Level of Perceived Employability of Engineering Students in Kathmandu Valley

The discourse of employability revolves around the mitigation of mismatch between educational outcomes and the job market demand. This discourse is pertinent in engineering education as it is dedicated to producing human resources with the required employability skills. In this context, the students - to whom employability is transformed - are in the central focus. Their perceptions about their abilities in demonstrating and performing in the world of work require attention to connect education and their work. Considering this, the level of perceived employability of the engineering students studying in their final year was measured by using a self-constructed scale in a representative sample of 314 students of Kathmandu valley. The finding shows that the graduating students’ perceived employability was not consolidated and optimised to reflect on their behaviour and practices. It is at the level of ‘emergence’ and ‘presence’, which is thus not enough to see in their abilities to perform better. Therefore, the students were not able to perform as per the expectation of the market. The key implication of this study is that the gap of work-study transition stipulated to be minimised for the employability of the graduates with their exposure in the world of work.

Liquefaction hazard assessment and ground failure probability analysis in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal

During the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake (Mw7.8), extensive soil liquefaction was observed across the Kathmandu Valley. As a densely populated urban settlement, the assessment of liquefaction potential of the valley is crucial especially for ensuring the safety of engineering structures. In this study, we use borehole data including SPT-N values of 410 locations in the valley to assess the susceptibility, hazard, and risk of liquefaction of the valley soil considering three likely-to-recur scenario earthquakes. Some of the existing and frequently used analysis and computation methods are employed for the assessments, and the obtained results are presented in the form of liquefaction hazard maps indicating factor of safety, liquefaction potential index, and probability of ground failure (PG). The assessment results reveal that most of the areas have medium to very high liquefaction susceptibility, and that the central and southern parts of the valley are more susceptible to liquefaction and are at greater risk of liquefaction damage than the northern parts. The assessment outcomes are validated with the field manifestations during the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. The target SPT-N values (Nimproved) at potentially liquefiable areas are determined using back analysis to ascertain no liquefaction during the aforesaid three scenario earthquakes.

Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Stray Cattle of Kathmandu Valley

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) are ubiquitous among cattle resulting severe infection. Prevalence of GIPs in stray street cattle may pose risk of dissemination of parasites of zoonotic importance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of GIPs in stray cattle of Kathmandu valley. Hundred (n=100) freshly voided dung samples were collected from eight places. The samples were processed using concentration method for microscopic examination, and modified McMaster technique for quantification of mean eggs/oocysts per gram of feces (EPG/OPG). Results revealed that 72% of the cattle were found positive for one or more species of GIPs and nine genera of GIPs were recorded (Eimeria, Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Capillaria, Trichuris, Toxocara, Fasciola and Paramphistomum). The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in male (73.68%) than in female (69.76%). The prevalence was found to be highest in adults (63.89%) followed by heifers (27.78%) and calves (8.33%). Approximately 76% of the cross breed and 65% local breed of cattle were positive for parasitic infection. The parasites differed both in prevalence and intensity, Eimeria sp. being the most prevalent (27%) with highest intensity (858.02 OPG ±63.46 SD). To our information, this is the first research of its kind in relation to stray cattle in Nepal. Our findings reveal that there is burden of helminth infections of zoonotic and socioeconomic importance in the straycattle. Therefore, it warrants regular inspection, relevant preventive measures and molecular detection of parasites.

