Journal of Social and Organizational Matters https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research <p>Journal of Social &amp; Organizational Matters (JSOM) is publishing Research Articles in the following domains.<br />Curriculum (Elementary, Secondary &amp; Higher Education), Health &amp; Physical Education, English Literature,, Mass Communication, Business &amp; Economics, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Management &amp; Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Psychology, International Relations, Sociology, Political Science</p> en-US allahbuxlakhan88@gmail.com (Dr Allah Bux Lakhan) khaliqalvi@gmail.com (Abdul Khaliq ) Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:55:56 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.13 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Teacher Education Programs and Professional Competency Development: Implications for Effective Classroom Practice https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/428 <p><em>The teacher education programs are important in determining professional competencies that are needed to practice effectively in the classroom in the modern educational contexts. With the current upheaval in the education systems across the world, following technological changes, services of professionally competent teachers, globalization, and competency-based education systems, the need to have professionally competent teachers has been heightened. This research article focuses on the correlation between teacher education programs and teacher professional competency development, including pedagogical knowledge, subject mastery, classroom management, assessment literacy, digital competence, inclusive practices, and reflective teaching. The research design it assumes is a mixed-method research which includes surveys, structured interviews, observation in classrooms, and a review of documents among the selected teacher training institutions and practicing teachers. Quantitative data were evaluated with the help of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, and qualitative data were evaluated with the help of the thematic analysis. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the quality of teacher preparation programs and classroom performance of teachers which is significant. The programs with a high focus on practicum experiences, structured mentorship, reflective teaching, collaborative learning, and competency-based assessment showed greater results in the development of professional competencies. Nevertheless, the integration of technology, training of inclusive education, and the correspondence of theoretical courses and classroom realities were found to be deficient. The research findings conclude that teacher education needs to be changed to the models of content transmission to competency-based, practice-based models based on school contexts. It has policy suggestions of reinforcing school-university associations, incorporating online learning, increasing inclusive education courses, improving mentoring platforms, and setting competence-based examination criteria. The results have significant implications on policy makers, curriculum developers, teacher educators and accreditation institutions that want to improve classroom performance by introducing thorough teacher preparation reforms.</em></p> Sadia Saleem, Iqra Zia, S. Fatima Rizwan Copyright (c) 2026 Sadia Saleem, Iqra Zia, S. Fatima Rizwan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/428 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Digital Learning Initiatives by Punjab Education Foundation; Online Lesson Planning and Teachers Performance in Rural Areas of Punjab https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/430 <p><em>The purpose of the study was to determine the usefulness of Online Lesson Planning (OLP) in the schools with the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) assistance. Online Lesson Planning is an online program that is meant to assist teachers in structuring and organizing their lessons in a systematic manner. The study population was a group of all teachers in PEF programs, including all partner schools. Of the 180 teachers, stratified sampling method was used to select them in order to represent them appropriately. The research instrument was a self-developed and validated questionnaire that was used to collect data among teachers. Pilot testing- This was done to ensure that the instrument was clear and effective. A panel of experts established the validity of the instrument and the reliability was evaluated by the use of Cronbach alpha reliability index, which had a value of 0.843 which implied that the instrument had acceptable internal consistency. The SPSS was used to analyze the data. The inferential statistical methods such as the Independent Sample t-test and One-Way ANOVA were used to compare the differences in the responses given by the teachers. The study results showed that Online Lesson Planning assists the teachers plan the lessons better, enhances the instruction process, and contributes to the improved classroom management. The findings also did not have significant difference in the perceptions that teachers had in gender and qualification. Based on the findings of the research it is suggested to conduct ongoing teacher education and make sure that digital materials are offered to improve the successful adoption of Online Lesson Planning in PEF schools.