Purpose The purpose of this paper is of twofold: first, to empirically examine the short-run and long-run impact of macroeconomic variables such as industrial production, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade balance (TB), exchange rate, interest rate (IR) and consumer price index (CPI) on stock prices (SP) of KSE-100 index; and second, to examine whether this relationship changes as a result of the financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an autoregressive distributed lag model by using the full sample period data from 1997Q3 to 2018Q2 and the post-crisis period data from 2008Q3 to 2018Q2. Moreover, it uses variance decomposition analysis to examine the importance of each variable in explaining SP. Findings The findings of the full sample period indicate that in the long run, TB, exchange rate and IR negatively affect SP whereas CPI and industrial production positively affect SP. However, the post-crisis period data indicate that only CPI positively affects the SP in the long run. Finally, variance decomposition analysis indicates 30 percent variance in SP is explained by its own shock. Practical implications The study findings suggest that macroeconomic variables have a significant role and can be considered important for taking investment and/or policy decisions. Especially, Governments and other regulators may need to take measures to increase the TB since it can help to increase the performance of the Pakistani stock market. Furthermore, investors may consider that findings change when the financial crisis has been taken into consideration. Originality/value This study uses two additional variables, namely FDI and TB by using the robust technique in the context of emerging countries like Pakistan. Furthermore, it takes into account the impact of the financial crisis on the underlying variables.

Purpose Recent literature has shifted to examining whether exchange rate volatility symmetrically or asymmetrically affects the trade flows. This study aims to extend the existing literature by examining the effects of extremely large to extremely small changes in exchange rate volatility series on the US imports from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa. Design/methodology/approach For examining the effects of extreme changes, multiple threshold nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (MTNARDL) model is used and the exchange rate volatility series is divided into quintiles and deciles. It helps to examine the effects of each quintile/decile of exchange rate volatility series on the US imports. Findings Findings indicate that the effects of extremely large changes in the exchange rate volatility series significantly differ from the effects of extremely small changes in the exchange rate volatility series on the US imports. Practical implications The findings of this study are very important. These findings help to consider the effect of extreme changes before devising policies related to trade flows. Originality/value This study mainly focuses on US imports from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa. In addition, this study extends the existing literature by using a novel methodology called MTNARDL model.

Previous research has primarily examined the link between price, income, and consumer spending using linear regression models. On the other hand, the latest evidence shows an asymmetric link among economic and financial variables. We contribute to the literature by employing a novel technique known as the asymmetric ARDL model. This approach is used to investigate the impact of favorable and unfavorable changes in income and prices on household consumption. The results show that higher income has a substantial and beneficial effect on household expenditures in the short term and long term. On the other hand, a fall in income has no impact on consumer spending. Moreover, for most developing countries, price adjustments have a negligible effect on consumer expenditures. Our findings suggest that implementing the same policy initiatives across periods of rising and falling income and prices may result in potential losses.JEL Classification: E31, F31, C22

Purpose: The purpose of this current paper is to underline the importance of social media prospects on enhancing purchase intentions, particularly in the automobile industry. The paper caters to highlighting how social media advertising, brand imaging and brand equity developed through social media can enhance purchase intentions. Design/Methodology/Approach:  The paper caters to critical appraisal of literature available on the topics and the predictor and outcome variables studied in this regard. Automobile business is very lucrative and it has been noticed that such practices make a major impact in boosting buying intentions of customers. Findings:  The finding of the paper is a development of a conceptual framework highlighting the potential of brand image, social media advertising and brand equity towards boosting purchase intentions. The paper has concluded with a framework for future scholars to energize on the concept of social media prospects for the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. Originality/Value: The current study is based mainly on critical review of the prominent literature and offer detailed understanding on the undertaken variables.

Purpose of Study: The paper sheds lights on the idea of business innovation through pouring scholarly review of the literature. The papers objects to provide scholars enthusiastic about business innovation to understand how intellectual, social and psychological capital can be of prominence and the acute role organizational culture can play to further it. Methodology: The paper has strived to advance intellectual understanding of scholars in the area through underlining the direct and indirect links between these factors to help organizational practitioners obtain competitive results for their respective organizations. Results: The paper also outlines limited studies on these relationships thus, encouraging scholars for empirical attention in the near future.