SACM - United States of America
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9668
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Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF YOUTUBE INFLUENCERS ON CONSUMER PURCHASE INTENTION AND ENGAGEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alqahtani, Abdullah; Fei, XueThis study examines the influence of YouTube influencers' characteristics and content attributes on consumers' purchase intention and engagement in the Saudi Arabian context. Grounded in Source Credibility Theory and interpreted through the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the study employs a quantitative approach using survey data collected from 402 participants. The findings reveal differentiated effects across the two outcome variables. Initially, Perceived Trustworthiness and Perceived Expertise were not significant predictors of either purchase intention or consumer engagement. However, after introducing the control variables (age, gender, and social media use), gender significantly predicted purchase intention, and Perceived Trustworthiness became a significant predictor of purchase intention. In addition, Perceived Attractiveness and Perceived Homophily significantly influenced consumer engagement, but did not affect purchase intention, indicating that they enhance relational and interactive responses rather than direct purchasing behavior. Conversely, Perceived Influencer–Product Congruence significantly influenced purchase intention but not consumer engagement, highlighting the importance of perceived fit and authenticity in shaping behavioral outcomes. Notably, Perceived Informative Value emerged as the only variable that significantly influenced both purchase intention and consumer engagement, underscoring its central role in the effectiveness of YouTube influencer content. Overall, the findings refine the application of Source Credibility Theory to YouTube influencer marketing and demonstrate how different influencer characteristics and content attributes operate through distinct persuasive mechanisms, as explained by the Elaboration Likelihood Model. The study also provides practical implications for developing more effective influencer marketing strategies in Saudi Arabia.13 0Item Restricted CRITICAL IDEOLOGIES OF CYBER DIPLOMACY FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGING FOREIGN AFFAIRS: A SAUDI ARABIAN CONTEXT(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alfaqih, Faisal Ibrahim; Mbaziira, Alex VThe rapid advancement of technology has facilitated globalization and interconnectedness, but it has also increased vulnerabilities to cyber threats, affecting businesses, governments, and international relations. Despite significant investments in cybersecurity, Saudi Arabia faces persistent cyber risks, particularly in critical sectors such as energy, finance, and defense, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and state-sponsored cyberattacks. This study addresses the gap in Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs strategy by examining the role of cyber diplomacy in enhancing cybersecurity governance and international cooperation. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the relevance, challenges, and priority areas for implementing cyber diplomacy in Saudi Arabia. Guided by security theory, the research answers three key questions: (1) What is cyber diplomacy's relevance in promoting national interests? (2) What challenges hinder its establishment across partner states? (3) What are the priority areas for developing cyber diplomacy in Saudi Arabia? Interviews with 12 cybersecurity professionals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and private sectors were analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that cyber diplomacy is crucial for protecting critical infrastructure, fostering economic stability, and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global influence. However, trust deficits, legal barriers, and geopolitical tensions pose significant challenges. Key recommendations include establishing a National Cyber Diplomacy Strategy, enhancing capacity-building programs, and fostering public-private partnerships. The study concludes that cyber diplomacy is essential for Saudi Arabia’s national security and recommends a multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen cyber resilience and international cooperation. Future research should expand to comparative studies with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to develop regional cyber norms.7 0Item Restricted THE PERCEIVED VALUE OF AMERICAN ENGLISH IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES IN SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Albishi, Dhafer; Felice, A ColesThis dissertation investigates the perceptions and preferences of Arabic-speaking English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and faculty members in Saudi Arabia regarding General American English (GAE). Situated within the broader sociolinguistic debate on English varieties, the study explores why GAE is consistently prioritized in instruction, how it is reinforced through media exposure, and what implications this has for pedagogy and curriculum design. The research adopts a qualitative design, combining open-ended questionnaires with 20 student participants and semi-structured interviews with an instructor and program coordinator at a Saudi Arabian community college. Data were analyzed thematically, following Braun and Clarke’s framework, to capture both learner perspectives and institutional practices. Findings reveal that GAE dominates learner preferences due to its perceived clarity, accessibility, and prestige, as well as its widespread presence in digital media such as Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok. Students