SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience: An In-depth Analysis of Religious Tourism for Hajj(Middlesex University, 2024-09) Farea, Fahd; Terzidou, MatinaSummary Hajj is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar, often requiring Muslims to attend the event at least once in their lives. Each year, the event attracts millions of people, leading to congestion especially due to the growing number of unauthorised pilgrims. Although the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) is responsible for planning Hajj during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah from the 8th- 12th day of the month, some of the events have been marred with casualties as stampedes result in thousands of people being injured. Furthermore, the event occurs during the summer which means extreme heat, often affecting the elderly. In recent years, technologies have been used in an attempt to improve the experience and organisation of pilgrims. To investigate the social phenomenon, this study adopted an interpretivist approach through a descriptive design, an inductive approach and qualitative semi structured interviews. The goal was to provide the participants an opportunity to explain their ideas, beliefs and experiences. The current study also includes twelve participants purposively selected from three agencies that organise or facilitate the Hajj experience in one way or another. From the thematic analysis of the interviews, the current research found that the expectations of Hajjis play a crucial role in shaping their experience during the pilgrimage. Finally, the study found that communication challenges from non-Arab speakers particularly, climate issues and infrastructural issues account for some of the main challenges that affect the pilgrim experience for Hajjis in Saudi Arabia.10 0Item Restricted Investigation of Frontline employees’ Job Satisfaction in Budget Hotels in Saudi Arabia: From women Perspective(University of Surrey, 2024-09-06) Alshehri, Sarah; LornaSaudi Arabia (SA) is among the most popular tourist destinations, as it is rich in culture and history and offers the opportunity to experience scenic infrastructure and desert safaris. Tourism is vital in bringing in foreign currency, which ultimately contributes to SA’s economy. The hotel industry’s main objectives are to meet the needs of and arrange the best possible experiences for customers. The Saudi government is seeking to establish a more balanced economy by reducing its reliance on the oil industry and supporting the hospitality industry. In SA, the hotel industry has begun to expand in accordance with Vision 2030, which aims to make the country a desirable tourist destination. The hotel sector is critical to a country's economy, particularly SA’s, because it generates significant revenues while providing countless jobs for its residents. Budget hotels, which serve a large number of travellers each year, contribute substantially to the tourism industry. Given the significance of this industry, satisfaction among employees in the hotel sector is critical to sustaining service quality and ensuring the sector's continued success. The government needs women employees to achieve this goal because of the economy's labour requirements and the rights guaranteed by Islam. Despite the fact that Islam and Saudi legislation require gender equality in the workplace, women in SA have been insufficiently represented. Such challenges have impacted their job satisfaction. Additionally, cultural and religious beliefs have perpetuated men’s dominance in the workforce, limiting career prospects for women. Furthermore, Saudi women are seen as responsible for looking after their family members and homes from an early age; this accepted custom and norm may hinder their professional growth. Gender equality in the workplace has been subject to extensive investigation in Western countries but remains an underexplored area in SA, particularly in the hotel sector. Thus, this dissertation investigates Saudi women hotel employees’ job satisfaction, with a special focus on factors influencing their job satisfaction to reveal how budget hotel companies might improve gender equality and job satisfaction. The research findings can assist decision makers in the hotel industry and hotel managers in gaining a clearer understanding of women employees’ job satisfaction to develop work regulations that ensure gender equality. A qualitative study was carried out to investigate the job satisfaction of 15 women front-line employees working in budget hotels in SA. Semi-structured interviews, the primary method of data collection, were carried out to obtain in-depth information about their job satisfaction. The data were analysed thematically to find recurring patterns and themes in the participants' narratives. Furthermore, issues of ethics, reliability and validity were addressed. These interviews yielded detailed insights into these women's personal experiences and perspectives and revealed the factors that influence their job satisfaction. Specifically, the findings revealed that women employees of Saudi budget hotels are dissatisfied due to a number of interconnected variables that have a negative impact on their work experience. One of the most obvious reasons is low salaries, which not only impact their financial security but also lead to a sense of undervaluation by their employers. Furthermore, a lack of opportunities for promotion and career advancement exacerbate their dissatisfaction. Long working hours also impact these employees' work–life balance; they are frequently unable to manage personal commitments due to their strict schedules, resulting in increased stress and job dissatisfaction. Exacerbating these challenges is insufficient supervision, resulting in a lack of guidance, support and appreciation of their work. This not only reduces motivation but also perpetuates a work atmosphere in which their contributions are undervalued and neglected. These factors produce an environment that fails to meet women employees’ needs and expectations, resulting in widespread discontent. Furthermore, the study