An investigation into the effects of computer integrated manufacturing systems in the productivity of SMEs in Pakistan

The current dynamic and turbulent manufacturing environment has forced companies that compete globally to change their traditional methods of conducting business [Producer to consumer]. Recent developments in manufacturing and business operations have lead to the adoption of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) technologies that are based on systems and processes that support global competitiveness, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Organizations and SMEs in particular need to re-evaluate every aspect of their manufacturing strategy and quickly move towards a CIM based environment where manufacturing technologies, business strategies and processes are integrated together. This paper highlights the development of a CIM adoption model that has resulted from empirical work generated from SMEs in Pakistan. The model consists of the parameters such as Top Management Support, System Integration, Marketing, and over all performance

The Impact of E-learning on L2 Learning: A Paradigm of Action Research

With the developments in science & technology, the education system across the world has undergone a number of changes in pedagogical frameworks. The effective learning is not thought to be limited to classrooms, but it extends beyond the class relating it with involvement in real world situations. The 21st century education thus highly prepares learners to compete in the world of rapid change and progress. L2 learning is also one such dimension that has been revisited over the past few decades. The use of modern technology and e-sources is at the core of learning and teaching practices. This study aims to investigate the learners’ perceptions about e-learning in context of a foreign language i.e. English in case of Pakistan. The study is qualitative in nature. It uses action research paradigm to address the problem. The semi-structured interviews were conducted from students (n=10) who participated in collaborative writing in an online classroom using docs.google.com. The interview data was analyzed qualitatively using content analysis. The study found that online collaborative writing is an effective strategy to develop L2 learners’ writing skills. The students are highly motivated to participate in online learning where the participants help each other to develop any piece of writing under the guidance of teacher. The study recommends that L2 learners’ writing can be improved through online collaborative strategy under the guidance of L2 instructor. The study suggests that the use of technology in L2 learning and teaching through e-sources can enhance L2 learning comparatively better than that of teaching in a traditional classroom. Keywords: E-learning, Action Research, Collaborative Writing, Technology, online Resources DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/68-02 Publication date:May 31st 202

A framework of justification criteria for advanced manufacturing technology implementation in small and medium enterprises

Today in order to stay in businesses and prosper, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are seeking higher electiveness and competitiveness across the entire cycle of marketing, product design, manufacture, test and sales. SMEs play an increasingly important role in all aspects of competitiveness: both products and production techniques, but also management methods, the organization of the firm and human resources training. One of the ways by which SMEs can achieve a competitive advantage in manufacturing is through the implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT). An increasing number of them have chosen and are choosing various levels of AMT as the solution. Realizing the importance of SMEs, an attempt has been made in this paper to review the application of AMT in SMEs. Also, a framework has been offered for the implementation of AMT in SMEs. Finally, a summary of findings and conclusions are presented

The effects of social marketing techniques on attitudes and knowledge of health scholars of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan

The Purpose of the study is to examine the effect of Social Marketing Techniques on the Knowledge and Attitude of health scholars at the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. Quantitative study methods to use for analysis. The study population includes all students and faculty members of the Liaquat University Hospital, and the simple random sampling technique was used. Primary data collected through an adapted questionnaire. SPSS 20 software were used to analyze the tests like; validity and reliability, Cronbach\u27s alpha, descriptive and inferential statistics paired t-test and test. Result of validity and reliability was 0.82 and 0.92. Social marketing intervention has significantly increased on the average knowledge and attitude of the target population. The change of awareness in the dimension of accessibility (3.3), cost of participation, and communication also increased significantly. The lack of awareness about the role of medical library services leads to reduced. Social marketing is an appropriate way of information to users regarding services and resources creates a positive attitude among the health communities. According to the libraries\u27 social role, social marketing is an appropriate way to inform library users and helps to create a positive attitude among the country\u27s health community