described GAE as “normal,” “easy,” and “modern,” illustrating how emotional reactions and social associations reinforce rational judgments of intelligibility. Faculty perspectives aligned with this preference, emphasizing GAE’s pedagogical simplicity and practical utility for academic and professional success. At the same time, results showed that early starters and students with higher media exposure were more open to dialectal diversity, while late starters relied heavily on GAE as an instructional anchor. Although awareness of World Englishes was limited, both faculty members expressed cautious support for introducing dialectal variation at advanced stages, reflecting a pragmatic but forward-looking pedagogy. These results highlight a dynamic interplay between institutional choices, learner experiences, and global linguistic ideologies, with GAE functioning as both a practical learning model and a symbolic marker of modernity. The study contributes to applied linguistics by demonstrating how localized learner attitudes intersect with global language hierarchies. It recommends a tiered pedagogical approach: establishing GAE as a stable foundation at early stages, then gradually incorporating dialectal awareness to prepare learners for multilingual, multicultural communication. Future research should include longitudinal designs, cross-institutional comparisons, and investigations into the role of media literacy in shaping dialectal awareness.6 0Item Restricted EXAMINING READING-RELATED TEACHER EDUCATION AMONG GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alqrashi, Ahmad; Hosp, JohnThe education system of Saudi Arabia has made significant advances in expanding access to its general education through policies of inclusion, particularly through initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. In spite of these advances, the system still lacks an effective support structure for students with learning disabilities (LD) in general education classrooms, especially at the primary school level. Research on inclusive education indicates that teachers’ preparedness, encompassing their knowledge of evidence-based reading strategies, awareness of students’ needs, and capacity to implement appropriate strategies, directly enhances the academic outcomes of students with LD. In this study, the researcher investigated three central questions: 1. What professional development in reading do Saudi general education teachers of students with LD in primary schools report having undertaken? 2.) To what extent do Saudi general education teachers' university training and professional development in reading instruction relate to their implementation of evidence-based practices for students with LD in inclusive primary classrooms? and 3.) What are the perceptions of Saudi general education teachers toward evidence-based reading instruction for students with LD? To address these questions, a mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 98 general education teachers in Taif and semi-structured interviews with six teachers from the same region. Quantitative analysis indicated that teachers received significantly more training in general reading than in LD-specific instruction, and that formal training did not predict the use of evidence-based strategies. Qualitative findings revealed that while teachers held positive perceptions of evidence-based reading strategies, structural barriers such as large class sizes, limited instructional time, and insufficient collaboration with special education professionals severely constrained implementation. The study concludes that there are both knowledge and application gaps between the Saudi inclusive education policy and classroom practice. To realise the goals of Vision 2030, urgent reforms are needed in teacher preparation, mandatory professional development, and classroom resource allocation.25 0Item Restricted EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF VIDEO MODELING TO ENHANCE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SOCIAL GREETING SKILLS IN PRESCHOOLERS WITH ASD IN SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alzahrani, Sarah; Green, BridgetA lack of social communication skills, including initiation and responding, has been a prominent characteristic of children diagnosed with ASD (Kanner, 1943; Kroeger et al., 2007). Enhancing these skills in children with ASD during early childhood is crucial to their future relationships, friendships, participation in communal activities, and overall lowering the likelihood of adverse long-term effects, giving significance to this age as a pivotal period for enhancing various skills (Hart Barnett, 2018). Failure to provide interventions to address social communication in children with ASD, specifically in cultures that value this skill, can impede their integration into that society. Thus, this study aimed to develop social initiation, particularly culturally specific greetings, and responding skills in preschool children with ASD in Saudi Arabia by using a video modeling intervention with least-to-most prompting and reinforcement. Three preschool children with ASD participated in the study. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the video modeling intervention on the two targeted social behaviors: initiating a cultural religious greeting and responding to “How are you?”