Virtual Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Bibliometric Review and Future Research Agenda.

Virtual learning has emerged as a powerful platform for students and academicians in the "new normal" owing to the availability of advanced technological tools and platforms. Recently, considerable literature has grown up around the role of digital and remote technologies in learning and teaching during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the research evidence on this topic is still fragmented, requiring a synthesis of this rapidly growing literature. This study aims to assess the key research trends in virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic through a bibliometric analysis of 1595 studies from 589 journals during 2020-21. Our study highlights the influential aspects, such as the most contributing countries, journals, authors, and keywords in this research field. We identified the following four main research trends: 1) challenges in online learning and blended learning strategies; 2) student-centered, collaborative learning, and curriculum design; 3) home-based laboratory learning; and 4) teachers' professional competence and interdisciplinary learning. We conclude this research by discussing the implications for regulators and educational institutions, and directions for future research.

EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING - A CASE STUDY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Nowadays, knowledge management has become an inspiring catch-all in the eyes of researchers as it is a source of competitive advantage. Despite growing concern for organizational learning, less attention has been given to knowledge management. Therefore, this study sheds light on various dimensions of knowledge management that may help management get organizational learning benefits. The stratified simple random sampling technique was used to collect data from 255 faculty members of public and private universities of Pakistan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the data were collected online. The data were analyzed through SmartPLS software v.3.0. The results revealed that knowledge acquisition, knowledge documentation, knowledge creation, and knowledge application positively influence organizational learning, whereas knowledge transfer has a non-significant effect on organizational learning. It is evident from this study that managers should focus more on knowledge management by valuing employee opinions and well-being. They should value their contribution, help employees when needed, and find more ways to enhance their learning attitude.

Work-Family Conflict, Emotional Intelligence, and General Self-Efficacy Among Medical Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: In Pakistan, medical professionals face multiple challenges comprising long, fixed working hours and workload overburdening, which leads to emotional fatigue. These conflicts in work-life scenarios, brought about by high work demands causing emotional exhaustion, can create a state of distress among the medical professionals. The present study investigates the association between work-family conflict (WFC), emotional intelligence (EI), and self-efficacy (SE) among medical practitioners during COVID-19 in Pakistan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample included 140 medical professionals from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Cross-section correlational research design was used, and information was gathered employing online surveys through a purposive sampling technique. The scales utilized were the WFC, EI, and SE Scale. RESULTS: The current study hypothesized a significant relationship between work-family conflict, general self-efficacy (GSE) and emotional intelligence among medical practitioners during COVID-19 in Pakistan. The results showed that those with more family-to-work conflict had less EI and GSE. Furthermore, findings uncovered that there is a significant positive relationship between EI and GSE. CONCLUSION: The findings propose that it is important for medical professionals to have a high level of EI and GSE to navigate through the WFC more healthily. In future, awareness seminars could be arranged related to EI and its significance to stimulate the psychological well-being of medical professionals. Future studies could also consider other healthcare workers, including nurses and internees doing house jobs and other medical staff, as they are also exposed to several stresses due to the workload and family demands.