Unpacking the Paradox: Exploring the Knowledge-Attitude-Perception (KAP) and Trust of the Local Community Towards CPEC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/qjss.v-iv.24069Keywords:
Community Engagement, CPEC, Perceived Benefits, Perceived Negative Impacts, Stakeholder TheoryAbstract
This study explores the factors influencing community engagement and their impact on the perceived benefits and negative consequences of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) among residents of Pakistan's Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) provinces. Based on the stakeholder theory, the study examines the Knowledge-Attitude-Perception (KAP) model of CPEC and the trust of the local people in the CPEC authorities. The research used a survey method, receiving responses from 232 participants. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM. The analysis indicates that the level of CE influences the perceived benefits and negative impacts of CPEC. This study finds that the level of CE among residents is positively and significantly related to the attitudes and knowledge of residents about CPEC. However, residents' perceptions of CPEC and trust in its authorities have a significant but weak relationship with CE. The research also indicates that through mediation, CE has a significant favorable influence on perceived benefits but a negative influence on the perceived negative impact of development on residents. On the other hand, CE has a positive but marginal effect on the residents' perceived benefits and trust in authorities and a negative yet marginal on the residents' perceived negative impacts.
References
Ab Hamid, M. R., Sami, W., & Sidek, M. M. (2017, September). Discriminant validity assessment: Use of Fornell & Larcker criterion versus HTMT criterion. In Journal of Physics: Conference series (Vol. 890, No. 1, p. 012163). IOP Publishing.
Abb, P. (2023). All geopolitics is local: the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor amidst overlapping centre–periphery relations. Third World Quarterly, 44(1), 76–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2022.2128329
Abb, P. (2024). Is there a Chinese “developmental peace”? Evidence from the belt and road initiative’s impact on conflict states. Dang Dai Zhongguo [The Journal of Contemporary China], 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2024.2378043
Aghakhani, N., Oh, O., Gregg, D., & Jain, H. (2023). How review quality and source credibility interacts to affect review usefulness: An expansion of the elaboration likelihood model. Information Systems Frontiers: A Journal of Research and Innovation, 25(4), 1513–1531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-022-10299-w
Ahmad, W., Jan, M. F., & Masud, S. (2023). Factors Influencing Pakistanis' Perceptions of China Economic Corridor of Pakistan. International Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 4(1), 164-180. https://ijbms.org/index.php/ijbms/article/view/365
Ali, B., Khan, S., Ahmad, S., & Rahman4, D. H. U. (2024). The CPEC is expected to have significant socio-cultural and demographic effects on the local community of Gilgit-Baltistan. In Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4794378/v1
Ali, D. F. H., & Qazi, A. A. (2020). Exploring the awareness of China Pakistan Economic Corridor: A stakeholder’s perspective. South Asian Studies, 33(1), 97-116. https://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/csas/PDF/6_v33_1_18.pdf
Ali, F. (2023). Study on ecotourism development in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Journal of Social Sciences and Economics, 2(2), 74–81. https://doi.org/10.61363/jsse.v3i1.86
Ali, L., Mi, J., Shah, M., Shah, S. J., Khan, S., Ullah, R., & Bibi, K. (2018). Local residents’ attitude towards road and transport infrastructure (a case of China Pakistan economic corridor). Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, 11(1), 104–120. https://doi.org/10.1108/jcefts-08-2017-0024
Ali, Z. (2023b). The CPEC Projects and the Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Pakistan. Essays and Perspectives on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Beyond, 84.
Aslam, A., Bashir, S., Hayat, S., & Ahmed, I. (2023). Foreign Direct Investment Impact on Employment, Education and Social Development in Balochistan. International Research Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(4), 414–450. http://irjmss.com/index.php/irjmss/article/view/197
Aziz, A., Ullah, S., & Khurram, P. (2023). Exploring Different Perceptions of the Local Community with Reference to CPEC. JOURNAL OF LAW, SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, 2(2), 21–29. https://jlsms.org/index.php/jlsms/article/view/25
Aziz, N., Baber, J., Raza, A., & He, J. (2023b). Feminist-environment nexus: A case study on women's perceptions toward the China-Pakistan economic corridor and their role in improving the environment. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2250910
Batool, S., Baig, S., Khalid, M., & Alam, K. M. (2024). Fostering entrepreneurship and development in rural mountainous regions: the role of SEZs and local economic dynamics in Gilgit-Baltistan. International Journal of Emerging Markets. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-08-2023-1310
Burley, S. K., Bhikadiya, C., Bi, C., Bittrich, S., Chao, H., Chen, L., Craig, P. A., Crichlow, G. V., Dalenberg, K., & Duarte, J. M. (2023). RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB. org): delivery of experimentally-determined PDB structures alongside one million computed structure models of proteins from artificial intelligence/machine learning. Nucleic Acids Research, 51(D1), D488–D508.