. The result of the study demonstrated that VM, along with prompting and reinforcement, is an effective intervention in enhancing social outcomes in young children with ASD. Maintenance data also indicated that all the participants were able to maintain the skills acquired two weeks after the intervention. The results of this study align with previous research in supporting the use of VM and prompting procedures as effective interventions in enhancing the social outcomes of young children with ASD.13 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF NETFLIX’S CONSUMPTION ON THE SAUDI YOUNG ADULTS’ BEHAVIOR, ATTITUDES, AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS TATTOOS AND PRE- MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Khushaim, Mohammed; Simpson, EdgarThis dissertation examines how consumption of Western streaming content via Netflix influences Saudi Arabian young adults’ attitudes toward tattoos and premarital relationships. Tattoos and dating before marriage are traditionally stigmatized in Saudi society, yet rapid social change and Vision 2030 reforms have increased exposure to global media. Drawing on Social Learning and Cultivation theories and broader perspectives of Social Change, Modernization, Cultural Hegemony and Globalization, the study tests whether repeated exposure to streamed representations predicts more progressive attitudes. A cross-sectional survey collected data from 168 Saudi participants aged 18–35. The instrument measured weekly streaming hours, attitudes toward tattoos and premarital relationships on five-point Likert scales, and demographic variables. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and multiple regression were used to test hypotheses; open-ended responses provided qualitative insight. Streaming hours were positively correlated with more accepting attitudes toward tattoos (r = 0.41) and premarital relationships (r = 0.47; both p < 0.01). Attitudes toward tattoos and premarital relationships were themselves correlated (r = 0.53). Regression analyses confirmed that weekly streaming predicts progressive attitudes even after controlling for age, gender and education; the standardized regression coefficients were beta = 0.34 for tattoos and beta = 0.39 for premarital relationships. Age showed a negative association (beta = -0.21), indicating younger respondents were more open, while education had a modest positive effect. Gender was not significant. Despite these associations, survey means show conservative norms remain influential. Only about 28 % of participants agreed that people with tattoos are “great,” and roughly 22 % agreed that premarital relationships are acceptable. Qualitative responses suggest respondents selectively adopt liberal values while maintaining cultural identity. Overall, the findings support social learning and cultivation perspectives by demonstrating that exposure to Western streaming content is linked to more accepting attitudes among Saudi youth, yet traditional values persist. The study adds evidence from a non-Western context and underscores the importance of media literacy and culturally sensitive education as Saudi society navigates rapid change.15 0Item Restricted Cultural and Social Barriers to STEM Career Orientations and Retention Among Saudi Women Students in Tertiary Education(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alqous, maha; Picho-Kiroga, KatherineThis qualitative study was designed to explore the existing social, cultural, and religious barriers women students experience in Saudi Arabia when they plan to take a STEM program of studies at the tertiary level. To determine the mindset of people towards women's education and career orientation in STEM fields in Saudi culture, 15 women studying in the USA and taking undergraduate or graduate courses in STEM fields were interviewed. The data were consolidated for thematic analysis, and a total of 10 themes emerged for four research questions exploring students’ challenges in STEM education, people's mindsets, the support levels women have, and their resilience towards cultural barriers. The results of the study indicated that women have a consistent and significant amount of support from their parents and peers, and the most substantial challenges they faced were the social and cultural norms set for women in the context of religious teachings. Nonetheless, the women interviewees were found to be resilient against unfair social practices, stereotypical thoughts about women’s abilities, and gendered roles in society. Governmental policies and social reforms are the strongest change elements in society; parents who believed in the importance of women's education in family growth and national development were found to be more flexible and supportive towards women's education in STEM programs. It is recommended that a collective effort of religious leaders, governmental officials, and other societal figures play their pivotal role in social transformation, abolishing unfair restrictions on women, realizing their equal role in the national economy, and permitting them to pursue STEM programs according to their abilities.22 0Item Restricted ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY CULTURE IN PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alqarfi, Ahmed Mohammed; Karwowski, WaldemarGiven the inherently hazardous nature of petrochemical operations, an effective safety culture is critical. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 29 peer-reviewed articles published in open access between 2014 and 2024 were selected to evaluate the status of safety culture dimensions employed in the petrochemical sector. This cross-sectional study assessed safety culture in the Saudi Arabian petrochemical industry and examined the relationships among safety culture dimensions, safety motivation (SM), and safety performance. Safety performance was operationalized as personal error behavior (PEB) and attitudes toward violations (ATV), with SM modeled as a mediating factor. After obtaining IRB approval, a total of 482 employees from the petroleum facilities in Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Cities completed an email-administered survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied using SmartPLS and SPSS. The results indicate that safety culture has a significant