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1 – 10 of 170Abbas J. Ali and Abdulrahman Al‐Aali
In 1987, the Harvard Business Review conducted a survey of its readers regarding the U.S. performance in the world markets. The study indicated that the U.S. had a deep‐seated…
Abstract
In 1987, the Harvard Business Review conducted a survey of its readers regarding the U.S. performance in the world markets. The study indicated that the U.S. had a deep‐seated problem of inadequate international competitiveness (Scott, 1987). More recently, Ernst & Young/American Quality Foundation undertook an International Quality Study which examined quality practices in Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. (See Bowles, 1992). The study revealed that 22 per cent of U.S. business always or almost always translate customer expectations into the design of new products and service. In Germany and Japan, the figure was 40 per cent and 58 per cent respectively. The results induced, Joshua Hammond, president of the American Quality Foundation, to state that “It is clear … that quality performance has a long way to go before it reaches parity with financial performance as a matter of primary importance to America's senior executives”. What makes the situation more complex and urgent is the fact that international competition has changed the structure of global markets and the rules of the business game. Furthermore, U.S. businesses no longer command the lead in the global marketplace and new international competitors are not only aggressive and competent, but appear to give priority to customer needs and expectations. For example, many Japanese companies view customer satisfaction as a way of building loyalty, thereby generating repeat sales. In contrast, U.S. executives have often aimed not at producing customer satisfaction, but at preventing customer dissatisfaction (Bowles, 1992). Similarly, the Fortune Global 500 List (Fortune 1995) showed that three countries accounted for the majority of the top 500 firms in the world; U.S. (151 firms), Japan (149 firms), and Germany (44 firms). Nevertheless, the list indicated that more Japanese companies have made it to the top ten (from three in 1993 to six in 1994), while the number of the U.S. firms stayed the same (three) in both years.
Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al‐Awadhi, Ahmed AbdulRahman Al Ali, O. Peter Snyder, AbdulAziz AlSheikh, Bobby Krishna and Joanne Taylor
The purpose of this paper is to present the latest food safety initiatives for hospitality businesses in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. It is the sixth paper in a themed issue of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the latest food safety initiatives for hospitality businesses in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. It is the sixth paper in a themed issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes presenting international food safety management challenges and solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The Dubai Municipality Food Control Department food safety initiatives are presented, with a wider discussion of their impact.
Findings
Research shows that many hospitality businesses are not adequately managing food safety despite basic training of employees, which has prompted a move towards management level training. Case study research also demonstrates that innovative “evolving methods” of HACCP can assist in improving food safety management in local hospitality businesses. The Dubai Municipality Food Control Department is, therefore, working on two important strategies: first, the mandatory training of “Persons in Charge” in all food businesses, and subsequently the wider implementation of food safety management systems.
Practical implications
The paper will be of value to practitioners, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the food industry.
Originality/value
This paper presents an insight into senior government strategy and motivations in Dubai.
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The purpose of this research is to identify the variables with an expected influence on dividend policy and on payout ratio in an emerging market.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to identify the variables with an expected influence on dividend policy and on payout ratio in an emerging market.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature, eight hypotheses were developed and tested using 300 firms randomly selected from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. Additional statistical analyses were presented.
Findings
The results suggest that current dividends are affected by their pasts and their future prospects. To a lesser extent dividends were associated with net earnings. Payout ratios (POR) were not found to have a strong effect on the company's future earning growth, but had some significant negative correlation with the company's leverage. Cash per share and share book value significantly and positively affect both DPS and POR.
Practical implications
The findings of the study might be of interest to academicians and practitioners.
Originality/value
This paper explores the dividend policy and the payout ratio of listed companies in a fast‐growing market that has received inadequate research attention. The paper thus adds to the body of accounting knowledge.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and evaluate the competitive strategy of Emirate Airlines.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and evaluate the competitive strategy of Emirate Airlines.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper outlines Emirates' history and discusses the factors that have contributed to its remarkable record of profitable growth.
Findings
How many state‐owned enterprises do you know that grow their business every year and consistently make a profit? Or, for that matter, that win awards for their customer service? One example of this unusual species is Emirate Airlines – known as “Emirates”. In an industry suffering from high and rising fuel costs, economic recession and fierce price competition, this is indeed an achievement. How do they do it? Some have accused Emirates of unfair competition; the airline naturally denies this, arguing that its success results from superior competitive strategy. What, then, are the factors that contribute to the remarkable performance of Emirate Airlines?
