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This research presents a novel methodology for tackling the combined thermal-wind economic load dispatch (ELD) issue in contemporary power system. The proposed approach involves hybridizing active-set algorithm (ASA), interior point algorithm (IPA) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP) into grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, while effectively incorporating the intricacies associated with renewable energy sources (RES). A more accurate model is made possible by hybridization for complex systems with memory and hereditary characteristics. The GWO is used as a tool for global search while ASA, IPA and SQP methods are used for rapid local optimization mechanism. The performance evaluation of the design heuristics is carried out on 37 thermal and 3 wind power generating units and outcomes endorse the effectiveness of the proposed scheme over state-of-the-art counterparts. The worthy performance is further validated on statistical assessments in case of thermal-wind integrated ELD problem in terms of measure of central tendency and variation on cost and complexity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become important to attain higher level of innovation as well as sustain good performance levels in dynamic industries. In fact, quality management programs in such industries matter most. Under the quality management umbrella, six sigma is normally supposed to aid companies improve their performance, but the empirical tests regarding how six sigma methodology affects innovation as well as firm performance through the mechanism of absorptive capacity are scarce. Furthermore, there is extremely little empirical testing of this idea concerning Pakistan's construction sector which is a high paced growing sector and where six sigma, absorptive capacity, and innovation have become important strategic considerations. To fill this gap, this study obtained primary data from managers working in construction companies in Pakistan indexed by Pakistan Engineering Council and utilized SmartPLS 3.0 for analyses. On the basis of 73 companies' data, this research reports that absorptive capacity fully mediates the relationship between six sigma and innovation, but it is partial mediator for six sigma and performance relationship. This study builds on and makes invaluable contribution to absorptive capacity and knowledge based view, and recommends managers in construction companies to employ six sigma methodologies to help improve on innovation and enhance companies' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become necessary for organizations to address innovation and gaincompetitive advantage. Among SMEs, strategic orientation plays important role in building innovative capabilities and determining competitive advantage. Hence, this research tests mediating role of innovation between strategic orientation factors and competitive advantage. For testing its hypotheses, this study took data from software houses based in Pakistan. It is because software and IT industry has been progressing over here and scholars also believe that software innovation requires companies and their constituent partners to spend in new methodologies and processes to attain competitive advantage. Based on sample of 61 software houses, the study concludes that innovation acts as mediator between entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage. Further, it reveals that technology orientation positively affects innovation and negatively affects competitive advantage, whereas market orientation positively affects competitive advantage. Interestingly, no relation was discovered between learning orientation, innovation, and competitive advantage. The study adds information to relevant theories as discussed in literature and presents guidelines for software houses for managing their strategic orientation and prioritizing those factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is believed that for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), innovation is most important to deliver performance. Literature indicates that the most significant antecedents of innovation are learning orientation, transformational leadership, knowledge management, and innovative culture. Further, a research gap exists regarding the mediating effect of innovation for the relationships among these antecedents and SMEs performance in the Pakistan context. The scope of research is limited to SMEs and is novel and significant in this regard that it examines the mediatory role of innovation for the relationships between learning orientation, transformation leadership, knowledge management, innovative culture, and performance for Pakistani SMEs. This research employed quantitative research design and collected primary data from 150 SMEs (including retailers, hotels, restaurants, and boutiques) of Southern Punjab region. Area sampling technique was used wherein areas were selected randomly. Respondents were top managers/owners of SMEs. This research concludes that innovation does play a mediatory role. It contributes and strengthens transformational leadership theory, resource-based theory, theory of the growth of firms, and dynamic capabilities perspective. The study also contributes by providing practical implications and suggestions to the policy makers and managers of SMEs. It suggests that managers must develop an innovative culture to promote innovation and attain high performance. Further, effective knowledge management guarantees innovation and superior performance of the organization. Regarding, learning orientation, it suggests that information must be obtained from and communicated to all the employees for fostering innovation and high performance. Finally, the transformational leadership style must be used by leaders for enhancing the creativity of employees and improving SME performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Better performance is every organization's goal. When studied through lens of corporate social responsibility, performance could be achieved by CSR practices through certain mechanisms. Stakeholder theory provides a starting point to integrate stakeholder pressure with CSR practices. Hence, the purpose of this review paperis to establish a conceptual model to integrate and suggest the impact of stakeholders' pressure on performance through mechanism of CSR oriented culture, CSR practices, organizational citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, and organizational trust. The current literature has been extensively reviewed and the paper develops a comprehensive and integrated model using most relevant theories in the field. The originality of the paper is evident through its integrated model. The paper also contributes to the body of knowledge through its critical literature review and hypotheses. The authors believe that the integrated model is useful track for studying the impact of stakeholder pressure on firm performance through multiple mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]