Journal of Research in Social Development and Sustainability

The THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: PAKISTAN’S RISING FOOD INSECURITY

2023-09-25T19:06:29+01:00

The paper has been purposely written to highlight the relationship between climate change and growing food insecurity. This article has analysed the current condition of the food crisis in Pakistan. The economic and humanitarian harms due to these extreme events are examined in the study. An overview of the change in productivity of wheat, rice and cotton due to flood and high temperatures is given. Pakistan can be sketched primarily to the limited economic access of the poorest and exposure to food chain disruptions. The current condition of the food crisis has been examined from an international perspective, and the efforts of the current government to resolve the issue are considered. The miserable condition of the agriculture sector in Pakistan is precisely inspected about the problems the farming community faces. The discussion focused on the author’s views about the changes in climate patterns leading to food security. The recommendation portion offers the guidelines which could thwart the drastic effects of climate change and prevent a food crisis. If implemented in its full spirit in either the short term or long term, the climate change policies and food security strategies could be proved as a silver line. The research objectives have been attained using a qualitative research methodology. Content analysis of the material already available on the topic in the form of books, official reports, and research articles is one of the tools used for data collection. A valid conclusion has been reached after an objective analysis of the appropriate literature.

SUPERHEROES: IMPACT OF DC AND MARVEL FILMS ON PAKISTANI YOUTH

2023-10-26T07:15:21+01:00

The study focuses on understanding cross-cultural communication through DC and Marvel's superhero films and the influence of pop culture in Pakistan, with the intention of social development. The study aims to understand superhero films' psychological and cultural impact on Pakistani youth. This research adopts a qualitative approach; data is collected through in-depth interviews with semi-structured questionnaires. It's finding out that most youngsters are aware and familiar with the propaganda used in superhero films to have a large psychological and cultural impact. They accepted the adaptation and influence of superhero films in Pakistan is not limited to watching the films only but also promoting the superhero culture. The gender difference and violence in superhero films are also noticed by the audience with their perspectives. In addition, results demonstrate that superhero films also have a consumerism effect on Pakistani youth, shaping the consumer behavior that they love to buy superhero clothing, products, toys, stationary, etc.

A FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION DONE THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES IN PAKISTAN (CONCEPTS AND MANIFESTATION)

2023-12-02T08:43:29+00:00

This study investigates the intricate dynamics of Strategic Communication through social networking sites (SNS) in Pakistan. Recognizing the influential role of social media in shaping public opinions, the study aims to unravel the multifaceted impact of Strategic Communication on these platforms. Moreover, it comprehensively explores the goals and strategies employed by various entities in utilizing SNS to disseminate their agendas and influence the mindset of the common person. A correlational, qualitative design is adopted to achieve this objective, with a focus group conducted at DHA Suffa University involving 15 researchers from diverse Karachi universities. The qualitative data collected through open-ended discussions is analyzed thematically, integrating insights from a systematic review of social media posts by Pakistani politicians on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Findings highlight the goal-oriented nature of Strategic Communication, its pivotal role in building relationships, and its potential to shape public sentiment. It is revealed that entities strategically employ SNS to convey information and influence perceptions, build reputation, and foster morale aligned with their respective agendas. The study has recommended that entities approach Strategic Communication on social media with a careful balance, recognizing its potential to evoke both positive alignment and negative reactions among the public. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of ethical considerations in communication strategies on SNS, emphasizing the need for transparent and responsible engagement. These findings contribute to the scholarly discourse on the evolving landscape of Strategic Communication in Pakistan and offer practical insights for entities navigating the complex realm of social media communication.

