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Developing a Framework for Guiding Blockchain Implementation in UAE Public Sector Based on Structuration and Actor Network Theories: A Qualitative Case Study Examination
No full textBlockchain is recognised as a radical technological innovation that will influence most sectors in the coming years as it is designed to exchange tangible and intangible assets in a secure distributed ledger. Focusing on the public sector, this study aimed to explore how the public sector can incorporate Blockchain to improve the quality of public sector services while considering the organisational and institutional structure. The research outcome is developing a framework to guide decentralised public sector e-services delivery.
The study adopted subjectivist and interpretive philosophical stances and is based on two in-depth case studies of Blockchain implementation in two public sector entities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Data was collected through 38 semi-structured interviews in the two public sector entities. The data was gathered with relevance to implementing Distributed Ledgers Technology (Blockchain) applications. The study relied on seven conceptual propositions informed by two supporting theoretical frameworks: Actor-Network Theory (ANT) combined with Structuration Theory (ST), which allows researchers to achieve a better understanding of the socio-technical factors and aspects that are associated with and have an impact on the adoption process for Blockchain in public sector organizations.. The analysis of captured data in the two case studies was conducted using NVivo software and was underpinned by the seven conceptual propositions.
The study’s findings make several contributions to the Information Technology Management field of study. This study has a theoretical contribution that is founded on the examination of how to combine Structuration and Actor-Network Theories in analysing the adoption of new technology. The study integrated both theories to develop a framework to guide decentralised public sector e-services delivery and help decision-makers in the public sector to appropriately determining how Blockchain implementation could be achieved in both sustainable and scalable manners. A practical contribution is found in increasing our understanding of how and why the public sector can adopt Blockchain to change the service delivery approach
The Significance of AI in Mitigating Risk-Based Disputes in Construction Contracts
No full textThis study addresses the legal perspective concerning the effectiveness of utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in remedying potential project risks that may affect project progress and the final product quality, with a specific focus on the legal framework of the contractual relationship between the Employer and the Contractors. The study also explores the legal aspects of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Construction industry, specifically its use in identifying potential risks during the early stages of a project. Besides, the current study will adopt the doctrinal approach, whereby the author is going to apply a qualitative method to answer the research questions of this study. Therefore, the study will apply authoritative analysis for relevant primary and secondary sources. Accordingly, the study will examine the UAE’s relevant legal texts, FIDIC Red Book rules and relevant case law. Furthermore, the light will be quickly shed on the impact of utilizing AI tools in dealing with conflicts either during the Contracting period or even when they became disputes through the integration of these tools within the framework of traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. This study will conclude with some inferences and suggestions that can assist in mitigating potential project risks encountered while recruiting Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the context of construction contracts. The importance of this study lies in the fact that the previous studies that have discussed the legal framework of the liability of the contractor have not addressed it in the context of AI technology
Students’ Intentions Towards the Adoption of the Metaverse in UAE Higher Education Using an Extended UTAUT2 Model: A Hybrid SEM-ANN Approach
No full textThis research paper examines students’ intentions towards the metaverse technology acceptance in UAE’s higher education. However, limited research is available on the impact of using the metaverse technology for teaching and learning. The COVID-19 crisis had a great impact on the teaching and learning process. Thus, the use of the metaverse in education has the power to transform conventional approaches to instruction learning by giving students engaging, immersive experiences. The primary motivation behind this study was to understand students' intentions of accepting the implementation of this new technology in higher education. Because UAE always aims to improve its sectors by investing in technology usage, it has been chosen to conduct this study. The study aims to investigate learners’ intentions towards the metaverse in UAE’s higher education by applying a convenience sampling technique to collect 313 responses using an online survey. An extended UTAUT2 model is a useful framework integrated to comprehend the ten factors that affect the metaverse's effective adoption in educational contexts. The study identifies behavioral intentions (BI) as an essential factor to measure users’ intention of using the metaverse in higher education. Compared to other literatures, the study adopts a novel methodology by using artificial neural networks (ANN) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. The study findings revealed that perceived innovation had the most significant effect on the metaverse use in higher education, with an (87%) normalized importance score, followed by social influence (82%), performance expectancy (79%), habit (72%), satisfaction (62.4%), ubiquity (49%), and perceived risk (36%). Sensitivity analysis results further revealed that these factors play a crucial role in shaping students’ attitudes towards using the metaverse in education, as well as its impact on the learning process. The practical significance of the study enables the relevant educational stakeholders to consider the main factors that could affect students’ BI towards the use of the metaverse in learning. However, further research is needed to verify the findings and broaden the application of the suggested theoretical framework to other fields
ESL Teachers’ Perceptions of Online Teacher Professional Development and Its Barriers in UAE Public Schools
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the perceptions of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers towards Online Teacher Professional Development (OTPD) and its perceived barriers in public schools in the UAE. Specifically, the study sought to determine how much teacher characteristics, such as years of experience, gender, and pedagogical and technological background, influenced these perceptions.
