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1 – 10 of 21Haya Bahyan, Mian M. Ajmal and Hussein Saber
The present study investigated organizational resilience (OR) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE’s) energy sector to identify impactful technological and human variables and assess…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study investigated organizational resilience (OR) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE’s) energy sector to identify impactful technological and human variables and assess the hermeneutic effect of digital transformation on value co-creation and OR. The study also investigates the mediating role of value co-creation on a few covariates of OR.
Design/methodology/approach
The questionnaire was sent out to 311 professionals in the energy sector, all affiliated with governmental organizations, using quota sampling. A total of 206 collated responses corresponding to the tested variables regarding the influences of digital transformation, employee resilience, innovation readiness, cyber resilience and value co-creation on OR were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Accordingly, a model of eight constructs and their 27 indicators was tested.
Findings
Instituting flexibility and adaptability to technological advancements, as well as cyber resilience, was found to enhance digital transformation. The sense of self-efficacy of the professionals who participated in the study led them to develop innovation readiness and thus embrace creativity and encourage co-creation while maintaining collaborative efforts with customers and stakeholders. This mediated several technological and human variables, such as the importance of managers' understanding of customer needs, preferences and pain points, which involves actively seeking and valuing customer feedback to inform decision-making.
Practical implications
When iterative prototyping, continuous learning, and OR are integrated into an organization’s culture, they create a robust foundation for a customer-centric mindset. This mindset becomes ingrained in how employees approach their work and make purposeful decisions.
Originality/value
The present study drew empirical insights into OR in the UAE’s energy sector from a resource-based theory perspective. By identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate mitigation measures, organizations can reduce the likelihood and impact of disruptions, which can ultimately help them maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.
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Mian Ajmal, Mohsin Malik and Hussein Saber
The purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying dimensional structure of project management practices to identify key factors that underpin the successful completion of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying dimensional structure of project management practices to identify key factors that underpin the successful completion of projects.
Design/methodology/approach
It employs exploratory factor analyses to investigate the interrelationships of the survey items synthesized from the literature by retaining and reorganizing the important information from the original data while redundant information is removed.
Findings
The nine theoretical constructs comprising 64 items were coalesced onto five latent constructs comprising 50 items while explaining 50.914 percent of the total variance. The extracted five constructs that describe the best project management practices have been labelled risk management, organizational culture, stakeholder approach, management approach, and project leadership.
Practical implications
The study results benefit both practitioners and the academic community as five broad categories of best project management practices are identified and their interdependencies are established. Project management professionals can use the latent factors as the critical factors for project success, whereas the research community can use the authors’ results to build higher order structural models and to test hypotheses by linking the latent variables with project performance measures.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the discourse on project management by identifying critical practices that contribute to the successful completion of projects.
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Hussein Mohsen Saber Ahmed, Sherif El-Halaby and Khaldoon Albitar
This paper aims to examine the mediating role of big data adoption (BDA) on the association between board governance (BG) and audit report lag (ARL).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the mediating role of big data adoption (BDA) on the association between board governance (BG) and audit report lag (ARL).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses data extracted from financial reports for a sample from EGX100 over the period from 2015 to 2019. This study applies content analysis approach to measure the level of BDA. This study uses ordinary least squares, structure equation modelling and principal component analysis to investigate the relationship between BG, BDA and ARL.
Findings
The findings indicate that BDA can be used as a predictor of ARL for companies listed on the Egyptian stock exchange. The results show that board diversity has a significant effect on ARL when BDA is used as a mediator.
Research limitations/implications
This study only includes technology, telecommunications and health-care industries in the sample.
Practical implications
This paper raises investor and stakeholder awareness for the importance of BDA and corporate governance (CG) procedures in reducing audit report delays in developing countries such as Egypt. This study can assist regulators in developing audit report requirements and enforcing regulations to guarantee timely audit report publication.
Originality/value
This paper provides a shred of unique evidence on the role of BDA in mediating the relationship between BG and ARL in a developing country.
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P. Sunil Dharmapala and Hussein M. Saber
To develop a methodology for faculty salary adjustment through market adjustment based on market demand for business PhDs and merit adjustment based on faculty members'…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop a methodology for faculty salary adjustment through market adjustment based on market demand for business PhDs and merit adjustment based on faculty members' performance levels in the areas of teaching, research and service.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is composed of two models: one for market adjustment and the other for merit adjustment. The market adjustment is handled through goal programming and the merit adjustment through data envelopment analysis (DEA).
Findings
The approach when applied to a sample of faculty salaries shows that the adjusted salary of each faculty member is higher than his/her current actual salary, and each faculty member in the particular discipline deserves a salary increase that reflects market demand and merit factors.
Research limitations/implications
The DEA model used in this research does not impose restrictions on the weights. Realistically, one may impose bounds on the weights and exclude unreasonable solutions from DEA analysis and also set multiple goals instead of the single goal used in the goal programming model.
