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1 – 10 of 11Azzouz Zouaoui, Mounira Ben Arab and Ahmad Mohammed Alamri
This paper aims to investigate the economic, political or sociocultural determinants of corruption in Tunisia.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the economic, political or sociocultural determinants of corruption in Tunisia.
Design/methodology/approach
To better understand the main determinants of corruption in Tunisia. This study uses The Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) model, which allows us to include a large number of explanatory variables and for a shorter period.
Findings
The results show that economic freedom is the most important variable of corruption in Tunisia. In second place comes the subsidies granted by the government, which is one of the best shelters of corruption in Tunisia through their use for purposes different from those already allocated to them. Third, this paper finds the high unemployment rate, which, in turn, is getting worse even nowadays. The other three factors considered as causal but of lesser importance are public expenditures, the human development index (HDI) and education. Education, the HDI and the unemployment rate are all socio-economic factors that promote corruption.
Originality/value
The realization of this study will lead to triple net contributions. The first is to introduce explicitly and simultaneously political, social and economic determinants of corruption in developing countries. Second, unlike previous studies based on the simple and generalized regression model, the present research uses another novel and highly developed estimation method. More precisely, this study uses the BMA model, on the set of annual data for a period of 1998–2018. The third contribution of this research resides in the choice of the sample.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop an extensive conceptualization of strategic management accounting (SMA) facets, as well as to explore the impact of these facets on both…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an extensive conceptualization of strategic management accounting (SMA) facets, as well as to explore the impact of these facets on both financial and non-financial measures of organizational performance (OP).
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 435 accounting managers working in Saudi companies listed in the Saudi Stock Exchange. The study applies hierarchical regression analysis to test the association between SMA facets and OP.
Findings
The results show that SMA facets significantly affect OP, assessed in the two major categories of financial and non-financial performance.
Research limitations/implications
The dominance of companies listed in the Saudi Stock Exchange in the data set limits the generalizability of the findings.
Practical implications
The present study supports the idea that companies can enhance their OP by adopting some facets of SMA such as the availability of appropriate structural arrangements, supportive resources, adequate information types and usages and good organizational climate.
Originality/value
The current study expands the conceptualization of SMA in light of organizational context as a set of facets to overcome the polarization found in the existing literature and explores their impact on OP, including non-financial performance, for which empirical evidence is still scant.
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Tariq Elyas and Abdullah Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
This chapter briefly explores selected English and general education policy documents, curricula, and textbooks within the context of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from a Critical…
Abstract
This chapter briefly explores selected English and general education policy documents, curricula, and textbooks within the context of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from a Critical Discourse Analysis perspective and examines how they have changed pre- and post-21st century. First, a policy document related to education in KSA in general (pre-21st century) is analyzed along with an English language teaching (ELT) policy document of the same period. Next, two general policy documents post-21st century are explored, followed by one related to ELT policy. Finally, one post-21st century document related to higher education is discussed. The “network of practices” within which these documents are situated are first detailed, as well as the structural order of the discourse, and some linguistic analysis of the choice of vocabulary and grammatical structures (Meyer, 2001). Issues which might be problematic to the learning and teaching identities of the students and teachers interpreting these documents are also highlighted. Finally, we consider whether the network of practices at this institution and KSA in general “needs” the problems identified in the analysis and critically reflect on the analysis.
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A. Subaveerapandiyan, Dalitso Mvula, Naved Ahmad, Amreen Taj and Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed
This study aims to assess AI literacy and attitudes among medical students and explore their implications for integrating AI into healthcare practice.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess AI literacy and attitudes among medical students and explore their implications for integrating AI into healthcare practice.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research design was employed to comprehensively evaluate AI literacy and attitudes among 374 Lusaka Apex Medical University medical students. Data were collected from April 3, 2024, to April 30, 2024, using a closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire covered various aspects of AI literacy, perceived benefits of AI in healthcare, strategies for staying informed about AI, relevant AI applications for future practice, concerns related to AI algorithm training and AI-based chatbots in healthcare.
Findings
The study revealed varying levels of AI literacy among medical students with a basic understanding of AI principles. Perceptions regarding AI’s role in healthcare varied, with recognition of key benefits such as improved diagnosis accuracy and enhanced treatment planning. Students relied predominantly on online resources to stay informed about AI. Concerns included bias reinforcement, data privacy and over-reliance on technology.
Originality/value
This study contributes original insights into medical students' AI literacy and attitudes, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions and ethical considerations in AI integration within medical education and practice.
