SACM - Australia
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9648
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Item Restricted Unveiling the Digital Divide: Public and Private Spaces on Social Media in the Saudi Context(La Trobe University, 2024-05) Bahabri, Alaa Sultan; Bahfen, Nasya; McCarthy, BrigidThe emergence of social media has significantly altered the traditional boundaries between public and private, creating blurred spaces. As users around the world navigate these novel spaces, considerable research shows that they utilise various strategies to manage public and private. In the Saudi context, previous studies have shown that Saudis – influenced by Islamic privacy norms– tend to strictly segregate public and private spaces on social media using several strategies. Nonetheless, much of this research has primarily focused on users, with little attention paid to the influence of digital elements. This study investigates a common strategy of navigating public and private in the Saudi context, which is the segregation of public and private spaces across platforms. The study takes into account the influence of the platform’s interface and affordances. The study was conducted through three phases of data collection and analysis. The first phase involved analysing social media platforms using a digital ethnography approach; the walkthrough methodology to demonstrate the platform’s interface and affordances of public and private space. The second phase focused on investigating users’ perspectives and behaviours related to public and private spaces across platforms using a questionnaire and interviews. Lastly, the third phase delved deeper into specific public and private spaces identified during the earlier phases through in-depth interviews and further analysis the online social norms of public and private space. This study argues that, as social media platforms blur the boundaries between public and private, the proliferation of social media has led Saudi users to heavily rely on segregating public and private spaces across these platforms, taking into account each platform's interface and affordances. This segregation reflects the Islamic notion of privacy, and it allowed users to reflect and facilitate their culture and social norms in the online space. The findings revealed that Saudis preferred platforms with default public or default private design, while they negotiate semi-public platforms. Twitter was favoured as a public space due to its default public interface design, while Snapchat’s was favoured as a private space. Conversely, Facebook’s semi-public nature was rejected due to perceived openness, leading to its designation as a niche network among Saudis. Instagram’s semi-public space was also negotiated and was used as a functional platform. Finally, TikTok was rejected due to the perception that it is not culturally appropriate. 5 Further analysis examined the social norms on Twitter and Snapchat, highlighting the differences in public and private interactions. The study found Twitter users exhibited cautious behaviour due to its public interface design, and presented a collective self, with either a serious or professional personas. In contrast, Snapchat provided a unique dynamic, particularly as older users were present on the platform, leading young users to create a more closed private space that differed from offline private circles. Overall, this research underscores the intricate interplay of culture, technology, and user behaviour in shaping Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape, emphasising the importance of considering both the cultural values and digital environments in understanding these dynamics for effective platform design and policymaking.14 0Item Restricted Advances in career development: Unveiling the voices of women academics in Saudi Arabia(Newcastle University, 2024-04-23) Alslmee, Johara; Connell, Julia; Ryan, Suzanne; Wechtler, HeidiSaudi Arabia has among the world's lowest rates of female workforce participation. For cultural reasons, women have been restricted in their work and careers. However, since 2016 the situation has changed with a major government initiative, Vision 2030, that encourages Saudi women to enter the workforce and pursue careers. The research presented here was motivated by a desire to understand how women navigate their careers and how Vision 2030 might affect this. The focus of the research, undertaken during this time of change, is Saudi academic women and their career experiences. General career development theories and literature on women’s careers are typically Western, emphasising individual and organisational factors with little regard for context, including culture, religion, and individual agency. The few studies of women’s careers in Arabic nations identify career barriers but tend to regard all Middle Eastern women as the same and fail to examine how women navigate these barriers. The aim of the research was to investigate how Saudi Arabian women academics exert their agency in traversing career barriers within the context of Islam, segregated workplaces, and a restrictive national culture. An exploratory, qualitative, multi-case study research design was employed to address the research aim. Semi-structured interviews were held with 30 academics from three public universities in different regions in Saudi Arabia. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and organised into four composite narratives representing four hypothetical women academics at four different stages of their careers: early career; junior without a PhD; mid-career with overseas experience; and senior academic in a management position. Because of the inclusion of context, Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) (Lent & Brown, 1996; Lent et al., 1994) was used as a guiding theoretical framework. Through the four composite narratives, the women make a distinction between religion and culture, using their religion to resist cultural power imbalances, patriarchy, and unfair practices within their organisational cultures. These women exercised their agency in various ways to tackle career challenges and seize opportunities where they could. However, their agency is individual rather than collective as they lack support from colleagues, policies, and the organisational culture. Although the women actively resist male-dominated structures and negative sub-cultures, at times their behaviours inadvertently reinforce these problems by vii undermining the authority of female colleagues and perpetuating the cultural belief in male superiority. The research moves away from the typical Western portrayal of Muslim women as helpless victims, instead recognising them as individuals who exercise their own forms of agency within the structural and religious contexts of their lives and workplaces. Overall, the findings augur well for Saudi women being able to embrace and accelerate change. Importantly, apart from the novel use of composite narratives, the thesis contributes to three literatures: management theory generally exemplified through career development theory; specific contributions to extending factors in SCCT; and contributions to gender studies and Islamic feminism. Additionally, it offers practical implications for higher education, and university policymakers, and academic women leaders.65 0Item Restricted Straddling Two Worlds: How Linguistic Backgrounds and Sociocultural Norms Influence the Experiences of Saudi Female Expats in Australia(University of Wollongong, 2023-03-08) Alhassoun, Lamia Abdulaziz; Ward, RowenaThis study constructs a collective story of Saudi female expats (SFEs) as they navigate the transition from their conservative society in Saudi Arabia to a new one in Australia. It examines the impact of the SFE’s Arabic background and their English learning experiences in Australia on their lives and explores SFEs perceptions of their self-representation in the social and educational milieu in Australia. Additionally, it sheds light on the intricate relationships between language, culture, gender and self-representation. The study employs a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with twenty-two SFEs in Australia. The study adopts lenses from social identity theory (Erikson 1968; Tajfel & Turner 1979, 1986), Intragroup marginalisation (Castillo et al. 2007), Social learning theory (Bandura 1977; Ryle 2011) and Oberg's cultural shock theory (1960) to guide the analysis of the study data. The findings of this study reveal that SFEs, generally, have a positive attitude towards learning and using the English language. However, SFEs’ low self-confidence in their English language proficiency negatively impacted their cross-cultural interactions in Australia. The study attributes SFEs' low self-confidence to five factors: limited opportunities to practice English, a preference for socialising with Arabic speakers, the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia's English education policies and limited interest in English improvement. The study also explores how SFEs represent themselves differently in Australia. Their reflections in the research interviews revealed that they define their ‘in’- and ‘out’-groups differently depending on the context in relation to their interlocutor’s ethnicity, gender, language and faith. SFEs indicated that when interacting with Saudi male compatriots, they tend to be formal and direct in line with the norms of their Saudi culture and upbringing marked by gender segregation. However, they are friendlier and more open with non-Saudi male interlocutors due to the more relaxed gender norms in Australia. One of the key findings is that SFEs’ interactions with non-Saudis are influenced by their sense of obligation to represent their faith and nationality in the best light. The study also shows that the SFE’s insufficient knowledge of Australian culture and their low confidence in their English skills, tends to make their interactions with native-English speakers to be direct and to the point. SFEs are aware that they can appear terse for this reason. The lack of opportunities to interact with the host/Australian community and learn about Australian culture was negatively impacted by the social isolation policies imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributes to the limited literature on the experiences of SFEs as they navigate cross-cultural contexts and self-representation in Australia. This study offers valuable insights into the real-world challenges experienced by SFEs in adjusting to a more liberal society while maintaining their cultural identity. It sheds light on their perceptions of self-representations and attitude towards learning and using English and straddling cultures in Australia. Practical implications for improving cross-cultural interaction and strategies for enhancing English language education programs to better accommodate the growing SFE community in Australia are discussed in the conclusion.47 0Item Restricted Evaluation of Ecotourism Opportunities for Sustainable Development: A Comprehensive Approach and Ecotourism Opportunity Index for Alula, Saudi Arabia(RMIT University, 2024-03-09) Sahahiri, Riyan; Griffin, AmyEcotourism opportunity evaluation is essential for sustainable tourism management. However, the inherent complexity of the tourism system presents considerable challenges. This complexity arises from ecotourism opportunities' continuous adaptation, diversification, and interconnectedness. Furthermore, the system's cascading adaptive behaviour makes it difficult to accurately predict future outcomes, adding another challenge for planners seeking to evaluate these opportunities. The current approaches to evaluating ecotourism opportunities depend primarily on qualitative measures and fail to sufficiently capture the system's dynamics. Furthermore, these methods lack a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between local communities, tourists, and the natural environment. This limits the evaluation of ecotourism opportunities as a sustainable development strategy. A more systematic and comprehensive approach is needed to address this complexity. Considering the development of ecotourism opportunities in a Complex Adaptive System (CAS), this study proposes a systematic method for measuring the extent of ecotourism opportunities and developing an Ecotourism Opportunity Index (EOI). Alula, Saudi Arabia, was selected as a case study due to its rapidly expanding ecotourism opportunities, providing an efficient environment to comprehend the system’s complexity. To develop this method, three research questions were set for this study: 1. What types of ecotourism opportunities coexist in Alula? 