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During unusual times involving discontinued face to face sessions in formal education settings, mobile learning (m-learning) involving social networking sites has become a popular alternative since students are always in possession of handheld electronic devices. When connection through technology was the only option due to social distancing in current pandemic, students who were already active extensive users of social networks found online learning as a new way of getting formal education. The objective of this study was to explore how the state of student's behavioral intention for social media based online learning is driven by external factors like subjective norm and self-efficacy. To fulfill this aim, this study uses a quantitative approach to study the factors that mediate the decision behavior of students towards social media employed as a learning platform and use of m-learning involving social networks. A sample of management science students (n= 255) from four universities participated in the research. Analysis of data suggested that subjective norm and self-efficacy were significant predictors for student participation in e-learning initiatives involving social media and networks. The proposed serial mediation model revealed that self-efficacy and perceived usefulness in that order were playing a positive significant role in student use of social networking for learning. No significant differences were observed between either gender when self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, and use of social media in education were considered.

This research study explores the relationship between customer focus and the performance of construction projects undertaken by small companies. Additionally, process management in these companies has been studied as a mediator in explaining the relationship between customer focus and project performance. A moderated mediation model has been proposed to investigate the role of strategic planning and its effects on project outcomes. Data was gathered from 326 staff members working at different levels of management in some of Pakistan’s emerging construction companies owned by young entrepreneurs. The study’s findings revealed a positive relationship between customer focus and project performance mediated by process management. Moderation analysis indicates a significant relationship between process management and project performance when moderated by strategic planning. Constraints to the study have been identified, and suggestions for future research have been offered.

This study investigates the impact of supply chain resilience and robustness on firm performance and also examines the significance of supply chain risk management (SCRM) in minimizing the consequences of disruptions on supply chain performance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was gathered using convenience sampling technique through a survey from management staff (n=409) working in textile companies operating in Pakistan. Using SPSS software for data analysis, thisstudy proposes a mediation model where risk management practices are proposed as a mediator between supply chain resilience, robustness and firm performance. The findings highlight that supply chain resilience and robustness have positive significant effect on firm performance. The results also revealed that supply chain risk management mediates the relationships between supply chain resilience, robustness and firm performance. The findings show that managers should focus more on improving supply chain risk management operations and prioritize their SC resilience and robustness competencies for better firm performance. Furthermore, this is among the few quantitative studies dealing with supply chain risk management procedures, SC resilience and robustness in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The research limitations have been identified and suggestions for future research have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advent of information and mobile communication technologies has given new dimensions to educational research. Investment in technology based infrastructure for education will be effective if students are ready to adapt their behavior to accept technological changes. The research objective is to identify state of student's behavioral intentions and readiness for online learning to increase their participation towards e-learning initiatives taken by institutions. This study implements a survey of undergraduate, masters and PhD students (N=211) of 3 departments (Engineering, Computer Science and Management Sciences) from four universities. Results suggested that behavioral intention for online learning was a predictor of students' participation in e-learning initiatives. The proposed mediation model revealed that perceived institutional support for information technology infrastructure affect the students' participation. Findings indicated that females had better preparedness for e-learning initiatives and undergraduate students found e-learning methods effective as compared to classroom teaching. Directions for future research have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of SPC and quality tools to a maintenance process in a local oil refinery is presented and shown that the results have great value especially when the facts and findings are linked to the cost of quality. It is found that utilization of SPC and quality tools is essential to answer questions like identifying factors causing maintenance problems, identifying most critical conditions that result in machine failures in future and relating problems with causes etc. These questions relate to establishing and implementing a predictive maintenance plan where the overall effect gained is improved maintenance quality at reduced cost and downtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]