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Purpose: Previous studies have mainly discussed the impact of student engagement on different facets of academic performance. Research on the approaches to promote student engagement in a classroom setting (i.e., micro-level practices) is relatively sparse. This paper provides a framework for enhancing student engagement in a university undergraduate classroom setting. Design/methodology/approach: This study builds on action research. At the core of this approach is making interventions through a set of pedagogical approaches, derived from the literature. The impact of these interventions was measured, followed by reflections on the outcomes and developing a future improvement strategy. Findings: Student engagement can be enhanced by using heterogeneous pedagogical approaches that positively influence student performance. Further, the use of mixed pedagogical approaches helps students and teachers acquire meta-cognitive knowledge (i.e., knowledge of their learning preferences) and sets the direction for learning. Research limitations/implications: The key contribution of this study is providing a student engagement framework applicable in a sophomore-level classroom setting. The framework discusses a set of techniques, their theoretical underpinnings, the course of their execution and the challenges faced in this process. The framework can be used to guide enhancing student engagement. Originality/value: Contrary to the macro-level measures, research on micro-level measures for promoting student engagement approaches is scarce. This study discusses not only different strategies but also details the dynamic course of their deployment. The study, therefore, is unique in its contribution.

Introduction: This study aims to examine the trends across the entire NRMP application cycles from 2007-2008 to 2022-2023, specifically exploring trends across competitive surgical specialties to assess the efficacy of the existing NRMP business model and provide evidence-based recommendations to better address the current needs of both applicants and programs. Methods: A cross-sectional study exploring the trends in the mean number of applicants and mean number of total ranked positions per applicant across surgical, the top 5 most competitive surgical specialties, and non-surgical specialties from 2007-2008 to the 2022-2023 match cycles utilizing data from the NRMP database. Results: Over the studied 16 match cycles, the mean number of applicants to surgical specialties has increased by 47.99% and the mean number of total ranked positions per applicant has increased by 88.07%. For the top 5 most competitive specialties, the mean number of applicants has increased by 57.66% and the mean number of total ranked positions per applicant has increased by 83.33%. Conclusion: Trends across the 16 most recent NRMP cycles show evidence of increased congestion in the match system, the burden of which is primarily placed on applicants. Our findings support the need for drastic reform in the NRMP to relieve this burden, and we discuss practical solutions to allow the NRMP to better meet the needs of applicants and residency programs alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the most effective leadership style that enhances the employees' performance at the workplace and also evaluate the impact of leadership styles (Laissez-faire leadership, Transformational leadership, Transactional leadership,) on employees' performance in the textile sector of Pakistan. The study explored the moderating role of Positive psychological capital to examine the relationship between leadership styles and employee performance. A quantitative research technique was used, and Data were collected from the lower to middle-level manager of the textile sector. The findings of this study showed that laissez-faire leadership has a significant but negative impact on employee's performance; however the moderating effect of psychological capital has made this relationship negatively significant. Transformational leadership has a significant impact on employee performance. Moreover, transactional leadership has an insignificant effect on employee performance by adding psychological capital as a moderator; this relationship has become positively significant. The textile organisations of Pakistan have been facing many challenges, including lower employee satisfaction and performance. Through the transformational leadership styles, the organisations may improve the employees' performance as the study supported this argument. The results would have practical implications for policymakers, employees, and management. The study has contributed in developing the relationship between the leadership styles and employee performance by adding an unexplored moderator, which is – Positive psychological capital – in an ignored social setting of the textile organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the pattern and presentations of odontogenic jaw cysts in patients reporting at the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, from Jan to Dec 2007. Material and Methods: Hundred patients including 70 males and 30 females with the age range 5-65 years were included in the study. History, clinical examination, radiographic examination and histopathologic examination of lesion were carried out for each patient. A proforma was filled for each patient for all relevant information, presentation and pattern. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10. Results: Out of total 100 patients, 58% were diagnosed with radicular cysts, 25% with dentigerous cysts, 15% with odontogenic keratocyst, 1% patient with calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst and 1% patient was diagnosed with eruption cyst. