Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies
Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies is an official journal of the University of Rajshahi. It publishes research works of original nature in Social Sciences and Business Studies, by the teachers and researchers of the faculties/institutes concerned as well as those from outside of the University.
Unveiling Bank-Specific and Macroeconomic Factors Driving Non-Performing Loans: Insights from Commercial Banks of Bangladesh
Non-performing loans (NPLs) pose a continual threat to the stability and expansion of Bangladesh's banking industry. The bank-specific and macroeconomic factors influencing non-performing loans in commercial banks listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange were the key focus of this study. Secondary data from annual reports and financial statements to examine factors including CAR, EIR, ROA, ROE, LR, ADR, size, age, leverage, GDP, inflation, unemployment rate, and lending rate were used in this study. The study examines 34 banks over a period of 11 years (2013–2023) and utilizes descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel ordinary least squares regression, random effects regression, and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS). The results indicate that CAR substantially decreases NPLs, highlighting the importance of capital reserves in alleviating default risk. ROE adversely impacts NPLs, suggesting that increased equity efficiency results in less defaults. Likewise, ADR adversely affects NPLs, indicating enhanced credit risk management. Macroeconomic factors produce varied outcomes, GDP growth has a negligible impact, whereas inflation markedly elevates NPLs. Established and larger banks typically exhibit higher NPLs, possibly attributable to more hazardous lending practices and operational inefficiencies. Leverage is positively correlated with NPLs, highlighting the impact of excessive debt on heightened default risk. The research emphasizes the necessity of improving capital reserves, strengthen credit risk management, and rectify structural inefficiencies within the banking industry. The research provides empirical insights into the bank-specific and macroeconomic factors influencing NPLs, with practical and policy implications for financial institutions and policymakers to enhance the stability and sustainability of the financial sector.
Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS)
Bank-Specific and Macroeconomic Factors Driving Non-Performing Loans
Copyright (c) 2025 Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Impact of Staying in Student Dormitories on Educational Outcomes: Evidence from the University of Chittagong
Students’ staying in dormitories is often considered an important factor influencing their academic performance as the dormitories provide structured environment, academic support, and access to peer networks. It is believed that if students perform better in their university life in terms of educational outcomes, their labor market outcomes would also be better and hence they could contribute to the economy significantly. However, the actual impact of dormitory residence on students’ academic outcomes remains an empirical question, particularly in the context of Bangladeshi universities. Therefore, this study focuses on the university students’ educational performance based on their residential status. In order to pursue the empirical analysis this study applied a multiple regression model estimated by ordinary least-squares (OLS) method. Primary data have been collected from a sample of 240 students studying in different disciplines at the University of Chittagong. In addition to residential status, age, dummy for gender, and dummy for whether a respondent’s family owns or rents a house in Chittagong city were used as explanatory variables. Estimated results suggest that there is no statistically significant difference between the treatment group (students staying in dormitory) and the control group (those not staying in dormitory) in educational outcomes. This finding has important policy implications. In order to harness benefits of student dormitory in terms of educational performance authority can initiate measures to restrict student politics and increase budgetary allocation for ensuring healthy meals in student dormitories.
Impact of Staying in Student Dormitories on Educational Outcomes
Determinants of Credit Accessibility to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh
SMEs have been contributing a vital and vibrant role in promoting economic development, structural change, reducing hunger and poverty, and attaining sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh. Their contribution to GDP is decreasing day by day in percentage. The major problem limiting the SME sector from contributing fully to the mainstream economy is the shortage of finance. The purpose of the study is to establish the determinant of factors influencing credit accessibility of SMEs based on the Trade-off Theory, Information Asymmetry Theory, and Pecking Order Theory. A deductive methodological approach has been used in this research. A conceptual model was developed, and a random sample survey of 350 SME owners or managers was conducted from the entire SME population. Only 25.97 percent of SME firms use commercial bank loans in Bangladesh. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Determinant factors of debt accessibility of SME firms are the internal fund; financial information of the firm; firm age and firm size; profitability; and the sector. The research will help fill the research gap and will significantly contribute to the policy makers finding out the limited access to bank loans by the SME firm. The research paper uses a detached approach from the previous studies with Ramsey's Tests for Model Specification Error to rummage through different ways.