</em></p> Tahira Farooq, Misbah Malik Copyright (c) 2026 Tahira Farooq, Misbah Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/430 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Woman’s Empowerment Through Digital Leadership: Exploring How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Tools Can Improve Managerial Decision-Making in Public Sectors of Pakistan https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/426 <p style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is transforming leadership practices and organizational decision-making processes. In this context, digital leadership has emerged as a critical capability that enables organizations to effectively integrate advanced technologies while promoting inclusive leadership environments. This study examines the role of digital leadership and artificial intelligence adoption in enhancing women’s empowerment and managerial decision-making in organizational contexts in Pakistan. A mixed-method research design was employed, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. Primary data were collected from 273 women professionals through a structured questionnaire using purposive sampling. The proposed research model was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that digital leadership significantly influences women’s empowerment, artificial intelligence adoption, and managerial decision-making. Furthermore, both women’s empowerment and AI adoption positively affect managerial decision-making, while AI adoption mediates the relationship between digital leadership and decision-making effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of developing digital leadership capabilities and promoting access to AI technologies to empower women leaders and improve organizational decision-making processes. The study contributes to literature on digital leadership, technology adoption, and gender empowerment while offering practical insights for organizations seeking to promote inclusive and technology-driven leadership environments.</p> Hiba Syed, Ayaz Ul Haq, Aurangzeb Zulfiqar Khan Copyright (c) 2026 Hiba Syed, Ayaz Ul Haq, Aurangzeb Zulfiqar Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/426 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 AI-Driven Purchase Intention in Pakistan’s E-Commerce: The Roles of Personalization, Anthropomorphism, Usefulness, Transparency, Trust, and AI Anxiety https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/431 <p><em>Artificial intelligence is getting involved more and more with e-commerce, changing the way customers search for products, receive recommendations, interact with digital platforms, and make purchasing calls. Although the adoption of AI-enabled tools like focused recommendations, chatbots, automated facilitation, and transparent digital communication has been growing rapidly, there is a lack of understanding about consumer purchase intention in AI-mediated shopping conditions, especially in emerging markets such as Pakistan. The current study investigates how sales intention is influenced in the context of Pakistan’s e-commerce sector by perceived personalization, perceived anthropomorphism, perceived usefulness, and perceived transparency. It also explores the mediating influence of trust and the moderating role of AI anxiety in these relationships. The study depends on the S-O-R framework and follows a quantitative research design with a deductive approach and positivist philosophy. The data for the AI-enabled e-commerce element in Pakistan is then gathered from customers with experience of online buying. Using SmartPLS 4, the proposed model is tested with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), The findings also demonstrate how perceived personalization, perceived technology usage and humanization have a strong positive impact on consumers' purchase intention; however, it has no significant effect from anthropomorphism Found results further state that trust significantly mediates between perceived personalization and consumer purchase intention whilst failing to do so between perceived transparency and purchase intentions. In addition, AI anxiety significantly weakens the positive effect of proposed personalization and perceived usefulness on purchase intention and has no moderating effect between perceived anthropomorphism and perception of transparency. In an emerging-market context, this study adds to the literature by introducing an integrated AI-commerce framework that discusses consumer purchase intention using cognitive as well as psychological routes. For e-commerce companies, it provides actionable steps to design the kind of AI that consumers will find not only useful and personalized, but also transparent, trustworthy, and psychologically acceptable. So, in summary, the study finds that AI adds value to digital commerce not because it is sophisticated but rather because it is relevant and reliable, and consumer-centric.