Stig Stenslie and Kjetil Selvik
The chapter compares the survival of old regime elites in Tunisia and Egypt after the 2011 uprisings and analyses its enabling factors. Although democracy progressed in Tunisia…
Abstract
The chapter compares the survival of old regime elites in Tunisia and Egypt after the 2011 uprisings and analyses its enabling factors. Although democracy progressed in Tunisia and collapsed in Egypt, the countries show similarities in the old elite’s ability to survive the Arab Spring. In both cases, the popular uprisings resulted in the type of elite circulation that John Higley and György Lengyel refer to as ‘quasi-replacement circulation’, which is sudden and coerced, but narrow and shallow. To account for this converging outcome, the chapter foregrounds the instability, economic decline and information uncertainty in the countries post-uprising and the navigating resources, which the old elites possessed. The roots of the quasi-replacement circulation are traced to the old elites’ privileged access to money, network, the media and, for Egypt, external support. Only parts of the structures of authority in a political regime are formal. The findings show the importance of evaluating regime change in a broader view than the formal institutional set-up. In Tunisia and Egypt, the informal structures of the anciens régimes survived – so did the old regime elites.
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Sadia Mehfooz Khan, Muhammad Ali, Chin-Hong Puah, Hanudin Amin and Muhammad Shujaat Mubarak
This study aims to investigate two primary objectives. First, this study examines the influence of modified service quality dimensions on Islamic bank customer satisfaction using…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate two primary objectives. First, this study examines the influence of modified service quality dimensions on Islamic bank customer satisfaction using a compliance, reliability, empathy, assurance, tangible, operational efficiency, responsiveness (CREATOR) model. Second, the study explores the relationship between customer satisfaction, trust, loyalty and word of mouth (WOM) in Islamic banking of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model was analyzed using PLS-SEM-based approach. A total of 312 usable responses were used for data analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that all CREATOR dimensions have a significant positive impact on Islamic banks’ customer satisfaction. Similarly, this study also found a significant positive relationship between customer satisfaction, trust, loyalty and WOM. Overall, this study modified a well-established service quality framework by successfully implementing the CREATOR model in Islamic banking.
Originality/value
This study will provide helpful policy guidelines for Islamic bank managers improve their service quality and strengthen their relationships with existing and new customers. The authors are also sure that their proposed model will add value to the ongoing service quality literature by indicating the role of operational effectiveness in increasing customer satisfaction and promoting positive WOM.
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Mounira M. Charrad, Amina Zarrugh and Hyun Jeong Ha
We examine frames expressed during the Arab Uprisings that toppled authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya in 2011. Through a visual analysis of 3,506 photographs taken…
Abstract
We examine frames expressed during the Arab Uprisings that toppled authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya in 2011. Through a visual analysis of 3,506 photographs taken at protest sites, we identify a new type of master frame, the “reclamation” master frame, in which protestors assert their right to what they feel they should have but has not been delivered or has been stolen from them by dictators. In the cases we consider, protestors reclaimed their right to (1) integrity of governance; (2) a proud nation, and (3) the dignity of the victims of state violence. They framed their struggle as a redefinition of the relationship between state and citizens. Identifying the master frame of reclamation as central to the Arab Uprisings, we argue that it helps us understand how protestors sustained mobilization over days and weeks in the face of brutal repressions. We suggest that it opens avenues for research on protests in authoritarian regimes.
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This paper aims to analyze the Egyptian revolution as an anti-systemic movement. It illustrates how Egypt’s position in the world-economy has affected its political economy…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the Egyptian revolution as an anti-systemic movement. It illustrates how Egypt’s position in the world-economy has affected its political economy orientation and led to the marginalization of critical masses, who launched the revolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper follows Wallerstein’s world-system analysis focusing on the anti-systemic movement concept. The paper analyzes the Egyptian case based on Annales school’s longue durée concept, which is a perspective to study developments of social relations historically.
Findings
The Egyptian revolution was not only against the autocratic regime but also against the power structure resulting from the neoliberal economic policies, introduced as a response to the capitalism crisis. It represented the voice of the forgotten. The revolution was one of the anti-systemic movements resisting the manifestations of the capitalist world-economy.
Originality/value
This paper aims at proving that the Egyptian revolution was an anti-systemic movement; which will continue to spread as a rejection to the world-system and to aspire a more democratic and egalitarian world. The current COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the crisis of the world-system.