Cheema, A. B., & Akbar, M. W. (2023). Climate Change and Role of Pakistani Media: A Survey Analysis. Pakistan JL Analysis & Wisdom, 2, 543. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2023). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 1-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09880-x
Chin, W. W. (1998). The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. Modern methods for business research, 295(2), 295–336.
Cho, H., Hussain, R. S. B., & Kang, H.-K. (2023). The role of social support and its influence on exercise participation: The perspective of self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior. The Social Science Journal, 60(4), 787–801. https://doi.org/10.1080/03623319.2020.1756176
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.112.1.155
Malokani, D. K. A. K., Mehmood , K. A., Riaz, F. ., & Ilyas, S. . (2023). A Survey Analyses of Honest Leadership, Improved Infrastructure, and Economic Performance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Journal of Social Sciences Review, 3(1), 310–321. https://doi.org/10.54183/jssr.v3i1.148
Felzmann, H., Fosch-Villaronga, E., Lutz, C., & Tamò-Larrieux, A. (2020). Towards transparency by design for artificial intelligence. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(6), 3333–3361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-020-00276-4
Feng, Y., Pitafi, A. H., & Zhang, C. (2023). Support for tourism development in Pakistan: A study of road and transportation infrastructure development. Heliyon, 9(7), e18014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18014
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: Algebra and statistics. JMR, Journal of Marketing Research, 18(3), 382–388. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800313
Freeman, R. E., Phillips, R., & Sisodia, R. (2020). Tensions in stakeholder theory. Business and Society, 59(2), 213–231. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650318773750
Gao, B., & Zhen, Z. (2023). The Political Economy of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Springer.
Hafeez, M. (2023). Perception Mapping of Coastal Communities of Balochistan on Socioeconomic Issues in Relation to CPEC. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 6(1), 70–93. https://www.ojs.wumardan.edu.pk/index.php/pjhssr/article/download/72/38
Haider, S. A., Tehseen, S., Koay, K. Y., Poulova, P., & Afsar, B. (2024). Impact of project managers emotional intelligence on megaprojects success through mediating role of human related agile challenges: Project management as a moderator. Acta Psychologica, 247(104305), 104305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104305
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: Indeed, a silver bullet. The Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–152. https://doi.org/10.2753/mtp1069-6679190202
Hair, Joseph F., Jr, Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2013). Partial least squares structural equation modeling: Rigorous applications, better results and higher acceptance. Long Range Planning, 46(1–2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2013.01.001
Hair, Joseph F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/ebr-11-2018-0203
Harb, A., Khliefat, A., Alzghoul, Y. A., Fowler, D., Sarhan, N., & Eyoun, K. (2024). Cultural exploration as an antecedent of students’ intention to attend university events: an extension of the theory of reasoned action. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 34(1), 72–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841241.2021.1958125
Henseler, J., Hubona, G., & Ray, P. A. (2016). Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: updated guidelines. Industrial Management + Data Systems, 116(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-09-2015-0382
Henseler, J., Ringle, C.M. & Sarstedt, M. A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. J. of the Acad. Mark. Sci. 43, 115–135 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
Hussain, S., Ali, S., & Qamar, A. (2023). The Perspective of the Local Community of Gilgit-Baltistan is the Key to CPEC. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 6(3), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v6i3.882
Iftikhar, A., Li, C., Jiangyu, L., Xi, C., Tao, W., & Haider, A. A. (2024). Perceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities of Chinese Language Learning in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan: Exploring the Role of CPEC. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2024(1), 6662409. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6662409
Jaleel, S., Qurban, S., & Thongnim, P. (2023). Understanding the dynamics of transport infrastructural development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: an analysis. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 7(1), 137-154. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/7.1.8
Kanwal, S., Pitafi, A. H., Malik, M. Y., Khan, N. A., & Rashid, R. M. (2020). Local Pakistani citizens’ benefits and attitudes toward China–Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. SAGE Open, 10(3), 215824402094275. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020942759
Kumar, J., & Kumar, V. (2020). Drivers of brand community engagement. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 54(101949), 101949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.101949
Leitgöb, H., Seddig, D., Asparouhov, T., Behr, D., Davidov, E., De Roover, K., Jak, S., Meitinger, K., Menold, N., Muthén, B., Rudnev, M., Schmidt, P., & van de Schoot, R. (2023). Measurement invariance in the social sciences: Historical development, methodological challenges, state of the art, and future perspectives. Social Science Research, 110(102805), 102805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2022.102805
Liu, Z., & Yang, J. Z. (2023). Information seeking and information avoidance about per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination: knowledge, personal control, or affect? Journal of Risk Research, 26(11), 1227-1243. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2023.2270605
Luhombo, K. K., Omondi, D. O., & Aswani, D. R. (2023). Assessing Internal Communication and Teacher Burnout: An Empirical Study of School Administrators in Select Public High Schools in Kakamega County, Kenya.
