Abstract.A pilot study represents a vital step for conducting a full fledged study soundly. In fact, a well conducted pilot study can help the researchers to design a clear road map they can follow. Conducting a pilot study professionally, however, involves vital quantitative methodological issues (i.e., Back Translation, Missing Data, Normality, and Reliability) the researchers had better take into account when conducting the pilot study and before embarking the main one. Unfortunately, such issues are neglected in many researches as well as barely addressed together in a one work in research papers. From the literature and the experience, the present work aims to address the most recommended practices of such methodological issues providing at the same time the best practices for new researchers and scholars alike, with a view to reduce the loss of suffered by research com munity when such issues and practices remain unpublished together. Suggestions and thoughts were also demonstrated in this work for further researches. Finally, the importance of such research for business sector was also demonstrated in this work.

This study aims to explore impact of managerial human capital in performance of a Syrian public organization, Directorate of Finance of province of Damascus, through use some of managerial characteristics are age, level of education, tenure and functional track. This study applied on a sample of 12 managers and 138 employees. The study reveals that there are no significant effect of age, level of education and functional track in performance of Directorate of Finance of province of Damascus, while there is a positive, strong and significant effect of tenure manager in organizational performance, which indicates that managerial characteristics almost irrelevant with performance of Directorate of Finance of the province of Damascus, and the public sector in general. Such results appear a need for efforts are invested in the formulation and implementation of human resource procedures and policies which can bring about effective change in behaviours and roles of the public managers and employees.

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to review bright sides of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and touches on its dark sides, providing researchers and CSR-driven lay readers with a starting point for further contributions and discussions. The paper also outlines a conceptual perspective about CSR scale development relevant to the uncertain times Syrian Arab Republic is still facing.Design/methodology/approachWith a top ten-journal set indexed in social science citation index (SSCI), the current paper reviewed dozens CSR-references. In different search settings, the paper also included other authoritative references relevant.FindingsCSR, whose bright side is still in the lead, is a significant working philosophy that can keep stakeholders posted on the extent to which organizations can sustain businesses and protect society's welfare at interconnected levels (economic, social, ethical and environmental, among others).Research limitations/implicationsThe review at hand has only covered the tip of the CSR iceberg.Practical implicationsInvesting in CSR transparently could lead to a promising sustainability.Social implicationsWith transparent CSR information, stakeholders (including the public and policymakers) could make an informed decision regarding the extent to which organizations with CSR could protect their well-being.Originality/valueThe current review makes an authoritative reference point new in the CSR literature. In addition, it bridges a research gap not yet studied – by bringing a roadmap outlining a potential CSR-scale development that could cope with the postwar reconstruction phase (an example of which being Syrian Arab Republic).