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Exploring the Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Style and Teacher Retention in a Private School in Sharjah
No full textTeacher turnover is a persistent issue in educational systems worldwide, affecting school performance, disrupting the educational environment, and escalating hiring and training costs. This dissertation explores the relationship between transformational leadership and teacher retention in a private American curriculum school in Sharjah, UAE. It aims to identify key transformational leadership behaviours that influence teacher retention, understand the teachers' and leaders' perceptions of these practices, assess their effects on parental satisfaction, and provide effective teacher retention strategies. The study consulted fundamental theories and adopted a mixed-methods triangulation approach, combining quantitative surveys from 85 teachers, 27 leaders, and 70 parents with open-ended qualitative questionnaires from five teachers and five leaders, and an interview with the school principal. Analyses revealed that transformational leadership practices, particularly effective communication, decision-making transparency, and motivational strategies, significantly correlate with higher teacher retention. Teachers and leaders reported increased job satisfaction and commitment under transformational leadership, consistent with existing theories. Additionally, high teacher retention positively influenced parents, underscoring the importance of stable leadership practices. The study offers practical insights for school administrators and policymakers in Sharjah and similar contexts, emphasising the need for leadership development programmes to retain teachers and enhance educational performance. These findings contribute to the broader literature on educational leadership and provide actionable recommendations for improving teacher retention and educational quality. Future research could replicate this study in other UAE private schools to explore variations across contexts
Applying Energy Efficiency Strategies to Reduce Energy Consumption in Mosques.
No full textMosques are a valuable symbol of the Islamic religion and addressing the sustainability of mosques is not just an environmental imperative but also a religious and economic one and it has been clear that there is a significant research gap in the area of sustainability in religious buildings. This research investigates the application of energy efficiency strategies to reduce energy consumption in mosques, focusing on three mosques of varying sizes—large, medium, and small— with different characteristics in the Alrahmaniya suburb of Sharjah. The study sets the stage by identifying the unique architectural and operational characteristics of mosques and the specific challenges they face in adopting energy-saving measures. Through conducting thorough literature review, stakeholders and imams interviews, and detailed simulations, the research identifies and tests a range of strategies, including changing the type of external wall, glazing, roofing systems and the combination of them. The selected mosques serve as case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of these measures. Simulations indicate that these strategies can significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising the thermal comfort of worshippers. After conducting 44 simulations, the medium mosque showed the highest reduction in energy consumption, while the large and small mosques also displayed considerable improvements. The study concludes by recommending optimal design guidelines and best practices, such as an ideal height scenario for mosque design to enhance energy efficiency which was validated by implementing it on simulations. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for future research into diverse building types, collaboration with local authorities and communities, and regular energy audits and monitoring to sustain and enhance energy savings
Establishing a Guideline and Decision-Making Approach for UAE Solar Assets Waste Management by Utilizing PVsyst
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)This research studies the PV solar panels waste with respect to their end-of-life EOL management for PV assets installed in a solar park in the UAE. The lack of thorough worldwide rules and frameworks that direct decision-making in connection to the disposal of photovoltaic (PV) panel waste, as well as the insufficient research on the management of such waste, are the driving forces behind this study. The study aims to address this gap by identifying the factors affecting the performance and efficiency of PV systems, specifically in UAE, a country known for its extremely hot and dry climate, and establish an evaluation approach and guidelines. PVsyst simulation software was utilized for the purpose of system performance analysis and to provide support in the decision-making process by adhering to specifically designed technical flowcharts. The fundamental performance-related parameters of the PV panels, coupled with meteorological information, were determined as important elements for assessing the general performance. The study also identified the main instruments used to make end-of-life (EOL) decisions. The results reveal that the photovoltaic (PV) system at the UAE solar park completed its end of life coupled with an 80% PR ratio sooner than anticipated, with 22 years as compared to the manufacturer's expected 25 years. This leads to the conclusion that installing photovoltaic (PV) panels in hot climates regions accelerates the degradation of the PV panels. The study provides a clear understanding of the circumstances that cause PV systems to fail earlier than expected and consequently introduce more waste to the environment
Analysis of Savings and Investments in First Ten Years of Employment in Dubai
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)It is crucial in the modern world to not only start thinking about savings and investing but also to act on it. For long term financial stability and growth, one needs to start saving and then carefully investing the savings in different investment avenues. Savings and investments are used interchangeably. But the fact is that both have different meanings with one common motive of safeguarding the future in terms of finance. This paper attempts to study the savings and investments outlined in the first ten years of employment in Dubai. Dubai has all possible investment avenues available, just like any other economy may have. The primary data were collected from 118 respondents, with 65 men and 53 women. It is found that most of the employees are aware of the savings and investments. Males are more aware and hence making more savings and investments as compared to females. It is also found that the majority of the employees save 10–20% of their earnings monthly. The purpose of saving is future security followed by safety and tax savings. Further research found a significant relationship between investment awareness and Gender and the relationship between educational qualification and selection of the investment avenues.
