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1 – 10 of over 16000Tariq Elyas and Abdullah Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
This chapter briefly explores selected English and general education policy documents, curricula, and textbooks within the context of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from a Critical…
Abstract
This chapter briefly explores selected English and general education policy documents, curricula, and textbooks within the context of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from a Critical Discourse Analysis perspective and examines how they have changed pre- and post-21st century. First, a policy document related to education in KSA in general (pre-21st century) is analyzed along with an English language teaching (ELT) policy document of the same period. Next, two general policy documents post-21st century are explored, followed by one related to ELT policy. Finally, one post-21st century document related to higher education is discussed. The “network of practices” within which these documents are situated are first detailed, as well as the structural order of the discourse, and some linguistic analysis of the choice of vocabulary and grammatical structures (Meyer, 2001). Issues which might be problematic to the learning and teaching identities of the students and teachers interpreting these documents are also highlighted. Finally, we consider whether the network of practices at this institution and KSA in general “needs” the problems identified in the analysis and critically reflect on the analysis.
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This paper aims to explore to what extent can the Saudi–US alliance endure, given the several challenges it has faced over the past decade. Using a conceptual framework from the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore to what extent can the Saudi–US alliance endure, given the several challenges it has faced over the past decade. Using a conceptual framework from the alliance theory, the paper will trace the historical evolution of the alliance between the two countries, then will identify some of the challenges that have faced the alliance on both the regional and bilateral levels, and finally will assess the impact of these challenges on the resilience of the Saudi–US alliance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper will use the alliance theory literature to analyze the challenges and the resilience of the Saudi–US relations.
Findings
The Saudi–US alliance has encountered several challenges in the past decade such as the Arab spring, the Iranian nuclear deal and the Civil War in Syria and Yemen. However, this alliance proved to be resilient, and the strategic partnership between the two countries managed to overcome these challenges.
Originality/value
The importance of this paper stems from the fact that the USA and the Saudi Arabia are two pivotal countries, and their relationship affects regional and international dynamics. The paper contributes to the literature on the Saudi–US bilateral relations as well as their views on recent regional issues such as the Arab Spring, the civil war in Yemen and Syria. Assessing the limits and potentials of the alliance between the two countries could also help us understand the future of regional developments in the Middle East.
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The purpose of this study is to synthesize the existing research on Islam and advertising with the perspective of the Salafi authority of Saudi Arabia. This study is an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to synthesize the existing research on Islam and advertising with the perspective of the Salafi authority of Saudi Arabia. This study is an exploration of the impact of the conservative interpretation of Islam on advertising.
Design/methodology/approach
This study critically reviews the literature on advertising in Islam, specifically in the context of the conservative religious Saudi Arabia, Islam and advertising and its connection with the interpretations of the religiously conservative segment of Saudi Arabian society. This systematic review covered 42 studies in Islamic advertising and Salafist/Hanbali jurisprudence, ranging from 1980 to 2014. These studies were validated through data triangulation using a meta-synthesis of 39 articles with 5 articles on Salafism and 5 Hanbali juristic texts.
Findings
The investigation concludes that there are several factors to be considered when developing advertising messages and content for the conservative segment of Islam. The considerations are as follows: (C1) avoidance of Islamic creedal taboos and displays of immorality; (C2) avoiding usage of musical instruments and taboo entertainment; (C3) women must be dressed appropriately, and gender roles must be in conjunction with Islamic texts; and (C4) avoiding deceptive marketing, defaming competition, and ambiguous transactions. Although there was a general consensus on C1 and C3, few studies discussed C2 and C4. Hanbali jurisprudence, the official school of thought in Saudi Arabia, was found to be in agreement with all four considerations. Additionally, the study synthesizes previous studies and contributes more knowledge to the few existing literature on the topic of Islam and advertising. A better understanding of the conservative interpretation of Islam can contribute to scholarship in the field of Islamic marketing.
Research limitations/implications
This paper was limited to the Salafist/Wahhabist interpretation of Islam based on Hanbali jurisprudence found in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this paper can be extended and validated through studying the attitudes of Salafists in different regions toward advertising messages and content.
Practical implications
This paper was limited to the Salafist/Wahhabist interpretation of Islam based on Hanbali jurisprudence found in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this paper can be extended and validated through studying the attitudes of Salafists in different regions toward advertising messages and content.
Originality/value
This study adds to the limited research on Islamic attitudes and challenges toward advertising in the Middle East. The study reviews existing research and utilizes religious rulings to research the conservative Islamic perspective of advertising.
