Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    Leading towards the students’ career development and career intentions through using multidimensional soft skills in the digital age
    (Emerald Publishing Ltd., 2023)
    Naimatullah Shah
    ;
    Safia Bano
    ;
    ;
    Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed
    ;
    Bahadur Ali Soomro
    Purpose: In the digital age, the development of students’ career intentions requires serious concentration since these are associated with the students’ future employment and, ultimately, their survival. This study attempted to demonstrate in Pakistan’s Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs) the role of soft skills towards the students' career development (CD) and their future career intentions (CI). Design/methodology/approach: In this study, the researchers used a quantitative approach and a questionnaire to collect the data from the surveyed participants. Finally, the researchers based this study’s findings on 392 useable samples. Findings: By employing the structural equation model (SEM), this study’s findings show that soft skills, such as Creative Self-Efficacy (CSE), Problem-Solving Confidence (PSC) and Teamwork (TW) have a positive and significant effect on CD and CI. However, while Critical thinking and Creativity (CRC) has a positive and significant effect on CD, it has no effect on CI. In addition, this study’s findings confirm, also, that CD has a positive and significant effect on CI. Practical implications: This study’s findings assist policymakers and university administrators to understand the importance of soft skills in creating CD and CI. These promote the development of employability skills and fulfill its part in preparing graduates for the unpredictable job market. This study’s findings help, also, to develop logical reasoning in making decisions and in dealing with complex organizational issues. Originality/value: In a practical way, in Pakistan, this study’s findings confirm the role of soft skills towards students' CD and CI.
  • Publication
    Effect of institutional support and entrepreneurial knowledge on women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy and venture performance in a developing country
    (Emerald, 2022)
    Nadia Abdelhamid Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed
    ;
    Bahadur Ali Soomro
    ;
    Naimatullah Shah
    ;
    Women’s entrepreneurship has become an essential movement in developing economies and is accepted in all working areas. This study aims to propose the effect of institutional support (IS) and entrepreneurial knowledge (ENK) on women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy (WESE) and venture performance (VP) in a developing country, namely, Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The constructive theoretical framework comprises of an extensive review of current literature. In this study, the researchers used a deductive approach that used cross-sectional data collected through women entrepreneurs completing a questionnaire. Consequently, this study comprised 324 usable samples. Findings: The structural equation model reveals that formal institutional support (FIS), informal institutional support (IFIS) and ENK have a positive and significant effect on WESE that is concerned with the VP. Finally, WESE is a potent construct that mediates the association between FIS, IFIS, ENK and VP. Practical implications: This study’s findings provide policymakers and government with guidance so that, by providing entrepreneurship and technical courses to develop more entrepreneurial self-efficacy, they focus more on women’s entrepreneurship. Ultimately, this improves VP. Finally, this study’s findings would provide guidelines for allocating financial assistance or funds for women. By using these funds, they can start their businesses to tackle miserable conditions, i.e. poverty and unemployment. Originality/value: This study’s findings help to support the creation of self-employment opportunities and starting a business to improve well-being and socioeconomic conditions.