Al-Qanṭara

Music Therapy for Psychological Well-Being of Chinese University Students: A Systematic Review

Xu Yiwei — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Music has the potential to reduce psychological depression and stress, as well as enhance overall well-being in individuals. This phenomenon has been particularly noted among university students, with a focus on China, where depression rates are notably high. Consequently, non-pharmacological interventions have gained attraction among researchers as promising methods to address mental health concerns in university settings. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of music therapy interventions on mental health and psychological well-being outcomes, specifically among Chinese university students. To achieve this, a thorough search across six databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Following a meticulous synthesis process, nine published articles were deemed eligible for inclusion, all of which centered on the relationship between music therapy and the mental health of university students. The review findings suggest that music therapy positively impacts the mental health of university students, with indications that it possesses soothing and relaxing qualities. Moving forward, it is recommended that future studies focus on providing detailed descriptions of music therapy interventions and tailor music selections better to suit the psychological health needs of university students.

Effective Short-Video Platform Advertising on Chinese Consumers’ Online Purchase Intention

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chinese consumers have been actively involved in the revolutionary shift of digital advertising techniques brought about by the rise of short-video mediums. Given the market dominance of platforms such as Douyin as well as Kuaishou, it is imperative to comprehend the effect of short-form video marketing on the intent to buy something online. The dynamic as well as captivating quality of brief videos offers a special chance to affect customer behavior. In the backdrop of China, the precise mechanisms underlying this influence are still insufficiently understood. Therefore, the goal of this research study is to investigate how Chinese consumers' intentions to make online purchases are affected by short-video channel advertising. The goal of the research is to identify the relationships that influence consumer choices. The quantitative methodology was considered the most suitable strategy for this investigation. The results of the research study showed that bandwagon perception and conventional interactivity had significant effects on online purchase intentions of consumers. Similarly, flow experience had a significant mediating impact on the relationships among bandwagon perception, interactivity, and online purchase intent. However, consumer attitude is influenced by external factors such as political developments, public health emergencies, or financial circumstances. These outside factors have not been considered in the study.

Gamification in Teaching Entrepreneurship: The Role of Educational Technology

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study dives into how the complicated business of learning to be entrepreneurs can be made more effective by adding some fun elements and digital tools. Taking the heart of this study are students’ motivation to engage with this new way of learning. Technology gets special treatment too because it seems to make all the difference. Using a quantitative approach with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), data from 210 entrepreneurship students were analyzed to evaluate these relationships. Contrary to existing literature, the findings indicate that gamification did not significantly enhance student motivation, engagement, or overall teaching effectiveness in this specific context. Additionally, neither the expected mediation role of motivation nor the moderating influence of educational technology was observed. These unexpected results suggest that the effectiveness of gamification heavily depends on implementation quality, pedagogical alignment, and contextual factors rather than merely integrating game-like elements or technological tools. Recommendations are about paying attention to the careful design and merging integration of game thinking very carefully. Moving forward, researchers should cast a wider net with samples and take a multilevel look at longitudinal studies as well. They should also dig deep into specific strategies for gamification and explore the education techy side of things in an even more detailed way too.

Decoding Consumer Buying Behavior: Key Factors That Drive Purchase Decisions

Mudassir Sajjad, Malaika Asif, Corresponding Author:Muhammad Mubashir khan — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Consumer buying behavior is a multifaceted process influenced by psychological, social, and economic factors, as well as brand-related constructs such as brand image, brand association, perceived quality, and brand awareness. This study investigates the complex interplay between these constructs and their collective impact on purchase intention and consumer behavior. Employing a quantitative research design, data was gathered from 500 respondents using a structured survey instrument. Statistical analyses, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were conducted to validate the hypothesized relationships.

The findings reveal that brand image (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and brand awareness (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) significantly influence purchase intention, with perceived quality (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) and brand association (β = 0.35, p < 0.01) also playing crucial roles. Furthermore, purchase intention mediates the relationship between brand constructs and consumer buying behavior, underscoring its pivotal role in translating brand equity into tangible consumer actions. The demographic analysis highlights the prevalence of younger, educated, and financially stable consumers as key decision-makers, emphasizing the importance of tailoring marketing strategies to this segment.

The study employs a robust methodological framework to ensure the reliability and validity of its findings. The survey instrument demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.80 for all constructs. Model fit indices further validated the proposed relationships, with CFI = 0.95 and RMSEA = 0.05 indicating excellent fit. These results affirm the critical importance of brand management in influencing consumer behavior and provide actionable insights for businesses seeking to enhance their market positioning.

The implications of these findings are significant for both theory and practice. From a theoretical perspective, the study extends existing frameworks, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, by integrating brand-specific constructs. From a practical standpoint, the results offer valuable recommendations for businesses to optimize their branding strategies, foster customer loyalty, and drive sustainable growth. For example, companies should invest in enhancing brand image through targeted marketing campaigns, improving perceived quality via product innovation, and increasing brand awareness through digital engagement and social media.