Assessment of Policies and Harm Reduction Services for Young People Who Use Drugs in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal: Identifying Gaps and Opportunities

Background: Young people under 30 represent the majority of people who use drugs in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Young people who use drugs (YPWUD) may have particular needs and require different service and policy responses when compared to their older peers. This research examines the strengths and limitations of currently available policies and services; their effectiveness in meeting the needs of YPWUD and identifies gaps and opportunities for their improvement.Methodology: Semi-structured interviews (n=9) with key stakeholders and one focus group (n=5) discussion with YPWUD were conducted. Results were analyzed using the Rhodes Risk Environment framework which considers the ‘physical’, ‘social’, ‘economic’ and ‘policy’ level factors shaping risk at ‘micro’, ‘meso’ and ‘macro’ levels.Results: Drug use patterns among YPWUD in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal are changing. Several trends have been identified including increased use of methamphetamine, diverted pharmaceuticals and ‘Southasian-Cocktail’ (a mixture of buprenorphine, benzodiazepine and antihistamines); use at the border regions and a move away from drug dealing ‘hotspots’ to online drug purchasing. YPWUD and service providers report a range of barriers to accessing services including stigma and discrimination; a lack of local services; a lack of knowledge of existing services; age of consent legislation and opening hours which may conflict with commitments such as school and college. YPWUD report a range of human rights violations including involuntary treatment, arbitrary detention, forced labour and public body searches. Service providers and policymakers report precarious international donor funding of services through HIV prevention programs with little to no youth-specific services for YPWUD.Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of youth-friendly harm reduction services that are relevant and responsive to the unique needs and experiences of YPWUD. These services should address current trends including the use of new substances (for example, methamphetamine and ‘Southasian Cocktail’) in diverse environments (including at the border regions and online). The perspectives of YPWUD are vital while developing and implementing harm reduction programs to ensure that the programs are effective, efficient and based on the diverse needs of YPWUD.

Customer Perception and Awareness of Green Banking Practices

The governments, business firms, policymakers, advocacy groups, and even the public recently are hotly debating on the issues of environmentally friendly practices. In this context, being a part of 'going green', green banking, which plays an important role in environmental sustainability, has been a buzzword in the global baking industry. This study identifies how the customers perceive the emerging concept of green banking initiatives of banks and also analyzes the factors that influence such practices of the customers. Using a structured questionnaire, the primary data were collected from 403 commercial banks of Kathmandu valley, Nepal. The awareness index was prepared, and the binary logit model was applied for the econometric analysis. This study observed that the customers are positive towards the environmentally friendly practices of banks and ready to adopt the green banking practices. The research implies that in order to promote environmental sustainability, banks and financial institutions should be able to educate the customers about green banking practices and their benefits.

Practice of Green Supply Chain Management and Organization Performance in the Manufacturing Industries of the Kathmandu Valley

This chapter aims to analyze the practice of green supply chain management and organization performance in manufacturing industries of Kathmandu valley. This study uses descriptive research design. Two hundred and seven manufacturing industries in three industrial estates (Balaju, Bhaktapur, and Patan) of Kathmandu valley were taken as a sample for the study whereas all 245 operating industries were the population of the study. The findings revealed that 33.3% of industries are highly practicing green supply management chain whereas 23.7% and 19.6% are practicing it moderately and less, respectively. It was found that industries of all scale—large, medium, and low—are equally practicing green supply management chain to a greater extent. Thus, the study concludes that manufacturing industries ought to consider the systemic interaction between the internal and external facets of the application of the GSCM and to ensure that their respective operations are integrated in order to achieve improved environmental and organizational efficiency and consequently to achieve economic benefits.

Promoting Effective Managerial Communication on Banking Sector in Kathmandu Valley: Cross Sectional Analysis

Purpose: Efficient managerial level is crucial to any organization for well function and betterment of the organization. Likewise, managerial communication is essential to build good relationship among managers to their subordinates. Proper communication in banks further helps to assist employees, creating sense of mutual respect and favorable working environment. This study aims to identify strategy for promoting effective managerial communication in banking sector in Kathmandu valley. Research Design/ Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional research design has been applied for this study where 405 managers (383 branch managers and 22 operating managers) of commercial Banks in Kathmandu Valley were taken as a sample using structured questionnaire survey using KOBO Toolbox. This study develops and uses Managerial communication index to identify the communication skills of managers in banking communication and decision making. Findings: Managerial Communication Index value shows that managers of banking sector in Kathmandu valley are highly aware of managerial communication in terms of identity factors, negotiation and adaptation, and decision making. Brining clarity while giving speech or talking (69.13%), regularly gathering feedback for improvement (16.54%) and changing behavior and perception when necessary (12.34%) are some of the management strategies identified for promoting effective managerial communication. Conclusion: Hence, the study concludes that bank managers must properly disseminate the information to its stakeholders which will help to convey message effectively leading clarity in the work and enhancing productivity. Recommendations: The paper recommends that there should be inclusive climate in the workplace. Further, policies supporting communication should be forwarded. Originality: This article is original and there is no potential conflict of interest with respect to research and publication of this article.