Purpose: This study focuses on the savings and investment opportunities for the employees; further it will explore various factors that motivate employees to save and invest and factors that affect the investment behaviors of the employees.
Methodology: Primary and secondary data sources were used for data collection. Primary data was collected from the targeted population who are in the first ten years of their employment in the UAE by using Google Forms. A probability sampling method was selected for this study. The research instrument was administered to 120 respondents out of which 118 were returned. 2 respondents could not return the form and hence the final sample size was 118, with 65 men and 53 women participating in the survey.
Findings: A significant relationship between gender and investment awareness. Men are relatively more aware of the investment and savings avenues as compared to the women. Women are more driven to invest in gold as compared to their male counterparts. There is a positive relationship between level of education and awareness regarding saving and investment.
Recommendations: Creating monthly and yearly budget is crucial for the financially safe future. Investments in liquid funds to have more flexibility can be considered in this age group. Consulting a financial advisor to make wise investment choices is recommended. Further research can be conducted on the gender-wise investment choices, investment choices at different age level from the early years of earning till retirement
Promoting Social Sustainability through Metaverse Usage in Higher Education: An Examination of Knowledge Management Factors and Students' Perceptions
No full textThe study mainly focuses on evaluating the current status of the of the metaverse technology application in the education in general and within the UAE Higher education will be presented. The main aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive model for understanding the actual use of metaverse technology and to explore the subsequent impact on social sustainability within UAE HEIs.The objectives of this research are to review the existing literature on metaverse technology in higher education, identifying key factors that have been utilized to understand its adoption and usage. To develop an integrated research model that combines the TPB and T-EESST theories with knowledge management factors, privacy and security concerns, and metaverse-related factors. To empirically validate the developed integrated model using a hybrid Structural Equation Modelling and Artificial Neural Network (SEM-ANN) approach, ensuring a robust analysis of the relationships between the identified factors and students' actual usage behaviour of metaverse platforms in educational settings. This study has selected the quantitative technique over the other research approaches for the two main reasons. The first reason is because of the nature of the study. In this study, the theories have been tested by formulating precise hypotheses, and then gathered numerical data to prove or disprove those hypotheses. Statistical methods are utilised in order to do the analysis on the collected data. The findings of PLS-SEM show that factors such as attitude, knowledge acquisition, sharing, application, protection, immersion, presence, perceived security, and privacy play crucial roles in the usage of a system or technology. However, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and knowledge storage capabilities are not significant determinants of use. Importantly, the use of Metaverse is found to have a substantial positive impact on social sustainability, highlighting the importance of these factors in promoting sustainable social outcomes through Metaverse usage. The ANN analysis results align with the PLS-SEM findings, confirming the significant impact of factors like Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Application, Presence, and Perceived Security on Metaverse use and its contribution to social sustainability. In this study, a number of practical implications offered that should be taken into account by metaverse platform decision-makers, administrators, developers, and educators in the field of higher education. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for developers and practitioners in the development and design of metaverse platforms for higher educational institutions, as they could examine the possible knowledge management aspects identified in this research. hese studies uncover distinct challenges and opportunities, providing a deeper understanding of the technology's applications and implications in diverse contexts
The Impact of Leadership Roles on Students’ Responsible Behavior: A Study Among Students and Staff in a Private School in Abu Dhabi
No full textThis research explores the impact of leadership roles on students’ responsible behaviors within Abu Dhabi's private schools in the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on staff questionnaires and semi-structured interviews addressed to student leaders, the study investigates the motivations, challenges, and impacts of student leadership initiatives within the cultural context of Abu Dhabi on the student’s responsible behavior, as well as the educators’ perception towards the student’s leadership within the educational environment. Findings revealed the multifaceted nature of student leadership, encompassing themes such as student empowerment, leadership styles, institutional support, challenges faced, and societal contributions. Theoretical implications are discussed, highlighting connections with concepts such as transformational leadership, while practical implications offer recommendations for enhancing student leadership initiatives and fostering inclusive practices. The research contributes to ongoing discourse on educational leadership, providing valuable insights for practice, policy, and future research endeavors. Overall, this study underscores the importance of student leadership roles as a catalyst for positive student behavior, personal growth, academic success, and societal advancement within Abu Dhabi's private schools
