Zulfiqar Hussain Pathan

The dynamics of ICT, foreign direct investment, globalization and economic growth: Panel estimation robust to heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence

Abstract In the modern era of globalization, information and communication technology (ICT) are considered key sectors that profoundly contribute to economic growth. Most of the economic activities, trade, and foreign direct investment are mainly dependent on modern sources of ICT. The objective of present research work is to investigate the dynamic relationship between ICT, foreign direct investment (FDI), economic growth incorporating trade and globalization for BRICS economies over 2000–2014 by employing OLS with fixed effects, the FMOLS, the DOLS and the group-mean estimator techniques robust to heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. Empirical results of the study suggest the long-run elasticities between ICT and economic growth, which suggests that ICT positively contributes to economic growth. Findings from long-run output elasticities show that both FDI and globalization have a long-run effect on economic growth. Furthermore, bi-directional causality exists between GDP and FDI, globalization and economic growth, and trade and economic growth. Also, unidirectional causality is running from globalization to trade. Globalization and ICT also Granger causes each other. Sensitivity analysis is employed to check whether findings of the study are valid and reliable for policy recommendation. The outcome of our study suggests policy recommendations for improving ICT with the focus on economic growth, trade openness and facilitation of foreign investment in BRICS countries.

Application of Optical Frequency Comb in High-Capacity Long Distance Optical Communication for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Abstract The current study examines the fiber optic connectivity from Chinese boundary to Rawalpindi and proposes a novel technique for carrying large capacity triple play services across China Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). With the help of this technique, various wavelength data services can be extended to Pakistan, which can decrease the low bandwidth, poor connectivity and low speed problems of data transfer in Pakistan. This study contributes toward the existing literature in a way that this novel technique of data transmission not only relaxes the laying of fiber optic cable but also reduces the total cost of the project. The proposed technique proposes the deployment of optical frequency comb technique for 820 km CPEC route which could support 4 Tbps data. From the perspective of time energy consumption, the assessment suggests that the laying of fiber optic cable in CPEC is feasible with the existing route at the lowest cost between the two sovereign countries.

Factors Affecting Diffusion and Adoption of Information and Communication Technology Among Rural Users in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to investigate and categorise the factors influencing diffusion and adoption of ICT in the rural areas of Pakistan. The research deals principally with common people of the rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province for adoption of ICT in their daily life. The sample size encountered was 330 respondents, who were selected through random sampling technique. Primary data was collected from people belonging to different races of life throughout the province. The results of the study were calculated by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques which show that the overall ICT diffusion and adoption is profoundly influenced by seven factors, including social, political, environmental, regulatory, technological, economic and legal. The study confirms a most significant impact of social and political factors upon ICT diffusion, whereas the remaining factors seem to have a moderate impact.

Big data challenges: Prioritizing by decision-making process using Analytic Network Process technique

This paper presents an innovative technique to find out the most influential challenge faced by big data. Presently, the key challenges faced by big data are security, privacy, and accuracy. To prioritize the most influential factor among the three, we need to select the suitable factor that accomplishes our objectives within the available resources. In this study, we propose the Analytic Network Process (ANP) technique for evaluating these challenges. The study also appraises the ANP model in comparison with the priorities of all competing challenges inside the big data. The secondary data has been taken for the ANP analysis from numerous scholarly articles focusing on big data. In our analysis, we have proposed a policy assessment of the relation between big data characteristics and the challenges; it further prioritizes the consequent results for the most influential challenge by using ANP model. The empirical results conclude that the security has the highest influence value i.e. 54% of the total measurement, while privacy and accuracy stand second and third among the most influential factors with 36% and 8% values respectively. Finally, the study provides important clues in the decision-making process in finding the solutions to such challenges faced by big data.

Linking ICT utilisation to SME's performance: miracle or mirage? The empirical evidence and lesson from Pakistan

The primary objective of this study is to explore the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) utilisations on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To this end, we involved (N = 384) senior managers and executive staff of manufacturing SMEs sector of Pakistan. The results of structural equation modelling support the role of ICT utilisation. Notably, the technological development emerged as the strongest outcome of ICT usage followed by economic growth, SMEs business performance and business expansion. Finally, the limitations, future research opportunities, and the managerial implications for the effect of ICT utilisation on the performance of SMEs are discussed in depth.