In addition to offering managerial insights, this study identifies areas for future research. While the cross-sectional design provides a snapshot of consumer behavior, longitudinal studies could explore how these relationships evolve over time. Further, the study’s focus on specific industries limits the generalizability of its findings. Future research could expand to different sectors and geographic regions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior in diverse contexts. Investigating emerging factors such as digital transformation, sustainability, and cultural influences could also enrich the literature and provide deeper insights into the evolving consumer landscape.

In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of understanding consumer behavior to develop effective branding and marketing strategies. By elucidating the relationships between brand constructs, purchase intention, and consumer behavior, the study provides a roadmap for businesses to enhance their competitive advantage in dynamic and competitive markets. These findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach to brand management, leveraging consumer insights to create meaningful connections, foster loyalty, and drive long-term success.

Winning Customer through Green Marketing: Examining How and When Green Marketing Affects Green Purchase Intention

Muhammad Sharaiz, Raheel Farooqi, Kaenat Malik PhD, Sana Azher, Syed Rizwan Ali — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The current study was conducted to empirically investigate the effect of green prices, green products, green places and green promotion on the green brand image along with the role of green brand image in the determination of customer buying intention. The study also considered the moderating effect of social class between green brand image and customer buying intention. The current study selected the quantitative investigative work approach with a selection of explanatory research type. The study also opted cross-sectional design with the application of a survey method for the data gathering and the use of a questionnaire as a tool for data gathering. The targeted population of the current study focused people of Karachi city to understand the perception of green marketing practices among them and its effect on green brand image and green buying intention. The study took a sample size of 384 and followed convenience sampling for response gathering. The collected data is executed with the structural equation model using Smart PLS. The results of the study revealed that there is a considerable effect of green price, place, product and promotion on the green brand image with the significance values of 0.0352, 0.0010, 0.0141 and 0.0000 accordingly. Furthermore, the coefficient values reported for the green price, place, product and promotion on the green brand image are 0.1567, 0.2307, 0.1427 and 0.3314 accordingly. This shows the positive determination of green brand image from green marketing mix with the considerable effect of green brand image on the green buying intention with a coefficient value of 0.6677 along with a significance value of 0.000. However, the moderating effect of social class has not found considerable in between green brand image and green buying intention.

Study and Critical Edition of the Treatise "Tafsīr (mā kāna ʻalá al-Nabīyy) by Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Altıparmak

Champil Serif Damadoglou — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article deals with the study of the scholarly biography of Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad, known as Altıparmak (d:1033 AH). He was one of the most prominent scholars and Sufi personalities in the 17^th century. In this article, the writer aims to examine the exegetical interpretation Altıparmak, conveyed in the exegesis of the thirty-eighth verse of Surat Al-Ahzab, based on the author's original manuscript. This article is significant as it is the first of its kind that deals with this investigation. In this brief exegesis, Altıparmak discussed the issue of the marriage of the Prophet (pbuh), to the mother of believers, Zaynab bint jaḥsh. He explained behind this marriage thus: " there would be no blame on the believers for marrying the ex-wives of their adopted sons after their divorce." It is worth mentioning that this is one of the possible interpretations that crossed the mind of Altıparmak and one of the esoteric meanings he grasped after reading this verse. He read the esoteric interpretation of this noble verse, and the reading by Altıparmak is considered an exploratory and indicative reading aimed at revealing the secrets of meanings and lifting the curtain on the jewels and components of this venerable verse.

Effect of Brand Attributes on the Customer’s Wish to Pay Premium with Mediating Input of Attitudinal Loyalty in Pakistan

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study performed to empirically investigate the correlation between brand management practices and customers' wish to pay in Pakistan to bring up with enhanced strategic positioning, fostering of deeper customer loyalty, and drive higher premiums among customer. The study focused on primary data with the application of the survey-based approach to collect the required set of information using questionnaire as data collection tool. The study collected with the 384 response and applied it with the structural equation model using PLS Smart as the software to perform with the data run and extract the outcomes for the hypotheses testing. The results of the study revealed that there is a significant and positive effect of attitudinal loyalty on customer's wish to pay premium with consideration figure of 0.000 and having coefficient figure of 0.76 hence considerable at 5 percent level of consideration. There is also a considerable and positive effect of brand love on attitudinal loyalty with consideration figure of 0.12 and having coefficient figure of 0.016 hence considerable at 5 percent level of consideration. There is also a considerable and positive effect of brand attachment on attitudinal loyalty with consideration figure of 0.000 and having coefficient figure of 0.28 hence considerable at 5 percent level of consideration. The faced time as a major constraint while the study revealed with the considerable effect of brand attributes on the customer’s wish to pay premium with intermediary part of attitudinal loyalty in Pakistan.

AI-Assisted Feedback Bots in Pakistani ESP Classrooms: Improving Writing Proficiency and Learner Autonomy

Sumayyah Malik (Corresponding Author), Dr. Salma Kalim — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This research explored the potential of the integration of AI-assisted feedback bots as a tool to enhance the writing proficiency of undergraduate ESP learners in Pakistan.