Practical implications
Based on a goal programming model that addresses the market demand and a DEA model that addresses the merit‐based performances, this methodology may be implemented as a solution procedure for restructuring faculty salaries.
Originality/value
The novelty in this approach is that DEA is being used as a benchmarking technique for merit adjustment of faculty salaries. In that sense, this research work may be the first, where benchmarking has been used in “faculty salary equity adjustment.”
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Matloub Hussain, Mian M. Ajmal, Mehmood Khan and Hussein Saber
The purpose of this paper is to identify attributes of knowledge management (KM) for large and small manufacturing companies in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to propose a process…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify attributes of knowledge management (KM) for large and small manufacturing companies in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to propose a process to evaluate the competitive priorities of these companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is designed by composing multi criteria decision making of KM attributes in order to identify competitive priorities of large and small manufacturing companies to achieve better customer focus. To deal with this complexity of multi criteria decision-making process, Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method has been used in this research.
Findings
Results show that large manufacturing companies are putting more emphasis on “Know-Why” knowledge attribute in all four competitive priorities for achieving customer focus. While, small size manufacturing companies put higher weight on “Know-What” knowledge attribute by focussing on two competitive priorities (flexibility and quality).
Research limitations/implications
Results are derived from a limited number of empirical data only in one country, therefore these cannot be generalized. Future research with larger samples of small and large manufacturing firms from other countries is needed.
Practical implications
To be competitive, manufacturing companies must reshuffle their production strategies to allow them to play a role in global knowledge-intensive market. Therefore, they must incorporate knowledge attributes as a way to achieve higher levels of performance.
Originality/value
This study is among the first and most exhaustive ones carried out in the small and large size firms operating in the manufacturing sector of UAE. It provides a systematic approach to identify the operational competencies and knowledge attributes being followed by large and small manufacturing companies.
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Mostaque Ahmed Zebal and Hussein M. Saber
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of market orientation that exists in the Islamic financial institutions. The study further aims at identifying the antecedents…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of market orientation that exists in the Islamic financial institutions. The study further aims at identifying the antecedents and consequences of such market orientation.
Design/methodology/approach
Considering the explorative nature, the study uses qualitative research approach, collecting data in words using in-depth interview technique, drawing sample from Islamic financial institutions of both Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates. Data were coded and categorized using inductive reasoning method and similar responses were identified from a prepared data matrix. The results were presented in a narrative way using simple frequency for the agreements and disagreements of respondents considering “street language” without being mediating the meaning of the responses.
Findings
A different nature of market orientation called Islamic market orientation has been identified by the results of the study. The study identifies five elements (orientation on Islamic customer, orientation on information, orientation on integration, orientation on competition, and finally orientation on responsiveness) that embody the formation of Islamic market orientation. The study also identifies a different set of antecedents (attitude toward Islamic values, Islamic leadership, risk partaking, inter-relationships, government legislations, and management training) that are responsible for determining the extent of Islamic market orientation. The study further identifies a set of consequences (profitability, customer satisfaction and retention, gaining new customers, increase of employees’ team spirit and satisfaction, service quality improvement, increase of market share, and increase of work efficiency) when market-oriented behavior is being adopted by the Islamic financial institutions.
Originality/value
To the best of the knowledge of the authors of this study, the results offer a different kind of market orientation along with its antecedents and consequences which can be considered as completely original and unique.
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This study focuses on the historical and cultural contexts surrounding Kuwait’s education system and the government’s efforts to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Primary and…
Abstract
This study focuses on the historical and cultural contexts surrounding Kuwait’s education system and the government’s efforts to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Primary and secondary sources and research in policy borrowing provide context to the problem of systemic change of an education system in a country that is trying to prepare its youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. The commitment to improvement is evident, but the question is whether the political, professional, and popular determination is enough to implement the changes into the system and internalize them for sustainable reform. A case can be made that repeated efforts at policy borrowing that resulted in failure to internalize reforms can be used as the impetus for real and sustainable change.
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Meriem Aziez, Saber Benharzallah and Hammadi Bennoui
The purpose of this paper is to address the Internet of Things (IoT) service discovery problem and investigate the existing solutions to tackle this problem in many aspects.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the Internet of Things (IoT) service discovery problem and investigate the existing solutions to tackle this problem in many aspects.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an overview of IoT services aiming at providing a clear understanding about their features because this term is still ambiguous for the IoT service discovery approaches. Besides, a full comparison study of the most representative service discovery approaches in the literature is presented over four perspectives: the IoT information model, the mechanism of IoT service discovery, the adopted architecture and the context awareness. These perspectives allow classifying, comparing and giving a deeper understanding of the existing IoT service discovery solutions.
Findings
This paper presents a new definition and a new classification of IoT services and citation of their features comparing with the traditional Web services. This paper discusses the existing solutions, as well as the main challenges, that face the service discovery issue in the IoT domain. Besides, two classifications of the approaches are adopted on the basis of their service description model and their mechanism of discovery, and a set of requirements that need to be considered when defining an IoT service are proposed.