Determinants of Earnings among Male and Female Employees in Rajshahi District: A Gender-Based Study
Earnings inequality between male and female employees is common problem found in the developing countries. Therefore, investigating the determinants of earnings is important for identifying the factors that contribute to gender disparities in the labor market. This study investigates the socio-economic and demographic factors that affect earnings among male and female employees in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh with additional focus on gender pay gap. To pursue the study, required data have been from 70 service holders reciding in Kazla and Talaimari areas under Motihar Thana of Rajshahi district. The modified Mincerian earnings function model has been employed in this study to identify the factors affecting earnings of the employees. Estimated results indicate significant earnings gaps, between male and female, in the study area. The regression revealed that earnings of the respondents depend on education level and experience, consistent with the Mincerian proposition. The negative significant coefficient of gender dummy appeared for the female indicate that women receive significantly lower earning than male controlling for other factors. Separate regressions for male and female employees gives the insights that in the Mincerian framework, earnings with respect to education of the males additionally is affected by family status and duration of working. These findings indicate the existence of gender-based earnings disparities and emphasizes on targeted policies to promote equality in the labor market.
Level and Determinants of Satisfaction with Online Learning: Insights from University Students
The outbreak of COVID-19 has severely impacted classroom-based learning activities in Bangladesh, leading various educational institutions to shift towards online education. Although online learning is a relatively new concept in the country, numerous institutions have adopted this approach to maintain continuity in education during the pandemic. Because of some advantages, even after the pandemic, educational institutions partially continued online teaching-learning practices for quite a considerable period. The success of online education depends on student satisfaction, and it in turns depends on some factors. Therefore, this study is an effort to identify and assess the factors that influence students' satisfaction and determine the extent of satisfaction they derive from online education. The study employs factor analysis to identify the factors that determine students’ satisfaction with online learning. Three key factors were found namely the performance of teachers, course evaluations, and university support; the quality of the e-learning environment; and the availability of devices and internet facilities. The descriptive statistics from the study indicate that students generally have neutral perceptions of their overall satisfaction with e-learning. While they appear to be satisfied with the quality of the learning environment, their views are neutral concerning the performance of teachers, course evaluation, university support, and the availability of devices and internet facilities. The findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers and other stakeholders, helping them address the challenges and better prepare for future crises like pandemics.
The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Production Efficiency
Climate change is a major concern in the contemporary world, and it poses a growing threat to global agricultural production and food security. Agriculture is intrinsically sensitive to climate variability and change, whether caused by natural or human activity. This paper attempts to understand the impact of climate change on agriculture and crop productivity, with a special focus on Bangladesh. It has been written based on a systematic literature review of previous studies, published reports, climate models, and prediction data. Climate change events—higher temperatures, rise of sea level, changing rainfall patterns, salinity intrusion, land degradation, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruption—could reduce agricultural output and impede progress toward achieving food security. Finally, the loss of agricultural production due to climate change can have an impact on the entire food supply chain, including food availability, access to resources for acquiring food, food consumption, and food stability. Therefore, there is a need to carry out such investigations to examine the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and ensure food security for the growing population.
Contemporary Trends of Domestic Violence against Women in Bangladesh: Unveiling Growth Patterns and Age-sensitivity
Women continue to be under-represented in many areas of society while also facing high inequality, discrimination, and violence. Oppression in the household domain continues to this day, affecting individuals and society as a whole. However, domestic violence’s context, nature and discourse against women have evolved over time. Thus, this paper aims to investigate recent trends in domestic violence against women in contemporary Bangladesh. The study is exploratory and relies primarily on secondary data sources. The findings indicate that the occurrences of domestic violence are increasing, but the rate of growth is slowing. Nonetheless, the two forms ‘tortured by in-laws’ and ‘murdered by own family’ are increasing at an alarming rate. In today's Bangladesh, younger and young adult women are the most vulnerable to domestic violence. This paper demonstrates that sociocultural norms, property ownership, education and employment play significant role in domestic violence in the country. Furthermore, not all types of domestic violence affect women of all ages equally. Women between the ages of 19 and 30 are the most vulnerable in this regard. As a result, this paper suggests more integrated actions for combating violence against women, with age sensitivity taken into account.