found that gender discrimination is a prevalent problem, with all women employees believing they are treated unjustly compared to their male colleagues. This finding emphasises the need to implement strategies to enhance women job satisfaction, such as flexible working hours and policies that ensure workplace equality. These findings are surprising given the significant emphasis on women equality in Islamic teachings, which are central to Saudi society. An important finding is the similarity in the work experiences of Saudi women and women residing in Western nations, despite cultural and religious differences. This unexpected similarity implies that the obstacles women encounter in the workplace are not limited to Western cultures but can also occur in countries where gender equality is a religious and cultural requirement. This finding is significant because it undermines the premise that Islamic teachings inherently preclude gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Based on these findings, hotel management and politicians should work together to design comprehensive measures that promote gender equality in the workplace. This involves updating current regulations to make them more inclusive, offering training programmes to improve awareness of gender prejudice and establishing ways for employees to express their concerns without fear of punishment. Furthermore, there should be a concerted effort to match workplace practices with Islamic concepts of justice and equality, ensuring that all employees, regardless of gender, are treated fairly and respectfully. This research has far-reaching ramifications, especially for hotel managers, legislators and tourism experts in SA. The study emphasises the importance of focused interventions to address the unique issues that women hotel employees face. Policies that support equitable promotion methods, ensure fair compensation and enable flexible working arrangements that allow members of the labour force to fulfil work and family responsibilities must be established to improve job satisfaction and prevent turnover. Furthermore, the study emphasises the need to cultivate a supportive supervisory environment and provide gender sensitivity training to reduce unconscious prejudices and build a more inclusive workplace. For policymakers, the findings highlight the need for stricter anti-discrimination laws and the development of oversight agencies to promote workplace gender equality norms. Public awareness initiatives and educational reforms should also be implemented to change cultural beliefs and diminish the social acceptance of gender inequality. These indicators are critical for aligning workplace practices with the Islamic ideals of justice and equality, which advocate for the equal treatment of all people, regardless of gender.7 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON THE TOURISM SECTOR IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA(Bournemouth University, 0024-05-24) Alrashdi, Mohammed Sulaiman; ShivaThe research is based on the importance of public transportation development and its impact on the tourism industry of Saudi Arabia (SA). It highlights the impact of developing the transport facility that can help in attracting the potential tourist from the UK. SA has potential tourist destination in the country that makes it one of the major tourist spot for the visitors around the globe. The research questions have identified in the research that highlights various aspects of the research topic. In the theoretical framework, the innovation and future development process of SA’s public transportation system highlights the adoption of new technologies and scientific techniques. The developed strategies of public transportation in tourism contribute to enhance its profitability. The strategies of Tourism marketing follow and understand the needs and expectations of customers for online bookings, focusing on mobile, as well as optimized market. Sustainable tourism widely focuses on schemes to create a low carbon as well as encourage travel. Scientific Management Theory and Diffusion of Innovation Theory develop new ideas and practices of tourism key concepts. The research methodology introduces the concept and benefits of positivism research philosophy, deductive research approach, and descriptive research design. The data collection method is done through primary quantitative method from survey. Reliability and validity are used in research study for maintain accuracy and consistency of research study. Random sampling is used for collecting responses from 155 people working in Saudi Arabian tourism sector. Ethical considerations are used in research paper to protect it from any type of harm. Findings and discussion of the research topic is by conducting an online survey among 155 participants regarding the 11 questionnaires. Public Transport helps in reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion in the country for tourist’s attraction that are environment conscious. The development of Saudi vision 2030 strategy focuses on developing the sector of tourists. The outcome of the research has been identified. It identifies that development and innovation of the PT system improves tourism comfort ability and safety. Some recommendations on the development of PT have also been given; the future scope and research limitation have also been identified here.33 0Item Restricted Adapting to Change: The Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Address Labour Shortages in UK Hospitality(Bournemouth University, 2024) AlMalki, AlAnoud Awadh Yahya; Ladkin, AdeleThis dissertation explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation in mitigating labour shortages within the UK's hospitality industry. Amidst an era marked by significant staff deficits, exacerbated by demographic shifts, Brexit, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality sector faces unprecedented challenges. Through qualitative research, involving semi-structured interviews with four hotel managers, seven hotel staff and two customers. This study delves into the multifaceted impacts of AI integration