This research has examined the impact of Intellectual Capital (IC) on performance of the firms in Pakistan while considering political uncertainty as moderating variable. The research used secondary data of firms, related to manufacturing sectors, listed in Karachi Stock Exchange - KSE 100 Pakistan for a ten-year period of 2010-2019. Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) model by Pulic (1998) has been used to calculate IC and its components and ROA is used to measure firm’s performance. Regression Model has been employed to investigate the hypothetical relationship between IC and firm performance. Results of this paper revealed that CEE and CCE have a positive relationship with the financial performance of firms in Pakistan whereas SCE has negative effect on the financial performance of the firms. Furthermore, the findings suggest political instability as a significant moderating variable on the relationship among intellectual capital, its components and firms’ performance. This research is the first attempt in investigating the relative importance of intellectual capital success of any firm under political uncertainty.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that can influence the share prices of listed firms.  Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample of 120 listed firms was selected from 2014–to 202020 was collected. Findings: We documented a new insight that all the variables have a strong relationship between variables with the share prices except leverage. The ROA and Leverage show a negative relationship with the share price and EPS, dividend per share, firm size and price-earnings ratio show a positive relationship with the share prices.  Implications/Originality: This paper contributes to the existing literature and continuing debate about firm-specific determinants influencing share price in an emerging market, with a focus on manufacturing firms of Pakistan.                                                                                 

Purpose: SME’s in Pakistan like developed economies play crucial role in the economic development and sustainability as long as entrepreneurs should be mindful about SME’s success and failure factors. In the extant literature, particularly in Pakistan, there is a lack of studies that have been empirically examined the comparative factors of Southern Punjab and Balochistan this setting particularly in Pakistan. The current study has focused on the comparative analysis of success or failure of Southern Punjab and Balochistan SME’s. The purpose of paper is to examine the aspects of SMEs that are central to their success/failure functioning in both areas of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected through a questionnaire using the Lussier’s Model of success or failure factors among the owners of successful and unsuccessful SMEs. The researchers collected 200 questionnaires from SMEs. Data was analyzed by using the logistic regression technique. Findings: Results of the current study showed that management experience, planning, professional advice, staff, product and services, marketing, and age are important for the viability and success of SME’s operating in Southern Punjab. In Balochistan, management experience, planning, professional advice, education, marketing are significant for the success/failure of SME’s. Implications/Originality/Value: Thus, this study adds value to the knowledge to enhance understanding in “why some businesses succeed and others fail” by using Lussier’s Model. The results of the study assist policymakers in developing the programs that enhance the SME’s promotion, establishment, and development.

Purpose: The objective of the paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance on the dividend payout policy of firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange during 2010-2020. As Pakistani investors face issues regarding their return in the shape of dividends and depend upon the firm’s corporate governance strength. To test whether changes in firm code of corporate governance have a significant influence on dividend policy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The panel data has been used for the period 2010-2020 and panel least square has been applied. Further, to test the association, following factors such delisting risk, government tenure, political connection with institutional shareholding as many political firms hold corporate shares which influence the decision to pay dividends. Findings: Findings from the fixed effect model show that corporate governance has a negative impact on dividend policy while government tenure, politically connected firm has a positive impact on the dividend. The study also concludes that firm size, profitability, tax, asset turnover, leverage, and firm shareholding also influence firm dividend payment behavior. Implications/Originality/Value: The implication of study reveals that firms must focus on strong their governance and include more independent directors on the board which leads to favorable strategies regarding investors. The investor must invest in those firm where lower political connection, pay continuous dividend either high or low decease/increase delisting chances, strong corporate governance and firm specific factors also lead to make decision of dividend payment.

Purpose: A company’s capital structure is a blend of its equity and debt financing and is considered a significant factor in the valuation of any firm. The decisions related to capital structure formation play an integral role for the firms, therefore; this research tends to explore the factors of capital structure and their impact on firm performance. For this purpose, financial data for different listed companies in PSX has been gathered, and dividends and taxes are used as firm external factors.  Design/Methodology/Approach: To examine the impact, the panel data has been used for the period 2016-2020 and panel least square has been applied. Findings: The findings suggest that among the variables current ratio, dividends, taxation, total debt to total equity ratio, and the firm size are statistically significant to profitability. The study also concludes that dividends and tax have a greater impact on capital structure and firm performance.   Implications/Originality/Value: Managers and owners of the firms must make sure that their profits are used for future investments rather than payment of debts to avoid bankruptcy.