Factors Associated With Work-Life Balance of Working Fathers Involved in Small Business Enterprises: Evidence from Kathmandu Valley

Background: Work-life balance (WLB) can be considered as the systematic management of three important components like work-life conflict, work-life interference and work-life convergence. Objective: This study tries to examine the work-life balance of the working fathers involved in small business enterprises in Kathmandu valley. Method: Both descriptive and inferential analysis is used in the study which showed various results. The study adopted the descriptive approach. Respondents were sampled from working fathers in small business enterprises in Kathmandu valley. Non probability sampling technique was used to select 405 respondents. The questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Result: The study found that age, education level, business trainings and income level has positive significant relationship with work-life balance. The finding of this study shows that satisfaction and motivation towards working fathers is important factors for balancing the work-life and family life. Conclusion and Recommendation: The paper recommends that there should be inclusive climate in the workplace and policies supporting work-life balance should be forwarded.

Social Media Adoption Intention among Undergraduate Business Schools Students in Kathmandu Valley: A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Approach

Background: Social Media has become a prevalent platform for students to receive information content such as admission notices, holiday notices from business schools. Students are communicating, collaborating, and resource sharing by several social media in the names of support groups. Objective: The purpose of the research paper is to examine social media adoption intention among undergraduate students of business schools in Kathmandu Valley in 2020. Method: The data were collected with the self-administered questionnaires from 200 undergraduate students. Partial Least Square (PLS) - SEM was applied to test the direct and mediated effect of the proposed hypotheses. Result: The results revealed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, collaboration, resource sharing, communication and intention of social mediation adoption. Perceived ease of use partially mediates the relationship between communications, resource sharing on the intention of social media adoption. Conclusion: The study concludes that undergraduate level students of business schools could intent to social media when they find the social media useful, easy to use, collaborative, communication, and resource sharing among students. Moreover, students could intend to use social media when they perceived ease of social media use over communication, resource sharing for educational purposes. The conclusion could provide information for business schools in creating an atmosphere of collaboration, communication, and resource sharing to increase engagement in social media. Originality: Social media adoption in the Nepali context is a relatively less explored phenomenon. This research established that social media adoption is impacted by collaborative learning, resource sharing, perceived usefulness, and communication.

The Effects of Telecommunication Service Quality Dimensions on Customer Satisfaction in Kathmandu Valley

Telecommunications have become a vital tool for the success of any business. The 21st-century telecommunication business has been described by hi-tech competition, which has brought attention to customer satisfaction. The study aimed to identify major influential dimensions that affect customer satisfaction. It was accompanied by a descriptive and causal research design and used a structured questionnaire as a survey instrument of the service quality (SERVQUAL) model. The population of this research covered all customers of the Telecommunication industry located at Kathmandu valley, and the sample considered 400 customers through convenience sampling techniques. The survey questionnaire was set in three sections with 38 questions of various types to collect data. The result showed a noteworthy strong positive relationship between service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction. It also revealed security was the major influential dimension of customer satisfaction, followed by tangibles, assurance, and empathy. The finding of the study helps all telecommunication industries to enhance service quality and develop a strategy to increase customer satisfaction and value. Hence, it infers that security, tangibles, assurance, and empathy increase the customer's satisfaction in telecommunications services. Overall service quality dimensions are commonly considered as crucial features of customer satisfaction.