</em></p> Muhammad Basit Ali, Syeda Fatima Sunela Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Basit Ali, Syeda Fatima Sunela https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/431 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Digital Marketing Strategies and Consumer Purchase Behavior: Examining the Mediating Role of Brand Awareness https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/432 <p><em>The blistering development of digital platforms has radically redefined the way brands reach consumers and it becomes crucial to comprehend which marketing tactics actually influence buying behavior. The present study examines how social media marketing, online advertising, and influencer marketing can impact consumer purchase behavior with brand awareness as a mediating variable. Based on a survey of 300 participants and evaluated with the help of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), all three digital marketing strategies showed considerable positive impact on brand awareness and consumer purchase behavior. Each relationship was entirely mediated by the brand awareness; it bears out the significance of the brand awareness as the mechanism which digital marketing is transformed into purchase action. Its results provide a useful application to marketing practitioners planning the integrated digital campaigns and offer theoretical contribution to the accumulating body of knowledge relating digital strategy to consumer decision-making.</em></p> Haider Ali, Zameer Zahid, Inam Ullah Khan Copyright (c) 2026 Haider Ali, Zameer Zahid, Inam Ullah Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/432 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Impact of Social Media Misinformation on Public Trust in CPEC: A Study on Sargodha University Students https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/433 <p><em>The China-Pakistan financial hall CPEC is a very essential mission of China's Belt and avenue assignment (BRI), it goals to decorate connectivity and monetary cooperation between China and Pakistan. It became initiated in 2015, it includes infrastructure, power, and industrial projects. It has numerous key additives consist of highways, railways, and the improvement of Gwadar Port. CPEC ambitions to improve Pakistan's infrastructure, decorate electricity production, and create monetary possibilities whilst offering China with a shorter exchange course to the middle East and Africa. Although geopolitical and financial challenges, CPEC remains a very important of China and Pakistani relations, fostering regional trade and development. Throughout my research I measured several indicators such as social media usage, misinformation, public trust and the use of free digital services that influence public perception on CPEC. I collected 300 responses from students of university of Sargodha, Pakistan through closed ended questionnaire survey. Their responses played an important role to understand the real time scenario.</em></p> Waqar Ahmad, Danish Sarwar, Ali Hassan Copyright (c) 2026 Waqar Ahmad, Danish Sarwar, Ali Hassan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/433 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Border Conflicts in South Asia: China and United States’ Interests https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/436 <p><em>The relationship between China and the US has a big impact on tensions in the region, especially when it comes to conflicts with neighboring countries like India and Pakistan. China's main goals are to protect its economic and security interests, which include big infrastructure projects, claims to certain territories, and its strong ties to Pakistan. By doing these projects, like the Belt and Road plan, China is changing the balance of power in the area and increasing its influence. On the other hand, the US is mainly involved in the region through defense cooperation and strategic alliances, with the main goal of keeping the region stable and balancing out China's growing power. The increasing military and technological cooperation between the US and India is also having an indirect impact on border tensions, especially in the context of the competition between China and India. This complex situation is making the region more unstable and prone to conflicts. The US and China have different approaches to the region, with China focusing on economic and security interests, and the US focusing on defense cooperation and regional stability. This difference in approach is affecting the balance of power in the region and making it harder to resolve conflicts<strong>. </strong></em><em>The condition with sanctuary in the region has been prejudiced by US policies concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan. That thing of the article suggests that rather than directly causing border disputes, the actions of China and the US usually heighten existing tensions by strengthening alliances, increasing militarization, and creating distrust among local actors. This essay sets out to give a real overview of the border conflicts between the USA and China in South Asia. By examining recent events and policy shifts, this study brings to light how local matters and global power struggles are intertwined, making it tougher to resolve conflicts. To craft better strategies for peace and stability in South Asia, understanding these external factors is pretty much essential.