scholarly journals Strengthening the Performance of SMEs Through knowledge management, Market Orientation and Competitive Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khansa Masood Chandio ◽  
Muhammad Rizwan
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Graphical Model ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Access To Finance ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Extensive Literature Search

This study aims to proposes a framework for strengthening performance of SMEs. It was identified that knowledge management, market orientation, competitive environment and access to finance as an effective response of SMEs to the large firms for their survival. A model was developed with the help of extensive literature search and four propositions were exhibited with a graphical model.  The framework of this study proposes Knowledge Management and Market Orientation have strong association with SMEs Performance. The model further proposes that Access to Finance and Competitive Environment serve as a contingency between the Knowledge Management and Market Orientation with SMEs Performance. This study significantly adds into the entrepreneurship literature and proposes a framework not tested before. The theoretical model has a wider applicability, and it can be used in any cultural context in general but specifically in the emerging economies.   

Moderating Effect of Access to Finance and Competitive Environment on Human Capital, Knowledge Management, Market Orientation and SMES Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-105
Author(s):  
Mohd Noor Mohd Shariff ◽  
Khansa Masood ◽  
Halim Mad Lazim
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Leather Industry ◽  
Access To Finance ◽  
Economic Development And Growth ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Relationship

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as foundation stones of economic development and growth of any economy (Centobelli, Cerchione, & Esposito, 2019). Performance of SMEs is of fundamental significance for all developed as well as developing nations. Similarly, Pakistan is no exception to aforementioned fact. The economic development and growth of Pakistan depend on the performance of SMEs to a great extent. Like, most countries in the world, SMEs comprise more than 90% of total business entities in Pakistan (Degong et al., 2018; Waqas & Nawaz, 2019) and leather industry in one that is attracted by the researchers of present study. Constraints in the growth of leather industry of Pakistan include, lack of skilled human capital, rising cost of production, lack of modern-day knowledge about new products and processes, low profitability and lack of capability to penetrate into international markets, lack of market research, access to finance, intensive competitive rivalry (Khalique et al., 2011; Daily Times, 2016, Awan et al., 2019). Few studies have revealed mixed findings regarding the relationship between knowledge management and firm performance and there is abundance of literature that demonstrates the presence of significant and positive relationship between Market Orientation and Firm performance (Slater & Narver , 1995; Baker & Sinkula, 2009; Udriyah, Tham, & Azam, 2019). On the other hand, some studies have argued that there is no direct and significant relationship between Market Orientation and Firm Performance (Polat & Mutlu, 2012; Shehu & Mahmood, 2014). Moreover, keeping in view the mixed and inconclusive findings regarding the relationship between cause and effect variables, it is appropriate to introduce moderating variables that can significantly influence the relationship between independent and dependent variables as recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986). Access to Finance and Competitive Environment can be served as prospective moderators which are quite appropriately related to proposed variables of the study (Prajogo & Oke, 2016; Rogo et al., 2016; Jaworski & Kohli, 1993) which are quite appropriately related to selected variables of the study. Thus, the research problem expressed that "Access to finance and competitive environment can potentially moderates and affect the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Hence, based on the past literature and aforementioned discussion, the present study intended to examine the moderating effects of Access to Finance and Competitive Environment on the Relationship between Human Capital, Knowledge Management, Market Orientation and SMEs Performance in Leather Industry of Pakistan". Keywords: Small medium enterprise, performance, access to finance, competitive environment

Anticancer Hybrid Combinations: Mechanisms of Action, Implications and Future Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (36) ◽  
pp. 4312-4333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva M. Domínguez-Martín ◽  
Ana M. Díaz-Lanza ◽  
Célia M. C. Faustino
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agent ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽  
Phytochemical Components ◽  
Combination Regimens

The exponential growth of cancer cases worldwide together with recent advances concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease at the molecular level led to a paradigm shift in chemotherapy, from monotherapy to targeted drug combination regimens. However, adverse effects and the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) limit the effectiveness of these therapies. In this context, hybrid combinations mixing anticancer drugs and bioactive phytochemical components from medicinal plants, or even plant extracts, that can act synergistically on multiple targets and signaling pathways represent a promising approach with the potential to expand the current therapeutic arsenal. This review aims to provide a synopsis on anticancer hybrid combinations based on their multi-target mechanisms and synergistic effects from an extensive literature search focusing mainly on publications from the last ten years. In most of these combinations, the phytochemical component was shown to enhance the anticancer activity of the chemotherapeutic agent and to sensitize chemoresistant tumors in several types of cancer. Hybrid combinations, due to synergistic interactions, are also associated with less severe adverse events since lower doses can be used to achieve the same therapeutic effect. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed, as well as the development of an adequate regulatory framework, before hybrid combination therapy can be translated into clinical practice.