Enhancing Project Success in Construction: The Role of Internal Risk Management, Emotional Intelligence, Cognitive Bias, and Organisational Risk Culture
No full textThe construction industry continues to face significant challenges in contemporary society, and the need to improve project outcomes in this sector has become indispensable. With the increasing investment in construction projects and their capital-intensive nature, project managers have focused on enhancing operations and efficiency to meet the project goals. In addition to conventional project management practices, there is a need to determine the role and impact of cognitive and behavioural factors in the construction industry. Thus, this study sought to assess this problem by exploring the effect of emotional intelligence, cognitive bias, and internal risk management on project success. The study adopted a quantitative approach, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from individuals working in the construction industry. The findings show that emotional intelligence was positively associated with project success, cognitive bias was negatively associated with project success, and appropriate risk-taking behaviours were positively associated with project success. Organisational risk culture was not only positively associated with project success but also moderated the relationship between emotional intelligence, cognitive bias, and risk-taking behaviours. Therefore, incorporating these psychological and behavioural factors into project management practices can enhance project success in the construction industry
Mathematical Analysis of P-Stability Maps for Parametric Conic Vector Optimization
No full textStability analysis for nonlinear programming systems deals with the possible changes of the system parameters and/or
equations that maintain the stability of the solutions. It is a crucial requirement to study the nonlinear system and its
practical values, specifically the economic impact in most real-world applications. This paper presents some outcomes
in connection with stability analysis corresponding to parametric conic vector optimization problems. For these last
optimization problems, two novel types of P-Stability maps, which are the P-Stability notion map and the P-Stability
perturbation map, are considered based on six kinds of sets: P-feasible set, P-solvability set, the first, second, third,
and fourth kinds of P-Stability notion sets with respect to a specific domination cone P. Furthermore, qualitative
characteristics of the P-Stability maps under some continuity and convexity assumptions on the objective function are
provided and proved. Specifically, the connections between the P-Stability maps and the P-Stability notion set are
investigated. Accordingly, these characteristics were extended to the P-perturbation maps. In addition, the idea of P
stability has heavily used in different applications like network privacy, engineering fields, and some business
financial models
A Case Study Exploring ESL Instructors’ Perspectives of Blended Learning in UAE Higher Education
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)Recently, universities and colleges across the United Arab Emirates have been actively incorporating new learning technologies to facilitate blended learning pedagogy mandated by the Ministry of Higher Education during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite its popularity, blended learning is still a relatively new approach to learning across higher education in the UAE. This small-scale qualitative study seeks to gain insights into instructors’ perspectives of blended learning in an ESL program at a federal college in the UAE. Semi-structured interviews were used to identify the benefits and challenges perceived by instructors teaching in this context. The results revealed several key benefits, including increased flexibility, improved accessibility, and timely and continuous learning. However, instructors also reported increased academic workload, technical issues, and a lack of professional development as barriers. The findings offer recommendations, implications, and possible future directions for stakeholders and academics to inform future directives
Soft Law in International Investment Law
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)This paper aims to analyze the concept of soft laws and its significance in international law with special emphasis on its effect on international investment law. In this paper, the authors have relied upon the works of legal scholars and arbitral jurisprudence to understand their observations about the role of soft laws and apply such observations to the present times to analyze the strengths and drawbacks of soft law in the current international investment law context. The paper argues that although formally non-binding, yet in practice soft law instruments do influence the behavior of states and foreign investors either directly or indirectly. They also play a significant role in the formulation of international law by serving as precursors to the formulation of binding rules by states or by developing the rights and obligations of the parties mainly through interpretation of vague or open-ended investment treaty provisions by arbitral tribunals