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This study aims to review the current status of quality management (QM) research in Arab countries between 2001 and 2020.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the current status of quality management (QM) research in Arab countries between 2001 and 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted the content analysis methodology, searching through various databases and search engines for relevant publications using several keywords. The selected publications were classified according to several criteria and the obtained results were presented in the form of frequencies and percentages.
Findings
Most research publications regarding QM were journal articles. The number of publications has steadily increased between 2001 and 2020. Moreover, QM research largely uses the quantitative research design. Questionnaire surveys are widely used as a data collection method; basic statistical analysis techniques are commonly employed to analyze the data. There is a tendency toward empirical research versus conceptual research. A few journal articles were published in reputed peer-reviewed international journals with low citation. Overall, Arab scholars research on QM and related topics over the past two decades is not significant for the field considering the number of published papers, citations and the papers published in reputed peer-reviewed international journals.
Research limitations/implications
This study has several limitations. First, it does not cover non-English information sources due to the overall lack of Arabic publication databases. Second, it uses a limited number of criteria to classify the selected publications. Third, it adopts the content analysis methodology to classify the selected publications. This method has several limitations, which may negatively affect the results. Nevertheless, the study offers several implications for research scholars, educators and practitioners.
Originality/value
This is the first study to attempt a comprehensive overview of the state of research on QM in Arab countries between 2001 and 2020 using the content analysis methodology.
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Keywords
Ahmad Abualigah, Tamer K. Darwish, Julie Davies, Muhibul Haq and Syed Zamberi Ahmad
Drawing on job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study aims to develop a model of how work engagement mediates the relationship between supervisor support and affective…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study aims to develop a model of how work engagement mediates the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment, with religiosity moderating the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement. This study further tests a moderated-mediation model exploring the relationships between supervisor support, religiosity, work engagement and affective commitment within a unique institutional context where religious values and beliefs significantly influence and shape people management practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey-based approach, data were collected from 367 employees from the telecommunication sector in the context of Jordan.
Findings
Supervisor support was positively related to work engagement, which positively impacts affective commitment. Work engagement mediated the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment. In addition, religiosity amplified the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement, and the mediating effect of work engagement on the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment.
Originality/value
This study contributes to JD-R theory and pertinent literature by examining the moderating role of religiosity, an important yet neglected personal resource. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the interaction effect between religiosity and supervisor support in predicting work engagement. It is also the first to examine a moderated mediation model exploring the relationships between supervisor support, religiosity, work engagement and affective commitment.
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The purpose of this study is to examine mediating role of public sector governance in the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Palestinian context…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine mediating role of public sector governance in the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Palestinian context during the years 2005–2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The necessary data were collected from the World Bank website and the annual financial reports of the Palestinian Monetary Authority. To achieve the study’s objectives, the researcher used content analysis method and regression model.
Findings
There is an effect of some dimensions of entrepreneurship (starting a business, obtaining credit, women starting a business) and public sector governance with dimensions (voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, effectiveness of government performance, organizational quality, the rule of law and control of corruption) on economic growth. In addition, there is no mediating effect of public sector governance in the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Practical implications
The study helps in enhancing the elements of entrepreneurship by evaluating public governance in Palestine. It also offers future researchers a comprehensive vision that encourages Palestinian economic growth.
Social implications
The paper contributes to showing the reality of public governance indicators for the Palestinian context and the amount of support for entrepreneurial activities indicators that affect economic growth.
Originality/value
Trying to activate cooperation mechanisms between government institutions and entrepreneurial institutions to adopt creative projects and ideas, especially for women, needs to focus on activating the principles of public sector governance in addition to facilitating administrative and financial procedures to start commercial projects in a way that enhances economic growth with the need to achieve the highest level of public sector governance indicators.
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This study investigates the impact of universities' social marketing initiatives on students’ development of personal (altruistic, biospheric and egoistic) and social values…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the impact of universities' social marketing initiatives on students’ development of personal (altruistic, biospheric and egoistic) and social values, leading to their pro-environmental behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies quantitative deductive research. This study examined the value-belief-norms (VBN) theory, adding social values to the framework. This study took place in Egypt from January 2023 to March 2023. The population of focus was college students (whether at public or private universities). Students were requested to fill out the questionnaire by scanning a quick-response (QR) code, which linked to a Google Form. After data collection, 410 questionnaires were analyzed using statistical package for social science.
Findings
This study developed empirical evidence that clarifies that social marketing initiatives done by universities have the power to develop students’ personal and social values. Values trigger behavior change. Social values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors; personal egoistic values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors; personal biospheric values lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors and personal altruistic values does not lead to students’ pro-environmental behaviors.
Originality/value
This study offers firsthand insight in understanding how social marketing is an effective tool to develop students’ values that are needed to inspire the right behaviors to preserve and protect the environment. This study builds upon the VBN theory, explaining the significant underlying environmental values that should be developed through universities’ non-academic initiatives (such as marketing activities) to inform behaviors needed to better the community, such as pro-environmental behaviors.
