Mitigating Risk of Failure by Expanding Family Entrepreneurship and Learning from International Franchising Experiences of Johnny Rockets: A Case Study in Pakistan

It is generally believed worldwide and backed by research too that startups face a high risk of failure and eight to nine out of ten ideas may not work (Hisrich, Peters, & Shepherd, 2009). However, many experts claim that the situation can turn vice versa for family entrepreneurship (or creative family businesses) and franchise ventures (Francorp, 2016). This exploratory probe aims to discover these two phenomena for Johnny Rockets (JR) Pakistan, which is an international franchise of fast food chain of restaurants, and simultaneously it is a family business extension. Literature is reviewed from four perspectives: family entrepreneurship and business, franchise business, internationalization of companies, and fast food restaurant industry in Pakistan. Primary data is garnered from three sources: in-depth interviews from middle to top management of Johnny Rockets, owners of the franchises, and from its consumers in accordance with phenomenology method and purposive sampling to analyze their lived experiences with JR and its direct rivals. The data analytic techniques comprise thematic analysis and constant comparison. The findings unveil that in the wake of tolerating several difficulties, now Johnny Rockets seems to be on the right path of sustainable growth. The study underpins the notions that family entrepreneurship and franchise ventures enjoy a high probability of success, but it requires an organizational culture of the congenial work environment, and propensity to create a customer-centric modern learning organization, ready to accept trials and errors and continuously innovating its processes and systems

Mitigating Risk of Failure by Expanding Family Entrepreneurship and Learning from International Franchising Experiences of Johnny Rockets: A Case Study in Pakistan

It is generally believed worldwide and backed by research too that startups face a high risk of failure and eight to nine out of ten ideas may not work (Hisrich, Peters, & Shepherd, 2009). However, many experts claim that the situation can turn vice versa for family entrepreneurship (or creative family businesses) and franchise ventures (Francorp, 2016). This exploratory probe aims to discover these two phenomena for Johnny Rockets (JR) Pakistan, which is an international franchise of fast food chain of restaurants, and simultaneously it is a family business extension. Literature is reviewed from four perspectives: family entrepreneurship and business, franchise business, internationalization of companies, and fast food restaurant industry in Pakistan. Primary data is garnered from three sources: in-depth interviews from middle to top management of Johnny Rockets, owners of the franchises, and from its consumers in accordance with phenomenology method and purposive sampling to analyze their lived experiences with JR and its direct rivals. The data analytic techniques comprise thematic analysis and constant comparison. The findings unveil that in the wake of tolerating several difficulties, now Johnny Rockets seems to be on the right path of sustainable growth. The study underpins the notions that family entrepreneurship and franchise ventures enjoy a high probability of success, but it requires an organizational culture of the congenial work environment, and propensity to create a customer-centric modern learning organization, ready to accept trials and errors and continuously innovating its processes and systems

Kimura’s disease of head and neck: A rare case presentation

Kimura\u27s disease (KD) is a rare, unusual occurrence, predominantly seen in Asian men, and poses a diagnostic challenge, often manifesting with allergic, eosinophilic hyperplasia, and nonspecific lymphadenitis. A 39-year-old man presented with mobile, well circumscribed, facial and neck swelling. His earlier biopsy showed a reactive lymph node hyperplasia on ultrasound neck and was suggestive of lipomatosis. As definitive diagnosis could not be made, the patient was planned for excision and biopsy. Subsequent histopathology demonstrated eosinophilic infiltration of lymphoid follicles and expansion of interfollicular area with interfollicular eosinophilic abscess formation and capillary venule proliferation. This was quite interesting as the previously diagnosed case of nonspecific lymphadenitis based on biopsy later turned out to be a rare occurrence of KD. Furthermore, because of other systemic symptoms (pedal edema and eye irritation), which probably reflected generalized manifestations of KD, the patient was referred to a rheumatologist after diagnosis, where he was effectively managed with immunotherapy and steroids

Outcomes of Primary Repair in Typhoid Perforation

Objective: To determine the outcomes of primary repair in patients with typhoid perforation.Study Design: Case series studyStudy Duration: Study was conducted for 3 year from 15th January 2014 to 15th January 2017.Methodology: 280 Patients presenting to the emergency department were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria via nonprobability consecutive sampling. Written informed consent was taken. The surgical procedure was performed by a senior surgeon having experience of more than 5 years. Postoperatively patient was followed up for ten days and final outcomes (wound infection, anastomotic leakage, wound dehiscence and intra-abdominal collection were assessed clinically and by ultrasound abdomen and was recorded on prescribed Performa. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 17Results: The age range was from 15 to 50 years (average age of 25.9 + 9.87 years). Out 280 patients, 108(38.6%) were male and 172 (61.1%) were female. Intra-abdominal collection occurred in 18(6.4%), wound dehiscence in 14(5%), wound infection in 74(26.4%) and anastomotic leakage in 12(4.3%). Conclusion: The primary repair of perforation is the treatment of choice for typhoid perforation. Early surgery and adequate resuscitation is necessary for successful management of patients with typhoid perforation