NEXUS BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN AFTER DISASTER: A CASE STUDY OF DISTRICT BADIN AND SUJAWAL IN PROVINCE OF SINDH, PAKISTAN

2023-12-20T11:04:18+00:00

Women's status matters, regardless of the differences between their lives in the country and the city. Feminist economists draw attention to the patriarchal system that perpetuates gender inequality. Women need to challenge the existing power structures and fight to change or eliminate patriarchal institutions in society if they want to escape this predicament. Society should bolster institutional frameworks to ensure that men and women have equal rights and opportunities. The situation in Pakistan is appalling to people of civilized minds, particularly in the Sindh province, where relief camps for flood victims have been set up. There are links in this context between the nation's health, women's rights, and climate change. The nation is considered disaster-prone since cyclones, floods, and droughts occur more frequently. This study focuses on a survey examining women's socioeconomic and demographic traits after disasters, carried out in the Badin and Sujawal districts of Sindh province, Pakistan, between 2017 and 2018. The study investigates how genders react to and bounce back from major life-altering events such as epidemics and natural disasters. It acknowledges that women are disproportionately affected by the effects of natural disasters brought on by climate change. There are worries about a long-term drop in living standards in Badin and Sujawal, two districts in Sindh, based on socioeconomic indicators. The study's finding that there were more women than men in both districts emphasizes the need for focused interventions to address the particular difficulties women in these disaster-affected areas face. The findings underline the importance of incorporating gender-specific effects into disaster management and rehabilitation programs.

FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: ANALYZING THE INFLUENCE OF DIVERSE RAINFALL SEASONS ON FRUIT YIELD USING PREDICTIVE MACHINE LEARNING MODELS

2023-12-22T10:35:30+00:00

Rainfall is critical in fruit production because it provides plants with essential water. Fruit trees suffer stress when there is not enough rainfall, making it difficult to yield fruits of the best quality. Rainfall also significantly impacts soil moisture regulation, essential for fruit trees' healthy growth and development. The impact of rainfall on fruit production during the last ten years is examined in this study. The four districts of Sindh Larkana, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, and Thatta were selected based on agricultural data and rainfall figures. The Climate Data Processing Center in Karachi of the Pakistan Meteorological Department provided the annual rainfall data in millimeters. At the same time, data on the tons of fruit produced annually between 2007 and 2016 were acquired from Pakistan's Agriculture Extension Department. The study analyzes how seasonal rainfall affects fruit production in the area using machine learning multiple regression techniques. The study's conclusions highlight the substantial effects of seasonal and annual rainfall fluctuations on fruit production in the study areas. Rainfall after monsoon has a negative impact on the production of mangoes in Larkana and guavas in the Sindh regions of Mirpur Khas and Thatta. Rainfall during the winter also has a negative effect on Khairpur's mango crop. Pre-monsoon rainfall in the Thatta region causes guava production to decline, while monsoon rainfall in the Larkana region has a negative impact on mango production. The study finds that implementing sustainable water management practices and investigating climate-resilient agricultural techniques are necessary to mitigate the adverse effects of weather conditions on fruit production. In the designated areas, these actions could increase fruit yields.

THE IMPACT OF E-DETERMINANTS ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY: A SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGM

2024-01-15T19:19:10+00:00

Online fashion markets in Pakistan are constantly facing challenges and continue practicing applying technological advancement to gain customers’ loyalty. To bridge this research gap, this study aims to examine the impact of e-factors (i.e., social media, search engine optimization, online display, and product innovations) on customers’ e-loyalty in the e-commerce fashion industry of Pakistan. Data was collected through an online questionnaire. A total of 366 sample data and statistical outcomes were analyzed. The initial test was performed by using SPSS. Assessment of measurement and structural model were performed by using PLS-SEM. The result shows that e-factors (i.e., social media, search engine optimization, online display, and product innovations) significantly and positively impact customers’ e-loyalty in e-commerce fashion markets. The study findings benefit local and international online fashion marketers, as they provide full knowledge about the importance of e-factors that shape and enhance customers’ e-loyalty. Fashion marketers can gain insights by developing search engine optimization, designing eye-attractive online displays, recognizing the importance of social media, and promoting product innovation. Study findings further help fashion marketers understand the importance of e-commerce, as the current generation prefers to buy online than physically visit fashion stores.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESILIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2024-02-23T18:55:43+00:00