Domestic Violence against Women in Bangladesh
Copyright (c) 2022 Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Music Industry on Digital Platform: A Study on Five Major Music Labels of Bangladesh
This study investigates the state of Bangladeshi music industry in terms of its operations on digital platforms such as social media, audio streaming platforms, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Five significant Bangladeshi music labels were analyzed. This study focuses on how they operate on digital platforms, generate revenue, and how they deal with copyright issues. In order to understand their business practices on digital platforms, a qualitative research approach was adopted. In-depth interviews and document analysis were used to analyze the situation. The activities of five music labels on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are examined in this research. The study reveals that music labels in Bangladesh have fully embraced the digital apparatus in all aspects. The selected music labels are now fully operational on social media channels, particularly on YouTube. This social networking site is their sole source of income. Other platforms aren't currently profitable for them. Physical musical product production and sales have been completely halted because there is no business in Bangladesh that offers physical items such as record discs, audio cassettes, CDs, or DVDs. It is also found that in the mid1990s, Bangladeshi music labels were threatened by piracy of their products. However, there is no risk of piracy while doing business on digital platforms.
Are Public-Private Partnerships Fit for Purpose? Evidence from the South Asian Region
Public-private partnership (PPP) is increasingly promoted by advocates as an innovative policy tool for redressing inefficiency in traditional public procurement mechanisms. Many developing nations' governments employ PPPs in an effort to fill infrastructure gaps because they are operating on extremely tight budgets. Governments, operating on extremely tight budgets in many developing countries, also pursue PPPs in attempts to bridge their countries’ infrastructure gaps. This research empirically examines the pathways by which PPP agreements in South Asian nations can result in economic gains. Empirical results suggest that an increase in PPP investment positively affects mobile phone subscriptions only, and adversely affects economic growth. Among the other controls used in this study, school enrolment – a proxy for human capital – and trade to GDP ratio both positively affect per capita GDP growth. On the other hand, the government debt to GDP ratio negatively affects it. In terms of access to and quality of services, results are mixed. Government consumption as a percent of GDP exerts a positive effect on all channels leading to economic growth. While trade adversely affects access to electricity, private credit and the ratio of urban to total population positively affect both electricity access and overall infrastructure quality. Population density contributes to increased mobile subscriptions, but reduces the overall quality of infrastructure. Finally, the government debt to GDP ratio adversely affects both mobile subscription and access to basic sanitation services, and rule of law negatively affects mobile subscriptions and quality of infrastructure.
Rule of Law, Constitutional Obligation and State of Good Governance: Bangladesh Perspective
The Rule of Law exists in the supremacy of law, equality before law and protection to individual liberties which deeming whole citizens are under law and are yclept to get same patronage of law without discriminating on the basis of rich or poor, strong or weak, male or female, black or white, religion, race, cast, sex, place of birth etc. It is one of the primary responsibilities to the state to make a fair and well society having good governance. Therefore, rule of law is the most important elements of good governance. Good Governance in fact refers to the balance of power among the three organs of the government i.e. Legislature, Executive and Judiciary as well as to fulfillment of fundamental human rights; independence of judiciary, policy based administration, fairness, accountability, predictions, utility and capability of the government. The purpose of rule of law and of good governance is almost vice-versa. The rule of law prevailing society maintains equality, social security, social justice and after all dignity of human beings and good governance indicates the accountable and transparent management system where human rights are ensured. This study attempts how to assure good governance in Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to personify the rule of law as incorporated in the Constitution and its role in establishing Good Governance in Bangladesh.
Constitutional Obligation and State of Good Governance
Information Sharing on Social Networking Sites by the Higher Secondary Teachers: A Case Study in Mymensingh Division
The paper aims at exploring the use of social networking sites by higher secondary school teachers in the Mymensingh Division of Bangladesh. This study showed that teachers use social media for communicating with others, sharing academic and educational information, and taking online classes. They also share educational content like events, photos, lectures, assignments, routines, and research work. A good number of teachers (55.70%) share information so that one can easily get ideas and gain knowledge for future learning, while 51.40% of the teachers share information that leads to the development of future education. Social sites motivate them to post or share information on it to create eagerness in students about education. The study traced the impact of sharing information through social networking sites. This study also points out the benefits and the challenges of using social networking sites as well.
Information Sharing on Social Networking Sites
Impact of Attending Training Programs on Income: An Analysis Using Bangladesh Quarterly Labour Force Survey 2015-2016
This study investigates the impact of attending vocational training programs on income, focusing special attention on the youths. Using data from the Bangladesh Quarterly Labour Force Survey (2015-2016), it investigates the relationship between training program participation and monthly income in a multivariate setting. Separate analyses were performed for respondents of two age groups, 15 to 65 years and 18 to 35 years, using the Ordinary Least Square technique. A significant and positive impact of training participation on income was found for both groups. The estimated results show an average young person attending training programs earn US$34.78 (Tk 2,949) more per month compared with those not attending such training. The estimated results were found robust in the sensitivity analyses using different subsamples of study respondents.