</em></p> Kiran Rasool, Bilal Bin Liaqat, Adnan Nawaz, Imran Wakil Copyright (c) 2026 Kiran Rasool, Bilal Bin Liaqat, Adnan Nawaz, Imran Wakil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/436 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Understanding the Link Between Financial Crime and Public Values: A Panel Data Analysis https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/440 <p><em>This study examines whether the religious values, ethical inclination, and post-materialistic values of the public influence the incidence of money laundering across countries. The research questions are addressed through quantitative analysis of secondary data obtained from the Basel Institute of Governance and the World Values Survey. The dataset covers 54 countries over an 11-year period, and a panel data model is employed for regression analysis. Based on Wald’s F test, the LM test, and the Hausman tests, the random effects model is selected. The findings indicate that both religious and ethical values significantly affect money laundering risk. Contrary to the theoretical postulates of the VBN framework, higher religio-ethical values are associated with an increased risk of money laundering. These results are consistent with existing literature, which highlights how grey areas in religion and ethics can be used to rationalise illicit financial behaviour, and also documents instances of religious institutions being involved in such activities. In contrast, post-materialistic values are found to have no significant impact on money laundering. The study suggests that post-materialistic values, embedded in secular-liberal philosophies, may encourage individualistic behaviour that overlooks the consequences of financially complex crimes. At the same time, religio-ethical values that ostensibly promote collective good may be reinterpreted to justify individualistic goals. Using the VBN lens, the study identifies a disconnect in the theorised value–behaviour chain, arising from conflicting values and their reinterpretation. From a policy perspective, the promotion of ethical and religious values alone is insufficient to combat money laundering; greater emphasis is needed on institutional frameworks, transparency, and stringent policy implementation.</em></p> Asad Ali, Mian Sajid Nazir, Yaamina Salman Copyright (c) 2026 Asad Ali, Mian Sajid Nazir, Yaamina Salman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/440 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Reverent Republicanism: An Ethical Framework for Human Development and Global Peace https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/437 <p><em>This article presents an account of reverent republicanism that underpins an ethical framework comprising five moral and political values to foster human development and global peace. Republicanism, as a political theory, envisions a society in which citizens are not subject to humiliation, exploitation, oppression, discrimination, or exclusion by the government or by others. The key argument of reverent republicanism as an ethical framework proclaims that all citizens are owed self-respect, dignity, equal status, freedom, and fraternity, and no one is subject to humiliation, exploitation, oppression, discrimination, or exclusion, irrespective of their racial, cultural, religious, national, or linguistic disparities, because every human person has human worth with distinctive potentials for bringing about the common good – human development and global peace. Reverence comprises a myriad of ethical values – self-respect, dignity, equal status, freedom, and fraternity – that recognise the value of human beings regardless of their identity, race, culture, nationality, or religion. Reverent republicanism envisages a reverent government and a reverent society, meaning neither government nor civil society uses arbitrary power to oppress or dominate others, while both enshrine reverence in their conduct. In this account of republicanism, reverence as a moral and political value plays a key role in protecting and nurturing infinite human potential – creativity and rationality – so fostering human capital for peaceful coexistence. Lack of reverence leads to hubris and arrogance, thwarting the development of human potential and peaceful coexistence in society. Thus, reverent republicanism not only fosters human potential but also helps resolve conflicts, which ultimately lead to peaceful coexistence in the world.</em></p> Saad Malook Copyright (c) 2026 Saad Malook https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/437 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Corporate Governance and Vulnerability of Minority Shareholders: An Analytical Study https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/442 <p><em>This study reviews the corporate governance in Pakistan with more focus on the issues of minority shareholders. Due to various flaws including weak regulatory framework, dominancy of the majority shareholder and inadequate enforcement mechanism minority shareholder feel themselves unsecure with regard to their investment. To run the affairs of corporate sector a system of rules, practices and processes is called as corporate governance. A framework balancing the interests of the company’s stake holders and helping to build trust in the business environment is established under the corporate governance. Enhancing the trust of investors, accountability, fairness and transparency in the affairs should be essence of the corporate governance. Doctrinal methodology has been applied in this research paper which was sufficient and satisfying to reach a conclusion. In this regard relevant laws, regulations and judicial