RSS 1.0Faculty Research and Publications
Recent Submissions
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Research ArticleMicrofinance is an important component of the entrepreneurship ecosystem (Iansiti & Levien, 2004). This research explores prominent microfinance models and introduces leading microfinance institutions, in a certain format, practicing these models across the globe. Using primarily qualitative methods of investigation, it then identifies the use of microfinance by different organizations in Saudi Arabia. The study contributes a model of microfinance in Saudi Arabia upon the contemporary conventions, procedures, and practices (Saudi Arabian microfinance model, SAMFIN). It would assist the microfinance landscape and practices of leading institutions. Eventually, the study would ascertain and pinpoint the challenges and opportunities for the Saudi Arabian entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders to introduce the changes and additions required to make the Saudi microfinance landscape more dynamic, and vibrant, and contribute to and satisfy the community needs. Also provided is a brief impact of the Saudi Vision 2030. This work would offer guidance and learning for practitioners, lenders, borrowers, and academics alike both in and outside the country. It can be concluded that the loan limit in Saudi Arabia is substantially high and equals $2666; the microfinance in Saudi Arabia is evolving and the differences identified and discussed above imply that the SAMFIN and global models are quite different in approach and modalities.
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System and method for identification of fingerprintsA method for automated fingerprint identification and special purpose programmed computer for carrying out the method are disclosed. The method and system comprise identifying a scar region in a set of pixels in a fingerprint image by using a second order Gaussian derivative filter parameterized using standard deviation, wherein the scar region has a width greater that the width of a regular ridge or a valley of separation between ridges; wherein a boundary, intensity, and flow direction of each pixel is calculated; each pixel being connected to a next adjacent pixel using flow co-ordinates and flow directions; wherein the Gaussian derivative filter has an output and the output is thresholded to create an output mask with value=1 at the scar regions and value=0 outside the scar regions; and changing the intensity of pixels in the identified scar region with the intensity of the nearest boundary pixel until the intensities of all the pixels in the scar region are changed to the intensity of their flow direction identified boundary pixels.
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An Entrepreneurial Approach for Government Employee Family Welfare in Developing CountriesDeveloping countries like Pakistan face challenges of payment of sufficient benefits at the superannuation to their government employees. Anticipating this the employees resort to unfair practices in an endeavour to safeguard own and family’s future post retirement. This paper identifies the problem and proposes a solution whereby the government has minimal resource investment and yet their employees and families can generate revenues on continual basis through productive family concept. The model is proposed for Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa (KPK) province police department initially and can be replicated for other government departments and countries. The concept can generate a number of jobs and raise the economic conditions at micro levels thus contributing nationally.