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Mohamed Hajjaji, AbdErrazzak Khadmaoui and Mohamed El Bakkali
The practice of consanguinity has been culturally preferred in most Arab countries, including Morocco. This behavior leads to an increase in genetic abnormalities, such as…
Abstract
Purpose
The practice of consanguinity has been culturally preferred in most Arab countries, including Morocco. This behavior leads to an increase in genetic abnormalities, such as hypertension and diabetes. This paper examines the prevalence and determinants of first-cousin marriages and their impact on diabetes among offspring.
Design/methodology/approach
Data on 882 couples were collected through face-to-face interview via a pre-established questionnaire based on the variables selected within the objectives of this study. The authors used the multiple logistic regression modeling procedure in this study.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that the prevalence of first-cousin marriages were 15% among students’ parents. From the multiple logistic regression modeling, the authors found a significant effect of paternal and maternal grandparents’ first-cousins marriage on that of parents (aOR = 3.27 and aOR = 3.36, respectively). However, an 11-fold higher risk of first relative marriages among parents once the paternal and maternal grandparents were first-cousins and the father was illiterate (aOR = 11.01). Moreover, the authors reported a diabetes risk of more than 14 times when the effects of first-cousin maternal grandparents and parents and the hypertension among mother or her sibling were combined (aOR = 14.48) or when the effects of first-cousins maternal grandparents, first-cousin parents and mother’s age at marriage between 21 and 29 years were combined (aOR = 14.56).
Originality/value
First-cousin marriage depends on the father’s illiteracy and the consanguinity of grandparents’ factors. The cumulative effect of first-cousin marriage among grandparents, parents and a family history of hypertension among mother or her sibling increase the risk of diabetes among these mothers.
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Julie Davies, Thamina Anjuman, Zeyad Al Ghamdi, Saud Altamimi, Sheikh Mateen Ellahi, Moza Al Thani, Frank Huang, Yara Alsoqair and Rawan Alshehri
This narrative literature review examines intersectional employee voice inequalities in a non-Western, high power distance context to develop a multilevel conceptual framework.
Abstract
Purpose
This narrative literature review examines intersectional employee voice inequalities in a non-Western, high power distance context to develop a multilevel conceptual framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use Leininger's (1997, 2002) culture care model to explore multilevel influences on intersectional voice inequalities. The article applies insights from a review of 31 studies to the specific challenges of migrant palliative care (PC) nurses in Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The themes identified in the review indicate how better transcultural communications might mitigate voice inequalities that influence migrant employee wellbeing and intentions to quit which result from cultural incongruities.
Originality/value
The impact of national culture differences and intersectional inequalities on employee voice has largely been ignored in academic research. This paper offers unique insights drawing on culture care theory into intersectional voice challenges from a non-Western perspective in the underresearched setting of Saudi Arabia which is mid-way through a national transformation program. It starkly contrasts policy ambitions for advancing healthcare with discriminatory practices based on conservative attitudes which stifle migrant worker voices.
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Abdurahman Ahmed Endris and Yohannes Sisay Molla
Most educational institutions worldwide have suddenly switched to online instruction due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and English language teaching took its part in…
Abstract
Purpose
Most educational institutions worldwide have suddenly switched to online instruction due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and English language teaching took its part in this transition. The immediate transition from face-to-face to fully online instruction affects its effective implementation, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia where online learning is in its early stage. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate postgraduate EFL students’ perceptions and practices of online learning.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a descriptive survey design. Using simple random sampling, 91 postgraduate EFL students were selected from four universities. Online questionnaires were employed to collect data. To analyze the data, both descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (one sample t-test) statistics were used.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that the students had favorable perceptions of online learning. Despite the students' positive perceptions, the results of the study showed that the practice of online learning in the universities was limited; especially the practice of synchronous online learning was low.
Research limitations/implications
The results suggest that the concerned bodies at the universities should consider implementing a blended (both synchronous and asynchronous) learning system to deliver an online learning approach.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies in a higher education context in Ethiopia, which tries to investigate the postgraduate EFL students' perceptions and practices of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper is original because it investigated the status of online learning during the pandemic in a developing country like Ethiopia; it provides a real and convincing idea of a new way of learning in the post-COVID-19 context. The study can also be useful for related future research in the context of a pandemic-like COVID-19.
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Alok Tewari, Ram Singh, Smriti Mathur and Sushil Pande
The current study employs a modified framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to predict students' intention to adopt online learning in India…
Abstract
Purpose
The current study employs a modified framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to predict students' intention to adopt online learning in India. The moderating role of openness to change in influencing the proposed relationships is also assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was emailed to 650 students enrolled in various courses in public and private universities in India. In total 424 responses were considered for analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM). Moderation analysis was carried out with multi-group SEM and chi-square difference tests.
