Saleem Gul

Content Based Image Retrieval Using Geometrical-Shape of Objects in Image

Although some major advances have been made in text searching; only preliminary work has been done in image search. The field of Image search is rooted in Artificial intelligence, digital signal processing, statistics, natural language understanding, databases, psychology, computer vision, and pattern recognition. However none of these fields can solve the problem of image search alone but the solution lies at the crossroads of these parent fields. In our paper we are presenting a method of Contents Based Image Search where geometrical shapes of the objects in the image are considered as contents of image. Each object is separated from the image by segmentation. Then the geometrical shape of the object is estimated and compared with a predefine set of shapes of different categories. Number of objects in an image and geometrical shape of the objects are used as contents of the image which is used for retrieval and searching. Number on objects in the image is used for first level of indexing in search process. Currently we have restricted our objects to a fix number of basic geometrical shapes for simplicity but in futures these shapes can be extended and linked to the real world objects by using more complex equations and other features like color, texture and concept of correlation. Most of the existing image retrieval systems are based on text search using keywords that are annotated manually which involve the intellectual and emotional sides of the human. But in our proposed system this process is somewhat automatic.

The Individual's Influence on Low-Technology Innovation: A Critical Realism Based Case Study on North-West Pakistan's Marble Sector

While 49 firm-level determinants of low-technology (LT) innovation have been identified through a systematic review of literature, only 9 amongst these are related to the key individual (owner and top manager). The extant literature does not shed much light on the in-depth dynamics behind presence or lack of LT innovation. Therefore, this study offers a much-needed understanding of the influence of small firm owners and managers on LT innovation in north-west Pakistan’s marble industry. Advocating the need for critical realism that has been an often-ignored paradigm in management research, this paper offers a unique perspective on the paradigm’s fundamental tenets which are “objects” as individuals and their roles, “mechanisms” as ways in which objects influence an event such as occurrence of LT innovation, and “causal powers” as individual-level determinants of LT innovation. A case study approach and mixed methods have been used to investigate two marble sectors. Findings reveal that the more the interests and stakes of owners and managers diverge, the lesser the instance of LT innovation. A role-ordered matrix is presented and explanations of mechanisms and causal powers are offered in terms of individuals’ professional and psychological traits and nature of business stake

Towards an Understanding of the Complexity of Creative Efforts: A Conflict and Negotiation Perspective

This paper examines movie projects from the perspective of organizational complexity. Drawing on qualitative data collected from production efforts within Pakistan’s movie industry, this paper argues that there are causal relationships between the themes of quality, money, rework, malpractice, delays, and cancellations. Furthermore, feedback loops are present between the themes of ‘quality, money, and rework’ and ‘quality, money, and malpractices’. These loops are consequential in that they often lead to contract cancellation, although the cause of cancellation is different in each case. Whilst the importance of these loops cannot be overstated, we argue that these concepts emphasize the non-linear, emergent, and stable/unstable nature of creative efforts

Trends in Contracting Construction Projects: A Case Study

Construction projects are usually very dynamic in nature, involving complex processes and confront risks of uncertainty and constant change. Effective management of such projects therefore requires flexible relationship between the client and contractor. Flexible relationship requires mutual trust between the client and contractor. The contracts that are inflexible suffer problems such as project delays, cost overruns and poor quality. This study is conducted with an intention to investigate the role of trust in the contracting of construction projects. The study is carried out in one of the most underdeveloped provinces of Pakistan i.e. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The construction industry in here is much underdeveloped and need to go through major transformation. This paper aims to analyze the current status of the client contractor relationship in the context of trust with in the construction industry and to find out the factors that facilitate trust and factors that impede trust during the contract. For this purpose, a total of thirty contractors were randomly selected and interviewed from the construction industry of which fifteen were from the private sector and fifteen were chosen from the government sector. The interviews results show that trust plays a significant role in the client contractor relationship. Timely funding to the contractor, timely completion of project, use of skilled labor and due time given by the contractor to the project are the factors that facilitate/ impede the development of mutual trust during the project contracting. Further the data reveals that the private contractors consider trust as a predecessor for contracting whereas on the government side contract is a predecessor for trust.

Dynamics and Determinants of Innovation in the Non-R&D Scenario

R&D is considered to be the key determinant of innovation in any industrial sector. Evolution in innovation thought since Schumpeters pioneering work during the 1930s and 40s has led us to shed this myopic view and recognize the influence of other factors. We contend that innovation, essentially non-linear in nature, can be observed in developing countries like Pakistan characterized by low-technology sectors that have zero or very low R&D intensity. However, little is known about this form of innovation which is influenced by its own peculiar set of context-driven factors. Applying a case study approach and using mixed methods, this paper presents insights on the dynamics and determinants of innovation in a non-R&D SME secotor. Findings reveal limited instances of incremental product and process innovation. A set of 87 factors are found that help explain lack of innovation in the industry. These factors have been collectively presented as 42 determinants categorized as being internal of external to a firm and across their micro-meso-macro origins. Future work emanating from this research will focus on enriching relevant research by seeking consensus around the most influential determinants of innovation in zero R&D scenarios in developing country contexts.

Critical realism and project management: Revisiting the noumenal and phenomenal

This paper is a theoretical exploration of the critical realist paradigm of Roy Bhasker in the light of project management. We present a case that the critical realist paradigm is a way forward and a mechanism to get closer to the reality in which projects are conceived and implemented. The “noumenal” world of Kant, which has previously been considered unattainable and therefore ignored from further debate, is repositioned as one that we can come close to understanding via a closer understanding of the “phenomenal” world if a critical realist stance is adopted. The paper then moves to explore the changing stance of project management research and heeding calls of the project management research community for explorations in the complexity, social process, value creation, broader conceptualization of projects, reflective practice and presents a case for how the critical realist philosophy and case study methodology can be helpful in achieving these goals.