An Exploratory Study of Challenges Faced by Expatriates in Knowledge Transfer while Working in Pakistan

This research focuses on identifying the challenges faced by expatriates during knowledge transfer. Further it investigates the tools employed by these expatriates in facilitating knowledge transfer to the host country nationals. Fifteen challenges identified by Singhapong and Muenjohn (2008) that expatriates face and which affect their work (including knowledge transfer) in Thailand, have been taken for relevance to expatriates in Pakistan. Knowledge transfer tools identified by Smith (2004) have been taken for the purpose of this study to assess if these factors also apply to Pakistan. Data was collected from 26 respondents of four nationalities. Ranking method was employed using mean and standard deviation to rank the knowledge transfer tools and challenges faced by expatriates. Results demonstrate that restrictions on work permit were the biggest challenge faced by expatriates while working here in Pakistan. Verbal communication was found as the highly ranked knowledge transfer tool employed by expatriates through which host country nationals learn. This applied exploratory study contributes to the literature on knowledge management for Pakistan that will enable future in depth research in this area

Servitized SMEs’ performance and the influences of sustainable procurement, packaging, and distribution:The mediating role of eco-innovation

The current paper is one of the pioneering studies to specifically analyze the role of both inbound and outbound sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP) of servitized SMEs in a relatively high-risk emerging economy context of Pakistan. Building on Porter's Value Chain Model, this study analyzes the influence of sustainable servitization on multiple performance indicators (including environmental, economic, social, and operational) of servitized SMEs. We further investigate the role of eco-innovation as a mediator. The study employs a time-lagged research design, based on primary data collected from 280 managers of servitized SMEs. We found that sustainable practices positively impact servitized SMEs’ performance, except for sustainable procurement's influence on operational performance. Finally, eco-innovation was found to partially mediate the analyzed inter-relationships.</p

Comparison of Recurrence of Intranasal Polyps Treated with Intranasal Polypectomy versus Steroid Use

Objective: To compare recurrence of intranasal polyps treated with intranasal polypectomy versus steroid use. Study Settings and Duration: ENT department Nishtar hospital Multan from 24th December 2017 to 23 June 2018. Study design: randomized controlled trial Material and methods: All 50 cases were divided in two groups M and S. Group M were given oral prednisone (30-60 mg) for 15-20 days in tapering regimen while patients in S group, intranasal polypectomy done. Information was collected through pre-designed Performa. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables such as age. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables such as gender and outcome variable i.e. recurrence. Chi-square test was applied to compare recurrence in both groups and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean age of patients in group A was 34.49 ± 6.51years and in group B was 34.15 ± 6.97years. Male were 64.44% and 35.56% were females with ratio of 1.81:1. The mean duration of disease in group A was 5.81 ± 4.33 days and in group B was 5.75 ± 4.56 days. Recurrence rate in Group A (steroid group) was 57.78% while in Group B (intranasal polypectomy group) was 22.22% (p =0.001) Conclusion: Intranasal polypectomy is more effective in terms of non-recurrence of nasal polyps as compared to steroid use in the management of nasal polyps. Keywords: Nasal polyps, non-recurrence, medical treatment, polypectomy. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/60-06 Publication date:October 31st 2019

Impact of project portfolio management on the portfolio’s success with a mediating role of team innovative behaviour in the construction industry of Pakistan

Project portfolio management is a significant task in management because this decision-making practice governs project selection and it should be undertaken based on the strategic priorities of the organization and how the resources are assigned within it. This research paper draws upon the existing literature on the management of project portfolios that enables the team's innovative behaviour to provide novel solutions to achieve a successful project portfolio. The original conceptualization was tested on the data collected from 253 project portfolio managers, to reveal the hypothesized relationships among project portfolio management, team innovative behaviour and project portfolio success. The statistical analysis showed that various aspects of project portfolio management affect the innovative behaviour of teams that eventually contributes to the success of the project portfolio. Empirical validation of management practices as a source of empowerment of project portfolio teams’ innovative behaviour is a new finding in the context of the construction industry which has strong implications for both theory and practice