Originality/value
There are few number works that survey the service discovery approaches in the IoT domain, but none of these surveys discuss the service description models in the IoT or the impact of the context awareness aspect in the service discovery solution. There are also few works that give a comprehensive overview of IoT services to understand their nature to facilitate their description and discovery. This paper fills this gap by performing a full comparison study of multi-category and recent approaches for service discovery in the IoT over many aspects and also by performing a comprehensive study of the IoT service features.
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The purpose of the paper is to showcase the significant achievements of Egypt's scientists in the 20th century across various fields of study such as medicine, physics, chemistry…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to showcase the significant achievements of Egypt's scientists in the 20th century across various fields of study such as medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, math, geology, astronomy and engineering. The paper highlights the struggles and successes of these scientists, as well as the cultural, social and political factors that influenced their lives and work. The aim is to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and make their own contributions to society by presenting these scientists as role models for hard work and dedication. Ultimately, the paper seeks to promote the importance of science and its impact on society.
Design/methodology/approach
The purpose of this review is to present the scientific biographies of Egypt's most distinguished scientists, primarily in the field of Natural Sciences, in a balanced and comprehensive manner. The work is objective, honest and abstract, avoiding any bias or exaggeration. The author provides a clear and concise methodology, including a brief introduction to the scientist and their field of study, an explanation of their major contributions, the impact of their work on society, any challenges or obstacles faced during their career and their lasting legacy. The aim is to showcase the important achievements of these scientists, their impact on their respective fields and to inspire future generations to pursue scientific careers.
Findings
The group of outstanding scientists in 20th century Egypt were shaped by various factors, including familial upbringing, education, society, political and cultural atmosphere and state support for scientific research. These scientists made significant contributions to various academic disciplines, including medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and engineering. Their impact on their communities and cultures has received international acclaim, making them role models for future generations of scientists and researchers. The history of these scientists highlights the importance of educational investments and supporting scientific research to foster innovation and social progress. The encyclopedia serves as a useful tool for students, instructors and education professionals, preserving Egypt's scientific heritage and honouring the scientists' outstanding accomplishments.
Research limitations/implications
The encyclopedia preserves Egypt's scientific heritage, which has been overlooked for political or other reasons. It is a useful tool for a variety of readers, including students, instructors and education professionals, and it offers insights into universally relevant scientific success factors as well as scientific research methodologies. The encyclopedia honours the outstanding scientific accomplishments of Egyptian researchers and their contributions to the world's scientific community.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this paper are several. First, it highlights the importance of education, family upbringing and societal support for scientific research in fostering innovation and social progress. Second, it underscores the need for continued funding and support for scientific research to maintain and build upon the accomplishments of past generations of scientists. Third, it encourages young people to pursue scientific careers and make their own contributions to society. Fourth, it preserves the scientific heritage of Egypt and honors the contributions of its outstanding scientists. Finally, it serves as a useful tool for students, instructors and education professionals seeking to understand the factors underlying scientific success and research methodologies.
Social implications
The social implications of the paper include promoting national pride and cultural identity, raising awareness of the importance of education and scientific research in driving social progress, inspiring future generations of scientists and researchers, reducing socioeconomic disparities and emphasizing the role of society, politics and culture in shaping scientific researchers' personalities and interests.
Originality/value
The paper's originality/value lies in its comprehensive documentation of the scientific biographies of Egypt's most prominent scientists in the 20th century, providing unique insights into the factors that contributed to their development and their impact across various academic disciplines. It preserves Egypt's scientific heritage and inspires future generations of scientists and researchers through the promotion of educational investments and scientific research. The encyclopedia serves as a useful tool for education professionals seeking to understand scientific success factors and research methodologies, emphasizing the importance of supportive and inclusive environments for scientific development.
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Robert J. Antonio and Alessandro Bonanno
We address here how the U.S. neoliberal policy regime developed and how its reconstructed vision of modernization, which culminated, under the rubric of globalization, was…
Abstract
We address here how the U.S. neoliberal policy regime developed and how its reconstructed vision of modernization, which culminated, under the rubric of globalization, was neutralized by 9/11 and neoconservative geopolitics. We analyze the phases in the rise of neoliberalism, and provide a detailed map of its vision of global modernization at its high tide under Clinton. We also address how the Bush Doctrine's unilateral, preemptive polices and the consequent War on Terror and Iraq War eroded U.S. legitimacy as the globalization system's hegmon and shifted the discourse from globalization to empire. Cold War modernization theorists, neoliberal globalization advocates, and Bush doctrine neoconservatives all drew on an American exceptionalist tradition that portrays the U.S. as modernity's “lead society,” attaches universal significance to its values, policies, and institutions, and urges their worldwide diffusion. All three traditions ignore or diminish the importance of substantive equality and social justice. We suggest that consequent U.S. policy problems might be averted by recovery of a suppressed side of the American tradition that stresses social justice and holds that democracy must start at home and be spread by example rather than by exhortation or force. Overall, we explore the contradictory U.S. role in an emergent post-Cold War world.