Journal of Management Sciences

113-150

Authors: M. Shahnawaz Adil

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the leader’s change-promoting behavior on employee’s readiness for change and whether the organizational culture mediates this relationship. A sample of 205 responses is drawn from employees having junior or senior level of managerial responsibilities in Karachi. The method of both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses is employed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement model. The structural equation modeling method was then applied to examine the theoretical framework with the help of seven frequently reported goodness-of-fit indices. The results indicate that leader’s change-promoting behavior has a significant positive impact on change readiness and the organizational culture partially mediates the positive relationship between the leader’s change-promoting behavior and change readiness. The present study supports the theory of one of the six conceptual formations of change readiness that it is reflected as employee’s capacity to change. Therefore, managers should clearly advocate the desired change with the help of their own change-prompting behavior as well as establishing a trusting culture in their organization. Future studies may ascertain the impact of employees’ readiness for change on their commitment to change in the context of Pakistan which could further lead to passive or active change-related behaviors.

16-34

Authors: Tariq Jalees, Ernest C de Run

This paper examines how media exposure, self esteem, and religiosity influence body image of Pakistan consumers. The underpinning of this study is based on Social Comparison Theory with two additional variables (religiosity and self esteem) for understanding understand consumer attitude towards body image. A self administered questionnaire was used. 193 persons responded at mall intercepts. The Conceptual framework was empirically tested through SEM. A positive relationship between exposure to media and body image was found while negative influence was found between self esteem and body image. No relationship was found between religiosity and body image. The results showed mixed outcomes as compared to past studies. The scope of this study is limited to one city only and hence the finding could not be generalized. Future researcher may use a larger sample drawn throughout Pakistan, and by examining whether body image perception varies ethnically, age and gender. Media exposure is affecting the traditional norms and values of Pakistan culture and body image. The obsessions of the media and thin body image have to be controlled and this requires policy changes. Corporate sector might take initiative by not selecting ultra thin models. They might also sponsors public service messages showing ill effects of being ultra thin, and showing that the ultra thin models are not real but is results of artworks and camera angles. Social Comparison Theory with two addition variable religiosity and self esteem has been successfully extended/empirically tested in the domain of Pakistan culture.

49-60

Authors: Arshian Aslam Sharif, Syed Waqas Bukhari

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of brand equity of QMobile users. A random survey was taken using a systematic sampling of colleges and universities in a metropolitan city, Karachi, Pakistan. The questionnaire was used to collect data. The impact of each determinant was explored by using factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results suggested that all the determinants have a signicant impact on brand equity whereas brand response has no impact on brand equity dimension.