on operational efficiency, employee dynamics, and customer satisfaction. Findings indicate that AI technologies—spanning predictive analytics, service robots, and digital training platforms—offer potent solutions to labour scarcities by enhancing service delivery, streamlining recruitment, and fostering workforce development. Yet, the adoption of such technologies is not without its challenges, including substantial initial investments, requisite skill upgrades for existing staff, and potential impacts on employment. This research further examines the distinction between AI-equipped and traditional hotels, revealing that while AI promises operational advancements and cost efficiencies, the human element remains irreplaceable in ensuring guest satisfaction. In conclusion, the study underscores the necessity of a balanced approach towards AI adoption in the hospitality sector, advocating for strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to leverage technology effectively while preserving the essence of hospitality's human touch. The insights gleaned from this investigation not only contribute to academic discourse but also offer practical guidance for hospitality managers and policymakers navigating the sector's digital transformation journey.33 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF PREFORMANCE APPRISAL ON EMPLOYEES’ COMMITMENT AND MOTIVATION AT TOURISM HOTELS IN JEDDAH(Oxford Brookes University, 2024-03-12) Aloqab, Ameera; Yan, GordonIn the context of Jeddah's tourist hotels, this study investigates how performance reviews affect workers' dedication and enthusiasm. Examining the interplay between performance review, employee dedication, and intrinsic motivation in this sector is the study's primary objective. The research lays forth many important goals to accomplish this purpose. The primary goal of the research is to have a better understanding of performance evaluation and its effects on workers. This requires an in-depth investigation of performance evaluation's theoretical foundations and practical consequences within the specific context of Jeddah's tourist hotels. There is a main research component to the study that involves interviewing employees to get their first-hand accounts and empirical evidence. The research aims to capture the positive and negative effects of performance assessment on employee motivation and commitment through these interviews. Furthermore, using a qualitative method with the adoption of primary research method allows for a more in-depth exploration of the personal perspectives and encounters of those employed by tourism establishments by way of conducting interviews among targeted participants. The analysis of the collected data follows the data collecting step of the study. The purpose of this part is to assess the results by comparing them to previous studies and noting any discrepancies or overlaps. By contextualising the study's findings within the larger corpus of literature on performance evaluation, motivation, and commitment, this comparative analysis strengthens the study's validity. Consequently, in order to draw significant conclusions, the research combines its results. Further research is needed to fill in the gaps and reduce the detrimental effect of performance assessment on staff motivation and commitment at Jeddah's tourist hotels, according to the study's suggestions. This research adds to the continuing discussion about how to optimise performance evaluation procedures in the specific setting of the hotel and tourist industry by using a comprehensive approach that integrates academic knowledge with witness accounts.13 0Item Restricted The influence of Social Media on customer decision-making process: A Study on Restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-11-28) Alenezi, Omaima; Cox, PeterThe rising prevalence of social media applications has significantly amplified the influence of online communication, particularly when it comes to recommending or advising against dining at specific restaurants. This study investigates the impact of online user-generated reviews on customer behavior and decision-making in Riyadh's restaurant industry, aiming to fill a research gap in this area within Saudi Arabia. Given the growing prominence of online reviews, understanding their power on customer choices is crucial for restaurants to remain competitive. This research employs theories like the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), impulse buying behavior, communication process theory, electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) credibility, and the theory of reasoned action to formulate five hypotheses and gain insights into the effect of comments on customers. Data was gathered from 184 participants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, through a 19-question survey featuring closed-ended questions with response scales, influential ratings, and binary options (yes/no). This methodology yielded primary quantitative data, which underwent statistical analysis to uncover patterns and relationships. Chi-squared test was applied to validate the hypotheses, and the findings were briefly presented through charts and tables. The study's outcomes highlight the significant influence of comments on social media platforms in shaping customer decision-making processes specifically in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.55 0Item Restricted RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN MECCA FROM A STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-11-26) Alaklabi, Abdulaziz; Ladkin, AdeleReligious tourism is vital in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as millions of pilgrims visit the city annually for spiritual fulfilment and religious rituals. This dissertation investigates the significance of Mecca as a pilgrimage destination, its economic impact, employment opportunities, cultural preservation, and the overall pilgrimage experiences of participants. The study adopts a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data from 31 participants who have visited Mecca for religious purposes. The findings