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This study is set to analyse the role of high-performance work systems which is mainly aimed to boost knowledge, skills, and abilities of human resources in the form of effective communication and better coordination termed as relational coordination and subsequently improving performance. Using the theory of relational coordination that explains the relational aspects of coordination along with effective communication to influence performance outcomes, the study obtained data from 218 branches through survey focusing on employees' perspectives regarding high-performance work system in anticipating relational coordination among employees in performing focal work process of branch banking functions. The data obtained from officers was analysed through the Data Envelopment Analysis approach to identify efficient bank branches pivotal in formulating optimal policy measures. Results indicated that high-performance work systems envisaged relational coordination via the intervention of deposits and profitability. The findings contribute to the literature of high-performance work systems by indicating what interventions in high-performance work systems and the relational coordination may lead to bringing down operations cost or making improvements in the delivery of banking services. The study also implies that compared with managerial perspectives in the field, employees' perspectives provide significant insights about the relational process in explaining how a well-coordinated approach towards HR systems establish the social context for better HRM practices, enhancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-medication refers to the selection and use of medicines without prescription by an individuals’ personal responsibility as a cure of self-identified disease. Although its rationale, type and extent may different from culture to culture, it is globally prevalent practice. In Pakistan no research is available on the use of self-medication among university students. The existing study was conducted to investigate the frequency and percentages of branded medicines used by university students, reasons and rationale behind self-medication. It was a survey research design and descriptive statistics were collected regarding the use of self- medication. Hence, a sample of 300 students was employed between the age range of 16-25 years (M = 20.23, SD = 2. 76). The respondents filled a questionnaire regarding socio-economic and demographic variables, use of self-medication, and medication knowledge. Information was obtained on the conditions treated with medication, the medications used, and attitude towards self-medication. Results indicated mostly used type of self-medication was allopathic (f = 230, 77%). Headache was found to be more frequently prevalent disease. Most frequently used medicine was Disprin (M = 49.68, SD = 15. 14) as a cure of headaches and other body pains. Financial problems (f = 90, 30%) left over drugs (f = 46, 15%) and easy accessibility (f =38, 12.7%) were found to be the strongest factors in using self-medication. Moreover significant differences appeared in the use of type of medicines between boys and girls. The study concluded that self-medication is widely used practice among university students in Pakistan [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The political history of Pakistan is strongly associated with the international political economy circumstances. Constrained due to the geographical location and her position in the regional political circumstances immediately after the independence, Pakistan opted for an alliance with the United States. The nature of Pakistan's linkages with United States proved to be extremely counterproductive for the process of democratisation and prospects of institution-building. Various US administrations exploited the US-Pakistan's asymmetrical relationships by taking advantage of Pakistani army's alliance in pursuit of their imperialist policies in the Middle East, Cold War with USSR in Afghanistan and recently the War on Terror. Since, the authoritarian regimes continued to rule Pakistan under the auspices of US administrations, Pakistan remained stranded between the status of a complete autocracy and competitive authoritarianism since its independence till date. Pakistan has been one of the major recipients of foreign aid from US and other multilateral aid and development agencies but this aid has primarily been used to consolidate Pakistani army. The continuous inflow of development aid has had a negative rather than positive impact on Pakistan's economy and political institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper narrates the history of authoritarianism in the post-independence Pakistan and its effect on the process and prospects of democratisation and the possibilities of institutionalisation of local government reforms. The political history of Pakistan after the independence and other associated contextual factors highly differentiate her contemporary political organisation from other comparable countries in South Asia. For instance, India and Pakistan emerged as independent states from the colonial rule on the same day and both states inherited the almost similar administrative setups from the British rule nonetheless, the subsequent development of democratic credentials and the establishment of local governments as a regular third tier of government in India unequivocally distinguishes her case from that of Pakistan's. Pakistan's six decades of chaotic history has seen frequent changes in government including three major military regimes. The politically centralising factors have led Pakistan to become a security state where the apex twin institution i.e. the civil-military bureaucracy takes the lead in running the government and state's affairs at all levels. In such a context, the process of democratisation has remained precarious at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]