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Bahaa Awwad, Mohammad Anaewah, Bahaa Razia and Muhammed Salameh
This study investigates whether there are relationships between the characteristics of the boards of trustees of universities in the Arab region, higher education quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates whether there are relationships between the characteristics of the boards of trustees of universities in the Arab region, higher education quality assurance and the output of scientific research.
Design/methodology/approach
The descriptive analytical approach was used in this study. The study was conducted on the universities of the Arab region that are included in the classification of the British Institution for the Arab Region: QS Arab Region University.
Findings
The findings show that there is an effect of the characteristics of the trustees combined in the universities of the Arab region on ensuring the quality of higher education, other than the output of scientific research. The findings also indicate when measuring the characteristics individually that the trustee system is not effective in the Arab region and it is only formal for nominal purposes.
Research limitations/implications
Most universities in the Arab region do not disclose the data of boards of trustees, their roles, committees, rules of procedure and the nature of their work. A large number of universities also do not operate under the trustee system because the regulations and instructions do not allow this in the country.
Practical implications
This study seeks to improve practitioners knowledge, including boards of trustees, in ensuring the quality of higher education and the output of scientific research.
Originality/value
The research projected the governance model through the characteristics of the boards of directors of for-profit companies on the boards of trustees of universities in the Arab region. The study examines the nature of the characteristics of the boards of trustees that are compatible with its responsibilities, the most important of which is the supervision of the strategy to ensure the quality of higher education research.
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Imad-Addin Almasri, Nafiza Martini, Sedra Al Kadamani, Ensaf Abdullah Maasarani and Munir Abas
Sexual harassment is a pervasive and damaging issue that affects the physical and mental health and well-being of employees in the workplace. It is a serious public health concern…
Abstract
Purpose
Sexual harassment is a pervasive and damaging issue that affects the physical and mental health and well-being of employees in the workplace. It is a serious public health concern that requires urgent attention and action and very dangerous problem in management. Our studies have shown that women are more likely to be the victims of sexual harassment and are more dissatisfied with the situation, organizations have a moral and legal obligation to take proactive measures to prevent and address sexual harassment, including implementing effective policies, providing employee training and fostering a culture of respect and accountability. By doing so, we can create safer, healthier and more productive work environments for all the employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This study consisted of 344 individuals from the Syrian community who completed a questionnaire, that contained statements about harassment to gauge each gender’s perception and sensitivity toward it. The questionnaire was carefully designed to include 30 questions, including daily situations in the work environment that may occur and how they are classified by males and females. Is it harassment or not, and about the HR department have personal safety and security standards such as the code of conduct and the rules regulating these behaviors or not and our research project was a collaboration between the two nongovernmental organizations (NGOs): Stemosis and Institute of Human Resources Management (IHRM).
Findings
Our research reveals a distinction between the thinking patterns and coping mechanisms of females and males when it comes to dealing with this phenomenon. We presented various scenarios to our respondents, depicting situations that an individual might face in their everyday life and asked them questions related to the definition of harassment, its root causes and strategies for addressing it. Research has shown that women are at a higher risk of experiencing feelings of fear and dissatisfaction when subjected to sexual harassment. This unfortunate reality highlights the need for greater awareness and action to combat such reprehensible behaviors. Save Women!
Research limitations/implications
The study faced several limitations in collecting data due to the sensitive and shameful nature of the topic for both men and women in the Syrian Arab Republic. This caused embarrassment for some participants, leading to their unwillingness to participate in the research. Additionally, the study encountered difficulties in dealing with companies, as they did not accept exposure to such situations and failed to show any codes of conduct under the name of their company, and the participants did not consider certain factors as reasons for harassment. Specifically, 71.2% of participants did not consider inappropriate outfits as a reason for harassment. However, there was a significant difference between the opinions of men and women on this matter (p-value < 0.05). Additionally, political, social and psychological reactions were not considered a reason for harassment by 64.8% of participants.
Practical implications
In our study, there was a situation that one of the respondents (male) was exposed to by the HR manager (female) who was pretending to be a professional, after he confronted her, she threatened him with expulsion from work and despite his annoyance, he ignored her because it was pointless to talk with her and during the study, (44.7%) of the participants had experienced sexual harassment.
Social implications
Victims of sexual harassment experience a similar condition to post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to many mental and psychological issues. The overall organizational environment plays a critical role in the well-being of employees. It is widely accepted that victims of violence suffer from a lack of well-being. Employee well-being is based on feelings of happiness and satisfaction that come from a sense of security. According to the Maslow’s theory of needs, security is fundamental to people and a toxic workplace environment can destroy an individual’s sense of security, negatively impacting their well-being In Syria.
Originality/value
In Syria, society is considered closed about sexual issues and considers it a sensitive issue despite its presence and spread in work environments, as the results showed, and this is one of the challenges we face. Therefore, our study is the first in Syria and the largest that sheds light on this phenomenon clearly, strongly, deeply and directly.
