The statistics reveal that internet technology in the banking sector has introduced the internet banking (IB) product/service in Pakistan during year 2001 but the majority of the banking customers are the non-users of IB. This highlights the research need for identifying and validating the factors responsible for IB adoption in Pakistan. The technology acceptance model (TAM) has detained the most attention in determining the acceptance behavior of Information technology (IT). Despite the TAM validity and maturity in various contexts, there are few studies which have strived to extend the TAM capability to identify the individuals’ acceptance behaviour about the online/IB technology. Therefore, the present study has proposed and integrated external factors, namely perceived security, trust, website design, and product knowledge in TAM which reflects the banking customers concerns in the acceptance of IB in Pakistan. The questionnaire was adopted from the existing literature and modified for the data collection from the representative sample of 1,050 banking customers (non-users of IB) of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan through convenience sampling. After preliminary data analysis, the sample size reduced to 886 with the final response rate of 84.38%. Primary data analysis was conducted through Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) whereas Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS) was employed to explore the inter-correlations of the proposed constructs. The study empirical results indicated that all hypothesized relationships of perceived security, trust, website design, and product knowledge with perceived ease of use and usefulness are true and significant in the extended form of the TAM. Theoretically, the present research has confirmed the applicability of the TAM in investigating IB adoption in Pakistan. The findings of the study emphasized banks'' decision makers to formulate strategies that may boost the adoption of internet banking in Pakistan. Security strategic and proactive approach may address the security concern and improves the customers'' trust. Moreover, redesigning of the internet banking product/service is required according to Pakistani social context and customer requirements for addressing the website concern. Effective advertisement and customer relationship management may enhance the product knowledge of the banking customers. Keywords: Perceived security, trust, website design, product knowledge, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, TAM, internet banking, Pakistan.
Islam is a complete code of life which provides complete guidance in all aspects of human life. The discipline of economics was given particular importance in Islam as most of the human activities revolved around it that could also be seen practically around the globe. The major responsibility of under taking the financial matters was laid on men according to teachings of Islam. The core purpose of this academic work was to explore the Islamic view point about the woman economic activities. The study was basically designed to address that whether Islam permitted women to take part in economic affairs or not? The article provided a guideline for cotemporary women in the light of economic activities of Ṣaḥābiyāt that how the today’s women could take part into various domains of financial matters by keeping in view the life and economic activities of Ṣaḥābiyāt. The descriptive and analytical research methodology was employed for the collection and analysis of data. The review of literature revealed that men were primarily responsible for economic matters, however women could do the job by following the instruction of Islamic teachings. It was also found that the women could actively take part in various economic fields including; trade, agriculture, medical science, and education. In the light of above findings the research recommended that Government should take some serious measures by making economic arrangements and providing Islamic environment for work in order to accommodate the needy, poor, widows and oppressed women of society. On one hand, it would be beneficial for the financial support of their family while on the other hand, enhance the production of country. Finally it must be kept in view that family system should not be ruined due to job of a woman.
The dissertation is based on an exploration of possibilities and problems of Cooperative learning in the Social studies classroom in the context of Pakistan. The field work for the study was done in one of the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES) secondary schools Karachi, Pakistan. A total of forty students were taught in six weeks (23 periods). I acted as a researcher as well as a teacher. The major findings of the study are as follows:
1. In the present context, the formation of Cooperative learning groups is difficult and time consuming. Students are used to working with their own selected group, so when groups were formed, many students were felt challenged because it disturbed their statues quo in class. It was difficult for a single teacher to manage the formation of self-selected and random-groups in a large classroom within a short time. So the teacher need to be sensitive to process of group formation. 2. Teaching Social skills is a huge task and complex process. It requires considerable practice and patience. A teacher must have a constant focus on the proper use of Social skills can encourage low-ability students to feel comfortable in the classroom. 3. Effective Positive Interdependence and Individual Accountability depend on the nature of the task. The teacher needs to have a clear understanding of the task and its objectives. It is difficult to select the task as a novice teacher. Positive feedback can support Positive Interdependence and Individual Accountability.
4. Content is learned better with Cooperative learning groups but it is difficult to assess an individual student's learning. However, this learning is not compatible with the existing practice of student assessment. In the present practice, the Social objectives of a student are not assessed, and the student's opinion is overlooked. The exam only looks for the accuracy and knowledge as peer the textbook. How much students were prepared for the regular exam, it was difficult to measure. This creates a tension for the teacher as well as the students.