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The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits and challenges of using logistics service providers (LSPs) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations.

This study uses the focus group interview method with eight LSP companies of varying sizes in the UAE. The aim is to obtain detailed insights into the advantages and obstacles associated with using LSPs.

The interview results reveal differences in the services and payment options offered by large and small-medium-sized LSPs, leading to varying impacts on SMEs. Additionally, both large and small-medium-sized LSPs encounter challenges in delivering services to SMEs, including sustaining logistic excellence in a competitive market, meeting the high customer expectations from SMEs and large enterprises, difficulty in recruiting skilled and competent employees and high costs of business technology.

This study is limited to the UAE context and the perspectives of eight LSP companies. The findings may not be generalizable to other regions or industries.

The findings of this research provide valuable insights for SMEs and large corporations considering the use of LSPs. Understanding the benefits and challenges associated with outsourcing logistics services can assist in making informed decisions and developing effective collaborations with LSPs.

This research contributes to the existing literature by specifically examining the benefits and challenges of using LSPs for SMEs and large corporations. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that influence logistics outsourcing decisions and highlights the unique challenges faced by LSPs and SMEs in the context of the UAE.

This study aims to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial mindsets on the performance of family businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study focused on the following entrepreneurial mindset factors: alertness to opportunity, ambiguity tolerance, dispositional optimism and risk-taking propensity.

A partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed research model. The gathered data consisted of 321 family businesses that operate in the UAE.

Findings showed that only two of the entrepreneurial mindset factors had a significant and positive impact on the firm’s performance, namely, alertness to opportunity and dispositional optimism.

This paper covers a research gap by reflecting the effect of the entrepreneurial mindset in an unstudied context, such as the UAE. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the only study that measures the effect of the dimensions of the entrepreneurial mindset on the performance of family businesses in the UAE, and as such, it represents an additional value to the literature in this field.

The purpose of this study is to explore factors influencing customers’ purchasing behavior toward home-based small and medium enterprise (SME) products. Moreover, this study explores customer perception of home-based SME products and services, as assesses their satisfaction with the parking area layouts and delivery service systems of home-based SMEs.

Relevant variables were drawn from the literature review. A well-structured, internet-based customer questionnaire was developed for this empirical study and sent to a targeted sample of 117 respondents. The statistical methodologies such as ranking scale analysis, analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation were used to assess the gathered data using SPSS software.

The main findings revealed that 83% of the customers perceived the quality of home-based SME products and services as “at least good,” and that convenience was ranked as 21.1% with the most crucial factor for customers, which includes easy access, effective delivery and quicker processes. Moreover, the study reveals that approximately 50.4% of customers rated the parking area layouts as “at least good,” while 33.9% considered it dissatisfactory. The evidence from the correlation analysis indicates that consumers’ purchasing behavior correlates significantly with accessibility, ease of finding online shopping sites and availability of parking areas at a 95% significance level.

The research findings will bring insights to SME owners and entrepreneurs to infer and fulfill customer expectations and achieve brand loyalty. However, research limitations include the relatively small sample size, as well as the study, focuses on home-based SMEs’ consumer behavior which cannot be generalized to other firm types.

This study provides useful information on the factors and issues influencing the purchasing behavior of customers toward home-based SME products in the UAE. Understanding of SMEs owners of customer experience would facilitate planning adequate strategies addressing customers’ needs, behaviors, expectations and future opportunities. Also, logistic and delivery companies can further support SME’s growth by providing an efficient delivery experience taking into consideration the quality of product condition and duration of the delivery cycle.

Home-based SMEs are emerging as intrinsic to the economic diversification process, especially in fast-growing and ambitious countries such as the UAE. The research objectives have drawn a better understanding of consumers’ preferences, perceptions and purchasing behavior which would better facilitate the growth and sustainability of home-based SMEs based on the UAE context.

This study aims to examine success factors for food truck businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on customer convenience, government support, cultural infrastructure and location decisions. Given the unique cultural and economic context of the UAE, this research aims to fill a notable gap in the existing literature.

Using SmartPLS and partial least squares structural equation modeling, data from 250 food truck owners are analyzed to identify significant relationships between success factors and business performance.

The findings reveal significant relationships (p < 0.05) between success factors and the performance of food truck businesses. Customer convenience indirectly affects success through location suitability. Additionally, cultural infrastructure, government support and strategic location decisions have a direct impact on business performance. However, some indirect effects, such as customer convenience through location selection, were found to be statistically insignificant (p = 0.061).

The study offers practical guidance for policymakers and entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of strategic location selection, cultural infrastructure and customer convenience for business success. Establishing designated food truck zones based on suitability will ensure optimal operational environments, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas.

This study contributes new insights into the food truck industry in the UAE, using advanced statistical techniques to identify specific success factors relevant to the region’s unique dynamics.

Computer-Assisted Learning in Pediatrics Program (CLIPP) and National Board of Medical Examiners Pediatric Subject Examination (NBMEPSE) are used to assess students’ performance during pediatric clerkship. International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) assessment is organized by NBME and taken before graduation. This study explores the ability of CLIPP assessment to predict students’ performance in their NBMEPSE and IFOM examinations.

This cross-sectional study assessed correlation of students’ CLIPP, NBMEPSE and IFOM scores. Students’ perceptions regarding NBMEPSE and CLIPP were collected in a self-administered survey.

Out of the 381 students enrolled, scores of CLIPP, NBME and IFOM examinations did not show any significant difference between genders. Correlation between CLIPP and NBMEPSE scores was positive in both junior (r = 0.72) and senior (r = 0.46) clerkships, with a statistically significant relationship between them in a univariate model. Similarly, there was a statistically significant relationship between CLIPP and IFOM scores. In an adjusted multiple linear regression model that included gender, CLIPP scores were significantly associated with NBME and IFOM scores. Male gender was a significant predictor in this model. Results of survey reflected students’ satisfaction with both NBMEPSE and CLIPP examinations.

Although students did not perceive a positive relationship between their performances in CLIPP and NBMEPSE examinations, this study demonstrates predictive value of formative CLIPP examination scores for their future performance in both summative NBMEPSE and IFOM. Therefore, students with poor performance in CLIPP are likely to benefit from feedback and remediation in preparation for summative assessments.