SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Governance and Asset Allocation Strategies in the Investment Mutual Funds(Univeresity of Strathclyde, 2024-12) Alsubaie, Aseel; Moore, JedThis research examines the role of governance in asset allocation and portfolio management within the investment mutual fund sector. Modern governance frameworks, influenced by technological advances, ESG requirements, and market volatility, integrate risk management, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The study evaluates how governance structures incorporate ESG criteria, manage technology risks, and ensure resilience during market shifts. Findings suggest that funds with strong governance achieve balanced, risk-averse allocations through diversification and ESG integration. Additionally, AI and ML require governance adjustments to manage related risks. The study emphasizes the need for flexible governance frameworks to address future challenges in an evolving market landscape.26 0Item Restricted An Urban Management Framework for Crowd Movements in Hajj: A User-Centric Approach(University of Leeds, 2024-08) Kadi, Abdulrahman Omar; Selim, GehanThis thesis explores the complexities of urban management in the context of crowd movements during mega-events, with a particular focus on the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. The research aims to develop a user-centred management framework that enhances both crowd movement conditions and user experience, addressing the limitations of traditional top-down management approaches. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates theories from event management, crowd dynamics, and user experience, the study offers a novel perspective on managing large-scale gatherings, where the safety and satisfaction of participants are paramount. The research establishes the importance of urban management in facilitating effective crowd movements during mega-events, particularly addressing the unique challenges of Hajj, a religious event in Makkah that annually draws millions of pilgrims. The study identifies critical variables and correlations within urban management, event activities, and user experience, highlighting the need for a user-centric approach. The research examines urban management variables influencing crowd movements and analyses existing literature in order to identify gaps in the current understanding of crowd dynamics, particularly the formation and impact of collective behaviour during mass gatherings. A significant focus is placed on the pivotal role of user experience in shaping innovative crowd management strategies, employing tools such as User Journey Mapping (UJM) to dissect the collective experiences of pilgrims. The thesis further contextualises the study with a historical background of the Islamic pilgrimage, detailing the Holy Sites' rituals, circulation patterns, and significance. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies, to gather data during Hajj in 2021 and 2022. This data presents an in-depth analysis of crowd movement conditions during Hajj, identifying key challenges and proposing strategies to improve crowd control and user experience. The analysis from the user's perspective identifies touchpoints that influence crowd dynamics and underscores the importance of considering users' needs, expectations, and experiences in designing effective crowd management strategies. Moreover, the research introduces an urban management framework comprising three overarching themes: Event Management, Crowd Movement, and User Experience, each divided into sub-themes that collectively form a comprehensive approach to managing crowd movements during mega-events. The research synthesises these findings, relating them to the initial research questions and theoretical framework. It advocates for a user-centric strategy prioritising inclusivity, safety, and user satisfaction. It introduces the User-Centric Management Canvas (UCMC), a practical tool designed to guide event organisers in adopting this new approach. This framework offers a structured yet flexible method adaptable to various mega-event contexts. In conclusion, this thesis marks a significant contribution to urban management, providing a blueprint for future research and practical applications in crowd management. It sets the stage for a paradigm shift towards more empathetic and effective management of mega-events, potentially enhancing participants' safety and spiritual fulfilment at events like Hajj, with global applicability to other large-scale events.63 0Item Restricted THE CONTRIBUTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS(University of Reading, 2024-07-24) Alnajran, Saqer; Kakabadse, AndrewThis qualitative research was undertaken through a case study to explore the contribution of council members of King Saud University (KSU) to their institutional strategy. It is the first study to consider the impact of governing body members of higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. The study involved conducting 26 elite interviews with KSU council members and collecting 9 relevant documents. Through thematic analysis, the study elucidated how board members fulfill their responsibilities in alignment with KSU's strategic plan. Firstly, board members were identified as holding official positions that require role-based contribution and accountability. Secondly, the effective contribution of board members was facilitated by the use of technology through the KSU’s board portal Majales. Thirdly, the engagement of KSU council members at various decision-making levels, including the college council or equivalent level, in addition to the university council level, was found to positively influence the institutional strategy. Fourthly, the crucial role of the KSU president in enhancing collaborative efforts between the board and the institution to achieve strategic objectives was highlighted. Lastly, the efforts of KSU council members in developing new regulations and enforcing implementation compliance were essential in reflecting their contribution to realizing the objectives of KSU’s strategic plan. The study concludes by proposing a model that outlines the process through which board members contribute to their institutional strategy. The model emphasizes the importance of employing a distributed system of specialized experts in their respective roles to make an effective contribution. Additionally, it underscores the involvement of board directors in discussions at multiple levels within the institution contributing to the improvement of decision-making processes across the governance system. Furthermore, the model not only advances the understanding of governance and strategic dynamics within KSU but also provides valuable insights with broader applicability to higher education institutions.42 0Item Restricted The Relationship between Urban Governance and Physical Urban Expansion in Riyadh(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08-30) Alotabi, Ahmed; Goodfellow, TomThis dissertation explores the complex issue of urban sprawl in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasising the limited efficiency of institutions for governance and planning to rein in this uncontrolled growth. Urban sprawl, frequently associated with unplanned and unsustainable development, has become a significant problem in Riyadh and is creating