2. Will these opportunities contribute to sustainable tourism? 3. How can ecotourism opportunities be evaluated to develop an index for assessing potential destinations? The study's threefold methodology begins by identifying ecotourism opportunities using the SWOT-Ecotourism Opportunity Spectrum (ECOS) framework. In the second stage, Sustainable Ecotourism Opportunities Indicators (SEOIs) are compiled and validated in their relation to the identified ecotourism opportunities using the Delphi method. In the third stage, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is applied to test the validity and reliability of the hypothetical relationships developed by the Delphi method. Data is collected and analyzed using several quantitative methods, including the Weight Scoring Method (WSM), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Delphi method, and Ecotourism Opportunities Gap Analysis (EOGA), resulting in the measurement of the EOI. The findings of the first research question show that the development of ecotourism opportunities as a CAS is shaped by external (opportunities) and internal factors (strengths). The SWOT-ECOS analysis demonstrated that the destination possessed several variables (95 strengths, 15 weaknesses, 25 opportunities and 10 threats) under five ecotourism opportunity dimensions (nature, environmental education/protection, sustainability, socio-cultural benefits, and tourists' satisfaction) and thirteen criteria. More opportunities have led to more strengths across all dimensions, showing that external factors (opportunities) influence internal (strengths) factors. In addition to this interconnection and adaptive behaviour, the destination’s current ecotourism potential also determines its level of adaptation to internal or external influences. In the second research question, by applying the Delphi method, the study used expert consensus to identify 25 interconnected SEOIs and their corresponding 120 sustainable ecotourism opportunities (strengths and opportunities). It also developed a systems diagram to describe how external or internal factors activate adaptations among dimensions, indicators, and variables (ecotourism opportunities), finally influencing the sustainability of Alula's entire ecotourism opportunities system. The findings demonstrate that no single indicator of sustainability works in isolation because impacts in one part of the system can change another. For instance, Saudi Vision 2030 (an external factor) influenced the sustainable indicator “long-term economic growth” strongly by stimulating long-term planning and infrastructure. However, in an indirect link, Saudi Vision 2030 also affected some other variables. Although protecting threatened species and promoting natural heritage are not a part of Saudi Vision 2030, the long-term planning it provoked with the establishment of the Royal Commission for Alula led to actions to produce these outcomes. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to understanding the sustainability of ecotourism, which is needed because a decision to improve one indicator, such as biodiversity conservation, must consider its effects on others, such as local community engagement or tourist satisfaction. In the third research question, the relationships between the dimensions, criteria and variables are explored quantitatively using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA results validated the hypothetical construct that explains relationships between indicators and variables that was developed in the second research question. From this construct, the EOI was developed. The EOI findings demonstrate that Alula and its districts offer promising ecotourism opportunities, and the correlation between dimensions, indicators, and variables in the ecotourism opportunities system is complex and fluctuates based on internal and external factors. The RCU and other government agencies can monitor the sustainability of each of Alula’s ecotourism districts using the index and the ecotourism indicators, such as the indicator “employment opportunities (N21)”, which can bring economic sustainability to local residents. This indicator can allow the local stakeholders to monitor the percentage of local employment that can enhance economic empowerment in the community. RCU has initiated employment-generating programs such as the Alula Oasis. The RCU’s ambitious aim to create the world’s largest living agricultural museum will necessitate a huge workforce, creating employment opportunities for the local residents. By using an employment opportunities indicator to track how many local people are hired for this project, professionals can see how it helps the local economy. Moreover, measuring these sustainable ecotourism opportunities can optimise resource allocation, help monitor sustainability growth, support risk management, encourage stakeholder engagement, and serve as an effective promotional and marketing tool. The development of the EOI represents an innovative method for evaluating ecotourism opportunities. It introduces a new degree of rigour to ecotourism evaluations, allowing for more accurate comparisons and benchmarking among ecotourism destinations and activities. The application of CAS theory to the interpretation of the results provides a more comprehensive comprehension of the dynamics that shape ecotourism opportunities. It broadens the theoretical