decision were analyzed and in pursuance of this gaps and inconsistencies have been identified. It appeared that there are various flaws in the corporate governance in Pakistan consequently increasing dominancy of the majority shareholders and reducing the trust of minority shareholders. There is immediate need that Government should pay attention to this and take appropriate measure. In view of the discussion and result for the development of corporate governance and economic growth certain recommendations based on a set of reforms has been suggested. </em></p> Ali Raza Laghari, Shabana Kausar, Muhammad Nouman Jatoi Copyright (c) 2026 Ali Raza Laghari, Shabana Kausar, Muhammad Nouman Jatoi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/442 Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A Diachronic Corpus Analysis of English Vocabulary: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Lexical and Semantic Shifts in Language https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/443 <p><em>This research examines the lexical and semantic transformation of the diachronic corpus influenced by swift usage of social media particularly in post pandemic era (2020-2024). The research investigates that how evolution, dissemination and spread of new lexical items is fastened by frequent use of social media platforms. This study utilizes the mixed method approach combining quantitative meta level frequency analysis of lexical shifts and qualitative thematic and comparative analysis in order to analyse the semantic change in language. The findings of the study reveal that new lexicons are evolved more frequently because of the swift usage of digital media and post pandemic effects of COVID-19. The new words are spread and become popular by both factors. For instance, “doom scrolling”, “quarantine”, “viral” and “social distancing” are some examples of evolved lexicons. Moreover, the study demonstrates a notable change in the meaning of existing words, such as “viral” and “friend” reflecting the impact of social media and cultural effect on semantic shift. Furthermore, the study contributes in the field of linguistic, teaching and communication strategies by providing comprehensive understanding of language as dynamic and adaptive system. It shows the importance of diachronic studies to investigate the rapidly evolving language in the age of digitalisation.</em></p> Marvee Kalwar, Maria Bhutto, Rafique Ahmed Copyright (c) 2026 Marvee Kalwar, Maria Bhutto, Rafique Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/443 Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Social Media Marketing and Purchase Intention: Multi-Mediating Engagement, Brand Equity, eWOM, and Trust https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/444 <p><em>This research examines the role of social media marketing (SMM) in influencing consumer purchase intention (CPI) based on a multi-mediation framework which includes consumer engagement (CE), brand awareness (BA), brand loyalty (BL), brand equity (BE), electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and customer trust (CT). The study uses 19 hypotheses to test the claims, and the hypotheses are based on a sample of 450 respondents who are Pakistan-based. Findings affirm that SMM completely mediates the associations between the six antecedents and CPI. The antecedents to CPI only have indirect paths (via SMM). The model has a high percentage of variance explained in CPI (58.6) and in SMM (62.9), which validates this strong explanatory power. Results provide practical information to marketers in the up-and-coming digital economies.</em></p> Ayesha Tariq, Inam Ullah Khan, Faris Khan, Numan Shehzad, Maryam . Copyright (c) 2026 Ayesha Tariq, Inam Ullah Khan, Faris Khan, Numan Shehzad, Maryam . https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/444 Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Anti-Dumping Laws and Pakistan’s Textile Exports: Legal, Economic, and Policy Implications under the WTO Framework https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/445 <p><em>The backbone of Pakistan’s export economy, the textile sector of the country, has been consistently targeted by AD measures exerted by the global north, more specifically, indulging in the liberalization of the textile sector across the globe under the WTO’s framework.&nbsp; This research offers a cohesive political, financial, and legal policy framework analysis of the execution of AD regulations regarding textile sector imports of Pakistan, drawing on quantitative literature from focal cases entailing bed linen, cotton yarn, and unbleached fabric. This study also depicts that while anti-dumping actions are legally justified as solutions against unfair business practices, their real-world application frequently depicts methodological and procedural prejudices that operate as disguised protectionism. Based on the WTO Agreement on Anti-Dumping Practices as a benchmark of assessment, this research mainly investigates the identification of causation benchmarks, margins of dumping, and injury evaluation, demonstrating the discretionary space exploited by appraising bodies in importing regions. The examination indicates that AD measures impose indirect and direct costs on Pakistan’s exporters at a significant level, optimize economic risk, distort pricing methods, and discourage industrial optimization