Bangladesh Journal of Administration and Management

Aligning Civil Service Training with Workplace Competencies: Examining the Law and Administration Course in Bangladesh

Dr. Mahmudul Hassan, Forkan Elahi Anupam, Sabrina Afrin Mustafa — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the extent to which the Law and Administration Course (LAC) aligns with the workplace competencies required of entry-level officers (ELOs) in the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre. Conducted by the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy, the LAC is the principal professional course intended to prepare newly recruited officers for early-career responsibilities in field administration and secretariat work. The study is situated within the literature on competency-based training, learning transfer, public service capability, and results-oriented training evaluation. Using a mixed-methods design, the article draws on survey responses from 120 LAC participants, assessments from 30 supervising officers, focus group discussions, interviews with faculty members, and documentary analysis of course materials, duty charters, and relevant public administration policy documents. The findings indicate that the LAC is broadly relevant to statutory and procedural responsibilities, especially in legal literacy, land administration, service rules, and administrative procedure. However, notable gaps remain in analytical reasoning, applied legal interpretation, decision-support drafting, digital governance, managerial coordination, and the handling of complex cases under time constraints. These weaknesses appear to stem less from content irrelevance than from the absence of explicit competency benchmarks and from assessment practices that emphasise knowledge acquisition more than applied performance. The article argues that a concise competency framework, stronger job-linked simulations, and results-based assessment feedback would enhance the course's practical value and strengthen the transition from formal training to workplace performance.

Investigating the Influence of Leadership on the Sustainable Performance of SMEs in Emerging Economies: Evidence from Bangladesh

Md. Salah Uddin, Md Nuruzzaman — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates how leadership influences the sustainable performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Grounded in Dynamic Capabilities Theory, which explains how leaders sense opportunities, seize resources, and reconfigure organizational routines under constrained conditions, this study employed a cross-sectional survey and analyzed data using PLS-SEM (SmartPLS 4.1.0.8). The instrument comprised 16 reflective indicators across four latent constructs (leadership; economic, social, and environmental sustainability). After screening, 180 owner/manager responses were retained for analysis; reliability and validity (α, CR, AVE), discriminant validity (HTMT, Fornell–Larcker), and collinearity (outer/inner VIF) were assessed prior to testing structural paths with 5,000-sample bootstrapping. Results demonstrate that leadership has a positive and significant effect on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Among these, the strongest influence is observed on social sustainability, followed by economic and environmental dimensions. These findings underscore the critical role of leadership in shaping triple bottom line outcomes within SMEs operating under resource constraints. The study is limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on single-respondent survey data, which may constrain causal inferences. The findings provide actionable insights for SME managers and policymakers in emerging economies by demonstrating how effective leadership can drive sustainability practices, enhance resilience, and align SMEs with national development priorities and global sustainability goals. Rather than proposing a new theoretical model, this study extends the leadership–sustainability nexus into the underexplored context of SMEs in Bangladesh, contributing contextual empirical evidence and practical guidance for fostering sustainable growth in emerging economies.

Pesticide Use Knowledge among Vegetable Growers in Bangladesh: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture, Farmer Health, and Environmental Integrity

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Bangladesh, pesticides are frequently used in vegetable production to control pests and diseases with little consideration of their impact on the environment and human health, and their use remains largely uncontrolled despite the existence of several pesticide control rules and regulations. Against this backdrop, the study examined traditional practices, knowledge, behavior, and propensity for pesticide usage, as well as the impact of these chemicals on farmers' health and the environment. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in the study villages. The health impact was illustrated through graphical presentations generated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), while a likelihood ratio test was used to examine links between health problems and factors such as pesticide use frequency, training level, education, and protective coverings. Results indicate that 60% of farmers apply pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides daily or weekly without necessary protective measures, and 68% rely on personal experience and fellow farmers' advice rather than Bangladesh guidelines. Harvesting often occurs within 2-5 days of pesticide application, especially for vegetables like long beans and eggplant, leading to health issues including gastric problems, headaches, nausea, skin problems, and diarrhea. Over-pesticide use also adversely affects the environment, depleting soil fertility and contaminating water. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening farmer training and awareness programs, including community-based initiatives such as Uthan Boithok, and promoting organic and sustainable farming practices that encourage the safe use of pesticides while safeguarding both farmer health and the environment.

Silenced Grievances: Waste Workers' Knowledge, Perceptions, and Experiences Regarding Occupational safety and Health Hazards in LG’s of Bangladesh

Shafiqul Islam, Mohammad Rabiul Islam — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Occupational safety and health hazards are a significant public health concern worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Bangladesh, twelve city corporations produce vast amounts of solid waste, and thousands of waste workers are employed by these corporations to collect, transport, and dispose of it. These workers suffer from various diseases and are often neglected and maltreated despite performing risky jobs. However, the literature on occupational health hazards relevant to solid waste collection in the local government of Bangladesh, particularly on waste workers’ livelihoods, working environment, and health risks, is limited. This article explores the nature of the violence waste workers face, along with the societal expectations and perspectives that perpetuate it. Data were gathered from Cumilla City Corporation in Bangladesh through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions with waste workers, key-informant interviews with various stakeholders, and observations of waste collection and disposal points. Thematic analysis shows that waste workers experience violence in the occupational setting, encompassing physical and psychological abuse, persistent pressure, constraints on personal liberty, denial of treatment, exploitation, discrimination, social exclusion, undermined social recognition, and wage withholding. Fear of job loss prevented them from filing complaints. Supervisors described the waste workers as ‘illiterate’, ‘low class’, ‘insubordinate’, ‘uncooperative’, and ‘reluctant to work’, thereby rationalising their conduct as acceptable. Other stakeholders largely dismissed these issues. The study highlights the need for actionable measures to prevent workplace violence and address emerging occupational health concerns in Bangladesh's waste management sector.

Islamic Perspectives on Entrepreneurship in the Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence Era

Md. Amirul Islam, Mohammad Omar Faruq, Mohammad Fateul Abedeen — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study re-establishes the theoretical foundations of Islamic entrepreneurship through Quranic and Hadith guidance, while examining barriers faced by Muslim society in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Content analysis of Quranic verses and six major Hadith compilations identified five themes from each source, together forming a comprehensive ethical framework for Islamic entrepreneurship. Data from 100 Muslim participants—including scholars, da’wah followers, pir-murids, religious officers, and general Muslims—were analyzed using statistical frequency and thematic analysis. Findings revealed five principal barriers: religious misconceptions (76.8% perceived entrepreneurship as risky), lack of institutional and financial support (70% cited difficulty accessing Sharia-compliant investment), skills deficit (63% lacked business and digital skills), socio-cultural barriers (69% viewed employment as safer), and technological unpreparedness (63% lacked digital skills, 49% resisted integrating Islamic economics with entrepreneurship).

The study proposes a three-tier framework: (1) Quranic-Hadith foundations, (2) skills development and education reform, and (3) institutional and policy support. Recommendations are offered for religious institutions, Islamic banks, educators, policymakers, and the technology sector. Limitations include the Bangladesh-only sample and convenience sampling. Future research should explore comparative studies, AI-integrated models, and female Islamic entrepreneurship. Islamic entrepreneurship is framed as worship, social responsibility, and spiritual pursuit, capable of ensuring prosperity and success in the hereafter when aligned with 4IR technologies.