Findings
The results reveal that there is a significant impact of performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FS) and perceived security (PS) on students' intention to adopt online learning. Further, openness to change moderates the impact of PE, FS and PS on intention of students to opt for online learning.
Originality/value
This study is one of the initial efforts to examine the factors affecting students' intention to adopt online learning at the onset of third wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India. Besides the factors of the UTAUT model, this study highlights the importance of PS and openness to change in influencing students' intention to opt for online learning.
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Shahla U. Umar and Tarik A. Rashid
The purpose of this study is to provide the reader with a full study of the bat algorithm, including its limitations, the fields that the algorithm has been applied, versatile…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide the reader with a full study of the bat algorithm, including its limitations, the fields that the algorithm has been applied, versatile optimization problems in different domains and all the studies that assess its performance against other meta-heuristic algorithms.
Design/methodology/approach
Bat algorithm is given in-depth in terms of backgrounds, characteristics, limitations, it has also displayed the algorithms that hybridized with BA (K-Medoids, back-propagation neural network, harmony search algorithm, differential evaluation strategies, enhanced particle swarm optimization and Cuckoo search algorithm) and their theoretical results, as well as to the modifications that have been performed of the algorithm (modified bat algorithm, enhanced bat algorithm, bat algorithm with mutation (BAM), uninhabited combat aerial vehicle-BAM and non-linear optimization). It also provides a summary review that focuses on improved and new bat algorithm (directed artificial bat algorithm, complex-valued bat algorithm, principal component analyzes-BA, multiple strategies coupling bat algorithm and directional bat algorithm).
Findings
Shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of this algorithm through all the research studies that dealt with the algorithm in addition to the fields and applications it has addressed in the hope that it will help scientists understand and develop it.
Originality/value
As far as the research community knowledge, there is no comprehensive survey study conducted on this algorithm covering all its aspects.
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Ankan Mukherjee Das, Kumar Dron Shrivastav, Neha Taneja, Aanchal Anant Awasthi, Shazia Rashid, Ajay Gogia and Rajiv Janardhanan
Breast cancer (BC) presents a major public health challenge world-over including India. While several risk-factors, early signs and symptoms of BC are known, the knowledge and…
Abstract
Purpose
Breast cancer (BC) presents a major public health challenge world-over including India. While several risk-factors, early signs and symptoms of BC are known, the knowledge and awareness of this disease remains poor among the population. The present study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and awareness of BC, its risk factors, early signs and symptoms and breast self-examination (BSE) practice as an early detection method among Indian college-going female students.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey at a University in Delhi-NCR. Data on socio-demographic, knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was performed. All tests were two-sided and significance was set at p < 0.05.
Findings
A total of 866 female students participated in the study with mean age of 22.32 (±0.146) years having mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.22 (±3.52). As high as 82.1% of the participants had heard of BC but while 74.8% thought early detection is possible, 70.7% believed BC cannot be prevented. Gene mutations (60.2%) were identified as a significant risk factor, while breast pain (61.4%) was commonly recognized as a sign of BC. Only 29.8% of students ever performed BSE. Increased odds of performing BSE (OR = 3.4) was found among students who recognized gene mutations as an important BC risk factor.
Research limitations/implications
Knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE among female college students were found to be below average. It is suggested that there is an urgent need for increasing BC awareness among young girls through workshops and mobile-health interventions.
Practical implications
This study provides new information on the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors, sign and symptoms and self-examination practice among young college girls. Moreover, this study advocates the need for design and implementation of a sustainable digital health model for active population BC screening, which is not being done currently.
Social implications
BC is a highly aggressive disease, which is now one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India and world over. Although the knowledge of BC risk factors and its signs and symptoms have increased, the awareness of these elements among the general population at large is low and/or missing, especially in India. Furthermore, as a consequence of unorganized screening programs in the country, majority of women are presenting young with locally advanced disease. Understanding the existing level of knowledge and educating school, college and University students of the pertinent factors and screening practices such as BSE could drastically help in improving the self-screening and/or clinical examination rates. This could potentially lead to early detection and improved prognosis, thus ameliorating disease burden.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few studies conducted in India among young female college students belonging to non-medical backgrounds, delineating the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors and signs and symptoms along with practice of early detection method such as BSE. The study has a considerable sample size and provides valuable evidence for a need to implement programs incorporating digital health models for accelerating awareness and screening of young girls in both rural and urban settings.
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