Strategy Model To Build Employee Discipline

Employee’s discipline is an essential factor in achieving corporate objectives, however numerous managers are not able to adapt ideal leadership behaviour, reward and punishment to improve employee’s discipline. Based on present study analysis, reward and punishment have a positive and significant impact towards the non-physical environment which could be seen from the positive result of coefficient value which is around 0.2165 with T-statistics more than 1.96 around 2.059. It can be concluded that punishment influences non-physical environment since it affects psychological condition of the employee. Besides, reward and punishment also play important role in improving employee discipline. Fair treatment of the manager in regard to reward and punishment depicts manager’s ability to be objective in enforcing corporate regulations. The present condition creates a comfortable and stable environment for the employee in performing their duty. Non-physical working environment is based on four indicators which are: monitoring, working environment, reward and fair treatment. The indicators mentioned above influence positive and significant impacts toward work discipline. Corporate managers need to consider psychological characters of the employee in implementing reward and punishment scheme as the improvement to enhance discipline of the employee Keywords Reward and punishment, non-physical work environment, employee disciplin

Model of Customer Knowledge Level of Moslem Women and Its Impact on Hijab Purchase Decisions in Surabaya Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to prevent further misunderstanding regarding hijab for Moslems in Surabaya, understanding the correct knowledge of hijab will affect hijab manufacturers to produce hijab in accordance with Islamic Shari’a. This research is causal conclusive type with quantitative approach, since it aims to test specific relations. Analytical technique used in this research is logistic regression analysis to reveal the strength of prediction on knowledge level towards hijab purchasing decision. The results that the level of customer knowledge in hijab purchase is still at the level of know-how, which is not yet at the know-why level. Customer’s buying decision of hijab is based on the quality and color of the fabric, then whether the brand is famous or not. Afterwards, customer generally gains more knowledge regarding hijab and prefer hijab that is complying Islamic Shari'a. Keywords Hijab, Moslem Women, Level of Customer Knowledge, Hijab Purchase Decisions

Political factors affecting parents’ perceptions on televised polio messages in Sindh, Pakistan: a critical investigation

Television messages are one of the essential means to disseminate polio messages in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, little is known about the hegemony of political actors specifically government in power over televised health content and its impact on people’s perceptions to adopt or reject a health attitude, particularly in developing countries. Theoretically, Bandura in his social cognitive theory (1997) has examined the change in mind-sets through observational learning, media and social surroundings. However, his research lacks to underline state dominancy over people’s health decisions with reference to political leadership. This study fills the gap by critically investigating political factors that obstruct Pakistani television channels to disseminate productive and informative polio messages, for boosting self-efficacy among lower middle class Jamshoro parents, thus encouraging them to vaccinate their children against polio in Sindh province of Pakistan. The methodological approach employs critical paradigm with qualitative investigation through in-depth interviews. Low level of awareness, less credibility of television channels and political hegemony over health messages contributed and enlarged self-efficacy to collective efficacy of political actors during findings of this research study as a new domain in social cognitive theory. In addition, this research sheds light by critically analysing the elements of corruption, unaccountability and lack of transparency involved in ineffective televised polio messages in developing nations as Pakistan, opening a space for policy makers and television officials for a positive health change in designing health awareness campaigns

Digital Divide among Pakistani Faculty regarding their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Access

The issue of digital divide is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. It centers on various dimensions of information and communication technology (ICT) access including physical access, motivation, skills, and actual usage of digital technologies. The examination of digital divide is helpful in taking necessary measures to remove or at least minimize the problem of digital divide. The past research does not provide adequate literature on digital divide among higher education faculty especially in the context of developing countries.;I developed and validated a quantitative survey instrument to examine digital divide among higher education faculty in terms of their access to information and communication technologies at motivational, physical, skills, and usage levels. The survey was used in a cross-sectional design to provide a broad view of Pakistani faculty\u27s motivation to adopt digital technologies, their physical access to various ICTs, their digital skills, and actual use of such technologies by them. The data were collected from 322 faculty members working in public and private sector universities in Sindh, Pakistan. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions.;In addition, I investigated the digital gap among the faculty in respect of their personal and positional categories including their age, gender, academic disciplines, and university type. The dissertation also attempted to examine the relationship between faculty\u27s instructional usage of ICT and other dimensions of ICT access. The findings from this study indicated that faculty\u27s endogenous motivation, physical access to ICT at university, and general usage of ICT predicted their instructional usage of digital technologies.;The findings of the study are discussed with theoretical and practical implications. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are provided for educational administrators and policy makers. The dissertation ends with directions for future research

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Investigating students’ experiences of learning English as a second language at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