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The purpose of this paper is to draw a map of the general features of epistemological and critical concerns in contemporary Islamic philosophy. This study will not be confined to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to draw a map of the general features of epistemological and critical concerns in contemporary Islamic philosophy. This study will not be confined to the domain of academic philosophy or to those who are professionals in the field of philosophy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopted the critical rational approach in dealing with contemporary Islamic philosophy in the Arab world. The scope will include scholars from different fields of epistemology who tried to present a “vision” of the attitude that should be adopted in facing the challenges of the age and the problems of the nation on the epistemological level or the political, economic and social levels.
Findings
There is a need for a philosophy of action and progress rather than a philosophy that is based on abstract ideas and theories and of words/rhetoric. The ethics required to accomplish this ought to identify the attributes of the citizen who can reach self-actualization through legitimate means based on a progress agenda with theoretical and philosophical foundations.
Research limitations/implications
Because a critical rational approach can be dealt with from different perspectives, this paper will adopt the classification of the principal intellectual trends: the reformist, secular and liberal.
Practical implications
This paper covers a long time span to determine whether the philosophical projects have been effective.
Originality/value
This paper, which criticizes the philosophic projects that are theoretically unsound and that do not address real social problems (like poverty), argues the need for a philosophy of progress and action. This will lead to devising an agenda that addresses the challenges the society is facing and to finding alternative and creative solutions resulting in development.
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This paper aims to identify the nature of the problem of corruption in the telecommunications sector and to identify possible actions to limit it.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the nature of the problem of corruption in the telecommunications sector and to identify possible actions to limit it.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of instances of corruption, showing the scope of its various forms, with particular emphasis on the Arab states, in the light of recent events.
Findings
Policies were advocated for telecommunications that greatly increased the risks of corruption without corresponding measures to ensure integrity, transparency and the investigation and prosecution of those paying and, especially, those accepting bribes.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need for much more raw data and detailing of specific cases, in particular there are no plausible estimates of the overall scale of bribery in the sector.
Practical implications
By repressing bribery in telecommunications it will increase competition in markets, reduce prices and remove the social grievance of “crony capitalism”.
Originality/value
There are, as yet, very few articles analysing the effects of corruption in telecommunications or identifying possible courses of action.
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Mubarak Ali, Esah Hamzah and Mohammad Radzi Toff
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of substrate temperature on friction coefficient and surface roughness of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings deposited on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of substrate temperature on friction coefficient and surface roughness of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings deposited on high‐speed steel (HSS) using commercially available cathodic arc evaporation physical vapour deposition system.
Design/methodology/approach
The goal of this work is to determine the usefulness of TiN coatings in order to improve the friction coefficient and surface roughness of HSS verses substrate temperature, as vastly used in cutting tool industry and many others. A Pin‐on‐Disc test was carried out to study the coefficient of friction verses sliding distance. Surface roughness of deposited coatings was studied via surface roughness tester and atomic force microscope (AFM).
Findings
Friction coefficient increased at higher temperature as compared to the coating deposited at lower substrate temperature. Surface roughness measured via both instruments showed similar trend in recorded data and, i.e. increased by increasing substrate temperature. AFM study showed that bearing ratio (per cent) decreased, whereas, fractal dimension increased with an increase in substrate temperature.
Research limitations/implications
It is implied that choosing a substrate temperature above 450°C in the existing coating system could damage some machine parts.
Practical implications
This scenario develops an approach to optimize the coating properties verses substrate temperature for specific application, such as cutting tools for automobiles and aircrafts.
Originality/value
The coating deposited at lower temperature showed better friction coefficient and surface roughness than the coating deposited at higher temperature and vice versa.
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Mohammed I. At‐Twaijri, Abdelaziz A. Al‐Dukhayyil and Ibrahim A. Al‐Muhaiza
This article reports the results of a field study that aims to investigate the differences, if any, that exist between Saudi Arabian and U.S. supervisors, as perceived by their…
Abstract
This article reports the results of a field study that aims to investigate the differences, if any, that exist between Saudi Arabian and U.S. supervisors, as perceived by their subordinates. It is assumed that any differences that exist are culturally bound and have a positive or negative effect on subordinates by making the work environment pleasant or unpleasant. The findings point to the existence of differences between Saudi Arabian and U.S. supervisors with regard to the subordinates' welfare, claiming subordinates' original ideas, performance evaluation, control, knowledge of the job, willingness to explain job duties to subordinates and motivation. Suggestions have been provided to reduce these differences in the work climate.