107 research outputs found
Evaluating relationships between organisational core competencies and individuals' competencies.
Full text linkDetermining core competence has been increasingly considered as a vital strategic approach towards a sustainable competitive advantage by researchers and decisionmakers. Although its importance is widely recognised, the identification process appears complex. Therefore, sound theoretical systematic identification processes are still sought. In addition, the underlying components of core competence such as individuals' competencies have implications and need to be investigated. The contribution made by individuals' competencies in the content and form of organisational core competences is critical. In response, this research aims to examine the potential link between core competences and individuals' competencies. To meet this goal, this thesis complements and extends a previous work (Hafeez et al, 2002a-c) which introduced a structured framework to identify core competence. In particular, it intends to develop the Hafeez et al (2002a) core competence identification framework at the individuals' level. In addition, the CIPD (2004) competency headings framework comprising seven competencies is used. Therefore, an integrated structured framework to link the relevant individuals' competences with the identified core competences is developed. The context of this study is the utility, construction, oil services, and manufacturing industries. A combined methodology of structured questionnaire-based interviews and a postal survey involving fifteen organisations is performed. Data is at times subjectively collected and analysed. However, the AHP technique with its related software (EXPERT CHOICE) is used through all the stages of the proposed framework to eliminate subjective inconsistencies and enable this author to obtain solid results and conclusions.The study recognised that the composition of core competences for the majority of surveyed organisations leans towards the human contribution. In addition, individuals' competencies influence and contribute towards the core competences. This confirms a strong relationship between individuals' competencies and core competences. However, the relative importance of the examined individuals' competencies against the identified core competences was rather different. On average, the prevalence of Team orientation followed by People management competencies was relatively the highest. The research concluded that the nature of the industry and the organisation's context has an impact on the portfolio of individuals' competencies to be linked with core competences. This research has made four main contributions to knowledge. First, the Hafeez et al. (2002a-c) framework is re-tested within other industries, namely, utility, construction, oil services, and manufacturing. Second, the framework is developed at the individuals' competencies level. Third, the composition of identified core competences in terms of human, organisational, and technological contributions is evaluated. Fourth, the relevant portfolio of related individuals' competencies to be linked with core competences is determined. The outcomes of this research may help organisations to make key strategic decisions such as how to invest to develop particular organisational core competences and individuals' competencies
Audience Preferences and Popular Program Patterns on News Channels in Karachi
No full textThis research aims to study the factors that influence the viewership of leading Pakistani News Channels including Dunya, Samaa, Express, Geo and ARY. It examines the impact of content, presentation style, channel positioning and anchors, alongside overall news viewing patterns, on the public image of the identified news channels and their viewership with focus on Express News. Following a qualitative research approach, a representative sample of 51 news viewers is identified and interviewed, with a proportionate weight to geographical areas and socio-economic classification of the audience, based on recent Census and People’s meter, an audience measurement tool. The respondents are investigated through a comprehensive questionnaire, comprised both closed and open-ended questions. This study focuses on three categories of viewers including Express News Viewers, Express-News Lapsers and Competitive Channels Viewers. One-on-one interviews reflect the mindset and viewing patterns of news channels’ audience. It is also instrumental to highlight the factors that hinder Express-News ratings against its competing channels. Findings of the study indicate that the programme content, presentation style, and cable positioning of news channels significantly influence its viewership that results in the quantum of recall for Express-News, and how its viewership and ratings are presumably affected by the very factors
Review (meta analysis) of research studies conducted on the depiction and effects of violence on silver screen in the world
No full textThis article reviews the literature on the depiction and effects of violence in motion pictures. It provides an overview of studies in chronological order starting in the 1920s and covers motion pictures from America, Britain, India and Pakistan
CRIMES AND VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION NEWS AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF VIEWERS IN PAKISTAN
Full text linkThis research aims to study the psychological effects of thenews coverage of violent crimes on television viewers in Pakistan. Itseeks to investigate how such coverage is likely to influence the mentalhealth of the audience. Total 392 news viewers from diverse age, genderand professional backgrounds are sampled following the nonprobabilityconvenience and voluntary sampling techniques. Thesampled participants are investigated over a period of six months (i.e.from June 2016 to December 2016) through a carefully-designedquestionnaire based on the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38) to assessthe effects of excessive and concentrated news viewing. The findingsof the study indicate that there is significant positive correlationbetween the frequency and duration of mediated exposure to real-lifeviolence and mental distress which is measured in terms of anxiety,depression and emotional instability
Growth of business schools on social media: A comparative analysis with focus on IBA Karachi
