SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Assessing the Role of U.S. Foreign Policy on Global Oil Supply: The Case of Middle East Geopolitical Tensions and Energy Security(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-09-26) ALHAMMAD, MESHAL; Professor. Peter HoughThe present study focuses on analysing the role of the US foreign policy on global oil supply by considering the case of Middle East geopolitical tensions and energy security. Concerning this, it is evident that the United States has played a substantial role in forming geopolitical tensions and global oil supply of Middle East. Reflecting on this, it has been identified that the targeted area, i.e. Middle East is regarded as a major oil producer and exporter, making the nation geopolitically stable and determining factor in the context of global energy security. Therefore, the present study involves significant objectives for obtaining potential outcomes: 1) To assess the historical development of US foreign policy in the Middle East countries, 2) To analyse the impact of US foreign policy on geopolitical tensions and energy security in the Middle East, 3) To explore the effectiveness of US foreign policy initiatives to alleviate the risks associated with global oil supply in the Middle East. Following these objectives, literature has been developed by considering theoretical underpinnings, such as realism, neo-classical realism, liberalism, constructivism, hard power theory and dependency theory. To further obtain significant results, the study considered collecting secondary data from three different case studies of Middle East geopolitical tensions and energy security, which include, Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Further, to analyse collected data, thematic analysis technique has been employed in this research by considering five themes of targeted issue. At last, the study includes discussing the topic-at-hand by backing it with significant literature, overall concluding the research and offering future recommendations.5 0Item Restricted Improving Understanding of the Health Informatics Landscape in Saudi Arabia: An Evidence-Based Learning Resource to Help Health Informaticians in the UK(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Aljohani, Fahad; Darlison, MatthewHealth informatics is increasingly recognised as a transformative force within healthcare systems. However, consolidated knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s health informatics landscape remains limited and scattered, making it challenging for professionals outside the country to engage effectively. This study aimed to develop a user-centred, evidence-based educational resource explaining Saudi Arabia’s health informatics landscape, tailored for UK-based health informaticians. A three-phase mixed-methods design was adopted. Phase 1 involved a structured survey of 23 UK health informaticians to assess their awareness of the Saudi Arabian health informatics landscape, identify key learning priorities, and determine their preferred learning resource formats. Results showed that 96% of respondents had minimal familiarity with Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system and its digital health initiatives. Key learning needs identified included governance and legal frameworks, healthcare system organisation, data standards and interoperability, technology infrastructure, public health initiatives, and strategic planning. Digital documents were the most preferred format selected by 38% of participants. Phase 2 involved reviewing credible sources, including government publications, policy documents, and peer-reviewed literature, to collect information on Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system and health informatics landscape. This material was analysed and organised according to the learning priorities identified in Phase 1, then assembled into a Wikipedia-style resource with modular sections covering system structure, regulatory authorities, digital health initiatives, interoperability frameworks, public health data, and Vision 2030 reforms. Phase 3 sought stakeholder validation, but no feedback was received during the collection period. The resulting resource is systematically structured and intended to be publicly accessible and continuously updatable, providing a reliable reference on Saudi Arabia’s health informatics landscape and serving as a starting point for further exploration. Its organised format and curated content enable generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to interpret and cite the resource itself, improving the accuracy and credibility of the information they generate on Saudi Arabia’s health informatics.4 0Item Restricted The Role of Innovation and Technology in The Internationalisation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Case Study of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALQAHTANI, FAHD; Cranfield, Desireé; Mulyata, JohnThe thesis seeks to analyse the importance of innovation and technology in the internationalisation process of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. Several elements have been identified as relevant in the internationalisation process of organisations, with an emphasis on innovation and technology. The literature review (Chapter 2) describes the relationship between various contributory factors and explains the study’s theoretical framework. The methods of the current study comprise the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, therefore reinforcing its contribution to the literature and allowing the development of practical guidelines for SMEs about their internationalisation process. Five hypotheses are proposed to help understand how innovation and technology affect the internationalisation of SMEs: the first two are directly related to the theme of innovation and technology, investigating their influence on the process of internationalisation, while the following three examine the involvement of resource development, managerial experience, and networking relationships. The results suggest a clear link between the increased use of innovative practices and the application of advanced technologies and the internationalisation of SMEs, although weaknesses are identified around resource development, managerial experience, and networking relationships in the global venture process. These findings demonstrate the necessity of a mixed approach that preserves the direction of innovation and technology, effective resource usage, a high level of managerial competencies, and successful networking. Therefore, useful insights can be provided to expand understanding of SME internationalisation within the Saudi Arabian context, including entrepreneurial strategies to help SMEs compete and prosper in the global marketplace