42 research outputs found
The role of Emotional factors in Outsourcing of SMEs : An explanatory study of the factors that affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs
No full textThe globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business
The ALLELOPHATIC POTENTIAL OF WHEAT ROOT EXUDATES ON SEEDS GERMINATION AND SEEDLINGS GROWTH OF WILD MUSTARD (Sinapis arvensis L.)
No full textWheat is very important cereal crop both for food and economy but this crop is severely effected by weeds diminish its quantity and quality. Sinapis arvensis L. (wild mustard) is common annual weed found in wheat field cause serious problems in the wheat fields and negatively affected its total yield. Allelochemicals have the potency to create weed management products which are ecofriendly. The experiment was designed with (three replications) of six wheat root exudates concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%), were tested on germination and seedling growth of wild mustard. The results showed as wheat root exudates concentration increased, its allelopathic effects on seeds germination and seedling growth rate of Sinapis arvensis also increased. Seed germination and seedling growth of Sinapis arvensis were reduced by increasing wheat root exudates concentration proves that its seeds were sensitive to it. Wheat root exudats at 100% concentration has more significant inhibitory effect on germination and seedling growth. The results demonstrated that usage of allelopathic behavior of wheat root exudates is an impressive method for biological control of wild mustard.
Keywords: Wheat, Allelochemicals, Seed germination, Seedling growth, Wheat root exudates
Monitoring Critical Infrastructure Facilities During Disasters Using Large Language Models
No full textCritical Infrastructure Facilities (CIFs), such as healthcare and
transportation facilities, are vital for the functioning of a community,
especially during large-scale emergencies. In this paper, we explore a
potential application of Large Language Models (LLMs) to monitor the status of
CIFs affected by natural disasters through information disseminated in social
media networks. To this end, we analyze social media data from two disaster
events in two different countries to identify reported impacts to CIFs as well
as their impact severity and operational status. We employ state-of-the-art
open-source LLMs to perform computational tasks including retrieval,
classification, and inference, all in a zero-shot setting. Through extensive
experimentation, we report the results of these tasks using standard evaluation
metrics and reveal insights into the strengths and weaknesses of LLMs. We note
that although LLMs perform well in classification tasks, they encounter
challenges with inference tasks, especially when the context/prompt is complex
and lengthy. Additionally, we outline various potential directions for future
exploration that can be beneficial during the initial adoption phase of LLMs
for disaster response tasks.Comment: Accepted to appear at the 2024 ISCRAM conferenc
عبد الحق محدث دہلوی کی شروحِ حدیث کا منہج و اسلوب: A RESEARCH REVIEW OF SHEIKH ABDUL ḤAQ MUḤADDITH DEHLVĪ\u27S STYLE SHAROH E ḤADITH
No full textSheikh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddith Dehlvī was a prominent Indian scholar and theologian, and this article reviews his life and teachings in detail. The domains of ḥadith (prophetic traditions), fiqh (Islāmic jurisprudence), and tafsir (Qur’ān exegesis) all greatly benefited from Sheikh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddith Dehlvī\u27s work. This review provides an in-depth analysis of Sheikh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddith Dehlvī\u27s works, focusing on his scholarly contributions and the methods he used to arrive at his conclusions. The review opens with a brief biography of him, focusing on the intellectual and spiritual inspirations that formed the foundation of his scholarly work. It then digs into an analysis of his key works, such as his famous compilation "Sharḥ Mushkil al-Athār," a commentary on the ḥadith collection of Imām Muḥammad ibn Ḥasan al-Shaybāni. In addition, the article delves into the ways in which Sheikh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddith Dehlvī differs from other scholars in his authentication of ḥadiths, legal reasoning, and interpretation of the Qur’ān. The book also looks at how his writings influenced later Muslim thinkers and the Muslim world at large. In sum, this literature survey sheds light on the lasting legacy of Sheikh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddith Dehlvī in the field of ḥadith studies and his numerous contributions to Islāmic study
Studies on the vertical distribution pattern in mangrove associated molluscs along the Karachi coast, Pakistan
No full text127-134Present study consists the vertical distribution pattern in mangrove associated molluscs (gastropods and bivalves) in two mangal areas: Sandspit and Korangi along the Karachi coast, Pakistan. The vertical distribution pattern delineated that the number of species decreased from high to low tide zone at two sites, however, marked differences were encountered with reference to the density distribution. At Sandspit, highest annual mean density was observed in the high tide zone followed by low and mid tide zones respectively, while, at Korangi the highest annual mean density was observed in the mid tide zone followed by high and low tide zones respectively. An important correlation was observed between the vertical distribution pattern of species and the sediments