Mahajan, R., Lim, W. M., Sareen, M., Kumar, S., & Panwar, R. (2023). Stakeholder theory. Journal of Business Research, 166(114104), 114104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114104
Mehmood, S., Fan, J., Dokota, I. S., Nazir, S., & Nazir, Z. (2024). How to manage supply chains successfully in transport infrastructure projects. Sustainability, 16(2), 730. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020730
Muhammad, F., Ali, A., Idrees, M., Hussain, A., & Uddin, Z. (2023). Understanding Mountain Communities Knowledge and their Support for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: The Mediating Role of Perceived Tourism Development. In Silk Route Revisited: Essays and Perspectives on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Beyond (pp. 73–83).
Parmar, B. L., Freeman, R. E., Harrison, J. S., Wicks, A. C., Purnell, L., & de Colle, S. (2010). Stakeholder theory:the state of the art. Academy of Management Annals, 4(1), 403–445. https://doi.org/10.5465/19416520.2010.495581
Rasool, S., Husnain, A., Saeed, A., Gill, A. Y., & Hussain, H. K. (2023). Harnessing predictive power: exploring the crucial role of machine learning in early disease detection. JURIHUM: Jurnal Inovasi dan Humaniora, 1(2), 302-315. http://jurnalmahasiswa.com/index.php/Jurihum/article/view/408
Saad, A., Xinping, G., & Ijaz, M. (2019). China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its influence on perceived economic and social goals: Implications for social policy makers. Sustainability, 11(18), 4949. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11184949
Sadeeqa, S., Sarriff, A., Masood, I., & Farooqui, M. (2013). Knowledge, attitude, and perception regarding halal Pharmaceuticals among academicians in various universities of Malaysia. International Journal of Educational Research and Development, 2(8), 191-202.
Saqib, Z., Saeed, R., Ashraf, M. R., & Saqib, A. (2023). Assessment of the CPEC Western Road Project in the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the region. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 7(1), em0207. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/12586
Shah, M. H., & Kausar, M. W. S. (2021). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC): a sociometric analysis. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 5(3), 177-193. https://pssr.org.pk/issues/v5/3/corporate-social-responsibility.pdf
Shaheen, N., Sohail, M., & Rukh, L. (2023). China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A Need Analysis for Developing Entrepreneurship Education. International Research Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(4), 548-559. http://irjmss.com/index.php/irjmss/article/view/208
Shahzad, A., & Sunawar, L. (2023). Perceptions or Misperceptions: China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 6(3), 223-245. http://www.pjia.com.pk/index.php/pjia/article/view/957
Siddiqui, M. B., Khokhar, M., Makhdoom, T. R., Devi, A., Bhatti, A. A., Hussain, N., & Author, C. (2023). Exploring the rural development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project impact on social responsibilities and South Region of Pakistan. International Journal of Special Education, 38(1), 135-150.
Statistics, P. B. o. (2023, July 18, 2024). PBS launches results of 7th Population & Housing Census. https://moib.gov.pk/News/62983
Ullah, S., Barykin, S., Jianfu, M., Saifuddin, T., Khan, M. A., & Kazaryan, R. (2023). Green practices in mega development projects of China–Pakistan economic corridor. Sustainability, 15(7), 5870. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075870
Valentinov, V., & Roth, S. (2024). Stakeholder theory: Exploring systems‐theoretic and process‐philosophic connections. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 41(2), 301–315. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2970
Waheed, A., Kousar, S., Khan, M. I., & Fischer, T. B. (2024). Environmental governance in Pakistan: Perspectives and implications for the China-Pakistan economic corridor plan. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 23(100443), 100443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100443
Waheed, A., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Effect of CSR and ethical practices on sustainable competitive performance: A case of emerging markets from stakeholder theory perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 175(4), 837–855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04679-y
Zulfaqar, M., Bashir, S., Yaghmour, S. M. A., Turi, J. A., & Hussain, M. (2023). The Mediating Roles of Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Environmental Factors to Predict Tourism Market Development by Means of Regenerative Travel: An Infrastructural Perspective of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sustainability, 15(6), 5025. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065025
