Iqra khatir University, (Urdu: دانش گاہِ اقراَ) is a Private University primarily with its main campus located in Defence Area of Karachi, Pakistan. It has additional campuses in other parts of the city, in Islamabad and Quetta. Iqra University was ranked as the number 1 business school in Pakistan by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in the rankings announced in 2016. Iqra University also collaborates with universities of international repute for student exchange program.
PurposeAs the race toward net-zero intensifies, manufacturing firms are rethinking how innovation can serve as a catalyst for sustainable transformation. This study explores how ambidextrous green innovation, integrating both exploratory and exploitative innovation strategies enables small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to achieve net-zero based green performance. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, the study constructs and empirically tests a conceptual framework that connects innovation ecosystem engagement, innovation capability and ambidextrous green innovation. It further examines how the broader innovation ecological environment enhances these relationships and supports sustainability outcomes.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through a three-wave, time-lagged survey from Chinese manufacturing SMEs. The proposed hypotheses were tested using Hayes' PROCESS macro, allowing for robust analysis of both mediation and moderation effects.FindingsThe results confirm that strong collaborative linkages with core organizations and service intermediaries significantly enhance innovation capabilities. Moreover, a supportive innovation ecological environment strengthens the influence of innovation capability on ambidextrous green innovation. In turn, ambidextrous green innovation contributes positively to net-zero based green performance.Originality/valueThis study provides a novel theoretical integration by linking innovation ecosystem, innovation capability and ambidextrous green innovation within the framework of dynamic capabilities theory. It extends the literature by empirically demonstrating how these constructs jointly influence net-zero based green performance in SMEs. Additionally, it highlights the contextual importance of the innovation ecological environment in strengthening the pathway from innovation capability to ambidextrous green innovation, offering valuable insights for both theory and managerial practice in sustainability-driven innovation.
This study investigates the role of corporate digital innovation in bolstering corporate resilience in the face of escalating sustainability-related challenges. Specifically, our study examines whether corporate digital innovation serves as strategic buffers that strengthen sustainability performance. Utilising a panel dataset of annual observations from 920 firms based in G5 countries from 2014 to 2024, our analysis encompasses 10,120 firm-year observations. Our findings suggest that corporate digital innovation potentially contributes to advancing sustainable futures. Additionally, our study highlights the crucial role of CSR committees in reinforcing the relationship between corporate investments in patents and the implementation of effective sustainability strategies. Our results demonstrate that these committees significantly strengthen this relationship, thereby enhancing the efficacy of digital innovation. Moreover, global CSR reporting is shown to enhance firms' capacities to navigate uncertainties associated with evolving sustainability policies. In addition, emissions performance and ESG ratings show a strong response to patent evaluation when innovation expenditures exceed the threshold level of 3.467%. Furthermore, high-tech exports are found to significantly influence environmental performance and mitigate carbon emissions when innovation expenditure thresholds surpass 2.717% and 3.467%, respectively. Collectively, these findings suggest that robust digital innovation practices contribute to corporate value creation in the face of ESG risk.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis arises from complex interactions among genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and gut microbiota alterations. Recent advances in molecular biology, genomics, and microbiome research have identified novel therapeutic targets, enabling the development of innovative treatment strategies. Natural products derived from plants offer bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, gaining attention for IBD symptom management. Conventional therapeutic management includes aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and biologics; however, 30–50
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are central to tackling antimicrobial resistance. Comparative evidence on how barriers differ between high-income countries (HICs) and low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) in tertiary care hospitals is limited. The review aims to identify and compare multilevel barriers to implementing AMS programmes in tertiary care hospitals in HICs and LMICs. We conducted a systematic scoping review following PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for English-language primary studies from January 2015 to November 2025. Studies were considered eligible if they examined barriers to implementing AMS in adult inpatient services in tertiary care hospitals. Using a framework-based thematic approach, barriers were grouped into eight themes and mapped to individual, team, organizational, and system levels. Out of 2311 records, 57 studies met inclusion criteria (23 = HICs, 34 = LMICs). Knowledge, education, and confidence gaps were the most frequent barrier theme in both groups, reported in about three-quarters of studies. Staffing and resource constraints and organisational/governance barriers were also highly prevalent, particularly in LMIC hospitals. Workflow and documentation problems and data-system limitations were more prominent in HIC studies, whereas structural health system constraints were more prominent in LMICs. Qualitative and mixed-methods studies identified a broader range of barriers than surveys or observational designs. AMS implementation in tertiary hospitals is constrained by overlapping multilevel barriers that are broadly similar across income groups but differ in emphasis. Tailored strategies that jointly strengthen workforce capacity, infrastructure and governance are needed, with particular attention to system-level constraints in LMICs and workflow and data challenges in HICs.
The paper examines the influence of intellectual capital and board idiosyncrasies on Islamic banks’ profitability in nine Asian countries over the period 2018 to 2022. We use the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and Prais-Winsten panel corrected standard errors to estimate the baseline and interaction models. Additionally, the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation approaches were used to address endogeneity concerns. To verify the consistency of results, we also employ alternative variable measurements for estimation. Further, the three-way interaction analysis was performed to investigate if Islamic banks with high intellectual capital, board independence, and foreign directors would be more profitable than other Islamic banks. To enhance clarity, the interactions are also visually depicted through two-way and three-way interaction plots. The results indicate that intellectual capital enhances Islamic banks’ profitability. We also document that independent directors strengthen the influence of intellectual capital on Islamic banks profitability, such that Islamic banks with independent directors and intellectual capital have higher profitability. Furthermore, we find that foreign directors strengthen the influence of intellectual capital on Islamic banks profitability, implying that Islamic banks with foreign directors and intellectual capital have higher profitability. Finally, the three-way interaction results suggest that profitability will be further enhanced when Islamic banks with intellectual capital induct both independent and foreign directors on the board. The study provides several insights for improving the strategic governance and profitability of Islamic banks in Asian countries through focused interventions by senior management and policymakers. The research also contributes to the literature by exploring the complex nexus between intellectual capital, board idiosyncrasies and Asian Islamic banks’ profitability using the two-way and three-way interaction approaches.