Recent developments and opportunities in fighting COVID-19

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Rao ◽  
Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Discharged Patients ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Health Organization

Background: COVID-19, a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) was first diagnosed in the patients from Wuhan, China in December 2019. Within couple of months of infection, it was declared as pandemic by World health organization. COVID-19 has become the most contagious infection with a serious threat to global health. In this review, we aimed to discuss the pathogenesis, diagnostics, current treatments and potential vaccines for COVID-19. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using keywords “COVID-19”; “Coronavirus”; “SARS-Cov-2”; “SARS” in public domains of Google, Google scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Selected articles were used to construct this review. Results: SARS-Cov-2 uses the Spike (S) protein on its surface to recognize the receptor on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and bind with 10-folds greater affinity than SARS-Cov-1. Molecular assays and immunoassays are the most frequently used tests whereas computed tomography (CT) scans, Artificial intelligence enabled diagnostic tools were also used in patients. In therapeutic treatment, few drugs were repurposed and there are 23 therapeutic molecules including the repurposed drugs are in different stages of clinical trial. Similarly, development of vaccines is also in the pipeline. Few countries have managed well to contain the spread by rapid testing and identifying the clusters. Conclusion: Till now, the acute complications and mortality of COVID-19 has been linked to the pre-existing comorbid conditions or age. Besides the development of therapeutic strategies that includes drugs and vaccine, the long term implication of COVID-19 infection in terms of the disorder/disability in the cured/discharged patients is a new area to investigate.

scholarly journals The Differential Diagnosis of Sterile Pyuria in Pediatric Patients: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2199371
Author(s):  
Donald W. Bendig
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Sterile Pyuria ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Definition Of

Sterile pyuria is a common finding in pediatric patients. Literature describing the diagnoses as well as clinical characteristics of children with sterile pyuria is lacking. This review was performed to establish an evidence-based approach to the differential diagnosis by way of an extensive literature search. The definition of pyuria is inconsistent. The various causes of pediatric sterile pyuria identified were classified as either Infectious or Non-Infectious. Sub-categories of Infectious causes include: Viral Infection, Bacterial Infection, Other Infections (tuberculosis, fungal, parasitic), Sexually Transmitted Infections, Recent Antibiotic Therapy. Non-Infectious causes include: Systemic Disease, Renal Disease, Drug Related, Inflammation adjacent to Genitourinary Tract. Clinicians that encounter pediatric patients with sterile pyuria and persistent symptoms should consider the substantial differential diagnosis described in this study.

scholarly journals Can Vaccination Trigger Autoimmune Disorders? A Meta-Analysis

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Marek Petráš ◽  
Ivana Králová Lesná ◽  
Jana Dáňová ◽  
Alexander M. Čelko
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Autoimmune Disorders ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Measures Of Association ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
The Stability

Vaccination as an important tool in the fight against infections has been suggested as a possible trigger of autoimmunity over the last decades. To confirm or refute this assumption, a Meta-analysis of Autoimmune Disorders Association With Immunization (MADAWI) was conducted. Included in the meta-analysis were a total of 144 studies published in 1968–2019 that were available in six databases and identified by an extensive literature search conducted on 30 November 2019. The risk of bias classification of the studies was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. While our primary analysis was conducted in terms of measures of association employed in studies with a low risk of bias, the robustness of the MADAWI outcome was tested using measures independent of each study risk of bias. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed to determine the stability of the outcome. The pooled association of 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.97–1.02), based on a total of 364 published estimates, confirmed an equivalent occurrence of autoimmune disorders in vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. The same level of association reported by studies independently of the risk of bias was supported by a sufficient number of studies, and no serious limitation, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. A sensitivity analysis did not reveal any discrepancy in the primary result. Current common vaccination is not the cause of any of the examined autoimmune disorders in the medium and long terms.

scholarly journals Musculoskeletal biomechanics in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit activities with stroke subjects: a systematic review

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ◽  
Viviane Amaral Saliba ◽  
Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Extensive Literature Search

INTRODUCTION: Sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit are two of the most mechanically demanding activities undertaken in daily life and which are usually impaired in stroke subjects. OBJECTIVES: To determine the distinguishing characteristics in musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes of the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit activities with stroke subjects, with an emphasis on the clinical management of stroke disabilities, in a systematic review. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed with the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, and SciELO databases, followed by a manual search, to select studies on musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes in both activities with stroke subjects, without language restrictions, and published until December/2007. RESULTS: Out of the 432 studies, only 11 reported biomechanical outcomes of both activities and none reached the total score on the selected quality parameters. The majority of the experimental studies which compared groups did not achieve acceptable scores on their methodological quality (PEDRo). The investigated conditions and interventions were also restricted. Only one study compared biomechanical outcomes between the activities, but only evaluated the time spent to perform them. Few musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes have been investigated, being weight bearing on the lower limbs and duration of the activities the most investigated. CONCLUSION: There is little information regarding musculoskeletal biomechanical outcomes during these activities with stroke subjects and no definite conclusions can be drawn regarding the particularities of these outcomes on their performance with stroke survivors.

