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A Normative Framework of Ethical Leadership in Islam
Abstract This paper examines the normative framework of ethical leadership in Islam, contrasting it with mainstream ethical theories. Drawing from Islamic texts, including the Quran, Hadith, Nahj al-Balagha, the paper presents a leadership model that prioritizes social responsibility, collective wellbeing, and accountability to God. Ethical leadership in Islam is framed…
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The Purpose of Life
Dr Asad Areeb’s Guest lecture at LUMS on 19 February 2025. Topic: The Purpose of Life (video available) Language: Urdu About the speaker: Dr. Asad Areeb is a Pakistani scholar and author, known for his contributions to Urdu literature, including works on literary criticism, history, poetry, and juvenile literature. Key…
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Pakistan @ Hundred: Four Possible Scenarios of Human Capital in 2047
As Pakistan seeks to become a thriving economy in 2047, efforts to accelerate progress in human capital development will be essential. Simulations of several realistic scenarios show how much Pakistan’s economic productivity could increase by investing more in human capital over the next 25 years—to 2047, the 100th anniversary of…
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What Does a Professor Do?
A few days ago, during December vacations, I was busy working on an urgent family business consultancy assignment, when my 8-year old son asked: “Dad, why are you working on in your break? Didn’t you say your lectures are over?” I was about to explain, but realized that many also…
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Ethics and Politics
Today (11 May 2023), during the concluding session of my MBA class on ‘Business Ethics and Islam’ (BEI) at LUMS, I posed a sensitive question to my students: “Was it ethical for the former PM Imran Khan to accept financial and land donation by Malik Riaz Hussain of Bahria Town…
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ChatGP in the Classroom
In early 2023, as ChatGPT/OpenAI was first introduced to the public, I integrated this tool into my Executive MBA class at LUMS. During a lecture on business ethics, I assigned my students an impromptu task: to use ChatGPT to generate real-life scenarios illustrating ethical dilemmas at work. Working in their…
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Empress Nur Jahan of India
Nur Jahan (born Mehr-un-Nissa, c. 1577-1645) was the chief wife and empress consort of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. She is considered to be one of the most powerful and influential women in Indian history. More decisive and proactive than her husband, she was the real power behind the throne for…
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Silence is the Key
The first prerequisite for seeking knowledge is silence. Often in my sessions on communication, I share the following amazing narration from Islamic history (Al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p.48) which neatly lists five key stages of knowledge, i.e., silence, listening, remembering, practicing, and disseminating. Imam Jafar Sadiq narrates the following tradition about…
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Diabetes in Pakistan
The recent statistics on diabetes rates in the world, i.e., % of people age 20-79 who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, are alarming. Unfortunately Pakistan tops this list with about 30% rate (Source: World of Statistics). According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 20% of adults aged…
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Imam Hussain and Freedom
Jawad Syed In his famous tribute to Imam Hussain, Allama Iqbal eloquently states: تا قیامت قطعِ استبداد کردموجِ خونِ او چمن ایجاد کرد(رموزِبیخودی)Loose translation: Through his ultimate sacrifice in Karbala, and by steadfastly refusing to pledge allegiance to the tyrannical and illegitimate caliph Yazid bin Muawiya, Imam Hussain (the Prophet’s…
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Jinnah: A Role Model of Inclusive Leadership
Jawad Syed In a world filled with xenophobia and othering, where opportunistic and expedient politicians across the globe frequently exploit hate to gain cheap popularity and votes, it is pertinent to draw inspiration from the following letter to the editor of Time magazine by Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam), the founder…
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Case: Samina’s Career Experiences in the UK and the Middle East
Synopsis This case follows the career journey of Samina, a second-generation British Pakistani retail leader, as she transitions from RetailCo in the UK to a multinational retail firm in Dubai. Samina, who rose through the ranks to become the youngest Store Manager in RetailCo’s history, faced skepticism and resistance from…
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Case: Samina’s Experiences in RetailCo.
Synopsis This case examines Samina’s journey from an entry-level assistant to a store manager at RetailCo, where she faces workplace bias and resistance due to her ethnicity, gender, and the company’s diversity policies. While she is highly qualified and experienced, some colleagues, especially Tom, believe her promotion is due to…
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Case: Diversity Management: Successful Business Stories
Synopsis This case highlights various diversity management practices adopted by organizations across different industries and countries. Examples include Tesco’s age-inclusive hiring policies, BC Tel’s multilingual customer service initiative, Ebco Industries’ multicultural workforce, Rabobank’s intranet site on diversity, and the US Air Force’s training programs on equal opportunity. These cases illustrate…
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Case: Diversity Management: Oscars So White
Synopsis The 2016 Academy Awards sparked significant controversy due to the absence of non-white actors among the 20 acting nominees for the second consecutive year. This led to a heated debate about racial bias in the Oscars, with opinions ranging from outright denial to strong accusations of racism. The nomination…
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Case: Diversity Policy at the National Health Service in the UK
Synopsis The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK represented a publicly funded healthcare system that operated on the principle of providing free healthcare services to all. As a public body, it was bound by the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty to promote fairness and reduce…
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Case: Stories of Diversity From Across the World
Synopsis This case study explores the lived experiences of three individuals—Idries Kahaar, Jyot Chadha, and Hanafi Talib—who navigate racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in different national and organizational contexts. Idries Kahaar reflects on his journey as a Muslim in South Africa, grappling with internalized biases and identity crises shaped by…
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Case: Work Life Balance at Yahoo!
Synopsis The case explores Yahoo!’s controversial decision to ban remote work under the leadership of Marissa Mayer in 2013. Facing declining market performance and internal inefficiencies, Mayer introduced the policy to foster collaboration and innovation within the company. While some employees supported the move, many viewed it as a step…
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Case: Work Life Balance in Russia
Synopsis The case explores Russia’s economic transformation and its impact on work-life balance policies. As Russia transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented system, it maintained a strong tradition of female employment and government-supported childcare policies. However, economic reforms, demographic challenges, and policy shifts have influenced the work-life…
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Case: Chinese Expats in India
Synopsis This case explores the experiences of Chinese expatriates and businesses in India, focusing on their adaptation challenges and contributions to the Indian economy. Beginning with a historical overview of Chinese migration to India, the case discusses the Indo-China trade relationship, foreign direct investments, and the impact of Indian economic…
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Leadership Stories and Lessons from Pakistan Air Force
Synopsis This article presents leadership lessons from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as shared by Air Marshal (Retired) Ahmad Hassan Marwat. It highlights military leadership principles such as discipline, resilience, crisis management, innovation, and strategic decision-making, contrasting them with corporate leadership practices. The article explores real-life leadership stories from the…
South Asian Academy of Management 