social, economic, and environmental issues. This study aims to clarify the intricate interactions between variables that contribute to this phenomenon, emphasising the function of legislative frameworks. This paper explores the underlying reasons behind Riyadh's failure to control urban expansion through a thorough analysis of past urban planning techniques, governance frameworks, and legal frameworks. The dissertation intends to shed light on the causes of urban sprawl in Riyadh by using a literature review methodology through archival analysis, scientific paper results, meta-analysis paper reviews, some policy evaluations, and books written by experts on the topic. Due to the paper’s emphasis on the role of governance towards urban sprawl, some essential literature analysis is based on documents that have been concerned with the issue, whether wholly or partially: The National Spatial Strategy 2030 (UN-Development Programme, 2021), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda 2022 (MoMRAH), Riyadh's strategic plan (MEDSTAR, 2021), Saudi Arabia’s National Report for Habitat III (MoMRA, 2016) and The Saudi Cities Report (MoMRA, 2019). According to the report, prioritising greenfield development and decentralised decision-making procedures has historically unintentionally encouraged suburban growth. Governance institutions have discovered it challenging to address the spatial fragmentation brought on by this strategy because they lack thorough master planning and mixed-use zoning plans. The complexity of urban growth in Riyadh is highlighted in this dissertation, but it also emphasises the essential for a paradigm shift in urban governance and planning. This research provides insights into how legislative structures might be re-calibrated to match sustainable and controlled urban growth by looking at the various legislative motivations that have sustained urban sprawl. The results of this study add to the larger conversation about issues facing urban growth and can guide policy initiatives to promote more cohesive, livable, and resilient communities. The research aims to lay the groundwork for future urban planning initiatives focusing on balanced and sustainable growth, thereby reducing the adverse effects of uncontrolled urban expansion in Riyadh and elsewhere.31 0Item Restricted A Mixed-Methods Study to Investigate the Awareness by Pilgrims and the Saudi Authorities of Health Risks Arising From the Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-28) Almehmadi, Mater; David, AlexanderOne of the most important factors in developing preventative measures is awareness of health risks among public authorities and the public themselves. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020-2023 has exposed significant weaknesses in public health systems that need to be addressed, although research has so far been limited with respect to studies that have explored the perceptions of both the public and authorities about the uptake of preventative health measures. As it is the host of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia offers a good case study of the health management of one of the biggest mass gatherings in the world. Although the health strategy here usually involves an array of preventative measures, the uptake among pilgrims is extremely low. As a case study exploring the factors that determine uptake, the Hajj pilgrimage is approached in this dissertation using a mixed methodology for the collection of data from the officials of the Hajj and the individuals who participate in it. Some 280 participants were canvassed in the quantitative study. The findings are that 94% considered the Hajj to be safe and limited themselves to taking pre-travel advice on health, while 70% of the respondents reported the diversity of the pilgrims to be the main factor threatening health outcomes. Overall, the study reported a significant shortfall in pilgrims’ perception of the health risks associated with the Hajj pilgrimage. Qualitative research was then utilised to collect data from 17 Hajj officials, using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. The key themes that emerged in the analysis include, first, the safety of the Hajj as perceived by Saudi officials; secondly, in the face of health risks, how the safety of pilgrims is maintained by Saudi officials; thirdly, avoiding the health risks of the Hajj pilgrimage; fourthly holding training sessions for the Hajj workers; fifthly, the pilgrims’ awareness of health risks; sixthly, the education of pilgrims about health risk in their individual countries; and finally, the use of new technologies to raise the pilgrims’ awareness about health instructions and measure their satisfaction regarding the outcomes.21 0Item Restricted A Comprehensive Case Study on ESG Integration and Analysis for Sustainable Commercial Banks in the United Kingdom(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-03-18) Alnabood, Ali; Hayward, RobertCommercial banks in the United Kingdom strive to operate sustainably and satisfy the demands of their stakeholders, which has increased the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. This comprehensive case study employs a mixed-methods approach that discusses analysing and integrating ESG elements for sustainable commercial banks in the UK. The study commences with a comprehensive examination of current literature on integrating and analysing ESG factors in the banking sector. Subsequently, the literature review outcomes are employed to construct a conceptual framework for integrating and analysing ESG factors customised to the commercial banking industry in the UK. Next, the study uses publicly available data to analyse the ESG performance of the leading five commercial banks in the UK. The analysis includes assessing the banks' implementation of various ESG indicators, including carbon emissions, diversity and inclusion, and governance practices. Finally, the analysis results identify trends and best practices in ESG integration and analysis among UK commercial banks. The study results emphasise the significance of incorporating and evaluating ESG factors for promoting sustainability in commercial banks operating in the UK. The analysis results demonstrate notable disparities in ESG performance among commercial banks in the UK. Certain banks exhibit superior ESG performance compared to others, with statistically significant differences. The study's author has presented a series of suggestions for UK commercial banks seeking to enhance their ESG performance and incorporate ESG factors into their business practices based on the research results. The suggestions encompass the necessity for endorsement from upper-level management, the significance of thorough data gathering and evaluation, and the advantages of involving stakeholders to comprehend their ESG preferences. Overall, this thorough case study offers insightful information on the difficulties and possibilities of ESG integration and analysis for sustainable commercial banks in the UK. The study's mixed-methods methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject. It also gives helpful advice for UK commercial banks aiming to enhance their ESG performance. Finally, the study's conclusions apply to banks and financial institutions worldwide, not only in the UK, as they work to operate sustainably and satisfy changing stakeholder expectations.34 0