Method: Utilizing a Mixed Methods Action Research approach, this study evaluated the impact of AI-assisted feedback bots on writing proficiency, demonstrated by the substantial increase in post-test scores. The qualitative content analysis highlighted the AI bot’s role in providing structured guidance, task-specific assistance and promoting learner autonomy, though some students preferred traditional feedback methods.

Findings: The study concluded that AI-assisted feedback can serve as a valuable complement to traditional feedback methods, provided it is integrated thoughtfully.

Impact of External Debt on Aggregate Investment and Productivity in Pakistan

Rafiq Mansoor, Shumaila Nawaz, Aqeel Mansoor, Asma Imran — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Investment and factor productivity are important economic indicators to explain the economic prosperity of the economy. This intellectual effort is executed in Pakistan economy, to find the relationship between investment & debt, and between factor productivity and debt. The relationship between (investment & debt and between factor productivity & debt) is estimated by using annual time series data from 1979 to 2020 under controlled policy variables like, interest rate, consumer price index, trade openness, fiscal development, fiscal deficit, population and human capital. The auto regressive distributed lag model is used for empirical quantification and augmented dicky fuller test is used to test stationarity of data. The findings suggest that debt, fiscal deficit, financial development, population growth and interest have negative relationship with investment whereas inflation, employed per person income and trade openness has positive impact on the investment. The other findings provide the evidence that debt, interest rate, has negative impact on productivity and human capital, fiscal development, fiscal deficit and inflation has positive impact on productivity. The findings suggest that there is need to curtail the debt in long run to increase the investment and productivity. Government needs to increase its revenue with influencing the domestic interest rate which leads to reduction in investment and influence the output of the economy.

Critical Analysis of the New Horizons of 21st Century Urdu Novels

Dr. Tahir Nawaz, Dr. Ghulam Farida, Dr. Aqlima Naz — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the 21st century, the changing global scenario, the provision of the internet, and the common man’s access to Western literature have ushered in a new era in Urdu novel writing, which includes modern themes, diverse narratives, and aesthetic experiences. In this century, Urdu novels are more prominent than other genres, as they not only reflect contemporary regional issues but also try to adapt to global influences while staying connected to their rich cultural heritage. The digital era has also played a key role in the new horizon of Urdu novels. The advent of e-books and online publishing platforms has made Urdu literature more accessible to a global audience. Writers can now break down geographical barriers and reach readers worldwide. Social media platforms have further facilitated this exchange, allowing writers to engage directly with their readers and get instant feedback. This interaction has not only helped writers improve their art but has also encouraged a more vibrant and interactive literary culture. Urdu novelists have given new dimensions to novel writing by combining traditional storytelling with modern literary techniques and the reach provided through digital platforms. This research article will critically examine the "New Horizons of Urdu Novels in the 21st Century".

Muslims' Historiography and Abu Ali Ahmad's (Ibn-e-Maskwiah) Concept of History

Associate Professor Dr. Naseem Akhter, Dr. Shumaila Rafiq, Dr. Sohail Akhtar — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Muslims historians have a great weightage due to their remarkable contribution in the discipline of historiography as the advent of Islam influenced as a large on the almost discipline of knowledge and boosted up them with practical approach. In the discipline of history, many historians contributed to write and preserve the success and achievements of the initial phase of Islam not only but explored the historical progress through critical approach. Among the prominent historians Ibne Maskwiah considered as a fair and impartial even he was associated with different rulers but he did not neglect the primary responsibility to present an accurate material of history for the future. This research article is an attempt to highlight the historical concept of Ibne Maskwiah.

Blockchain-Driven Entrepreneurship: Catalyzing Business Innovation and Transformation

Engr. Dr. Muhammad Kashif Shaikh, Syed Baqur Naqavi , Muhammad Tahir — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores how digital technology on blockchain impacts entrepreneurial ventures and how technology changes transparency and builds up trust between businesses and their customers as well as their engagement through uncertainty from the government’s rules changes this relationship and how well businesses have prepared themselves to use this technology. Blockchain, originally a cornerstone for cryptocurrencies has transformed into a valuable asset in essence crucial for startup companies as well as ongoing/emerging businesses. The technology allows for what is secure, transparent and decentralized trading. It marks a major shift. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with data from 210 entrepreneurs and professionals, the study tests five hypotheses within a conceptual framework where blockchain technology is the independent variable, transparency and security are mediators, and customer trust and engagement are dependent variables. The results show that blockchain reinforces transparency and security wins for trust among customers and customer engagement in return. Furthermore, regulatory uncertainty negatively moderates these relationships, while digital infrastructure readiness strengthens them. These findings offer practical implications for entrepreneurs and policymakers by emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity and digital preparedness to fully realize blockchain’s potential. The study contributes to the growing literature on blockchain in entrepreneurship by providing empirical evidence and strategic insights for its effective integration into business models. And it concludes that when blockchain aligns itself nicely with major leaders and supported by supporting systems, it can really act as a dynamo that inspires and fuels new ideas and entrepreneurial success.