E-tailing Commitment: The influence of product quality and delivery services on e-trust and e-satisfaction in China
No full textAbstract This study proposes and tests an integrative model to examine the relations among product quality and delivery services, e-trust, e-satisfaction and e-tailing commitment in China. Analysis of survey data from 415 customers of e-tailing, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) has been performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to test the hypotheses of the causal model. Our study reveals that product quality and delivery services (i.e. product variety, quality, availability, reliable delivery, package safety and timely delivery) directly influence esatisfaction and e-trust. Thus trust has both direct and indirect (through e-satisfaction) impact on e-tailing commitment. Consequently, both e-trust and e-satisfaction are significant determinants of e-tailing customer's commitment. Managerial implications, research limitations and future research directions are provided in the following presentations of the findings
Role of Talent Management, Diversity Trainings and HRD on Effective Implementation of HR Practices in Telecom Sector in Pakistan
No full textThe synergistic and complementary effects of supply chain justice and integration practices on supply chain performance: A conceptual framework and research propositions
No full textIn recent years, firms have been using their supply chain integration (SCI) as a competitive weapon in the intensive, globalised competitive arena. The contingent perspective in supply chain management maintains that it is necessary to observe the interaction between SCI practices and supply chain justice. A critical issue to be resolved is whether this fit leads to synergistic and complementary effects on supply chain performance. In order to contribute to this research problem, we analysed supply chain justice instances in order to determine the importance of supply chain justice, as well as highlights complementary role in SCI and its influences on supply chain performance. A conceptual framework has been developed and five propositions established to verify the contents of a theoretical study. Accordingly, balancing the adoption of SCI practices and supply chain justice will lead to the generation of greater benefits relative to the effect of both independent driving forces on supply chain performance. Furthermore, the proposed framework has been analysed in order to examine its applicability in the South African context. The study thereby suggests the empirical research guidelines and the paper concludes with a discussion of future research
HOW A SUPPLY CHAIN PROCESS MATTERS IN FIRMS’ PERFORMANCE-AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF PAKISTAN
No full textIn recent years, supply chain processes (i.e. demand management, customer relationship management, and new product development) have gained a great importance from academicians and practitioners. Yet, research into the subject of supply chain processes’ effects on performance is nascent. The purpose of this study is to examine the process dimensions’ effects on supply chain (SC) partners’ trust and firms’ performance as supply chain processes are essential for firms’ competitiveness. The research framework consists of seven hypotheses. An empirical study was conducted in Pakistan, and the data were collected from 164 supply chain firms. The reliability and validity of the model were examined through the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results delineate that supply chain processes have a significant relationship with SC partners’ trust and performance. Thus, all hypotheses were supported. This study presents interesting theoretical contributions and managerial implications. At last, limitations regarding future research directions are discussed
تیسیر القرآن (جلدسوم،چہارم)میں موجود معجزات نبویﷺپرمشتمل مرویات سیرت کاتحقیقی جائزہ
No full textAllah Almighty has bestowed Mujizah [miracle] on every Prophet; and our Beloved Prophet has been blessed with the most number of Mu’jizaat. In fact, he is an embodiment of Mu’jizaat. The word ’’معجزہ‘‘literally means something th.at makes anyone powerless. Mu’jizah is to demonstrate something in a supernatural way and contrary to apparent means. In other words, a Mu’jizah occurs without any means that exist in our world and su.ch type of action cannot take place as a matter of routine. After the declaration of Prophet hood, if such an action occurs through a Prophet which is supernatural and does not involve any apparent means and the like of which can never be produced by those who deny Prophet hood, this is called‘‘Mu’jizah’’;.In the Holy Quran, the words’’ بَیِّنَۃ،بُرْھَان‘‘have been mentioned, expressing the meaning of Mu’jizah. The wisdom of Mu’jizah is that Allah favor’s and affirms that the Mu’jizah-performing great individual is a true Prophet. All Prophets have been blessed with Mu’jizaat, many of which have been mentioned in the Holy Quran and Blessed Hadees. In th.is article, the authentic research review of the hadiths of the miracles contained in Tafsir Taseer-ul-Quran will be presented