reveal that Mecca holds profound spiritual and cultural significance for pilgrims, providing transformative and spiritually fulfilling experiences. The unanimous agreement among participants highlights the positive economic impact of religious tourism on the regional economy and employment opportunities. The influx of pilgrims generates demand for various services and industries, contributing to job creation and economic growth. Participants believe Mecca's customs and cultural heritage have survived the influx of pilgrims, emphasizing the city's commitment to cultural preservation. Furthermore, pilgrims overwhelmingly recommend others to visit Mecca, reflecting the spiritually rewarding nature of the pilgrimage. Strategic recommendations for stakeholders managing religious tourism in Mecca are provided, including promoting sustainable development, preserving cultural heritage, enhancing infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring the safety of pilgrims. The study's limitations include restricted sample size and potential response biases, impacting the generalizability of findings. Future research could explore the environmental impact, social implications, and technological interventions in religious tourism. A longitudinal study could also assess changes in pilgrims' perceptions over time. In conclusion, religious tourism in Mecca is a key driver of economic activity, cultural preservation, and spiritual enrichment. By embracing strategic recommendations and continuous research, Mecca can sustain its significance as a sacred pilgrimage site while fostering economic development and cultural preservation for future generations.25 0Item Restricted Exploring the Relationship between Employee Well-being and Turnover in the Hospitality Industry(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-11-06) Aloqab, Ghala; Ladkin, AdeleThis study aims to examine the concept of employee turnover in the context of the hospitality industry. It acknowledges that involuntary turnover is influenced by various factors, including the global recession, travel restrictions, fluctuating workloads, and economic instability. The literature review examines the relationship between employee well-being and turnover, with a focus on autonomy, work culture, and self-acceptance. The research adopts an inductive approach, employing an explanatory design and positivist philosophy. Quantitative research with a survey is employed, using a random data sampling technique for data collection through Google Forms. The data analysis chapter interprets survey responses within the hospitality sector, emphasising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion underscores high employee turnover rates (ranging from 60 to 125% annually) in the hospitality industry, attributing this to inflation's influence on the income brackets of global populations. The study concludes by highlighting factors affecting employee well-being and turnover in the hospitality industry, emphasising the need for improvement. It identifies challenges affecting the hospitality industry, turnover, and retention. Ultimately, the research serves as a comprehensive analysis of employee turnover in the hospitality sector, offering insights into well-being, job satisfaction, and industry challenges. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these issues for a more stable and prosperous industry.25 0Item Restricted An investigation of AI in talent management in luxury hospitality in the UK (United Kingdom)(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-29) Alshalah, Zahra; Marinakou, EvangeliaAn investigation has been conducted into the implementation of artificial intelligence in the luxury hospitality sector of the United Kingdom. Digitalization is influencing the business operations of the hospitality sector from a variety of perspectives, including talent management. Managing talent is critical to the success of business operations in the luxury tourism sector, since it is a fundamental component of providing a better level of service to customers. There is no doubt that the hospitality industry is one of the largest in the United Kingdom. Hoteliers have been assisted greatly by artificial intelligence in managing their talent in recent years. Yet most human resources managers in luxury hotels in the United Kingdom are unaware of the existence of this technology, which is the reason for their slow growth. The purpose of this specified dissertation paper is to provide an in-depth analysis and discussion regarding the various challenges that various HR managers are undergoing while implementing AI technology within the hospitality industry in the UK. As well as the variety of approaches through which these challenges can be mitigated, this article discusses various ways through which all of these challenges can be mitigated. Artificial intelligence has been found to be able to facilitate the recruitment process. By doing so, Human Resources professionals have been able to reduce their workload. Additionally, it is used to train employees, make cognitive decisions, and select resumes for employment.97 0Item Restricted A qualitative study on Employee Turnover Intentions in the Hotel Hospitality Industry in Saudi Arabia(2022-12-05) Almana, Lemma; Voskeritsian, HorenThis qualitative study looks at the factors that influence employee turnover intentions among 10 employees working in the hotel hospitality industry in the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. Following a thorough literature review, research was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that 90% of the participants from both hotels had intentions to leave the hotel they’re currently working in. Most common factors for employee turnover intentions were like studies previously conducted in the field and these factors are job scheduling, lack of prospects for career growth, and constrained training opportunities. According to this study, hotels should better understand their staff members' requirements while offering career guidance, and appropriate training programs should be implemented to improve career prospects.19 0