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that radicular cyst was the most common odontogenic cysts followed by dentigerous and odontogenic keratocysts respectively in our study sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the post-operative complications for mandibular fractures with three different treatment options i.e. miniplate fixation without maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), maxillomandibular fixation exclusively and maxillomandibular fixation with non-rigid fixation. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Place and Duration of Study: Oral and maxillofacial surgery department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from February 2007 to January 2008. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out over a period of one year on 90 patients with mandibular fractures. They were randomly divided into three equal groups for three treatment options. At different levels of their post-operative visit, these patients were evaluated for post-operative complications. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS version 10. Results: Patients treated by MMF had fewer complications, 3 (10%) as compared to patients treated by miniplate without MMF or non-rigid fixation with MMF, 16.7% (5) in each group. Statistically difference was not significant (p-value =0.138). Conclusion: The occurrence of post-operative complications in the treatment of mandibular fractures is fundamentally related to the severity of the fracture rather than the type of treatment used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this case study-based paper is to study the application of Six Sigma, a breakthrough improvement strategy in the field of cell site construction of a telecom company. Design/methodology/approach – This research provides action research of a Six Sigma project using DMAIC methodology carried out in cell site construction function of a telecom company. The research illustrates how the various Six Sigma tools and techniques were applied in a mutually inclusive manner in one project. The infrastructure department of the company had constructed 900 cell sites last year, out of which 150 were not according to standards and were either disapproved by the operations department or underwent maintenance soon after their use. In 2010, the company spent US$ 0.5 million on rework and maintenance at these sites, thus highlighting the urgency of the problem. Findings – The paper shows how, after the implementation of the Six Sigma project, the company made savings worth US$ 0.45 million. Originality/value – Six Sigma as a means of waste reduction has gained popularity among researchers and practitioners. The literature on the methodology of Six Sigma and the management approach towards Six Sigma is burgeoning. While various Six Sigma tools and techniques and their application are discussed in literature independent of each other, the need has arisen to observe their systematic application as they apply in a project; every company can use this breakthrough improvement strategy to improve its processes by reducing waste and deriving the financial benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors of total quality management (TQM) in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan. The paper also seeks to contribute to reduce the existing lack of TQM studies in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – A 29-item survey questionnaire is sent to 90 pharmaceutical distributors. Response rate is 56.7 per cent. Confirmatory factor analysis deletes one item in the scale purification process. Findings – Data analysis reveal that "process design" (PD) is critical TQM success factor in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan. Like other studies in developing countries, top management in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies in Pakistan does not adequately support the TQM implementation. Research limitations/implications – The research is based in Pakistan only. Convenience sampling is done. The response size of the study is small (n=51) though the response rate and significance are high. Small response size prevents more complex analysis such as structural equation modelling. Practical implications – Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution companies are more focused on "PD". Increased top management support is required for proper TQM implementation. Originality/value – This research provides framework to researchers to build up more TQM critical success factor studies in similar sector and situations so that more concrete generalizations can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale for the measurement of service quality in pharmaceutical supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 413 pharmaceutical retailers working in the two biggest cities of Pakistan responded to a survey. Confirmatory factor analysis developed a valid and reliable service quality measurement scale with four dimensions and ten items. Findings – Findings of this research are consistent with other service quality studies. There is no universal set of dimensions and items that determine service quality across a section of service industries. Service quality measurement must be adapted to fit the context. Research limitations/implications – Convenience sampling was undertaken for this research. This research contributes to the measurement of service quality by developing a valid and reliable measurement scale in a previously ignored sector. Practical implications – The scale developed in this research can be used by pharmaceutical distribution companies in Pakistan to measure, control and improve the service quality provided to pharmaceutical retailers. Originality/value – This research provides framework to researchers to build up more pharmaceutical supply chains service quality scale development studies in similar situations so that more concrete generalizations can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]