through the adoption of innovation and technology.25 0Item Restricted Parents' Perceptions of Quality in Early Childhood Education Programme for Children Aged 3-4 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Jifri, Samar; Gkouskou, EiriniThis qualitative study investigates the perceptions of Early Childhood Education (ECE) quality among parents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Guided by a constructivist and interpretivist paradigm, the research explores the diverse meanings and values parents associate with quality, seeking to move beyond a universal, one-size-fits-all definition. The study addresses two primary research questions: (1) What factors do parents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, look for to determine the quality of early childhood education? and (2) Do parents place greater importance on care or education when evaluating the quality of ECE services? A qualitative methodology was employed in this study, utilising semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the views and beliefs of seven participating parents, in an attempt to capture the lived experiences of individuals within a specific cultural context. The findings indicate that parents associate high-quality early years settings with relational and holistic factors. Specifically, they value an unstructured, play-based approach, consistent parent-school communication, opportunities for outdoor and real-life experiences, and a clean environment. In addressing the prioritisation between care and education, the study reveals that parents place a significantly greater importance on the nurturing aspects of "care." Their understanding of care extends beyond basic supervision to include attentiveness, positive teacher-child relationships, and a welcoming environment. In contrast, parents showed less interest in an academic, school-readiness focused approach to education.8 0Item Restricted Fire Performance Of Façade Materials In Saudi High-Rise Buildings: Implications For Civil Defence And Code Compliance.(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alzahrani, Rakan Rezgallah; Nadjai, AliAluminium Composite Panel (ACP) façade materials have been implicated in several catastrophic building fires worldwide, raising urgent concerns about their fire performance. The rapid vertical spread of fire, high heat release, and toxic smoke generation associated with certain ACP systems have led to significant casualties and property loss, prompting global scrutiny and regulatory reforms. These developments are particularly relevant for Saudi Arabia due to the intensive solar radiation and high temperatures experienced in the country. In that regard, this study aimed to comprehensively assess the fire performance of cladding materials used in high-rise buildings in Saudi Arabia (particularly Aluminium Composite Panels ACPs) through code compliance checks, experimental testing, and simulation analysis, to enhance building safety and Civil Defence preparedness. Three samples of composite materials were collected from different regions in Saudi Arabia. Bomb Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), together with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and the Ozone model were utilised to gain insights into fire behaviour, thermal characteristics and fire performance of the composite materials. The results showed that while composite materials in Saudi Arabia could potentially meet the EN13501 -1 for class A1 and A2, there are specific risk factors within the ACP components that might enhance fire growth and smoke production levels. One sample in particularly was found to be high risk, having weak retardant properties and an exceptionally high mass loss percentage of 76% for the core. In view of such finding, there is a need to reassess façade composite materials and perform full scale tests.16 0Item Restricted An Exploration of How Talent Management Enhances Employee Performance Management in the Saudi Arabian Workplace(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Bukhari, Firas; Limki, RashneThis study investigates how talent management enhances employee performance management in the Saudi Arabian workplace, with a focus on national programs like Vision 2030 and Saudization. The study focuses on three areas: organised talent identification, talent development integration with performance systems, and policy framework. A qualitative method was used, using semi-structured interviews with HR professionals from various sectors and thematic analysis to find relevant patterns. The findings show that structured talent identification improves worker competency and engagement, whereas combining talent development with performance promotes continuous learning, career growth, and retention. Alignment with national policies improves compliance, reputation, and competitiveness. The study adds to the HRM literature in Saudi Arabia and provides practical guidance for organisations seeking to align policy requirements with global practices. It emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach that promotes both individual achievement and national economic goals.3 0Item Restricted Emerging Cybersecurity Risks and the Effectiveness of Risk Management Frameworks in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Abdulaziz, Mohammed; Adamos, VasileiosCybersecurity, Risk Management, Saudi Arabia, NIST CSF, ISO 27005, SAMA, UK NCSC, Risk Frameworks, Emerging Threats, Financial Sector35 0Item Restricted Demographic Diversity on the Boards of Listed Companies in Saudi Arabia: Gender, Age, and Disability – Assessment, Lessons from the UK, and Reform Proposals(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Almosa, Manal Nasser; Banerjee, NigelThis dissertation examines demographic diversity on the boards of listed companies, focusing on gender, age, and disability. It asks whether the Saudi corporate governance regime requires reform to promote such diversity and argues that reform is needed. The analysis centres on the regulatory framework applying to companies listed on the Saudi Main Market (Tadawul) and examines the framework governing companies in the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market, observing the United Kingdom’s experience for lessons. The study finds that Saudi regulations emphasise qualifications and cognitive diversity while remaining silent on demographic composition, leaving women, younger directors, and people with disabilities under-represented, with limited influence. Voluntary initiatives have produced no measurable progress. In the UK, principles, disclosure rules, comply-or-explain mechanisms, and reporting targets, supported by voluntary reviews, have boosted women’s representation but not age or disability, and key roles remain concentrated. The dissertation argues that