No full textWhen the Institute of Business Administration Karachi established a presence on various social media platforms in 2009, its audience and followers grew dramatically. Face book, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn all proved to be useful tools to disseminate information for its target audience including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and industry. By 2012, however, social media activity became somewhat stagnant, as it was observed that content on various interfaces, although informative, lacked engagement and interaction with the audience. After several months of close monitoring, a number of issues were identified; for example, content only consisted of program and event announcements; slow response time to queries; lack of posts that would attract foreign audiences; and immense need to monitor the pages for removal of garbage material. It was then decided that a comprehensive Social Media Strategy should be developed with the primary goal of increasing the visibility of IBA on all its current social media platforms in order to attract more talented students and high caliber faculty. IBA’s Social Media Strategy is based on four key design principles viz., Listen, Engage, Interact and Inform its audience, with content being the most important driver for the success of Social Media. IBA’s Social media metrics indicate that the strategy has been successful to an extent, with the number of ‘Likes’ on the Face book page and posted content showing a rise, along with an increase in the number of comments, reviews, queries, Facebook visits, YouTube views, followers on Twitter, re-tweets and Talking About. However, comparison with other leading business schools in Pakistan and overseas indicates that IBA still lags behind. One of the strengths of IBA is its 27 highly active student societies and numerous academic departments, which, if properly engaged, could provide a constant stream of high quality, student generated content
Computational Investigation of Microreactor Configurations for Hydrogen Production from Formic Acid Decomposition Using a Pd/C Catalyst
Full text linkThe need to replace fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives has been a critical issue in recent years. Hydrogen fuel is a promising alternative to fossil fuels because of its wide availability and high energy density. For the very first time, novel microreactor configurations for the formic acid decomposition have been studied using computational modeling methodologies. The decomposition of formic acid using a commercial 5 wt % Pd/C catalyst, under mild conditions, has been assessed in packed bed, coated wall, and membrane microreactors. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was utilized to develop the comprehensive heterogeneous microreactor models. The CFD modeling study begins with the development of a packed bed microreactor to validate the experimental work, subsequently followed by the theoretical development of novel microreactor configurations to perform further studies. Previous work using CFD modeling had predicted that the deactivation of the Pd/C catalyst was due to the production of the poisoning species CO during the reaction. The novel membrane microreactor facilitates the continuous removal of CO during the reaction, therefore prolonging the lifetime of the catalyst and enhancing the formic acid conversion by approximately 40% when compared to the other microreactor configurations. For all microreactors studied, the formic acid conversion increases as the temperature increases, and the liquid flow rate decreases. Further studies revealed that all microreactor configurations had negligible internal and external pore diffusion resistances. The detailed models developed in this work have provided an interesting insight into the intensification of the formic acid decomposition reaction over a Pd/C catalyst
Exploring the Digital World: Risks, Rights, and Opportunities for Children in Pakistan
Full text linkDigital media is transforming interpersonal relations and choices worldwide, including among children. While the internet offers valuable opportunities for learning and networking, it also exposes young netizens to significant risks, affecting their cognitive and emotional well-being. As internet usage among Pakistani children increases, it becomes crucial to optimize its benefits while mitigating associated threats. This study, grounded in the Early Childhood Development and Uses and Gratification Theories, examines the interplay of online opportunities and risks among children in Pakistan. Using a structured questionnaire, adapted from Livingstone (2016) and Global Kids Online (2020), data were collected from 401 children aged 9–17 across the country to assess their online experiences. Findings indicate three key insights: (1) the internet plays an important role in supporting children’s education and socialization; (2) children often encounter online threats, including cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and harmful content; (3) poor digital literacy and inadequate parental guidance increase vulnerability to these risks. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions by parents, educators, and policymakers. Enhancing digital literacy and integrating children’s perspectives into national strategies are essential steps toward fostering a safer, more empowering digital environment for young users in Pakistan
محمد حفیظ خان کا اہم نسائی کردار ’’ماہین‘‘: ایک جائزہ
No full textMuhammad Hafeez Khan is a well-known modern novelist, researcher, columnist, playwright, historian and translator. He is a versatile personality. Every novelist has a goal and a vision for life. He tries to present the conditions of his era, his environmental experiences and his outlook on life through his art. Mohammad Hafeez Khan has presented the exploitation and helplessness of the feminine class in some aspect in his novels. His female characters are more lively than the male characters. The writer has not only felt the existence of a breathing woman in his society but has also acknowledged her existence. Through the character of "Maheen" in his novel "Karaknath", the author has not only informed about the negative consequences of social media and internet, but also exposed the heinous actions of the police, the increasing brutality and the dark deeds of the elite
اردو کی ابتدائی نثری تصنیف" معراج العاشقین": تحقیق و تنقید کے آئینے میں
No full textThis research paper is divided into three main sections. The first part introduces the book titled Meraj-ul-Ashiqeen, analyses the subject and content with special emphasis on the terminology of mysticism used by the author. In the second part, excerpts and examples which are often quoted in the books of early history of literature are reproduced so as to enable a serious reader to sample Deccani language and literature; salient features of the prose style of the author are also highlighted and discussed here. In the last section, an attempt has been made to establish Kh. Banda Nawaz as the author of Meraj-ul-Ashiqeen, repudiating the arguments of Dr. Hafeez Qateel
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