International Journal of Business Insights

THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SHAPING STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING WITHIN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in modern business, significantly influencing strategic decision-making within multinational companies (MNCs). As MNCs operate in complex and dynamic global markets, they require tools that can process vast volumes of data, identify patterns, forecast trends and support evidence-based decisions. This research investigates the role of AI in shaping strategic decision-making processes, focusing on its applications, benefits, challenges and organizational implications. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining qualitative interviews with executives and AI specialists and quantitative surveys across multiple MNCs to capture both subjective insights and measurable outcomes.

The study reveals that AI is widely adopted in operationally intensive functions such as supply chain management, marketing analytics, financial planning and product development. Key AI applications include predictive analytics, machine learning models, natural language processing, robotic process automation and decision support systems. Findings indicate that AI enhances decision-making by improving accuracy, forecasting capabilities, operational efficiency and risk assessment. Organizations that effectively integrate AI gain a competitive advantage, innovate more rapidly and foster a data-driven culture that encourages evidence-based decision-making.

However, the research also identifies significant challenges associated with AI adoption. These include lack of skilled personnel, data quality and integration issues, resistance to change, high implementation costs and ethical concerns such as algorithmic bias and regulatory compliance. The successful deployment of AI in strategic decision-making requires investment in human capital, robust data governance, ethical oversight and organizational readiness to embrace technology-driven change.

Overall, the study highlights that AI is not merely a technological tool but a strategic enabler capable of reshaping decision-making processes in MNCs. By combining technological innovation with managerial expertise and ethical governance, organizations can leverage AI to enhance strategic planning, operational effectiveness and sustainable global competitiveness. These findings provide practical guidance for executives, policymakers and researchers seeking to harness AI’s potential in complex multinational environments

MANAGING CROSS-BORDER CONFLICTS: POLICY INSIGHTS FROM NAGORNO-KARABAKH FOR PAKISTAN

Sofia Shafiq, Irsha Qureshi — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a protracted territorial and ethnic dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, provides a critical case study for understanding conflict management in complex geopolitical environments. Despite decades of international mediation and multiple ceasefire attempts, the conflict remains unresolved due to deep-seated historical grievances, strategic stalemates, and ineffective diplomacy. This study analyzes the conflict using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), which classifies conflict-handling approaches into avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating styles, with the aim of deriving lessons relevant for Pakistan, which faces similar challenges in a volatile South Asian context.

Employing a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were gathered via structured questionnaires from students of international relations, political science, and defense studies at major academic institutions, while qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews with a senior academic, supplemented by secondary literature, official reports, and media analyses. Findings reveal that Azerbaijan’s competitive strategy, particularly during the 2020 conflict, leveraged Turkish-supplied drones and precision warfare to shift territorial control. Conversely, Armenia’s accommodating and compromising approach, combined with the OSCE Minsk Group’s limited effectiveness, hindered sustainable peace efforts. Persistent mistrust, rigid negotiation frameworks, and fragmented diplomatic initiatives further obstructed resolution.

The study highlights the significance of strategic innovation, credible deterrence, and adaptive conflict resolution mechanisms. For Pakistan, these insights emphasize the need for a proactive, multi-dimensional approach to conflict management that strengthens national security, enhances diplomatic credibility, and ensures preparedness amid regional instability

INVESTIGATING THE NONLINEAR IMPACT OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PAKISTAN

Muhammad Aqeel Aslam, Waheed Ur Rehman, Faisal Bin Ubaid — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The role of trade liberalization in promoting economic growth is well acknowledged, though its effects vary across different economies. This study investigates the impact of trade liberalization on Pakistan’s economic growth from 2001 to 2024, incorporating key control variables such as foreign direct investment (FDI), remittances, gender development, and governance effectiveness. Employing a Kernel-based Regularized Least Squares machine learning approach, the analysis captures non-linear and complex relationships that traditional linear econometric methods often overlook. Findings indicate that trade liberalization, alongside FDI, remittances, gender development, and governance effectiveness, exerts a significant positive influence on economic growth. Notably, the results reveal a non-linear relationship, suggesting that excessive liberalization may become counterproductive. The study underscores that while enhancing trade liberalization can boost economic performance, it must be implemented judiciously to ensure sustainable and long-term economic stability for Pakistan

EXPLORING GEN Z RETENTION: THE IMPACT OF CAREER BENEFITS ON COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYER BRANDING

Shahzaib Khan — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the factors influencing employee retention among Generation Z in Lahore, Pakistan, with a focus on career benefits, employer branding, and career commitment. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 109 respondents—including 93 Gen Z employees—via online surveys using snowball sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through SmartPLS was utilized to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings indicate that career benefits are the strongest predictor, significantly enhancing both career commitment and employee retention. Employer branding demonstrated a direct positive effect on retention but did not moderate the relationship between career commitment and retention. Contrary to expectations, career commitment did not significantly mediate the relationship between career benefits and retention, likely reflecting the early career stage of the majority of Gen Z participants.

Grounded in Social Exchange Theory, the results provide insights into Gen Z retention behaviors while challenging some assumptions of Brand Equity Theory. The study contributes to the emerging literature on Gen Z retention in developing markets and offers practical guidance for organizations seeking to align HR strategies with the expectations of this new workforce generation.

THE EFFECT OF FEMALE BOARD MEMBERS’ RISK AVERSION AND MONITORING ON TRADE CREDIT USAGE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE

Younus Khan, Aftab Ahmed Soomro, Obaidullah — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Trade credit is a business-to-business arrangement that allows customers to purchase goods without immediate payment, while suppliers view it as both a financing mechanism for customers and a marketing tool to enhance sales and profitability. Female directors—referred to as women on boards (WOB) in corporate governance—have recently become mandatory under company law in Pakistan. Despite this development, limited research exists on the attributes of women in boardrooms and their influence on corporate decision-making. This study focuses on the extension of trade credit from the supplier’s perspective, examining how women directors’ risk aversion and monitoring behaviors affect trade credit decisions and overall firm performance. The study analyzed panel data from 73 non-financial firms listed on the KSE-100 Index from 2011 to 2020, excluding financial firms and firms with missing data. Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) was employed using STATA 14 to address endogeneity, heteroscedasticity, and autocorrelation issues. Key variables examined included the percentage of women on boards, risk-adjusted sales (RASales), risk-adjusted turnover (RATurn), and return on equity (ROE). Findings indicate that women on boards are more cautious in extending trade credit, rigorously evaluating customer financials and emphasizing prompt recovery, reflecting strong monitoring behaviors. This disciplined approach positively impacts firm performance to a certain threshold. The results suggest that firms facing financial constraints may benefit from increasing female representation on boards to strengthen governance and enhance performance outcomes