investment in the longer run. Such actions exhibit adverse implications on independent policy formulation, export earnings, and stability of foreign exchange at the macroeconomic level. This research further analyzes the institutional and legal response of Pakistan at the domestic level, detecting anomalies in the infrastructure of data, legal capabilities, and preventive governance of trade. It shows that robust resistance to AD protectionism needs a multi-dimensional framework encompassing proactive engagement, amalgamation of business policy and competition, and organizational strengthening within the WTO, and joint action with the global south. The results show that without optimized preparedness and practical reforms of AD disciplines at the domestic level, such actions will continue to undermine the growth objectives of the trading systems at the multi-lateral level. </em></p> Muhammad Asif Sarwar Chaudhary Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Asif Sarwar Chaudhary https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/445 Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 The Role of Political Parties in Strengthening or Weakening Democracy in Pakistan https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/449 <p><em>Democratic systems rely on their citizenry for feedback and communication. Political parties act as the bridge and are thus called the backbone of democracy. In Pakistan, political parties have been important for democratic development and the establishment of democracy since independence in 1947, but the contribution of political parties for democracy has been a point of controversy. Political parties provide a means of participation, representation, and the formulation of policies and governments. They have also been accused of employing dynastic politics, of inconsistent internal democracy, corruption, active partisanship, and the promotion of inter- and intra-institutional turbulence and instability. This paper analyzes the contribution of political parties for democracy in Pakistan by focusing on the evolution of political parties, their internal structures, politics, and governance. It employs qualitative research methods and analyses a variety of secondary literature. Political parties have historically promoted the continuity of democracy, the mobilization of the electorate, and political education. Political parties have a number of negative attributes as well and have a legacy of personal politics, a lack of internal democracy, and a lack of cooperative politics. The research identifies the absence of democracy, internal discipline, and issue-based politics as the main barriers to the democratic governance of the country.</em></p> Saima Tabbussum Mohani, Muhammad Bakhsh Lolai, Arba Jabeen Copyright (c) 2026 Saima Tabbussum Mohani, Muhammad Bakhsh Lolai, Arba Jabeen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/449 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Assessing the Impact of Sustainable Structural Interventions on Visitor Experience and Archaeological Tourism at Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/450 <p><em>The main goal of this study is to look at how sustainable changes at Wazir Khan Mosque affect people who visit and tourism related to buildings. Wazir Khan Mosque is an important old site from the Mughal era but it has a lot of problems like the environment getting worse the building falling apart and too many visitors. This study wants to find out how to keep the site authentic and make visitors happy which can help with tourism. To do this the study used a method where numbers are used to analyze data and information was collected from visitors using a set of questions that everyone answers the way with 120 people taking part. The information was looked at using a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results show that using methods like old building materials, special architectural features making it easy for people to get around and managing visitors well makes visitors very happy and interested. These changes also help keep the site authentic and make visitors like it more so they want to come. The study found that using methods and managing tourism well helps keep old sites safe and makes the experience better for visitors. This gives ideas to people who make decisions and plan tourism for old sites, in the Walled City of Lahore showing that it is very important to think about the environment, culture and social aspects all together. </em></p> Dr Muhammad Kamran, Dua Anjum, Hadia Yasir, Jannat Riaz Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Kamran, Dua Anjum, Hadia Yasir, Jannat Riaz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/450 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 What Lies Beneath the Tap: Unlocking Digital Trust and Retention https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/452 <p><em>Mobile banking has become a core customer interface for payments, fund transfers, bill payments, balance inquiries, and everyday financial management in Pakistan. This study examines how app usability and digital trust influence customer satisfaction and customer loyalty/retention among mobile banking and mobile financial app users. Customer satisfaction is tested as a mediator, while digital literacy is examined as a moderator of app usability-satisfaction and digital trust-satisfaction relationships. