Research
Determination of Domestic Prices of Milk and Wheat in Pakistan: Error in Estimation
The domestic prices of traded goods in an open economy are a function of international prices and the levied tariff rates. The key question arising here is whether the domestic prices can be “estimated†from the information on international prices and the tariff rates given that the later two independent variables are determined out of the system? Some authors have “estimated†domestic prices from international prices and the tariff rates. However the estimation of domestic prices in such way has presented inaccurate estimates. Present study is an attempt to correct such failing in case of domestic prices of milk and wheat and strived to calculate instead of estimating the domestic prices in presence of two independently determined variables i.e. tariff rates and international prices.
Human Resource Management Practices in Private Sector Organisations in Pakistan: Study of Cultural Influences
This study presents findings of in-depth interviews from ‘core-informants’ from private sector organisations in Pakistan. Study identified that the impact of national cultural factors such as collectivism and high power distance have a strong influence on human resource management (HRM) practices and retaining competitive advantage at work. This study also revealed that sifarish (i.e. connection), sycophancy and nepotism are critical factors in HRM functioning. Typically organisations are hierarchically structured with unquestionable authority vested in either management or proprietor. The current investigation also found out that managerial support for sifarish or connection-based recruitment, selection and promotions practices are some of the main factors affecting to the development of HRM systems in private business sectors. Training and development practices are given little importance with absence of linkage between performance appraisal reward and promotions. The important implications for policy makers and heads of private organisations are discussed in the last section.
The Role of Small and Medium-size Enterprises in Socio-economic Sustainability in Pakistan
The report is based on an exploratory research on an assessment of the problems and constraints faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan with regard to access to financing. The purpose of this report is to identify the core constraints in financing of SMEs in Pakistan that impede their growth and even undermine their liquidity and financial position. The research methodology includes qualitative data and quantitative data. A survey was undertaken from a sample group of 500 respondents of SMEs in Karachi from whom various questions were asked through a structured questionnaire. In addition, one-on-one formal and informal interviews were taken from various businessmen and bankers. Samples were selected conveniently. A conceptual model/framework was devised to test and ascertain the statistical validity. It includes dependent variable SME financing and independent variables, financing constraints, functional/internal barriers, government support and incentives, and SMEs growth and development.