Impact of Attending Training Programs on Income
Portrayal of Masculinity in James Bond Movies: An Analysis of Changing Patterns
The film, as a medium of communication, has a huge impact on shaping and defining culture. James Bond is one of the most well-known film franchises in the world. The film series is best known for portraying ‘James Bond’, often known as ‘007’, a macho hero. The present study has looked at the portrayal of masculinity in James Bond films and how it has evolved through time. The study has been conducted using the textual analysis approach, which is a type of qualitative content analysis. Dr. No (1962), Live and Let Die (1973), Octopussy (1983), GoldenEye (1995), Casino Royale (2006), and Skyfall (2012) are the six films chosen for the study using the purposive sampling method. The findings of the study show that Bond's physical power and many aspects of masculinity (such as physical, sexual, technological, political, and cultural components) have been produced by Bond and his linked masculine characters. Over time, the manufactured male representation has remained unchanged. Particular products and materials that are considered hegemonic have portrayed Bond's manly nature poorly in some contexts. Bond's communications with his adversaries are more vicious and ruthless than they were in the 1960s, reflecting current world supremacy challenges and modern warfare.
Investigation of Glass Ceiling Phenomenon: Empirical Evidence from the Banking Sector of Bangladesh
The survey sought to measure the perception of 400 employees (male and female) in the banking sector of Bangladesh covering three districts namely Rangpur, Dinajpur and Niphamari. The aim of the study is to examine the effective factors of glass ceiling, for which female employees are being influenced in the workplace. ‘Glass ceiling’ means an invisible obstacle to the advancement of women in the organizational structure. The study emphasized on Logistic Regression Model for dichotomous outcome variables ‘Yes (1)’ and ‘No (0)’. And Levene’s test was used for Likert five point scale questionnaires in case of comparison among men and women. The study found that there was no difference in the types of bank, salary or equal treatment of both men and women. Women were divided when it comes to appointing them to important positions, delegating authority, moving to the top at workplace. Finally, the researchers found a strong effective factor in influencing the women while assigning in a vital post as the cause of the demotivation of female employees in banks.
বাংলাদেশে চলচ্চিত্রের সমান্তরাল অন্যান্য বিনোদন মাধ্যম ও শিল্পকলা: একটি নৃতাত্ত্বিক পর্যালোচনা
The film Industry of Bangladesh is currently in serious crisis in terms of market management, marketing and quality. The biggest symptom is that cinema halls are almost exhausted now a days. In this situation, other arts, entertainment media and various technological gadgets along with jatrapala, radio, television, newspaper, VCR, satellite television, computer, smart mobile phone set have worked in parallel with film in Bangladesh. Their multidimensional relationship with the different audience from various backgrounds, is observed in this study from an anthropological perspective. Ethnographic method has been employed on 258 professionals and contemporary viewers who have been working in the cinema halls of Bangladesh for the last 60 years (1956-2015). Analysis of the results shows that jatrapala has played an important role in domestic films. In addition, television and other technological medium/device have influenced the film business in different ways. However, film as an industry has not been able to hold its proper position as a medium.
Higher Education Quality Assessment at a Public University: A Baseline Index Model
In the wake of transition from least developed countries to the lower middle income countries policy makers should rank higher education quality at the top since the role of educated and skilled manpower is undeniable. Higher education in Bangladesh underscores cognitive learning in place of market-oriented skills such as using reasoning, understanding, communicating, applying knowledge, and solving real-life or workplace problems. This study evaluates the quality of higher education which may contribute to preparing the students for a better future. In this attempt identifying the critical attributes of quality higher education and forming and quantifying the value of Higher Education Quality Index (HEQI) has been done. Exploratory method has been used to identify higher education quality indicators for constructing the HEQI and it followed the reflective measurement approach of Structural Equation Model for quantification of the indicators. The HEQI scores are found to be ranging from 62.71 to 100 for all the respondents with a mean value of 84.74 and a median value of 84.62. Among the various factors of higher education, the study was emphatic respectively on knowledge, research, morality, professionalism, volunteering activities and creativity. Accordingly, it is found that knowledge explained a major portion (46%), followed by morality (12 %), professionalism and volunteering (10.5 %), and creativity (5 %) of the variation of the outcomes of HEQI. The study recommends improving the quality of higher education by facilitating market-oriented skills in Bangladesh.
