Gomal University Journal of Research

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRACTICES, ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPABILITY AND COST MANAGEMENT AS STRATEGIC DRIVERS OF PROJECT PROFITABILITY

Rukhsora Norkuzieva — 2026-06-30

The present study investigated the effects of the sustainable design practices, entrepreneurial capability, and cost management on project profitability in architecture and interior design firms. The study also examined mediating role of project efficiency in strengthening the relationship between design- related managerial practices and financial project outcomes. A quantitative research approach was used to collect data from architects, interior designers, project managers and design entrepreneurs. The structured questionnaire was developed to measure sustainable design practices, entrepreneurial capability, cost management, project efficiency, and project profitability. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the direct and mediating relationships among the study variables. In this regard, the findings showed that sustainable design practices, entrepreneurial capability, as well as cost management significantly improved project efficiency. Project efficiency was also found to have a significant positive effect on project profitability. The mediation results confirmed that project efficiency served as an important mechanism through which sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cost control enhanced profitability. Thus, the results suggest that architecture & interior design firms achieve the stronger economic returns when they combine the sustainable design decisions with entrepreneurial project handling and strict financial control.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION, CLIENT CO-CREATION & ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKING AS DETERMINANTS OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Rehmat Ullah — 2026-06-30

This study examined effect of digital technology adoption, client co-creation, and entrepreneurial networking on competitive advantage in interior design and architecture enterprises. It further analyzed whether service innovation mediated the relationship between these strategic capabilities and competitive advantage. The study employed a quantitative survey-based research design. The data were collected from interior designers, architects, design consultants and entrepreneurs operating in the creative design sector. Structural equation modeling was applied to evaluate measurement model, test direct hypotheses, and examine mediating role of service innovation. The findings demonstrated that digital technology adoption, client co-creation, and EN had significant positive effects on service innovation. The service innovation significantly higher competitive advantage by refining differentiation, client satisfaction, & market positioning. Mediation analysis confirmed that service innovation mediated the relationship between the three independent variables as well as competitive advantage. The results provide significant information to reach the conclusion of study and making decisions about the research variables in parituclar context. The results showed that interior design and architecture enterprises gain stronger market competitiveness when digital tools, client participation as well as professional networks are transformed into innovative service offerings.

THE BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION LINKING ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, DESIGN INNOVATION, MARKET RESPONSIVENESS & FIRM PERFORMANCE

Ayesha Ashraf — 2026-06-30

This study examined the influence of the entrepreneurial orientation, design innovation, and market responsiveness on financial performance of interior design and architecture firms. It investigated the mediating role of business model innovation in explaining how creative & entrepreneurial capabilities are converted into financial outcomes. The study adopted quantitative design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from professionals working in interior design and architecture firms, including the designers, architects, managers, and firm owners. The proposed relationships were thus analyzed using structural equation modeling to assess direct effects, indirect effects and model fitness. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial orientation, design innovation, and market responsiveness had significant positive effects on business model innovation. Business model innovation had a significant positive effect on financial performance. The results further confirmed that business model innovation mediated the relationships between independent variables and financial performance. Thus, the results provide significant information in reaching the conclusion and making suitable decisions. These findings indicate that interior design & architecture firms improve financial performance when entrepreneurial behavior, innovative design practices, and the market awareness are translated into the flexible as well as value-creating business models.

THE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT, REMITTANCE INFLOWS AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Adekunle Aribatise — 2026-06-30

Drawing on data from the World Bank WDI and WGI alongside IMF records, this study investigates dynamic relationships among financial sector growth, money sent from abroad & private-sector capital formation across 16 nations in Sub-Saharan Africa amid 1990 & 2023. By applying Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (P-ARDL) modeling as well as Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality evaluations, research show that migrant remittances boost private investment (p < 0.021) by easing capital shortages, whereas robust financial systems exert an even stronger positive influence (p < 0.001). Crucially, the combined effect of remittances and financial depth is statistically significant and positive (p < 0.002), demonstrating that advanced financial networks amplify investment -stimulating power of remittances. Moreover, the analysis confirms one-way causal pathways flowing from the remittances towards private investment, from financial advancement to private investment, and from remittances to financial sector development.. the results provide signficant information for reaching the desired conclison. Thus, in conclusion, it assert that remittances and financial development are synergistic drivers of private investment in SSA and recommend strengthening financial systems as well as lowering the cost of remitting money to boost the investment and drive sustained economic growth in SSA.

DEVELOPING THE UNIVERSITY AS A MODEL FOR AN INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATION FOR ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Irfan Ullah — 2026-06-30

The universities worldwide are increasingly called upon to transform into inclusive organisations that genuinely accommodate persons with disabilities (PWDs). The current study is entitled as, Developing University as a Model for an Inclusive Organisation for All Persons with Disabilities: Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward. This conceptual and evidence-based review brings together the results of various empirical studies in the Pakistani and Colombian higher educational context, to explore the hurdles in the inclusive transformation, the potential opportunities in structure and pedagogy and a strategic path forward for developing the & fully inclusive higher education institutions for PWDs. Some of identified problems are lack of infrastructure, lack of appropriate training of faculty, attitude of the staff and lack of policy implementation. Opportunities include use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), development of inclusive organizational culture, faculty commitment and the development of effective monitoring of the policy implementation. In this connection, the analysis provide significant information for reaching the desired outcomes as used for making decisions about the research issues in the particular context. A five-pillar change model is suggested, involving policy, infrastructure, pedagogy, culture and accountability. The paper continues the international conversation about equity of the higher education and examines the reasons why inclusion of PWD is not only a compliance requirement, but also an institutional domineering that are more beneficial for entire higher education community.