A quantitative survey methodology was employed to collect data from 300 ESL teachers in public schools. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to answer the three research questions.
The study found that ESL teachers in public schools in the UAE had positive perceptions of OTPD. The perception of OTPD was significantly influenced by their pedagogical background and years of experience, while gender and technological background had no significant influence. The study also identified the repetition of topics as the most important perceived barrier to OTPD, which was not previously reported in the literature.
The findings highlight the importance of sustained, high-quality teacher professional development to enhance student learning outcomes in public schools in the UAE. The study recommends OTPD programs be designed and implemented with consideration for individual teacher characteristics and aligned with curricula to address the identified barriers. The study contributes to the literature by providing insights into ESL teachers' perceptions of OTPD in the UAE and its perceived barriers. It also recognizes the importance of individualizing OTPD programs to address specific teacher characteristics
An Investigation into Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Cyberbullying Policies and Practices in UAE Schools
Get PDFWith the continuous technological advancement, educational institutions and teachers are facing growing challenges of cyberbullying (CB) among their students. Victims of electronic bullying report a lot of undesirable harmful outcomes on their physical and psychological well-being. Research has identified many strategies to cope with this growing predicament. However, a noteworthy gap is neglecting the immense role educators’ beliefs and concerns play in policy making and the implementation of these policies. The aim of this study is to understand teachers’ perspectives on cyberbullying school policies in the UAE and how confident they (teachers) are to apply them in order to manage CB incidents. Some recommendation to inform policy and practice in schools especially in a fast-developing country like the UAE is provided. A total of 60 teachers from different schools across UAE responded to a questionnaire adapted from (Li, 2008) about their perceptions of their school policies and practices on cyberbullying. Findings of this study indicate teachers’ awareness and concern about online harassment. Inconsistent schools’ attempts to increase this awareness and spreading it through training, classroom activities and parental discussions were noticed. Another significant conclusion is the recommendation by teachers for more education about this topic, especially through higher education
Financial development and Inclusion of UAE
Get PDFFinancial inclusion refers to the state where people and enterprises can access financial products and services that are helpful and affordable, meet their needs, are delivered sustainably, and contribute to a country's economic growth. The first step towards achieving higher financial inclusion is access to transaction-based accounts, which allow for the receipt and storage of cash (Riabi, 2019). Both theoretical and empirical economic literature indicates that various factors, such as interest rates, play a crucial role in determining the saving behaviour of borrowers.
Evidence for the critical role financial-based development plays in economic-based growth can be found in empirical and theoretical research. Mwangi (2021) has contributed substantially to the debate among scholars about the relationship between growth rates and institutions with a financial foundation. Since it was unclear until the early 1900s how financial development and economic growth were related, this topic attracted much attention. In many instances, liberalising banking regulations might have been bad for economic expansion. Recent research, however, points to a constructive role for financial-based development and the link between growth and foreign direct investment (FDI)
Determining the Critical Success Factors for Public–Private Partnerships in the United Arab Emirates Construction Sector
No full textPublic–private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a strategic approach to foster economic growth and infrastructure development in various countries worldwide. In the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a developing country with a rapidly growing construction sector, understanding the critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the performance of PPPs becomes imperative. This dissertation aims to investigate the CSFs influencing the success of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the construction sector of the UAE. It endeavours to conduct a comprehensive analysis by comparing these identified factors with the existing literature on developed countries.