Management's Disclosure of Long-term Relationship between Return and Transaction Volume and its Impact on Stock: A Study on Stock Markets of Iraq
The relationship between trading activity and stock returns is the subject of considerable research area in capital market literature. This study has been conducted to determine the dynamic relationship between the daily return of the ISX 100 Index and the trading volume based on 6602 observations taken from the period of 22.03.1993 to 22.03.2019 in the Iraq Stock Exchange applying Johansen cointegration analysis and VAR Analysis. The daily performance of the ISX 100 Index and the daily trading volume details were analyzed. The study has found a long-term relationship between volume and return, and a single-way causality has been achieved between volume and return. In the analysis, the relationship between the sequence, impulses, and techniques for variance decomposition was employed and the shift in index price was concluded to be efficient for the transaction volume. The impact of management’s disclosure on the relationship between stock return and its transaction volume on stock prices of Iraq's capital market collates to other stock markets in similar economies like Turkey.
Evolution and Development of Food Security Concept: A Historical Overview
Food security is a multifarious concept that includes production, distribution, consumption, health, infrastructure, and many other issues. It is essential for the sustainable social and economic growth of a country. The food security concept has evolved in a sequential manner through the processes of defining, redefining, and reunderstanding in line with the time context. This paper attempts to understand the chronological development of the food security concept over the last five decades based on secondary sources and information. It analyses the major dimensions, i.e., availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability, and indicators of food security, along with policy initiatives taken by global bodies and international governance. It reveals that food availability does not always ensure the accessibility of food to all due to poor socioeconomic and physical conditions and malfunctions of the food distribution system. Food security is also a part of food utilization that covers food quality, nutritional aspects, and food choice. Finally, food security is determined by the stability of food availability, access, and utilization. From macro to micro levels (global, regional, national, and community), food security has been categorized by different sorts of indicators, assessments, and instruments, and it has drawn global attention to fight against famine, starvation, hunger, malnutrition, and food poverty. The paper concludes that is time to review conceptual understanding of food security to encompass the broader dynamics that affect food stability.
Labor Market Impact of Lockdown Measures and Coping Strategies of the Vulnerable People
This study investigated the impact of lockdown measures, resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, on lives and livelihoods of low-income people engaged in multifarious informal works, including agriculture. It used convenience sampling to collect data from the study respondents. Based on descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses, it examined pre and during-lockdown differences in earnings, expenditures, and working hours. Among other results, the study found 66 to 78 percent fall in income for the low-income individuals during the lockdown period compared with the pre-lockdown normal time. The participants heavily relied on past savings, borrowing from formal and informal sources, selling properties, and rationing consumption to cope with the hard times. Those receiving income from sources other than the main profession and from livestock were found better in terms of coping compared with individuals depending on just one work.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies
Major Challenges of Agricultural Practices in Northwestern Bangladesh: Peasants’ Perspectives
The rural poor of Bangladesh are overwhelmingly peasants. The country has tripled its food production with a wide expansion of the food market since its independence in 1971, and has made an enormous progress in the economic sector over the last decades. Despite all these advancements, peasants face numerous challenges in making a sustainable living. This paper focuses on peasants' perceptions of key challenges facing peasants in northwestern Bangladesh. Using a mix-method approach, this study examines the types and nature of challenges peasants face in two agrarian villages of Tanore Upazila of Rajshahi District. Peasants identified a total of 15 challenges in 5 domains related to their agricultural practices in the group discussions. In a follow-up questionnaire survey, 287 peasants described and prioritized their challenges in agricultural production and required management activities. Almost all the respondent peasants (97%) found higher input costs for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and agricultural machinery as major challenges. Pest attacks, erratic rainfall, droughts, dense fog, and other hazards affect nearly 84% of respondents annually. The lack of labor supply and degradation of soil fertility are both cited as major challenges by almost 71% of the respondents. The market affects peasants negatively in many ways. An exploitative and middle-man-driven market arrangement prevented half of the respondents from generating adequate profit. According to 41% of the peasants, the volatile market is another major challenge. About 31% of respondents mentioned they lack investment funds. Overall, all these risks, coupled with prolonged subjugation in socioeconomic and political sectors, increase peasants' investment risk, first by reducing the expected output from agriculture, and second by limiting their investment capacity. A number of challenges have pushed peasants to work themselves to exhaustion and use excessive fertilizers and pesticides to increase yields. In the end, it threatens the natural environment, human health, and soil fertility. The research findings suggest that peasant farming should be taken under institutional frameworks at different levels (household, farm, market and state) to mitigate their challenges comprehensively.
Peasants, Agricultural Challenges, Rural Poverty, Livelihood, Bangladesh