Knowledge Management Practice at a Bulgarian Bank: A Case Study

This paper reports on knowledge management (KM) practices in the customer service and lending departments of one of Bulgaria's top retail banks and investigates how KM processes can be further improved. The Bank's KM activities have been studied using observations, interviews and informal discussions for data collection. Findings were compared and contrasted with existing literature in similar contexts. Although rudiments of knowledge sharing are evident from the KM activities in different departments of the bank, the limitations such as resistance to change of the implemented KM systems are impeding the effectiveness of the knowledge management process. More training and incentives are needed to increase knowledge creation and sharing. Moreover, a clearly articulated KM strategy along with success criteria and commitment and support from senior management is needed. There is a severe lack of knowledge management studies in Bulgarian context in general and Bulgarian banking sector in particular. The authors' findings will potentially help in improving knowledge sharing practice as well as provide a valuable insight into knowledge management related issues in the Bulgarian context. The findings from this research can be useful to companies from Eastern Europe and other regions in improving their knowledge sharing practice

Surgical palliation for unresectable pancreatic carcinoma

Objectives: To review the results of surgical palliation for unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, and to analyze the morbidity and mortality associated with the surgical procedure. The reasons for readmission after discharge from the hospital were also analyzed.Methods: A retrospective study from 1995 to 2001 was done on 30 patients with pancreatic cancer operated with palliative intent, or those explored with curative intent but histopathology revealed positive resection margins or lymph node metastasis.Results: Twenty-five (83.25%) patients were above 50 years of age. There were 16 (53.28%) male, and 14 (46.62%) females, 8 (26.64%) had diabetes mellitus, 2 (6.66%) chronic pancreatitis and 4 (13.32%) had smoking as risk factors. Twenty-three (76.59%) patients presented with jaundice, 18 (59.94%) with weight loss, 17 (56.61%) with epigastric pain, 15 (49.95%) with anorexia and 14 (46.62%) with vomiting. Whipple\u27s procedure was performed in 9 (29.97%) patients, triple bypass in 13 (43.29%), choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy in 3 (9.99%) and gastrojejunostomy alone in 5 (16.65%) patients. Seven (23.31%) patients had preoperative ultrasonography, while CT Scan was done in 24 (79.92%) and ERCP in 8 (26.64%) patients. Histopathology showed positive resection margins in 9 (29.97%) patients and lymph node metastasis in 5 (16.65%) patients. Seventeen (56.61%) patients received less than 2 units of pack cells transfusion. Most of the patients remained admitted in the hospital between 20 to 30 days. Post-operatively, delayed gastric emptying was detected in 6 (19.98%) patients, cholangitis in 2 (6.66%), wound infection in 3 (9.99%), anastomotic leak in 2 (6.66%) and line sepsis in 2 (6.66%) patients. Three (9.99%) patients expired in hospital post operatively. The reasons for re-admission after discharge included abdominal pain in 9 (29.97%) patients, anemia in 3 (9.99%), intestinal obstruction in 3 (9.99%) and urinary tract infection in 2 (6.66%) patients. Follow up record was available for 22 (73.26%) patients. Six (19.98%) patients survived for 5 to 6 months and 9 (29.97%) had a survival between 7 to 10 months.CONCLUSION: A single surgical procedure can palliate all three symptoms associated with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, and can be carried out with reasonable safety in selected patients. The commonest indication for re-admission is severe abdominal pain associated with advanced malignancy, hence chemical splanchiectomy may also be considered at the time of surgical exploration

Exploring the Context and Practices of Expert Simulation Modellers

Simulation modelling lacks a rich body of literature on practices of modellers in the real world. We study the context and some generic practices of expert simulation modellers to discover how the context of modellers may affect the practice of modelling and simulation. The results highlight that simulation modellers develop their models under a variety of contexts and their practices may be affected by their context. The problem area, the scope and the breadth of a problem, simulation software and the size and complexity of the model are some of the contextual factors which may affect a modeller’s practices such as model development, documentation, maintenance and evaluation. For example, model maintenance is required only for large scale models developed for long term use. Similarly, varying level of documentation may be required depending on the client requirements and project needs. Our study is a valuable addition to the research investigating simulation practice in the real world

Management outcome of residual common bile duct stones at Aga Khan University Hospital

Background: The frequency of residual common bile duct (CBD) stones in patients with previous cholecystectomy ranges from 2-10%, and a minimally invasive approach is generally recommended for these patients. This study reviews the experience in the management of residual CBD stones at the Aga Khan University Hospital.Methods: All adult patients diagnosed to have residual CBD stones, from 1993 to 2001, were identified and analyzed in terms of the treatment modality utilized and its associated complications. The role of endoscopic sphincterotomy was particularly analyzed in our set-up.Results: The study population consisted of 66 patients. The mean age was 52 (range:18-84 years) years with a female to male ratio of 51:15. The primary mode of management consisted of endoscopic sphincterotomy in 61 patients (92.5%). The initial clearance rate for these patients was 75%, while the remaining 25% required ancillary procedures to achieve a complete clearance. Procedure related complications were observed in 17 (28%) patients, with zero mortality. The other 5 patients (7.5%) underwent an open choledochotomy as a primary procedure with no further complications.CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy is the most frequent treatment modality used for the management of residual CBD stones at our hospital. Although initial success rate seems low, the fact that endoscopic sphincterotomy is a less invasive procedure justifies its preferential utilization. The study does not compare the results of endoscopic management with open surgery, as the number of patients managed by open choledochotomy is very small

N-[4-(4-Nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-propionamide

The title compound, C15H14N2O4, is an important intermediate for the synthesis of thermotropic liquid crystals. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 84.29 (4)°. An N-H...O hydrogen bond connects the molecules into chains running along the b axis. In addition, the crystal packing is stabilized by weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å; R factor = 0.036; wR factor = 0.096; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.3

LOAD FLOW ANALYSIS OF132/11KV SUBSTATION USING ETAP: A CASE STUDY

In the operation and design planning for the power system, the most significant and beneficial approach for the investigation of problems relating to power systems can be done by means of load flow analysis or design power flow. In light of a predefined structured power system and transmission system, the load flow analysis provides steady state characteristic data for voltage phase angles and its magnitude, the flow of reactive power in the transmission lines, losses in the system, generation and consumption of reactive power in the bus bar load. In this paper, an endeavor has been made to explore power flow in the 132kV grid by utilizing ETAP. The data is collected from Kohat 132KV substation over a period of one year, specifically in summer and winter peak loads

Business Process Outsourcing: A Case Study on Pakistan’s Out-Bound Call Centers

This paper attempts to explore the problems of outsourcing industry with specific focus to out bound call centers and provide a remedial solution to the problem by which this sector can play an effective role in the IT industry of Pakistan and in turn the economy as a whole. Business Process outsourcing has become a multi billion dollar Industry globally it has brought visible benefits to the economy of the country and generating tremendous employment opportunities. Over the last couple of years, the worldwide business process outsourcing market has undergone rapid transformation. Continuing pressure on cost bases at a time of growing competitiveness is driving companies to look at offshore outsourcing as a strategic alternative. Many countries are demonstrating the benefits brought by business process outsourcing. Access to global talent, economies of scale, process engineering and enhancements, increased profit margins and improvements in quality are some of the gains that companies and in turn countries have realized. Although outsourcing has bought visible benefits with employment opportunities to Pakistan also, however these benefits do not come without a cost. Key Words: Business Process Outsourcing; Bound Call Centers; Offshore Outsourcing; Strategic Alternative; Economies of Scal