PurposeThis research was carried out with the purpose to empirically test the model to explain the procedures concerned with the translation of social capital (SC) into strategic renewal (SR) of SMEs in developing economy like Pakistan. This procedure involves the mediating role of firms' strategic agility (SA) as well as the contingent effects of firms' absorptive capacity (AC).Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the hypothesized model. To validate the moderated mediation model, data was collected from 519 CEOs, owners, finance managers and managing directors of 123 manufacturing units dealing in agricultural machinery (32 units), automobile accessories (16 units), pharmaceutical instrument (11 units), electrical equipment (25 units), IT related accessories (21 units) and garments (18 units).FindingsThe findings of the study confirm a positive association between SC on SR. Moreover, results also validate the mediating role of SA in the relationship between SC and SR. In addition, the moderating role of AC is also confirmed and presented this construct as a catalyst in the relationship between SC and SR.Practical implicationsThis research provides new endeavors for strategic management and strategic entrepreneurship literature by focusing on distinctive resources such as SC with its different facets. Therefore, it provides a new dimension and a roadmap that will be beneficial to the achievement of the objectives of SR.Originality/valueThe findings of this research have contributed to the streams of strategic management perspective by emphasizing upon the mediating mechanism how SC can be transformed into SR of SMEs through SA. Findings of the research also contribute to understand the moderating role of AC, and how its association with SC and SA augments the effects on SR of firms.

PurposeThis research aims to concentrate on the important concern that how social capital (SC) influences business model innovation (BMI) in the course of the mediating role of organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). In the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this study empirically tested a theoretical model of BMI to advocate a mechanism for the analysis of its significant determinants.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the objective of the research, survey method was utilized, and data were collected from 521 CEOs, MDs and the owners of ICT sector SMEs. Correlation, causal step approach and regression analysis were used to test the proposed model.FindingsFinding of the research advocates that OLC mediate the relationship between SC and BMI. In addition, stronger EO augments the association between OLC and BMI.Practical implicationsThe study adds to the literature by providing insights regarding the impact of SC, OLC and EO on BMI of small firms.Originality/valueThis research enriches the existing knowledge by testing a mediating role of OLC between SC-BMI link and, therefore, makes an important addition to the existing knowledge in the context of SMEs by concentrating on the relationship between SC, OLC, BMI and EO.

PurposeThe objective of this study is to evaluate the key issues that how social capital augments the initiation of strategic renewal through the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation and the moderating role of organizational flexibility. In the context of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of developing economies, the study developed and tested the theoretical model of strategic renewal for analyzing its major outputs.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized cross-sectional design and employ quantitative approach. The data were collected from the owner, managers and executive directors of pharmaceutical SMEs of Pakistan. The study used statistical analysis of correlation and regression for the analysis of data.FindingsThe study discovered that entrepreneurial orientation mediates the positive relationship of social capital and strategic renewal. Moreover, high organizational flexibility strengthens the association between social capital and strategic renewal of SMEs.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence that how to thrive the mechanism of strategic renewal. The study further provides understanding of the effects of organizational social capital, entrepreneurial orientation and organizational flexibility on strategic renewal.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of human capital on organization’s innovative capabilities in the narrative context of Pakistan. Today various organizations recognized the significance and importance of the intellectual capital. Without any doubt in knowledge-intensive organizations like telecom sector organizations intellectual capital plays a vital role in the contemporary aggressive and everchallenging business environment. The organizations can achieve competitive edge over its competitors by mean of innovation. By effective utilization of intellectual capital organizations can enhance innovative capabilities. Intellectual capital can be classified into three classifications named as human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Human capital is the main component of the intellectual capital and considered as a main aspect for the organization in order to perform in this diverse and unpredictable business environment. The conception of human capital now became mainstream issue for both academics and business practitioner all around the world. However, in the context of developing countries like Pakistan concept of human capital is still under explored. In this study at hand the impact of human capital organization’s innovative capabilities i.e. radical and incremental innovative capabilities are examined. Three hypotheses were developed in order to test the relationship between human capital and innovative capabilities of telecom sector organization in Pakistan. To accomplish the objectives of this study survey method was used in which data was collected through questionnaire. Telecom Sector of Pakistan has been taken as unit of analysis. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS by applying the correlation and regression test. Results of correlation and regression analysis showed that there is a strong relationship between human capital and organization’s innovative capabilities in telecom sector of Pakistan and all three developed hypotheses were supported.

PurposeThe study was initiated to test the relationship of social media site addiction on librarians' performance. Furthermore, the study also tested the mediating role of task distraction and moderating role of effective self-control in aforesaid relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis was an empirical study, and data for the research were collected through a standardized questionnaire from 503 librarians who were having Facebook accounts and are questionnaire developed through “Google Forms” and the link of the questionnaire was distributed using Facebook groups. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, correlation, Baron and Kenny's approach, and Normal Test Theory.FindingsResults indicate that social media addiction is an important factor for that is reducing librarians' performance. At the same time task distraction also adds to negative impact of social media addiction on librarians' performance. However, effective self-control can reduce the negative impact of social media addiction on their performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has some important theoretical as well as practical implications for librarians, library management, and well as for policy makers and government.Originality/valueSocial media is commonly used for communication but when it becomes addiction, it can reduce the employees' performance. Most of existing researched focused on positive aspects of social media; only few researches explored the negative impacts of social media. The proposed relationship was never tested on librarians. This study filled this literature gap and proposed as well as empirically tested a model for evaluating negative impact of social media on librarians' performance.