The research design adopts a quantitative questionnaire filled by key expert participants in PPP projects from the public and private sectors. The findings reveal the universal CSFs that transcend geographical boundaries, such as loyalty or assurance, governmental finance, and stakeholder support. Additionally, the study uncovers UAE-specific CSFs, including the legal and regulatory framework, authorities' cooperation, robust private consortium, and so forth.
The comparison between the explored factors and the literature from developed countries sheds light on the unique factors for the UAE in fostering successful PPP projects. The research highlights the importance of a clear project objective and scope in the UAE context, while also underscoring the need for robust commercial groups and the requirement for political support, … etc. Furthermore, the study proposes recommendations to enhance the achievement of PPPs' work in the UAE.
However, the research acknowledges certain limitations, including a restricted sample size, time constraints, language barriers, subjectivity, and cultural sensitivity. Despite these limitations, this dissertation contributes significantly to the understanding of CSFs for the success of public–private partnerships in the UAE construction sector and offers valuable insights to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. The study's findings aid in shaping effective strategies for implementing successful PPP projects, fostering sustainable economic development, and meeting the infrastructure demands of a rapidly evolving nation like the UAE
Ensuring the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s Connectivity Requirements in the UAE
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2022)The international community has recognized the critical role of information and communication technology (ICT) in the advancement of humanity. ICT is a critical component of each of the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (ITU 2021). Nonetheless, 48% of the world’s population remains unconnected to the internet (Henri 2020, p. 2), resulting in what is referred to as the digital divide. The information and communications technology industry is making strenuous efforts to provide diverse connectivity options in metropolitan areas. However, little effort is being taken to guarantee that underserved markets are connected (Sheikh and Halima 2020). In the UAE, we identify underserved markets and classify them as rural villages, remote agricultural/industrial areas, and vehicles in motion.
By examining the present ICT market, we can discover a possible solution to this problem through the use of cutting-edge satellite communications technology. Numerous initiatives involving the use of Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellites to deliver broadband access began to emerge. The primary benefit of NGSO satellites over Geostationary Orbit (GSO) satellites is their proximity to the Earth’s surface (NGSO is approximately 2000 km above sea level, while GSO is at an elevation of around 36,000 km above sea level). The objective is to perform market research and analyze the connectivity solutions available today. Finally, we will be able to choose the option that is expected to resolve the issue
Towards Transformative Entrepreneurship Education: A Study of Faculty Members, Entrepreneurs, and Senior Administrators’ Perceptions and Practices in a Higher Education Institution in the UAE
No full textThe spread and growth of entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions worldwide have been nothing but a phenomenon in the past few decades. Academics, practitioners, and policymakers view entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic growth & renewal, job creation, addressing pressing social issues, and achieving countries’ national agendas. This sentiment explains the stout support for entrepreneurship education programs around the world. Nevertheless, entrepreneurship is a multifaceted phenomenon as there seems to be no agreed-upon definition of what entrepreneurship – hence entrepreneurship education- means. Despite growing evidence that places entrepreneurship & innovation on top of the policymakers’ agenda in the UAE, little is known about the nature, structures, and aims of entrepreneurship education programs or the views, perspectives, and practices of educators, entrepreneurs, and administrators involved in these programs
A Balanced Approach Towards Teaching the Skills of L2 Reading and Writing to Enhance the Writing Proficiency of Foundation Program Students at Universities in the UAE
No full textThe current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of balancing reading and writing instruction in foundation programs and how that affects learners’ essay writing skills in higher education institutions in the UAE. To achieve this goal, two research questions are formulated to drive the inquiry: What are the foundations program instructors’ perceptions and practices regarding the balance of teaching L2 reading and writing? How does the balance in teaching L2 reading and writing enhance foundation programs learners’ writing performance in higher educational institution in the UAE? In the current study, the mixed methods approach is employed to assess classroom practices to investigate whether there is a balance in teaching reading and writing so as to strengthen the learners’ performance in these two skills; and examines whether these practices improve foundation programs learners’ essay-writing skills in higher education institutions. The quantitative data have been collected from teachers’ questionnaire to answer the first question. The qualitative data have been collected from an experiment that consists of a pre-posttest to answer the research second question. The results of the intervention and the achievement tests, instructors’ questionnaire and interviews revealed that the techniques used in the balanced reading and writing teaching program are suitable for first-year students and can be implemented if the instructors get appropriate training from knowledgeable people