effect on SM, PEB, and ATV, and that SM significantly mediates the relationship between safety culture and safety performance. To enhance safety outcomes across the petrochemical sector, future studies should focus on longitudinal research to track safety culture trends and extend safety culture assessments to other high-risk environments, including oil exploration, drilling, and gas operations. Additionally, further studies could investigate the development of subcultures within broader safety frameworks, providing deeper insights into the specific safety dynamics at play in these critical sectors.31 0Item Restricted THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BURNOUT, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG NURSE FACULTY IN SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alotaibi, Megran H; Barnes, HilaryNurse faculty burnout is a prevalent issue worldwide that has played a significant role in increasing the likelihood of nursing staff shortage and low job satisfaction. It also may affect the quality of teaching and the personal lives of faculty members. Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction have been recognized as significant predictors of professional success in healthcare organizations, business, and education. However, there is a lack of research exploring relationship between nurse faculty burnout, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction. Examining this relationship can provide valuable insights for developing interventions that enhance both nursing education and the nursing workforce. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe the level of Saudi Arabian faculty nurses’ burnout, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction. Another purpose was to examine the relationship between burnout, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction among nurse faculty members in Saudi Arabia. The study also explored the mediating role of emotional intelligence between nurse faculty burnout and job satisfaction. A convenience sample of 104 nurse faculty members employed in Saudi Arabia was used. Maslach’s Theory of Burnout and Mayer and Salovey’s Model of Emotional Intelligence guided this study. The findings indicated that nurse faculty in Saudi Arabia experienced moderate levels of burnout and job satisfaction. An inverse relationship was observed, with higher burnout associated with lower job satisfaction. Burnout was also identified as a predictor of job satisfaction. In addition, nurse faculty reported high levels of emotional intelligence, which were significantly related to both burnout and job satisfaction. Faculty with higher emotional intelligence tended to experience lower burnout and greater job satisfaction. The findings also indicated that emotional intelligence did not mediate the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction. The findings of the study have significant implications for the advancement of nursing science and research, education, practice, and nursing education leadership. The results add valuable knowledge to the existing body of literature on the current state of nurse faculty burnout, emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction. The findings of the study highlight the need to focus on addressing burnout and improving job satisfaction to prevent further declines. It is recommended to develop and implement evidence-based policies and procedures that reduce burnout, foster and sustain emotional intelligence, and enhance job satisfaction, thereby supporting faculty retention, high-quality nursing education, and positive student outcomes. Higher education institutions should use the high emotional intelligence of nurse faculty as a strength to enhance teaching effectiveness, promote faculty well-being, and guide future research directions.26 0Item Restricted THREE ESSAYS ON WATER MANAGEMENT IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alasfour, Abdulelah; Edward, Dekeyser; Robert, Hearne; Ahmed, Harb Rabia; Bakr, Aly AhmedThis dissertation addresses the challenge of water scarcity in arid and semi-arid environments, where limited renewable resources, overexploitation of groundwater, and the impacts of climate change threaten long-term water security. The study first reviews a wide range of global strategies, including desalination, managed aquifer recharge, wastewater reuse, cloud seeding, virtual water trade, irrigation efficiency, crop selection, and economic instruments. While each approach presents technical, environmental, or social challenges, the literature shows that when properly regulated and adapted to local conditions, these strategies can effectively reduce pressure on freshwater resources. Building on this foundation, the research then turns to Saudi Arabia as a case study. An analysis of wheat imports from 2001 to 2023 demonstrates that virtual water trade has conserved 183.71 billion cubic meters of national water resources, including 139.62 billion cubic meters of nonrenewable groundwater, while also contributing to global efficiency by sourcing wheat from rain-fed regions. A second analysis of four key crops, dates, potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons, shows that adopting modern irrigation techniques could save an average of 823 million cubic meters annually. Economic modeling further indicates that moderate water pricing and targeted tax exemptions can improve the financial feasibility of these systems, supporting wider adoption by farmers. The dissertation shows that addressing water scarcity in arid regions cannot rely on a single solution. A combination of strategies, such as relying on virtual water trade, improving irrigation efficiency, and applying supportive economic policies, is necessary to reduce pressure on groundwater and secure more sustainable water use.21 0