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Amal Yamani and Adel Almasarwah
This study aims to explore and identify the factors that affect Saudi Arabia's decision concerning the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore and identify the factors that affect Saudi Arabia's decision concerning the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and particularly the resistive factors that delay full IFRS adoption. It identifies the way in which Saudi Arabia’s social, political, educational and religious context influence the adoption of IFRS and the delay in doing so.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methodology is used in this research, including both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data analysis. Whereas, using mixed methods led to enhance the results.
Findings
The findings show that globalisation, accounting bodies and political circumstances were found to be positively related to IFRS adoption in Saudi Arabia. In contrast, culture and accounting development were found to have a negative impact on the IFRS adoption. Interestingly, the results showed that religion has no effect on IFRS adoption in Saudi Arabia.
Practical implications
This paper can be of use to both researchers and practitioners interested in investigating more resistive factors that could affect future IFRS adoption in developing countries. Moreover, the findings could be useful to senior managers and legislators in Saudi Arabia firms, in relation to decisions about enhancing the quality of adopting IFRS.
Originality/value
This research provides an important contribution to the existing literature by using a comparative method to present an in-depth exploration of the factors that affect countries, drawing on the framework of the neo-institutional perspective in a developing country.
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Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s wealthiest nations per capita and, through possession of a large share of the world’s oil resources, an economic power. However, oil continues…
Abstract
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s wealthiest nations per capita and, through possession of a large share of the world’s oil resources, an economic power. However, oil continues to dominate exports, but industrialization efforts of the 1980s have led to a considerable diversification, with a range of manufactured goods being produced. The economic success of Saudi Arabia is built in part on its comparative advantages and on overcoming its disadvantages. Although the government strongly supports the free market economy based on competition, Saudi Arabia is yet to succeed in global competition, but the relative decline in its competitiveness demands a reexamination of its national competitive advantages. The paper analyzes the competitive advantages of Saudi Arabia with Porter’s model. Porter’s model generates various alternatives for a nation to gain a competitive advantage. However, these alternatives are not prescriptive. The four factors of Porter’s model are the basis for analyzing Saudi Arabian competitive advantage.
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This article examines the current status of franchising in SaudiArabia. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia exhibits some attractivecharacteristics for an intensive penetration of…
Abstract
This article examines the current status of franchising in Saudi Arabia. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia exhibits some attractive characteristics for an intensive penetration of this form of distribution, franchising has made a limited appearance in some major cities of the Kingdom, primarily in the fastfood services area. After reviewing the history of the franchising scene in Saudi Arabia and identifying some of the prominent participants in this area, the article describes a number of problems that could be hindering a more successful exploitation of franchising in the Kingdom. Some practical solutions are also outlined.
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This paper aims to study Saudi Arabia’s approach to combat money laundering and terrorist financing through legislation, regulation and implementation. Saudi Arabia is an integral…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study Saudi Arabia’s approach to combat money laundering and terrorist financing through legislation, regulation and implementation. Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the global economy and energy market. Saudi Arabia is also an important nexus for incoming foreign investment in the region. The country has, for many years, confronted negative exposure on challenging money laundering and terrorist financing. This paper analyses Saudi Arabia’s efforts to maintain international standards of AML/CTF and distinguishes regulatory practice from the existing comments and conjecture on the country’s performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a qualitative study of Saudi Arabia’s approach to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The approach is spread across three stages of AML/CTF policy – namely, legislative, regulatory and implementation. Further, the paper also uses independent evaluation to understand Saudi Arabia’s performance in comparison to the international standards of good AML/CTF practice.
Findings
The paper finds Saudi Arabia in compliance with international standards of AML/CTF practice. The paper also traces strengthening of AML/CTF-related legislation and regulation in Saudi Arabia over the past two decades. The paper also finds significant evidence that suggests a biased representation of Saudi Arabia’s AML/CTF practices. The factual analysis of Saudi Arabia and its AML/CTF practice is in contradiction of the established discourse on the country’s money laundering and terrorist financing risk profile.
Practical implications
The paper presents a legislative and regulatory analysis of Saudi Arabia’s AML/CTF practice. It is important to understand the implications of injudicious conjecture on Saudi Arabia’s financial strategy to diversify the country’s economy (Mouawad, 2005). Commentators and observers must consider the evidence presented in this paper and reassess the discourse regarding Saudi Arabia’s adherence to international standards of AML/CTF.