Knowledge management

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Shokri-Ghasabeh ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Research Study ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Methodological Triangulation

Purpose – A research study has been undertaken at the University of South Australia to introduce application of lessons learned process in construction contractors ' bidding process in the context of knowledge management. The study aims to identify barriers to effectively capture lessons learned in Australian construction industry and how knowledge management can benefit from lessons learned application. Design/methodology/approach – The research study has been undertaken through conducting a “methodological triangulation” and “interdisciplinary triangulation”. This involved an extensive literature review of knowledge management, organisation learning, lessons learned and associated processes and administration of a questionnaire to a sample of construction contractors operating in Australia to elicit opinions on the main barriers to capturing lessons learned, practices such as existence and retention of documentation procedures. A total of 81 useable responses were received from 450 organisations. Response data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics with correlation analysis to examine the strength of relationship among the barriers. Findings – The top-3 barriers to the effective capturing of lessons learned were “lack of employee time”, “lack of resources” and “lack of clear guidelines”, whereas, “lack of management support” was the least ranked barrier. The study established that despite the majority of the ACCs having formal procedures for recording the tenders submitted and their outcomes, only a minority actually retained the lessons learned documentation for each project. The larger contractors were found to be more aware of the importance of lessons learned documentation. A comparative analysis with previous studies also found a disparity in the ranking of the barriers. Research limitations/implications – The majority of the participants were small construction contractors in Australia. The reason is that the researchers were not aware of the contractors ' size prior to inviting them for participation in the research study. Second the findings may not generalize to other industries or to organisations operating in other countries. Originality/value – The findings of this survey help ACCs to understand the importance of lessons learned documentation as part of lessons learned implementation and identify the barriers to effectively document their lessons learned. The study provides insights on the barriers and proposes advocated solutions in form of drivers and enablers (critical success factors) of organisational learning capturing among the Australian construction contractors. By reviewing the current literature, “post-project reviews” and “lessons learned” as important elements of organisation learning knowledge transfer, are addressed. Finally, contribution of this study to knowledge and practice has been discussed in this paper.

scholarly journals Magnetic Suspension with Motorization to Measure the Speed of Gravity

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 1760020
Author(s):  
Henrique Linares ◽  
Carlos Frajuca ◽  
Fabio S. Bortoli ◽  
Givanildo A. Santos ◽  
Francisco Y. Nakamoto
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Magnetic Bearing ◽  
Magnetic Suspension ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Sliding Bearing ◽  
Speed Of Gravity ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Hybrid Bearing

This work aims to design a magnetic suspension for an experiment to measure gravitys velocity. Such device must rotate two objects symmetrically with the greatest mass and largest radius as possible, at the speed of [Formula: see text], which means this device falls into the high-speed machines category. The guidelines and solutions proposed in this paper constitute a contribution to this class of engineering problems and were based on an extensive literature search, contacts with experts, the tutors and author’s experience, as well as on experimental results. The main solution proposed is a hybrid bearing that combines a radial passive magnetic bearing with an axial sliding bearing, here called MPS (Magnetic Passive and Sliding) bearing.

The genus Carex (Cyperaceae) in Armenia

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-41
Author(s):  
JACOB KOOPMAN ◽  
TARON ALEKSANYAN ◽  
ALLA ALEKSANYAN ◽  
GEORGE FAYVUSH ◽  
MARINA OGANESIAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Extensive Literature Search

In this paper we present an updated checklist, key and maps for all the currently known Carex taxa present in Armenia. The present work is based on the revision of the vouchers in herbaria ERE, W and MW, extensive literature search, and field research carried out in 2015–2019. As a result, 71 species of Carex are known from Armenia. Besides, the first Carex hybrid in Armenia has been found and provided here with a binomial name.

Impact of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue - a systematic review analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Mohamed Tharwat Hamed ◽  
Hisham Abdullah Mously ◽  
Moayyad Motaz Ghulman ◽  
Ghada Hussein Naguib
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Dental Implant ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Wide Diameter ◽  
Review Analysis ◽  
Body Fracture ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Technical Complication ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The present study explains the success and failure of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue by conducting a systematic review analysis. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to carry out systematic review using different scholarly platforms and libraries. A total of 12 studies published within the past 20-year time (1999-2019) were included following the inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the PRISMA guidelines. Additionally, the study outcomes were evaluated to determine their perceptions regarding the role of dental implant diameter in influencing the implant’s fatigue performance. Results: The implant diameter can be categorized into wide diameter (5-6 mm), regular diameter (3.75-4 mm), and small/narrow diameter (3-3.4 mm). The narrow diameter implants are indicated through thin alveolar ridges and mesiodistal spaces (less than 7 mm). The implants with narrow diameter would offer greater risk of fatigue failure for clinical situations with significant functional loading. No significant differences were found either in success or failure of dental implant diameter on fatigue efficiency after 1-year and 3-year follow-up. Conclusion: The technical complication of dental implant include abutment screw loosening or fracture, abutment and superstructure fracture, and implant body fracture. The study has study has mainly focused on the impact of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue and reviewed a significant impact of dental implant diameter on the fatigue efficiency. Keywords: Dental Implants, Efficiency, Perception. Continuous...

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