitations & implications for society benefits are offered in the study.

INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD AND INFORMATION IRRELEVANCE ON INFORMATION AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORK FATIGUE

Rabia Khan — 2024-09-26

This paper explores the effects of information overload, irrelevance and fear of missing out on social network fatigue and how social network fatigue has impact on avoidance behavior. This study used quantitative research design and used a survey approach. The data was empirically tested by a survey of 300 Pakistani university students using the social networks service (Facebook). The smartPLS was used to analyze the data. The results show that FOMO, information overload and information irrelevance have positive effect on the social network fatigue. The findings also show the significant relationship between the FOMO and information overload and information irrelevance had association with information overload. The social network fatigue has significant effect on the avoidance behavior. Thus, investigating what triggers users’ social network fatigue and avoidance behavior has been an emerging theme in the recent years, yet there is a lack of discourse that investigates factors of social network fatigue which causes avoidance behavior. In this regrag, the outcomes obtained from the study enhance the understanding of adverse consequences related to the social network usage.

THE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE, SELF-BLAMING AND PARENT CHILD CONFLICTS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Inza Waheed — 2024-09-26

This study aimed to find out the association between adverse childhood experiences, self-blaming & parent child conflicts in the adults. Thus, it was hypothesized that there will be a relationship between adverse childhood experiences, self-blaming and parent child conflict in students. It was also hypothesized that the adverse childhood experiences and self-blaming will likely to predict parent child conflict in students. A correlational research design has been used to collect data from (N = 200) students by using the convenient sampling technique. Therefore, adverse childhood experiences questionnaire, self-blaming scale and parent child conflict scale were used as assessment measures. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data, including correlation and regression analysis. The results of study offer significant information in reaching the conclusion. Findings of this study illustrated the negative relationship amid adverse childhood experience with self-blaming & parent child conflict (PCC). Also, both ACEs and SB predicted PCC, while ACEs have stronger and negative relationship with PCC. Similarly, PCC shown to be positively increased with increasing SB. The results are discussed in light of the previous literature in order to make clear position of current study. The findings can be used for the family counselling.