The present research was conducted to study the relationship between resilience and measures of psychological well-being among university students. The research assumed that there would be a meaningful relationship between resilience and psychological well-being and that substantial gender disparities might exist in resilience among university students. Data was collected from 350 participants enrolled in various undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs at the University of Karachi. According to the findings of the correlational analysis, resilience has a significant positive association with thriving, flourishing, life satisfaction and positive affect. In contrast, resilience and negative affect have been proven to be inversely related. Moreover, the independent sample t-test result showed that men were more resilient than women. These results enabled the researchers to draw the conclusion that resilient university students display minimal amounts of negative emotions and noticeably high levels of positive affect, thriving, flourishing, and life satisfaction. Furthermore, these students embrace positivity and consider demanding life circumstances as a path leading to success.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PAKISTAN (A SOCIOLOGICAL SITUATION ANALYSIS)

2024-04-13T14:20:40+01:00

Floods are regarded as the most catastrophic natural dangers globally owing to the greater intensity of the damage they cause. Understanding risk perception is essential for implementing the proper catastrophe risk mitigation techniques. Flood dangers in linked rivers with the downstream and upstream flow are caused mainly by glacier melting and repeated rainfall cycles. In the event of flood dangers, Pakistan saw the worst flash floods in 2022, which resulted in a 10 billion dollar economic loss and destroyed 2 million hectares of cropland. It harmed the nation’s 24 million inhabitants. Due to its location in an area prone to hazards and frequent flooding, Pakistan has been categorized as one of the world’s most hazard-affected nations during the past 20 years. To help flood victims meet their urgent social requirements, this paper discusses shared demands and the significance of addressing their sociological needs. For this reason, the planning, preparation, and execution of morally based and culturally sensitive post-disaster social care delivery are evaluated. Social workers and socio-political analysts have a joint obligation to play. The ability, opportunity, and speed with which people, families, organizations, and communities recover from the destruction that follows a disaster are given special attention.

THE EFFECT OF TARGETED SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING ON PRE-ADOLESCENTS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

2024-04-13T15:17:40+01:00

The study explored the effects of a 15-hour Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program on 4th and 5th graders in Karachi, Pakistan. The current study hypothesizes that direct and focused SEL instruction improves social-emotional skills. Using a quasi-experimental design, 49 students were divided into control and experimental groups. Both groups were assessed using the WCSD-SECA tool after the program. Results showed a significant increase in social-emotional competency scores for the experimental group (M=3.81) compared to the control group (M=2.75). It indicates that explicit SEL instruction significantly improved students' social-emotional skills. These findings suggest incorporating systematic, direct, and focused SEL programs into school settings can benefit preadolescents.

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ON BRAND LOYALTY AND PURCHASE INTENTION: MEDIATION ANALYSIS OF BRAND TRUST, IDENTITY, COMMUNITY, VALUE CO-CREATION, AND ATTACHMENT

2024-04-28T16:35:28+01:00

This study aims to address the existing gaps in the literature regarding the precise contextualization and consistent structuring of the relationship between social media marketing (SMM), brand loyalty (BL), and purchase intention (PI). Unlike previous research that broadly examined the influence of SMM on BL and PI, this research adopts a holistic approach to identify specific SMM constructs that significantly impact BL. Additionally, it incorporates mediation variables such as brand trust (BT), brand identity (BI), brand community (BC), value co-creation (VC), and brand attachment (BA) to provide a nuanced understanding of the true impact of SMM on BL and PI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 384 clients in Pakistan using a self-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method to investigate the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate that SMM significantly influences BC and BL. Moreover, the study reveals that SMM indirectly and positively affects BL and PI through the mediation of BT, BI, BC, VC, and BA. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive framework that elucidates the direct and indirect effects of SMM on BL and PI. It emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of community and attachment among consumers. It offers valuable insights for practitioners seeking to leverage SMM to enhance BL and PI, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions. These findings can be directly applied to real-world marketing strategies, giving practitioners a competitive edge.