Entrepreneurial marketing practices and challenges: development of a pedagogy model

Small and medium enterprise and entrepreneurship development are highly pivotal to economic growth. Small and medium enterprise is one of the largest economic sectors globally, whereas, marketing is one of the greatest challenges faced by small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs. The research in small and medium enterprise marketing, also commonly referred as entrepreneurial marketing, has progressed rapidly over the last decade, however, the theoretical developments in entrepreneurial marketing domain are inadequate as yet. Due to this, higher education institutions are also using outdated curricula to teach entrepreneurial marketing, as theoretical developments contribute towards the development of curricula. Moreover, pedagogical choices of business schools for entrepreneurship education are also mismatched with the practical entrepreneurial needs. Thus, a wide theory/pedagogy-practice gap has emerged in the domain of entrepreneurial marketing, due to which, graduates are lacking in practical entrepreneurial marketing skills that are required for the survival of small and medium enterprise ventures. To bridge this gap, the current research is aimed at: 1) exploring entrepreneurial marketing practices of graduate entrepreneurs during the start-up phase, 2) exploring entrepreneurial marketing challenges faced by graduate entrepreneurs during the start-up phase, and, 3) developing a practical model of entrepreneurial marketing pedagogy. For first two explorations, the current study has used a purely qualitative method i.e., the case study in which four small and medium enterprises owned and managed by graduate entrepreneurs were studied. The first exploration has foregrounded 11 entrepreneurial marketing dimensions, as well as how entrepreneurs practice each dimension within their network, thus, making significant theoretical developments. The second exploration has foregrounded two types of entrepreneurial marketing challenges i.e., social and educational. Using educational challenges, a practically implementable entrepreneurial marketing pedagogy model is developed to achieve the third objective, which is also the major and practical contribution of current study

A New Dimension of Entrepreneurial Marketing and Key Challenges: A Case Study from Pakistan

Purpose- Numerous studies have explored entrepreneurial marketing (EM) activities in the firms that are established for a few years, but the research exploring the EM activities and challenges, particularly during the start-up phase, is scant. To cover this wide gap, the current study explores in-depth the EM activities and EM challenges faced during the start-up phase by a graduate entrepreneur who has exposure to both marketing and entrepreneurship education and practical EM experiences. Design/Methodology- In-depth case study approach has been adopted to study an SME owned and managed successfully by a graduate entrepreneur. Findings- After rigorous data analysis, in addition to the currently known seven EM dimensions, this study has discovered a new EM dimension, i.e., ‘legitimation’. Moreover, the key EM challenges in emerging economies are also identified. Practical Implications- The results have guided future entrepreneurs regarding their investment decisions, and to the entrepreneurship education policymakers regarding pedagogical up-gradation

Entrepreneurial Marketing Theory: Current Developments and Future Research Agenda

Purpose- Entrepreneurial Marketing (EM) research has progressed rapidly over the last decade due to its effectiveness in highly competitive markets and uncertain conditions. However, the theory development in the EM domain is inadequate as yet. Due to this, the higher education institutions are also using outdated curricula to teach EM, as the new theories contribute towards the development of curricula. Thus, to assist in upgrading the EM curricula, we have examined the theory development over the last decade in the domain of EM. Design/Methodology- A systematic and in-depth review and analysis of over a decade’s EM literature has been done. Findings- Five major yet specific gaps are identified, and accordingly, we have proposed future research directions

The Role of Distribution Channels and Educational level towards Insurance Awareness among the General Public

This research study aims at giving an overview of the emerging research field of Islamic insurance in a phase that is still under debate among Muslim nations. No doubt, Takaful (Islamic insurance) is growing rapidly but it is still behind conventional insurance. Most of the researches reveal the fact that general public is unaware about Takaful and Takaful awareness level is low among general public. Researchers and practitioners are trying to explore the crucial factors which creates Takaful awareness among general public. However, only few studies are available in Pakistan which formally documented the issue and explore different Takaful awareness factors among general public of Pakistan. Therefore, the ultimate objective of this study is to find out general factors which enhance Takaful awareness level among general public of Pakistan. To achieve this objective, three hypotheses are proposed concerning the relationship of Takaful awareness level and other Takaful awareness factors such as Educational Level of general public, Religious Orientation of general public and Takaful Distribution Channels. Primary data was collected from general public of Pakistan by using 5-point Likert scale. These hypotheses predicting a positive relationship between Takaful awareness level and awareness factors (i.e., educational level, religious orientation, distribution channels). However, religious orientation has higher impact as compared to Takaful distribution channels and educational level. Study found that these three factors are crucial to enhance Takaful awareness level among general public. Hence, this study is contributing in the body of knowledge by exploring the vital factors to enhance Takaful awareness level and tried to resolve the important issue of Takaful awareness by developing a framework. This study is more significant for practitioners to enhance Takaful awareness level by exercising these three factors among general public of Pakistan

Entrepreneurship development and pedagogical gaps in entrepreneurial marketing education

In the age of automation and artificial intelligence, the need for sustainable entrepreneurship for job creation has significantly raised. For the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in recent years, business schools worldwide have recognised their roles, and started providing entrepreneurship education (EE). Due to being in emerging phase, the EE at business schools is following pedagogic approaches that are not exclusively developed for entrepreneurship, and hence, not suitable with the practical entrepreneurial needs. This leaves graduates lacking in many types of entrepreneurial skill-sets. One of those key skill-sets is entrepreneurial marketing (EM), which is one of the most dominating problems for SME entrepreneurs for the survival and growth of their businesses. Furthermore, the literature highlights that lack of EM skill-set is also one of the leading causes of entrepreneurial failure. The failure of SME entrepreneurs not only discourages them, but also damages the initiatives taken by the governments and private institutions for entrepreneurship development in the economies. Thus, considering the critical importance of EM education for the development of entrepreneurship, this paper has highlighted the pedagogical gaps in EM education, proposed future research avenues, and made practical implications for business schools’ academic authorities to upgrade their pedagogical models

DIAGNOSING POST PARTURIENT HEMOGLOBINURIA IN GOAT ON THE BASIS OF HEMATOLOGY, SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY AND TREATMENT RESPONSE

Goats are extremely prone to many metabolic diseases including Postparturient Hemoglobinuria (PPH) and due to this disorder milk production and general health of goats get affected. Exact pathogenesis of this condition is yet not known but many risk factors are considered to be involved in hemoglobinuria and dropped serum phosphorus level followed by parturition is considered to be the most important one. In this paper, economic significance of goat, a case report and diagnosis based on hemogram and serum biochemistry report and the best available treatment protocols are discussed

Clinical practice guidelines on the management of variceal bleeding

Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding occurs in 30 - 50% of patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension, with 20-70% mortality in one year. Therefore, it is essential to screen these patients for varices and prevent first episode of bleeding by treating them with β-blockers or endoscopic variceal band ligation. Ideally, the patients with variceal bleeding should be treated in a unit where the personnel are familiar with the management of such patients and where routine therapeutic interventions can be undertaken. Proper management of such patients include: initial assessment, resuscitation, blood volume replacement, vasoactive agents, prevention of associated complications such as bacterial infections, hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia, and specific therapy. Rebleeding occurs in about 60% patients within 2 years of their recovery from first variceal bleeding episode, with 33% mortality. Therefore, it is mandatory that all such patients must be started on combination of β-blockers and band ligation to prevent recurrence of bleeding. Patients who required shunt surgery/TIPSS to control the acute episode do not require further preventive measures. These clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been jointly developed by Pakistan Society of Hepatology (PSH) and Pakistan Society of Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD)

National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries