Journal of Development and Social Sciences

Workplace Stress and Coping Strategies: Exploring Lived Experiences of Emotional Expression and Work-Family Conflict among Sanitary Workers of Sargodha

Mahnaz Kausar — 2026-03-01

This qualitative research investigates the stress in the workplace, emotional expression, and work-family conflict among sanitary workers in terms of a gendered and structural context. The study is based on the Stress Process Model, Gender Role Theory, and Work-Family Conflict Theory and focuses on the overlap of occupational demands and family-related demands and coping strategies. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 9 sanitary workers who were working in the urban municipal area of Sargodha. Thematic analysis showed that physically demanding work, job insecurity, low pay, and social stigma are factors that contribute to stress. The Gender norms had a great impact on emotional expression, where men were likely to conceal distress and women to express more emotional and domestic pressures. The tension between work and family increased the psychological pressure, especially to women. In spite of these difficulties, resilience was displayed by participants through peer support, religious faith, and adaptive coping. The paper indicates that gender-sensitive policy and structural reforms are needed to solve occupational health disparities.

Jihad: Classical Islamic Understanding versus Contemporary Political Misuse: A Textual and Contextual Analysis of Qur’anic and Hadith Sources

Jawed Ahmed — 2026-03-03

The name Jihad holds the key and mistaken place in the Islamic traditions of thought and practice. Traditionally, Jihad represented a wide range of moral, spiritual, intellectual, and defensive, when it was first formed based on the Arabic word jahada (to strive or to put effort). However, the term, in modern politics, has been narrowed down to a militarized and narrow concept of it, particularly by fringe elements and by certain versions of geopolitics. The presented research paper is one that inserts a comprehensive textual and contextual analysis of the verses of the Quran and traditions of the prophet (Hadith) with a view to distinguishing the traditional Islamic understanding of Jihad and its political misinterpretation in the contemporary context. According to the primary sources such as the Quran, published collections of Hadith such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, this research paper examines the semantic, juristic and historical context of Jihad.

The Role of Workforce Engagement in Driving Marketing Effectiveness and Financial Growth

Ayaz Ali Jiskani — 2026-03-03

Workforce engagement has emerged as a critical determinant of organizational performance in an increasingly competitive and customer-centric business environment. Although the standard marketing approaches focus on the customer segmentation, branding, and the effectiveness of the promotion, the modern studies underline the influential role of employees in the customer experience formation and the financial performance. This paper examines how workforce engagement can be used to promote marketing performance and financial success. The study is based on organizational behavior, internal marketing, service-profit chain, and human capital management theories to establish the direct and indirect relations between employee engagement, marketing performance indicators, and financial results. The quantitative research design was employed based on a survey that occurred with 250 employees and 60 managerial respondents in various industries. Statistic data were used such as correlation analysis, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling to evaluate the relationships between the engagement variables, marketing effectiveness measures, and financial performance measures.

The Impact of Human Capital Management on Firm Financial Performance and Market Competitiveness

Fiaz Ahmed Bhutto — 2026-03-03

The Human Capital Management (HCM) has become a key factor of firm-level financial turnover and the sustained market competitiveness in an ever-growing knowledge-based global economy. With the shift of organizations in knowledge-intensive production processes, recruitment, training, performance evaluation, compensation processes, involvement of employees, and development of leadership is the key element of sustainable competitive advantage. This paper focuses on how HCM practices have affected financial performance indicators of return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), profit margins and growth in revenues and non-financial indicators of the organization of innovativeness capacity, productivity and market positioning. On Resource-Based Theory (RBT), the Human Capital Theory, and the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study examines the connection between formal HCM systems and firm competitiveness. The survey data that was gathered involving 120 manufacturing and service firms were used as the quantitative research design. The key HCM variables on financial and competitive performance are used.

Exploration of Collective Identity and Visual Cues in Place Attachment among Native Young Adults Living in Karachi

Kiran Bashir Ahmad — 2026-03-05

This study explores emerging trends in the development of collective identity using the selection of visual cues among young adults native to the city of Karachi.; bringing the cityscape in context with the development of their sense of self and the narrative of connectedness related to the place attachment construct. The sample of 40 native young adults was purposively selected on the basis of their being born and brought up in Karachi. A mixed method approach with thematic analysis has been utilized to assess the elements of collective identity and it's components through the lens of visual cues while attempting to clear the way forward for understanding Place Attachment. The results indicate that the challenge faced by today’s youth in balancing personal, relational and collective constructs of identity shows a stronger tilt towards the collective identity domain. The components of social embeddedness, desire for behavioural involvement and self attributed characteristics show below average, very low and above average levels respectively. The research carries implications for psychologists, social analysts and academicians along with government agencies in building the sense of identity of the youth and in developing stronger visual cues within the urban infrastructure for improving their integration within the national construct to create a sense of belongingness.

Historical and Social Factors of Women’s Political Representation in Western and Eastern Europe in the Post-Cold War Era

Shumaila Saeed — 2026-03-10

This article explores how historical and social dynamics have contributed to different women’s political representation in Eastern and Western Europe in the post-Cold War era. The political representation of women remains an essential component of democracy in modern societies. The political environment for women's political representation changed drastically with the end of the Cold War and subsequent shifts in Europe. Despite successful efforts, women are still underrepresented in Eastern and Western Europe in politics, such as institutions, and the decision-making process due to persistent cultural, social, and institutional barriers. These factors include male-dominated party structure, gender roles, limited access to education and economic means, and prevalence of harassment and violence in the political arena. That time span can be seen as a "restart" period in which Western Europe went through an era of stabilization and institutionalized gender equality norms, while Eastern Europe saw the disintegration of previous political structures.