reform should rest on the social case of fairness and equal opportunity, with the business case supportive. It proposes amendments to the Saudi Corporate Governance Regulation: a guiding principle, mandatory disclosure of diversity policies with self-set targets for the selected types, and changes to nomination committee procedures. These reforms balance flexibility with enforceable obligations, aiming to foster genuine cultural change and steady progress.12 0Item Restricted Evaluating the Alignment of the Qiddiya Project with Customer Expectations: Innovation Tourism and Visitor Perceptions of its Global Competitiveness”(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Altwaijri, Raghad Saleh; Isabel, RodriguezThis dissertation investigates customer perceptions of Qiddiya, a state-led tourism megaproject in Saudi Arabia, designed as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy. The study examines how potential tourists evaluate Qiddiya’s innovation-driven offerings, particularly its technological features, experiential design, cultural integration, and affordability. The research responds to a gap in existing literature: while much has been written about innovation tourism in Western and East Asian contexts, there is limited empirical evidence from the Middle East. The research was guided by five objectives: (1) to assess tourist expectations of innovation, (2) to examine perceptions of Qiddiya’s experiential engagement, (3) to evaluate the integration of cultural and technological features, (4) to identify perceived challenges such as affordability and awareness, and (5) to explore implications for innovation-driven tourism in emerging markets. A survey was administered to 40 respondents, including Saudi nationals, expatriates, and international tourists. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic coding of open-ended responses. Findings reveal strong enthusiasm for technological innovation, with 75% of respondents agreeing that Qiddiya’s use of technology will differentiate it from global competitors. Immersive technologies such as VR and AR were widely viewed as enhancing experiences, while AI-driven personalization was seen as adding value. However, concerns were raised over the ease of use of these technologies, particularly by older respondents, echoing the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989). Respondents emphasized that technological novelty must be matched by accessibility, user-friendliness, and cultural sensitivity. Experiential engagement emerged as a major expectation. Eighty percent of respondents anticipated unique and memorable experiences, while 68% anticipated strong emotional engagement. More than half expected opportunities for co-creation, reflecting broader trends toward participatory tourism. However, only 55% believed Qiddiya would allow them to connect with Saudi cultural heritage. This finding raises important questions about cultural integration: while Qiddiya’s global entertainment features (e.g., Six Flags) resonate with international standards, they may risk overshadowing local authenticity. Affordability emerged as a critical concern. While 72% believed Qiddiya would provide good value-for-money, 40% expressed fears that ticket prices may be prohibitive for middle-income Saudi families. Accessibility challenges, such as transport connections to Riyadh, were also noted. These concerns parallel global examples, such as Disneyland Paris, which faced criticism for alienating domestic audiences due to high pricing. Brand awareness was another challenge. Only 20% of international respondents were 3 familiar with Qiddiya prior to the survey, underscoring the need for strong international marketing campaigns. Without global visibility, Qiddiya risks being overshadowed by established competitors in Dubai, Singapore, and Orlando. The dissertation contributes to academic knowledge in several ways. First, it extends the study of innovation tourism to the Middle East, providing empirical insights into customer perceptions in Saudi Arabia. Second, it expands the Technology Acceptance Model by applying it to destination-level innovations, highlighting the role of cultural acceptance in adoption. Third, it revisits the Experience Economy framework by demonstrating that memorable experiences in high-context cultures must include cultural authenticity. Finally, it contributes to megaproject literature by showing how consumer alignment—particularly in pricing and cultural fit—is as important as infrastructure. Strategic recommendations for Qiddiya include: (1) embedding Saudi heritage into attractions to balance global and local identities, (2) ensuring user-friendly technological design and staff support, (3) implementing tiered ticketing and resident discounts to improve affordability, (4) strengthening international branding campaigns, and (5) adopting sustainable and inclusive practices. Broader implications for emerging markets highlight the importance of affordability, cultural authenticity, and co-creation in innovation-driven tourism. In conclusion, Qiddiya embodies both the promise and challenges of innovation tourism in emerging economies. It has the potential to transform Saudi Arabia into a global tourism hub, but success will depend on striking a balance between technological spectacle and cultural authenticity, between affordability and exclusivity, and between global ambition and local acceptance.8 0Item Restricted Nawa (نوى): From Seed to Strategy — A Sustainability Advisory for Aspiring Entrepreneurs(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alqahtani, Rozan; Ramli, KautsarNawa Consulting helps early-stage founders in Saudi Arabia and the GCC build practical sustainability into their businesses. Year 1 delivers fast audits and 1:1 coaching (Arabic/English, digital-first); Year 2 adds ESG-readiness projects; Year 3 offers strategy, impact KPIs and investor-readiness packs. The model is lean, remote and partner-led, using repeatable toolkits to keep prices accessible and delivery quick. Primary customers are aspiring entrepreneurs and micro-SMEs reached via startup hubs, universities, webinars and referrals. Evidence comes from customer interviews, a simple market scan and live experiments; risks and ethics are addressed with clear consent, data-minimisation and no-greenwashing rules. Financially, break-even is ~70 billable hours/month (reached Jan 2026). Year-1 totals: sales SAR 518k; cash in SAR 546k; cash out SAR 417k; year-end cash SAR 129k, with one early cash dip mitigated by spend controls and part-payments. An SDB loan at month 12 funds conversion to an LLC and a first hire; from Year 2, 10% of net cash supports founder-focused initiatives. The plan sets a 24-month path to a resilient, values-led advisory ready to scale or partner for strategic growth.16 0