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Badreya Alzadjali and Syed Zamberi Ahmad
This study aims to examine the effect of a high commitment work system (HCWS) on employee well-being and the mediating role of organizational support and work–life balance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of a high commitment work system (HCWS) on employee well-being and the mediating role of organizational support and work–life balance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis, a quantitative approach was adopted to collect data from the 235 employees from the public sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Findings
Results show that HCWSs have a significant influence on organizational support and employee work–life balance. Therefore, there is a significant positive effect on employee well-being. The consequence of HCWS on well-being is not mediated by organizational support. Organization and work–life balance do not support the idea of reducing the negative effects of high-commitment work systems on well-being. There is a significant influence of work–life balance on employee behaviors to have well-being.
Originality/value
Managers can devise a strategy to involve the employees to join participating in decision-making. The research advances knowledge of how HCWS improves employee well-being and emphasizes the significance of organizational support in the environment of public organizations. Organizations are expecting to develop new strategies that help employees engage with their environment and increase their confidence. In this perspective, the present study has identified a crucial key factor of HCWS affecting of organization support and employee work–life balance, which can help propelling employees well-being. The research expands the knowledge of the organizational and cultural elements that influence employee behavior and performance in this setting by evaluating the effects of HCWS on employee well-being in the UAE.
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Sarah Talib, Avraam Papastathopoulo and Syed Zamberi Ahmad
This study aims to examine the necessity effects of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on decision-making performance (DMP), particularly in the public sector.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the necessity effects of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on decision-making performance (DMP), particularly in the public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the combined methods of partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA) to test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The findings show that the presence of all three BDAC (infrastructure, management and personnel) is significant and necessary to achieve higher levels of DMP. Specifically, the results revealed big data management capabilities to be of higher necessity to achieve the highest possible DMP. The findings provide public-sector practitioners with insights to support the development of their BDAC.
Originality/value
Time-sensitive domains such as the public sector require insight and quality decision-making to create public value and achieve competitive advantage. This study examined BDAC in light of the combined methods of (PLS-SEM) and NCA to test the hypothesized relationships in the public sector context.
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Mariam Al Dhaheri, Syed Zamberi Ahmad, Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar and Avraam Papastathopoulos
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of individual dynamic capabilities (DC) constructs and whether they had comparable effects on a company’s competitiveness in market…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of individual dynamic capabilities (DC) constructs and whether they had comparable effects on a company’s competitiveness in market turbulence (MT). This study used quantitative methods to determine how the DC elements, sensing, learning, integrating and coordinating, influenced competitiveness, with the moderating role of MT during a real-time crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data was gathered from 426 tourism small and medium-sized enterprises (TSMEs) in the United Arab Emirates and analyzed quantitatively.
Findings
The study found that not all DC constructs were equally important in promoting competitiveness. TSMEs’ survival depended more on sensing and integrating capabilities than learning and coordinating capabilities, and on how these capabilities were used by managers or owners of TSMEs. The study found no moderation effect of MT.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the results was hindered by the study’s focus on TSMEs in a single geographic location. The reasons for lack of proper mobilization of DCs constructs were not explored, but the data on the relative efficacy of DC constructs during a crisis significantly contributed to the literature.
Originality/value
This study emphasized ways that companies could improve firm competitiveness during a crisis by deploying DCs to optimize operations. The implications for research, practical aspects and limitations are presented and discussed.
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This study aims to explore how libraries in the United Arab Emirates use technology to preserve and digitize cultural and historical documents. It examined how these institutions…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how libraries in the United Arab Emirates use technology to preserve and digitize cultural and historical documents. It examined how these institutions use different technology models to facilitate the dissemination of UAE’s cultural traditions, practices, historical experiences and expressions to the local and global populations interested in learning about the country.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relied heavily on a review of the relevant literature and case studies covering how UAE libraries use technology to preserve, document and share tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The methodology entailed gathering and synthesizing relevant information from scholarly journal articles, government and reputable institutional resources online and reports. Collectively, it led to a close analysis of the impact of technology on cultural preservation and an assessment of the specific technology models preferred for optimal outcomes in preserving and disseminating cultural heritage information of the UAE.
Findings
Multiple UAE libraries rely heavily on technology to collect, record, translate and store cultural heritage information, including releasing it to users when required. The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the UAE National Library and Archives, New York University Abu Dhabi and Khalifa University of Science and Technology and Research libraries have leveraged different technological models and tools to make UAE’s cultural heritage information available and accessible globally. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, three-dimensional imaging and scanning, electronic archiving systems, document management systems and ICT storage systems have helped the UAE libraries to promote and disseminate the nation’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Originality/value
By relying on scholarly and authoritative sources of information and evidence to draw conclusions, this study contributes to the existing literature by offering insights into the innovative strategies used by UAE libraries to leverage technology for cultural preservation and promotion. In underlining the value of digital approaches to safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the research highlights the instrumentalism of technology in preserving the UAE’s cultural heritage and identity.
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