The commercialisation of BDS through an NGO: case study of AKRSP-Pakistan

Book ChapterBased on the theme of how donors can play a more effective role to stimulate effective and sustainable provision of BDS by or through private sector intermediaries, this case study looks at how the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has sought to encourage the development of markets for Business Development Services (BDS) in the remote areas of northern Pakistan. This paper explores that the isolation of the region, poor infrastructure, small scale of landholdings, and lack of economic development leads to problems when attempting to promote markets for business development services. In the short term, the priority is the development of more basic markets, rather than markets for business development services. Without active markets there are a few opportunities for BDS provision let alone the development of vibrant private sector markets for BDS. It specifies the geographic, economic, political, and institutional context in which the AKRSP’s interventions have been implemented. Grassroots village based initiatives have been discussed, where groups of farmers are facilitated by AKRSP to provide BDS to neighboring farmers (farmers interest groups in Chitral), along with more structured formal approaches such as the more direct provision of BDS through commercial entity associated with AKRSP (North South Seeds). It is argued that both models have a positive impact on MSME performance and lead to market development in the long run. Both are methods through which donors can promote BDS markets but which model is most appropriate depends on the market being served. Where the service offered is relatively simple and the business of the BDS provider is relatively straight-forward, facilitating private sector intermediaries may be the most effective way of creating markets for BDS. However, where the service is complex and there is a need to establish a sophisticated organisation to provide the service, it may be necessary to set up an organisation within the NGO, on commercially sustainable basis if possible, with a view to fully commercialising and ideally privatising the organisation over time

Influence of Self-presentation on Bridging Social Capital in SNSs: A Moderating Effect of Self-presentation

Social networking sites (SNSs) by and large have deeply penetrated in the daily routine of internet users, where they can articulate their social relations and manage their profiles to present themselves. SNSs users engage heavily in self-presentation strategies by keeping their profile updated regularly, which prompted this study to examine how far it impacts on bridging social capital. This paper provides an understanding that self-presentation of the owner of a profile has impact on the bridging social capital. In this connection, a self administered survey was carried out at Huanzhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China on the sample size of 199 (N=199) students. Findings of the study showed that the self-presentation have strong moderating impact on the relationship of SNSs usage and bridging social capital, suggesting that an effective self-presentation on SNSs by users does indeed help them in bridging social capital on SNSs. Keywords: Self-presentation, bridging social capital, impression management, social networking sites, moderator

Positive Solutions to Nonlinear Higher-Order Nonlocal Boundary Value Problems for Fractional Differential Equations

We study existence of positive solutions to nonlinear higher-order nonlocal boundary value problems corresponding to fractional differential equation of the type 0+()+(,())=0, ∈(0,1), 0<<1. (1)=()+2, (0)=()−1, (0)=0, (0)=0⋯(−1)(0)=0, where, −1<<, (≥3)∈ℕ, 0<,,<1, the boundary parameters 1,2∈ℝ+ and 0+ is the Caputo fractional derivative. We use the classical tools from functional analysis to obtain sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions to the boundary value problems. We also obtain conditions for the nonexistence of positive solutions to the problem. We include examples to show the applicability of our results

Elevated C-reative protein (CRP) as a surgical indication for appendicitis

Objective: Role of C-reactive protein value in the diagnosis of appendicitis by correlating with severity of appendicitis on histopathological findings. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted at the department of general surgery Unit-IV, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from March 2016 to February 2017. All cases above 12 years of age with severe appendicitis based on presenting signs and symptoms were included. The patient underwent routine laboratory investigations including abdominal plain x-ray in an erect position and ultrasound abdomen. The blood sample was taken from each patient for C-reactive protein and was send to Hospital diagnostic laboratory. During surgery, a specimen of each patient was sent to a diagnostic laboratory for histopathology. All the data were record on Performa. Results: A total of 305 patients were studied; their mean age was 35.7+9.7 years. Males were found in the majority (73%). 75.41% of patients had leukocytosis. C-reactive protein was raised among 26.22% of patients. On histopathological findings, 04.91% of patients had a normal appendix, while 69.83% had gross inflammation of the appendix, 19.67% patients had gangrenous appendix, and 05.57% patients had perforation and peritonitis. Elevated C reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytosis were significantly associated with the severity of appendicitis, p value 0.001. Conclusion: C-reactive protein is a non-invasive and reliable indicator for surgical treatment of appendicitis. C-reactive protein and white blood cells (WBCs) were significantly associated with the severity of appendicitis

Positive solutions of nonlocal boundary value problem for higher order fractional differential system

In this paper, we study existence and multiplicity results for a coupled system of nonlinear nonlocal boundary value problems for higher order fractional differential equations of the type (see PDF) where (see PDF) is Caputo fractional derivative. We employ the Guo-Krasnosel’skii fixed point theorem to establish existence and multiplicity results for positive solutions. We derive explicit intervals for the parameters _ and μ for which the system possess the positive solutions or multiple positive solutions. Examples are included to show the applicability of the main results

Exploring the Socio-Economic Causes of Child Labour in Automobile Workshops in District Multan Punjab

Child labor is deeply rooted and extremely extensive in Pakistan. The problem of Child Labour in District Multan is quite high and abnormal. Various studies have shown that a large number of children in different age group has been employed in various shops, like Cycle repair workshop, Cars workshop, Motorbike workshop, Trucks workshop, mechanical and electrical workshop. Rickshaw workshop and other places. This study explores the socioeconomic determinants of child labour in automobile workshops. The key variables in the present study were child labour and poverty. The researcher used quantitative method for survey research. The current research was conducted in District Multan, Punjab. Therefore, child labourers were selected in the sampling frame equally. Snowball sampling technique was adopted. A total of 80 respondents were selected from different automobile workshops. The majority of the children were poor and they had no education or little education. Their parents had little education and were poorly paid jobs, unemployed or deceased. In this paper, the causes of child labour have been identified and measures to reduce this curse have been suggested