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. The data file contained 170 usable responses collected through a structured Google Forms-style questionnaire using five-point Likert-scale items. Composite reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, direct effects, mediation, and moderation were assessed using composite-based path analysis. The results show that app usability and digital trust both have significant positive effects on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction significantly predicts customer loyalty/retention, and digital trust also has a significant direct effect on loyalty. Bootstrapping supports the mediating role of satisfaction in both the app usability-loyalty and digital trust-loyalty relationships. However, digital literacy does not significantly moderate either antecedent-satisfaction path at the .05 level. The findings suggest that mobile banking retention in Pakistan depends mainly on usable app design, transaction confidence, and satisfaction-based relationship continuity.</em></p> Moin Ahmad Moon, Sultan Sagheer Ahmad Hans, Muhammad Sheraz Amjad, Muhammad Jawad Mehdi, Mehran Ullah Khan Niazi Copyright (c) 2026 Moin Ahmad Moon, Sultan Sagheer Ahmad Hans, Muhammad Sheraz Amjad, Muhammad Jawad Mehdi, Mehran Ullah Khan Niazi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/452 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Student Teachers’ Perspectives on Teaching Critical Thinking in Elementary Classrooms https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/455 <p><em>Critical thinking skills are necessary to develop reflective, autonomous learners who can analyze, interpret, and evaluate information. The present study aimed to explore the emerging perceptions of the student teachers regarding the instructional strategies they use to foster critical thinking in the classroom while performing their teaching practice in the public sector university of Sialkot. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used to bring out the lived experiences of the participants. Ten future teachers who had taken part in teaching practice were selected by using purposive sampling, and data were collected by semi-structured interviews, which were guided by the previous literature. Audio recordings of the interviews, with participants’ consent, were used to analyze data through the six-phase model of Braun &amp; Clarke (2020) to provide a rich description of the themes. The main theme of “Instructional Strategies and Classroom Practices for Promoting Critical Thinking” was broken down into four sub-themes: questioning techniques and open-ended tasks, collaborative and group-based learning, activity-based/hands-on learning, and memorable student responses/ unexpected critical insights. Results indicate that student teachers prefer open-ended questions, think-pair-share, group activities, and real-life/activity-based tasks to be used for critical thinking, while many elementary students find these difficult at the beginning, using extended justification of their answers to open-ended questions. Participants also talked of being pleasantly surprised by students' unexpected criticism as proof of the possibility of HOTS when pedagogy is properly scaffolded. The study concludes that, although prospective teachers expressed positive attitudes towards critical thinking in the classroom, they need more systematic preparation and support in the school environment in order to be able to manage participative classrooms and continue to maintain critical thinking-oriented practices.</em></p> Saba Naz, Laiba Shahbaz, Insha ., Muhammad Jamil Copyright (c) 2026 Saba Naz, Laiba Shahbaz, Insha ., Muhammad Jamil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/455 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Assertive Training Dynamics: Examining its Efficacy in Mitigating Aggression Among University Students https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/456 <p><em>The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of assertive training on aggression among university students. A Quasi experimental design was used for present study. The participants (N=48) with age range of 18-25 years (M=.60 SD=.49) were drawn through Convenience Sampling Technique from Islamia college Peshawar. The primary outcome of the study was aggression which was measured through The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). A total of seven sessions of assertive training were employed to assess the efficacy of treatment program. &nbsp;Data was analyzed through Descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and paired sample t-test. Results on paired sample t-test revealed that the Verbal aggression and Anger on aggression scale significantly reduced after administration of assertive training (p&lt;0.01) and (p&lt;0.03) respectively. While physical aggression, hostility on aggression scale did not significantly reduce after assertive training (p&gt;0.05). Hence, it is concluded that assertive training has high efficacy to treat verbal aggression and anger and provided effectiveness in physical aggression and hostility. </em></p> Radia Shafi; Hina Iqbal Copyright (c) 2026 Radia Shafi; Hina Iqbal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://jsom.org.pk/index.php/Research/article/view/456 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000