Prior literature in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has largely focused on investigating its relationship with organizational-related outcomes, whereas the impact of CSR on consumer behavior is largely ignored in the recent literature. Further, most of the prior studies have investigated CSR with a philanthropic viewpoint, but its importance in achieving marketing-related outcomes is something that is to date, underexplored. Hence, the aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of CSR communication through social media on consumer loyalty with the mediating effect of consumers’ brand admiration in the banking sector of Pakistan. The banking sector was selected due to the reason that this sector is homogenized in nature and creating consumers’ loyalty due to this homogenized character of this sector is challenging. The data of the present study were collected from different banking consumers through an adapted questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. A total of 448 fully filled questionnaires were received which included 289 male and 159 female banking consumers. The results of the present study revealed that CSR communications through social media have a positive impact on consumer loyalty, and consumers’ brand admiration partially mediates this relationship. The findings of the present study would help policymakers from banking institutions to use CSR strategy from the perspective of marketing which is undoubtedly very important for every organization in the current digital age.

The purpose of study is to examine the impact of financial innovation on bank performance, risk and economic growth in Pakistan. To test study hypotheses, bank level and country level variables are used. Time period of study is 14 years from 2000 to 2013. Data are collected from World Bank, Global Economy, State Bank of Pakistan, Bank Scope databases and Economic Survey of Pakistan. We use correlation matrix and ordinary least square techniques for evaluation. According to hypotheses, we also develop three econometric models to test relationship between depend and independent and control variables. By controlling different variable in model 1, we found positive and statistically significant impact of financial innovation on bank performance. Moreover in model 2 after controlling various bank level indicators we found that financial innovation minimize the risk of bankruptcy. Farther we utilize model 3 to evaluate the relationship between financial innovation and economic growth. Results indicate positive and statistically significant relationship between financial innovation and economic growth.

Performance appraisal reports provide vital information for making strategic decisions. Uniting HR practices and IT is an attempt to maximize value creation. Organizations are transforming their performance management systems from traditional to web-technology based systems to enhance accuracy and objectivity. The present study is an effort to assess employees’ perception of the accuracy of e-performance appraisal systems. To that effect, 500 close-ended questionnaires were administered to randomly selected employees working for a non-for-profit organization where e-performance appraisal is practiced. A total of 352 questionnaires were included for analysis and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results indicate that rater competence and the possibility to challenge performance appraisals judged as unfair or inaccurate highly influence the employees’ perception of accuracy of e-performance appraisals. Furthermore, a clear communication of standards and the reaction to the last rating moderately affect the employees’ perception of the accuracy of e-PA.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of human resources and talent acquisition, the impact of the usage of artificial intelligence (hereafter, AI) on recruitment biases has emerged as a pivotal and transformative subject of study. Therefore, this study aims to critically evaluate the impact of AI usage on recruitment biases, particularly in the context of China. The data was gathered through a survey of 423 respondents working in the manufacturing sector. We use a cross-sectional dataset and various diagnostics (i.e., reliability and collinearity tests). The empirical findings using multivariate regression techniques suggested that Al usage is reshaping the recruitment process by offering innovative solutions to tackle biases that have pervaded the hiring process for years. However, human involvement is indispensable in the recruitment process, alongside the use of AI. Although the use of AI can efficiently handle tasks such as resume screening and data analysis, human judgment brings essential qualities to the hiring process. Human recruiters possess the ability to assess a candidate's soft skills, cultural fit, and emotional intelligence, as these qualities are challenging for AI to comprehend. The policy implications of the study recommend that by combining the strengths of AI efficiency with human insight, organizations can create a recruitment process that is not only objective and efficient but also considerate, ethical, and aligned with the values and goals of the company

Purpose: Brand hate as a distinct phenomenon of consumer negativity has attracted considerable research attention in recent years. However, scant attention has been paid to explain the underlying mechanism of brand hate. Therefore, the present study aims to unveil how brand hate stirs in embarrassing situations and what repercussions it ignites that deteriorate the consumer–brand relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The present study follows a mixed-method research design by conducting in-depth interviews with 16 consumers and then collecting three waves of time-lagged data from 217 respondents of two different countries. The reliability and validity have been established through confirmatory factor analysis, and hypotheses were analyzed using structural equation modeling and moderated-mediated models. Findings: The results of both qualitative and quantitative investigations reveal that brand embarrassment instigates brand hate, and brand hate leads to brand detachment. Brand hate also mediates the relationship between brand embarrassment and brand detachment. Consumer vanity enhances the strength of brand embarrassment's effects on brand hate. This relationship further depicts the moderated mediation pattern as consumers with high vanity traits express extreme emotions of hate and detachment from the embarrassing brands. In addition, the findings demonstrate that the moderating role of consumer vanity is more pronounced among young consumers. Originality/value: The study marks an initial attempt to explain the whole process of brand hate by incorporating brand embarrassment, brand detachment, consumer vanity and age in an integrated moderated mediation model. The study enhances brand managers' understanding of the severity of the consequences of embarrassing situations and devising preventive strategies.