Histomorphometric Effcets of Oral use of Tobacco in Testes of Offsprings of Swiss Albino Mice

Objective: To study the gross micro structural changes in the testis of the offspring of Swiss albino mice exposed to oral use of tobacco during pregnancy. Study Design: Experimental Duration and Setting of Study: This study was conducted from July 2017 to December 2017 at Isra University Hyderabad  Methodology: ­­20 female albino mice were mated. After confirmation of pregnancy by vaginal plug they were divided into two groups; experimental A and control B of 10 each. Experimental mice of group A were given 5% tobacco in their chow diet and0water ad libitum; however, control group B were given only normal chow0diet and0water0ad libitum. After 15 days of birth the 10 male offsprings each of control and experimental mice were randomly selected. Their initial and final body weight was recorded.  They were sacrificed0by cervical dislocations and0their testes were taken away for further gross & histological0analysis.  Results: Noticeable changes were observed in the body weight and weight of testes. The mean initial weight of experimental male offspring was found to be 1.76 ± 0.33 g, while in control group it was 2.60± 0.45 g. The final weight in experimental offspring was 9.38± 0.59 g and in control group it was 12.75±0.96 g.  Statistically the difference of body weight in offspring was found to be significant (p value <0.05). The testes weight was markedly decreased in experimental group as compared to control group.  The mean testes weight in experiment group was recorded as 0.03 ± 0.004 g however in control group it was recorded as   0.07 ± 0.004 g. Simultaneously, 5 micro structural variations were also observed in the testes of off-springs of mice. In0the0experimental group0of off-springs, very few0layers and decreased number of spermatocytes were noticed in seminiferous tubules of 9 testes.  Sperm degenerative changes, cellular inflammation and mild to massive hyalinization were noticed in 9, 6, and 9 testes of experimental group respectively. Loss of architecture of seminiferous tubules in 8 testes as well as destruction of the basement membrane in 7 testes were also observed in experiment group testes. However, the decreased number of spermatocytes in only 1 testes and mild hyalinization in 2 testes of control group were observed. Conclusion: The consumption of smokeless tobacco has vital effects on the body weight, micro structure  and weight of testes of offsprings of mice given with cellular injury of seminiferous tubules especially decreased sperm count, cellular inflammation, destruction of basement membrane as well as massive hyalinization. &nbsp

Transformational Leadership and Corporate Reputation: Mediation Effects of Employer Branding

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of transformational leadership and corporate reputation on employer branding by testing a hypothesized model. This study employed a quantitative online survey technique. The researcher distributed 350 questionnaires through purposive sampling out of which 132 questionnaires received back for data analysis. Regression analysis was selected to analyze the collected data to test the hypothesis developed from past literature. Results validate that transformational leadership has an impact on employer branding and employer branding has a direct impact on corporate reputation but correlation amid transformational leadership and business reputation goes insignificant when added employer branding showing full mediation of this variable. The present study backs the writings of business reputation that can be developed through transformational leadership and employer branding. The findings would be helpful for organizational leaders in developing strategies to create a corporate reputation

Diagnostic Reliability of Paediatric Appendicitis Score & Ultrasound Scan in Children with Suspected Acute Appendicitis

Objective:  To evaluate the efficacy of Paediatric Appendicitis Score and ultrasound scan in the paediatric population. This study evaluates the best predictive measure for diagnosing acute appendicitis.Methodology: We conducted a prospective observational study on 120 children (02-13 years) in the department of Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery at The Children’s Hospital PIMS, Islamabad, with suspected appendicitis. Each patient was evaluated based on their Paediatric Appendicitis Score and ultrasound findings. We performed open appendectomy under general anaesthesia in patients with Paediatric Appendicitis Score ≥06 or who presented with severe tenderness on cough, TLC more than 10,000/mm3, or positive ultrasound findings.Results: In our study, the sensitivity and specificity of the Paediatric Appendicitis Score were 92.6% and 72.0%, respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity were 84.09% and 85.71%, respectively, with cutoff ≥6 combined with ultrasound findings. The combined sensitivity and specificity of Paediatric Appendicitis Score <6 and ultrasound were 85.71% and 94.44%, respectively.Conclusion: Paediatric Appendicitis Score is a useful diagnostic tool for suspected appendicitis in pediatric population. Its efficacy is significantly increased when combined with ultrasound. Combined application of the Paediatric Appendicitis Score with ultrasonography helps to rule out negative appendectomies and reduces complications associated with delayed diagnosis