Originality/value
Understanding Saudi Arabia’s approach to combat money laundering and terrorist financing is essential to the factors that maintain stability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has participated in the region with government forces to maintain stability. The paper examines the overall risk as per international standards, which can be attributed to Saudi Arabia’s AML/CTF profile.
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Saudi Arabia is one of the most rapidly developing members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The rapidly growing economy of Saudi Arabia has a number of…
Abstract
Saudi Arabia is one of the most rapidly developing members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The rapidly growing economy of Saudi Arabia has a number of important features which make it quite different from any other major economy. With a growth rate of over 60 per cent, the Saudi economy is dominated by the petroleum sector. However, the growth rate of the non‐oil sector, the diversification of which is the main objective of Saudi development policies, is no less spectacular: currently it is registering a growth rate of over 10 per cent. Agriculture accounts for about 3 per cent of the GDP, and manufacturing activities slightly less than 2 per cent. Net factor income payments to the rest of the world are negative and hence the gross national product is smaller than the gross domestic product.
Ibrahim Mathker Saleh Alotaibi, Mohammad Omar Mohammad Alhejaili, Doaa Mohamed Ibrahim Badran and Mahmoud Abdelgawwad Abdelhady
This paper aims to examine the extent to which these reforms address the limitations of Saudi Arabia’s previous investment framework. Long viewed as a hostile environment in which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the extent to which these reforms address the limitations of Saudi Arabia’s previous investment framework. Long viewed as a hostile environment in which to do business, the Saudi Government has enacted a broad sweep of measures aimed at restoring investor confidence in central aspects of the country’s evolving private law framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper offers a timely assessment of the raft of foreign investment reforms, both legislative and regulatory, that have been introduced in Saudi Arabia over the last decade.
Findings
The paper will proceed by outlining the perceived failings of the old investment regime before going on to reforms.
Originality/value
It will consider the remaining obstacles to the flow of foreign investment in Saudi Arabia in the context of the dual forces that have historically defined the Kingdom’s ambivalent investment law regime.
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Abdullah Ibrahim Alkraiji, Thomas Jackson and Ian Murray
Recent studies indicated that the level of adoption of health data standards in healthcare organisations remains frustratingly low worldwide although health data standards have…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent studies indicated that the level of adoption of health data standards in healthcare organisations remains frustratingly low worldwide although health data standards have been perceived to be an essential tool for interoperability barriers within health information systems. The relevant literature still lacks significant studies concerning the issues of the adoption process of health data standards in healthcare organisations, and in particular those in developing nation. In addressing this gap in knowledge, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption decision of health data standards in tertiary healthcare organisations in Saudi Arabia, and to develop a technology-organisation-environment list that contains the critical factors influencing their adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple-case study methodology was conducted in Saudi Arabia and different data collection methods were used included semi-structured interviews with different decision makers at various levels and departments of the subject organisations, and documents analysis to identify critical factors to the adoption decision of health data standards.
Findings
The findings demonstrated a list of key factors from different aspects impacting the adoption decision of health data standards in the subject organisations. The technological factors are complexity and compatibility of health data standards, IT infrastructure, switching costs, market uncertainties, systems integration and enhancing the use of advanced systems. The main organisational factors are the lack of adequate policies and procedures and information management plan, resistance to change, data analysis and accreditation. The core environmental factors are the lack of national regulator and data exchange plan, national healthcare system and the shortage of professionals.
Research limitations/implications
The results from the qualitative data were difficult to generalise to other populations. For example, the structure of the health sector varies from country to country as each health sector has its own characteristics that affect and are affected by national circumstances. In order to provide a more grounded theory resulting from a qualitative study, further examination by conducting quantitative studies is required. In addition, the TOE approach does not take into account the sociotechnical issues and further research is required in this area.
Practical implications
The investigation into the adoption decision of health data standards in tertiary healthcare organisations in Saudi Arabia has led to the development of a technology-organisation-environment list that contains the critical factors influencing their adoption. The research outcome has addressed the gap in knowledge of the adoption of health data standards in healthcare organisations. It also provides the decision maker, and in particular those in developing nations, with better understanding of the adoption process of those standards to better judge and to develop suitable strategy of adoption interventions.
Originality/value
Although recent studies indicated that the level of adoption of health data standards in healthcare organisations remains frustratingly low, the prior studies related to health data standards missed out on the exploration of the adoption decision of different types of health data standards in healthcare organisations and the critical factors influencing their adoption. Research on health data standards adoption based out of a developing country such as Saudi Arabia can also potentially provide several new insights on standards practices.
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