Literacy and Numeracy Skills among Students at Primary School Level: A Qualitative Study

Tanveer Iqbal — 2026-03-15

Present study aimed to investigate literacy and numeracy skills among students at primary school level. A phenomenological research design was more suitable for the present study to gain structure experiences of the primary school teachers. Sample of present study was comprised of 10 primary school male and female teachers of Lahore city purposively. An interview protocol was developed to conduct the interviews. Validity of the instrument was ensured by three experts in the relevant field. Responses regarding primary school students’ literacy and numeracy skills were taken by primary school teachers. Data were analysed by emerging the themes from the responses. Findings of the study revealed that fun and interactive lessons, such as games, group work, and use of technology, often increase students' enthusiasm and enjoyment in learning literacy and numeracy skills. Moreover, literacy and numeracy skills varies from student to student some students actively take part in this practice they are keen to solve the questions and problems assign to them and happily solve the questions. Findings further concluded that the LND program emphasizes the development of fundamental literacy skills, such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, and writing. Study findings concluded that level of primary school students’ literacy and numeracy skills varied. Many students show a high level of understanding when the activities are interactive and engaging. Fun and interactive lessons, such as games, group work, and use of technology, often increase students' enthusiasm and enjoyment in learning literacy and numeracy skills. As students experience success in literacy and numeracy, their confidence grows. Study recommends to develop literacy and numeracy skills among primary school students that may increase confidence which lead them towards higher motivation and a more positive attitude towards learning.

Impact of Digital Technology on the Academic Writing Skills of Undergraduate ESL Learners in a Pakistani University Context

Saqif Rafique Ansari — 2026-03-20

This study aims at investigating the impact of digital technology on the Academic Writing of undergraduate English as a Second Language (ESL) learners at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan. It employs Van Dijk, 2005’s Resources and Appropriation Theory (RAT) that investigates access to digital tools, their appropriation (integration and use) during the writing process and the resulting outcomes on Academic Writing of undergraduate ESL learners in Sukkur IBA University. This study was conducted through a quantitative approach. The data was collected through a survey from 109 undergraduate ESL learners through a convenient sampling. The findings of the study reveal that ESL learners had appropriate access to digital tools and they used and integrated them on regular basis for planning, drafting, revising and improving their writing. It indicates that digital tools assisted them in improving and enhancing their accuracy, coherence, vocabulary, motivation and confidence during the Academic writing. The findings also indicate that the access to digital tools is important, but the effective appropriation and strategic usage are the primary components of improved writing outcomes. On the whole, this study suggests that proper digital literacy training and well-organized teaching strategies are vital for the appropriate use of digital tools in ESL classrooms in general and Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan in particular.

Administrative and Pedagogical Challenges in Using Aaghi LMS: Perspectives of M. Phil and Ph. D Students at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal — 2026-03-23

Current study explored the administrative and pedagogical challenges faced by M.Phil and PhD students while using the LMS. Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is considered as a top ranked distance learning university of Pakistan. After COVID-19 AIOU shifted many educational programs on online learning management information system known as “Aaghi Portal”. Five validated interview questions was conducted from 27 M.Phil and PhD students from session 2025. From deductive thematic analysis the qualitative data were analyzed. The results obtained from the study indicated that most of the students had faced different managerial and pedagogical issues while using Aaghi LMS i.e. connecting issues with the system, unable to handle the system related problems, serious pedagogical and learning challenges due to lecture delivery, outdated course contents and lack of engagement . They demanded technical support, empathy, better communiation mechanism and curriculum updates. Departments of ICT and student advisory may play their role in minimizing students’ challenges.

Hermeneutics and Constraint in Law: Reassessing the Interpretative Limits in Dennis Patterson’s Jurisprudential Framework

Syed Muhammad Farrukh Bukhari — 2026-03-23

The aim of this study is to explore Dennis Patterson's understanding about Interpretation in Law and assess whether interpretation is inherently fundamental to legal practice, or merely a method employed in a situation in which there is a lack of clarity. Differently, he treats interpretation as a secondary technique and supports his view through examples of important cases such as Riggs v. Palmer and C & J Fertilizer v. Allied Mutual Insurance Co., while discussing textual, doctrinal, historical, and structural arguments. The research in hands aims to provide a qualitative and analytical study of Patterson's jurisprudence, including a comparative analysis of important interpretive principles. The study shows that, although, Patterson recognizes the importance of interpretation in understanding the meaning of a text, yet he does not see it as fundamental. Resultantly, Patterson's framework is consistent with traditional interpretive principles, therefore, his framework can only be incorporated with them and not others.

Between Schools, Between Worlds: Educational Equity and Wellbeing among Highly Mobile Students

Muhammad Abdullah Farooq Javed — 2026-03-25

This paper discusses the impacts of frequent school movement on the academic trajectory and socio-emotional wellness of highly mobile students in a multi-branch school system in Pakistan. Academic disruption and social dislocation are generally linked with student mobility. Nevertheless, there is little literature that looks at situations where institutional structures seek to alleviate such impacts, especially in the Global South. This study utilized qualitative multiple case study design. The observations and school records were triangulated with data, and the data were analyzed thematically. The results have shown that standardized curriculum and centralized assessments and record transfer systems are great aids to academic continuity. Nonetheless, students still have early socio-emotional problems that can be anxiety and inability to establish peer relationships. Key mediating variables included resilience, peer support and teacher facilitation. Academic alignment should be accompanied by increased organized systems of socio-emotional support in schools to augment the students’ well-being.