landscape of the field and may serve as a crucial step for future research employing this theoretical lens. Given the complexity of ecotourism opportunities, this study contributes by developing comprehensive evaluation approaches, such as the SWOT-ECOS analysis and ECOS-Delphi, that assess ecotourism opportunities qualitatively and quantitatively. These approaches are valuable for ecotourism practitioners, policymakers, and researchers as they provide comprehensive evaluations covering all interconnected ecotourism opportunity dimensions, laying a solid foundation for future sustainable ecotourism initiatives, informed decision-making, practical strategies, and policies. The Ecotourism Opportunity Index (EOI) can be used to identify potential ecotourism destinations and inform sustainable tourism plans. EOI can empower local businesses and community leaders to make informed decisions, fostering cultural collaboration and sustainable practices that benefit local economies while preserving environmental and cultural integrity.32 0Item Restricted Exploring teachers’ and students’ efficacy in the teaching and learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 0023-06-06) Alkhairi, Ahmad Hassan E; Alkhairi, AhmadThis qualitative case study explored teaching and learning practices of English-as-a Foreign Language (EFL) in the school context in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study is underpinned by Bandura’s (1977, 1986) triadic reciprocal causation model, derived from his Social Cognitive Theory. In particular, the research focused on the teacher-efficacy of Saudi EFL teachers and the self-efficacy of students learning the English language. The approach of the research explores self-efficacy through a qualitative method. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with secondary school teachers and through focus group discussions with their students, through classroom observations, and through examination of teaching materials to comprehend the teaching and learning environment of EFL in Saudi schools.38 0Item Restricted Disaster Preparedness Among Emergency Medical Services Worker in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-05-03) Almukhlifi, Yasir Matar D; Hutton, Alison; Crowfoot, GaryDisasters are unexpected events that impose destructive consequences which can adversely overwhelm countries' healthcare response systems. Countries are required to prepare their healthcare workers for disaster response effectively. A greater level of preparedness is associated with a more effective response to disasters. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers are vital and essential to effective disaster response in Saudi Arabia. This research aims to examine the perception of knowledge, skills, and preparation for disaster preparedness among EMS workers in Saudi Arabia. It further seeks to explore the needs of EMS workers and perceived barriers and facilitators of disaster preparedness within this context. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed method design to examine disaster preparedness among EMS workers in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional survey using the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET) was distributed to EMS workers in military and government hospitals across three Saudi Arabian cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam) in phase one of the study. This phase aimed to explore the perceived disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels of EMS workers in Saudi Arabia. The findings from Phase One were used to inform phase two by providing direction for interview questions. Participants who expressed their interest in phase one were interviewed in phase two. This phase aimed to explore the facilitators, barriers, and cultural factors that affect disaster preparedness among EMS workers in Saudi Arabia. Two-hundred-and-eighty-seven EMS workers participated in this study. In phase one, participants reported moderate knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels for disasters. However, EMS workers were underprepared in certain areas of disaster preparedness, specifically a lack of isolation and decontamination skills during bioterrorist or biological attacks (CBRNE). Interview findings showed that three factors influenced their preparedness levels: personal preparedness, workplace preparedness, and socio-cultural influences. Participants reported difficulties in accessing workplace policies and procedures, a lack of standardisation in managing and implementing EMS regulations, and irregularity in providing drills and exercise regimes in Saudi Arabia. Results also highlighted the socio-cultural impact on disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness of EMS workers. Prevailing social-cultural expectations in Saudi Arabia are biased against women. This results in a predominantly male and patriarchal structure within the EMS profession. Consequently, women in this study had fewer opportunities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and preparedness than their male EMS peers. This research was able to explore the perception of EMS workers’ disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness from a geographically and demographic representative sample of the Saudi Arabia EMS workforce. Important insights from the study could advance the EMS workforce and increase disaster preparedness. These include providing equitable, standardised, and inclusive education and training opportunities for all EMS workers in Saudi Arabia. In addition, local, postgraduate programs would further support Saudi Arabia’s disaster preparedness. Saudi Arabian workplaces will benefit from recruiting more female EMS workers and standardising staff rotation. This will empower EMS workers within all healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Association of Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS) should implement these changes and be provided with appropriate governance powers to regulate the profession.50 0