Practical implications
The paper draws attention to the airline's focus on high‐quality product differentiation, other factors affecting its competitive success and the reactions of rival airlines.
Social implications
The paper highlights the multicultural nature of Emirates' workforce and its reliance on expatriates to run the business.
Originality/value
The paper provides an insight into the structural and competitive considerations that have allowed Emirates to become one of the world's largest and most successful airlines.
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Sherin Hassan Mabrouk, Abeer Ali Rasheed, Rania Mohammed Abdul Jawad, Lamyaa Mohamed Badr Ali Marzouk, Samah Ramzy Abdulghani and Walaa Saleh Megahed Saleh
The level of mental alertness among students who are in need of study in the preparatory year – Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University. The level of self-competence of female…
Abstract
Purpose
The level of mental alertness among students who are in need of study in the preparatory year – Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University. The level of self-competence of female students who are in need of study in the preparatory year – Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University. To learn about the relationship between mental alertness and self-competence among students who are in need of study in the preparatory year – Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers used the experimental method by following the experimental design with two measurements, tribal and posterior, for two groups, one experimental and the other control, due to its suitability to the nature of this research. Research sample: the research community included female students stumbling in the scientific path of Rayyan, the second semester of the academic year 2020–2021 AD, where the researchers selected the research sample in a deliberate manner from the stalled students of 25 students and a random sample of 10 female students was withdrawn to conduct the exploratory study. The number of the basic research sample is 15 female students. Reasons for selecting the search sample: all of the sample members are female students stumbling in the scientific path of Al-Rayyan for the academic year 2020–2021 and all sample members agree to apply the research.
Findings
The researchers refer to this to the virtual psychological guidance program-specific objectives, as well as the follow-up of the scientific principles and principles and the legalization of the measurement tools used in the research and the diversity of the program within the parts of the program and the training sought to develop the ability to manage pressures and emotions and training in social skills, awareness and self-awareness and the use of exercises relaxation, breathing and modern self-help, as well as the use of different methods and techniques such as the method of dialogue, discussion, awareness of feelings and problem-solving, which led to a change in behavior and personal characteristics, which led to a change in behavior and personal characteristics, leading to the development of behavior and personal characteristics.
Originality/value
The study aims to design a hypothetical psychological counseling program as a method of health care and its effect on the level of mental alertness and the level of self-efficacy of students who have struggled to study at the Deanship of the preparatory year – Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University. The researchers used the experimental approach and applied this study on a sample of 25 students from the students who failed to study at the Deanship of the preparatory year for the second semester of the academic year 2020–2021 AD and the most important results were that the psychological counseling program as a method of health care had a positive effect on improving the level of mental alertness and the level of self-efficacy among the students who had failed to study. There is a positive correlation between the level of mental alertness and self-efficacy of struggling students as a way of health care.
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Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, Hasan Ali Bicak and Saeed Wahass
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of job satisfaction among faculty members of the health sciences program at a Saudi higher education institution; and predict…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of job satisfaction among faculty members of the health sciences program at a Saudi higher education institution; and predict the influence of various factors on overall job satisfaction. However, this study is quite different since it intended to evaluate the level of job satisfaction of faculty members using a self-structured questionnaire and ascertained the various factors influencing the overall job satisfaction of Saudi academics.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory study design was adopted and Academic Job Satisfaction (AJS) survey was administered to 943 faculty members of the health sciences program through an online system. A total of 850 faculty members responded to 47 items and one global rating item (overall job satisfaction) using a five-point ordinal scale.
Findings
The level of job satisfaction of health sciences’ faculty members on all dimensions of AJS is observed to be high (>3.5) except salary, which is shown as medium (2.5–3.49). Regression analysis indicates the factors other than Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) administrative policies and interpersonal relationships are significant predictors of overall job satisfaction; and salary is the most significant predictor of overall job satisfaction among health sciences’ faculty members.
Originality/value
This study adds a value to the existing literature by exploring the factors influencing job satisfaction of health sciences’ faculty members working in Saudi Universities. This would aid policy makers to focus on these factors, thereby improve and maintain job satisfaction among healthcare academics.