The recent emphasis on the importance of English language teaching and learning in public universities in Pakistan has resulted in the introduction of a new English as Second Language (ESL) programme including revised teaching approaches, content and assessment. However, to date, no rigorous and independent evaluation of this new programme has been undertaken particularly with respect to students’ learning and experiences. This thesis seeks to address this gap by examining the effects of the new ESL programme on students’ learning experiences, as well as teachers’ perspectives and the broader institutional context. The study uses a qualitative case study approach basing its findings on the responses of purposively sampled students (n=17) and teachers (n=7) from the Institution of English Literature and Linguistics (IELL), University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan (UoSJP). Semistructured interviews, observations and document review were used as the main tools to collect a wide variety of data. The analysis of the data was informed by different theories including Symbolic Interactionism, Community of Practice, and Bourdieusian notions of habitus, field and capital. These theories offered an approach which bridges the structure and agency divide in understanding students’ learning experiences. The study employed the concepts of institutional influences to examine the impact of UoSJP’s policies and practices on the teaching and learning of the ESL programme. The concept of community, which is understood as the community of the ESL classroom, is used to examine the interactions of students-students and students-teachers. The notion of identity was used to examine the interaction of students’ gender, rurality, ethnicity and previous learning experiences with different aspects of the ESL programme. In relation to institutional influences, the study found that UoSJP’s institutional policies and practices are shaped by its position in the field of higher education, and in turn, these influences shape teaching and learning in the ESL programme. Specifically, UoSJP defines its capital as higher education for all, which in practice translates as admitting students who have been rejected by other universities and/or cannot afford private universities’ high fees. In order to meet the language needs of disadvantaged students from non-elite English and vernacular medium schools, UoSJP offers the ESL programme. This initiative aims to improve students’ English language skills in their first two years, and to fulfil requirements set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). However, the university’s treatment of the ESL programme significantly impacts on teaching and learning in terms of its policies and practices, in relation to faculty hiring, teacher training, relationship between the administration and ESL teachers, number of students in ESL classrooms, assessment criteria, ESL quality assurance, and learning support resources like up-to-date libraries. In relation to the community of ESL classroom, the study found that participation plays an important part in defining students’ roles and their relationship with teachers and peers in the classroom. Teachers’ pedagogic strategies and large classes were found to be influential factors affecting students’ participation in the classroom. It was found that teachers use different pedagogic strategies, which define them as facilitators or knowledge transmitters accordingly. The facilitators allow students’ full participation in the classroom by listening to their opinions, respecting their arguments, appreciating their feedback, acknowledging their contributions to the class, and demonstrating empathy to their problems. When in class with these teachers, students feel encouraged, confident and motivated to participate in the classroom. By contrast, the knowledge transmitters prefer monologue lectures when teaching ESL, and strongly discourage students’ participation. Students are usually not allowed to ask questions or express their concerns to these teachers. In their presence, students revealed that they lacked confidence, and felt discouraged and demotivated from participating in the classroom. Moreover, in the context of large classes only students sitting on the front-benches are given opportunities of participation, while those at the back of the classroom are considered to be educationally weak, inactive, therefore ignored in interactive activities. The treatment of these students by teachers and students at the front of the class alike limits their participation in the classroom. In relation to identities, the study found that students frequently foreground their gender identities, rural-ethnic identities and identities as medical or engineering students in interaction with different aspects of the ESL programme. Some aspects of ESL textbooks including units which depict stereotypical gender roles conflict with female students’ gender identities; units which are based on exclusively Western, urban contexts conflict with students’ rural-ethnic identities, and units that are based on graph-comprehension conflict with students’ identities as medical students. While others aspects of ESL textbooks particularly those units that are constructed on experiences and activities which are exclusively associated with men in Pakistan such as driving complement female students’ gender identities; and those units which are set in a village, and focus on the culture and life of villages complement students rural-ethnic identities. Moreover, it was found that female students struggled in maintaining their role as ESL learners in comparison with their gender roles as sister and daughter. This thesis provides new insights into students’ learning experiences and ESL in higher education. It also contributes to and enhances the literature on higher education in Pakistan. Furthermore, it enables policy-makers to reflect upon their policies, as well as provides suggestions to the UoSJP and its teachers