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Ali Alqahtany and Ameen Bin Mohanna
The purpose of this paper is to identify the obstacles to the availability of suitable housing units for various socioeconomic segments of society with an emphasis on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the obstacles to the availability of suitable housing units for various socioeconomic segments of society with an emphasis on single-family homes, which is the most preferred housing type in the Saudi society.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the aim of this paper, the Delphi method was used to explore the experts’ opinions on the most important obstacles.
Findings
The findings of the study underline 17 different obstacles affecting the availability of suitable housing units for various segments of the Saudi society. The most critical obstacle is the high cost of land followed by the low income of the families, high cost of construction, high interest rate of mortgages and shortage of suitable residential lands.
Originality/value
The study concludes with a number of proposed recommendations that can contribute to address the current shortage of suitable housing units.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Riyadh was chosen as a case study for two…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Riyadh was chosen as a case study for two reasons: it is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and the largest city in the country; and there are no major differences between the characteristics of people in Riyadh and other major Saudi cities.
Design/methodology/approach
The questionnaire survey technique was used in this study to achieve the main purpose. The study used descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Science Software (SPSS) to analyze the data.
Findings
The findings reveal that there is a lack of people’s awareness about the sustainable housing. However, it shows a positive response regarding people’s willingness to live in sustainable housing in the future as well as to adjust their current houses to be more environmentally friendly houses.
Research limitations/implications
The thoughts of stakeholders who are involved in the housing field, including policymakers and real estate developers, are very significant, however, due to the time limitation it has not been explored in this study. Therefore, future research is recommended to investigate the opinions of different stakeholders to have better insights for delivering sustainable housing.
Originality/value
The study contributes to exploring the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Only a few studies have discussed this issue, so this study was conducted to bridge this research gap and build upon the literature.
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Bahadur Ali Soomro, Nisren Farouk Moawad, Ummi Naiemah Saraih, Nadia A. Abdelmageed Abedelwahed and Naimatullah Shah
This study aims to explore the role of the green market (GM) and green innovation (GI) towards green entrepreneurship (GE) and sustainable development (SD).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the role of the green market (GM) and green innovation (GI) towards green entrepreneurship (GE) and sustainable development (SD).
Design/methodology/approach
Based on cross-sectional data, the researchers used quantitative methods in this study to confirm the conceptual framework. The researchers used a questionnaire to collect the data obtained from Pakistan's knowledge-based companies (KBCs). In total, the researchers used 192 usable samples to deliver the findings.
Findings
The researchers used structural equation modeling (SEM) to ensure the model's fitness and as a basis for this study's hypotheses. The findings highlight that the GM factors, such as green product (GP), green design (GD), green supply chain (GSC) and green production (GPN) have a positive and significant effect GM factors, such as on both GE and SD. Further, GI is, also, a significant predictor of GE and SD. Finally, this study's findings show that GE has a predictive role of towards SD.
Practical implications
This study's findings create a source of attention for individuals to preserve the GM's natural resources. Further, mainly in developing contexts like Pakistan, the addition of the GI factor and the GM towards GE and SD contribute to the depth of the existing literature.
Originality/value
By integrating factors, such as innovation toward GE and SD, this study's findings provide an original contribution to the empirical evidence.
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Md. Hazrat Ali, Shaheidula Batai and Dastan Sarbassov
This study highlights the demand for low-cost and high accuracy products through the design and development of new 3D printing technologies. Besides, significant progress has been…
Abstract
Purpose
This study highlights the demand for low-cost and high accuracy products through the design and development of new 3D printing technologies. Besides, significant progress has been made in this field. A comparative study helps to understand the latest development in materials and future prospect of this technology.
Design/methodology/approach
Nevertheless, a large amount of progress still remains to be made. While some of the works have focused on the performances of the materials, the rest have focused on the development of new methods and techniques in additive manufacturing.
Findings
This paper critically evaluates the current 3D printing technologies, including the development and optimizations made to the printing methods, as well as the printed objects. Meanwhile, previous developments in this area and contributions to the modern trend in manufacturing technology are summarized briefly.
Originality/value
The paper can be summarized in three sections. Firstly, the existing printing methods along with the frequently used printing materials, as well as the processing parameters, and the factors which influence the quality and mechanical performances of the printed objects are discussed. Secondly, the optimization techniques, such as topology, shape, structure and mechanical property, are described. Thirdly, the latest development and applications of additive manufacturing are depicted, and the scope of future research in the relevant area is put forward.
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