Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Centralized and Distributed Algorithms for Shape Transformation via Size-Changing Dynamics(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Almalki, Nada; Viktor, Zamaraev; Othon, MichailThis thesis investigates a fundamental problem of shape transformation in programmable matter: given an initial connected shape SI on a two-dimensional square grid, how can it be transformed into a final shape SF via size-changing dynamics, specifically, growth and shrinking operations, while preserving connectivity and avoiding collisions? We study both the algorithmic power and complexity limitations of this transformation problem under both centralized and distributed models. Our goal is to develop efficient algorithms and establish lower bounds that characterize the computational difficulty of shape transformation via size- changing dynamics. The thesis is organized into three parts. In the first part (Chapter 2), we formalize the geometric and graph based models of shapes and define the primitive operations of growth and shrinking. We distinguish between connectivity and adjacency graph models, define valid transformation processes, and analyze two types of structural collisions. We also introduce execution models (centralized and distributed) and define key geometric concepts such as turning points, compressibility, and other structural properties of shapes, along with the different shape classes considered in this thesis. Finally, we present the lower bounds established in this work, showing the minimum number of steps required to construct or reduce certain classes of shapes—such as staircases, paths, and trees—based on their structural complexity. In the second part (Chapters 3 and 4), we focus on a centralized setting. Chapter 3 introduces and analyzes restricted growth operations, namely full doubling and RC doubling, which enable fast and collision-free construction. We characterize the class of constructible shapes and design efficient decision algorithms and optimal-time shape constructors. Chapter 4 extends this study to the general growth operations, presenting centralized algorithms that construct shapes with kturning points in polylogarithmic time steps in both the connectivity and adjacency graph models. In the last part (Chapter 5), we turn to the distributed setting, where agents are modeled as finite-state machines communicating via reconfigurable circuits. We focus on reduction problems, using shrinking (and, in some cases, growth) operations. We design distributed algorithms for reducing shapes to simpler forms while respecting structural constraints. We present distributed algorithms that reduce trees to single nodes, incompressible forms, or topologically equivalent shapes—within polylogarithmic rounds complexity with high probability. Overall, this thesis introduces a novel framework for shape transformation via size-changing dynamics, providing formal models, efficient algorithms, and lower bounds in both centralized and distributed settings. These results offer new insights into the algorithmic complexity of programmable matter systems.9 0Item Restricted Corporate Governance and the Remuneration Committee: Perception and Practice in Saudi Arabian Listed Companies(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alshlhoub, Mshare Abdulaziz; Vicky, Lambert; Bruce, BurtonThis study explores the practices of remuneration committees in Saudi Arabian listed companies. It aims to examine how these practices are shaped by formal governance reforms and informal institutional factors within the Saudi context. Although remuneration committees have become a key part of corporate governance globally, there is limited research on how they operate in developing countries, especially in Saudi Arabia. This study addresses this gap by examining how institutional pressures influence the formation and practices of remuneration committees in Saudi listed companies, with particular attention to the impact of recent corporate governance reforms and how these practices contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The research adopts a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. A questionnaire survey was first distributed to 142 participants from five key stakeholder groups: remuneration committee members, board members, company executives, regulators, and academic experts. This was followed by 27 semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insight into remuneration committee practices and challenges. The study is guided by new institutional theory, using the three types of institutional isomorphism -coercive, mimetic, and normative- as a framework. The findings show that coercive pressures, such as those from the Capital Market Authority, play the most dominant role in shaping remuneration committee practices. Mimetic pressures, such as copying policies from other companies, appear in response to uncertainty. Normative pressures, such as social ties and local customs, also affect committee independence and member selection. While some improvements were observed, several challenges remain, including limited transparency, unclear links between pay and performance, and a need for more independent and qualified committee members. Informal factors such as concentrated ownership and personal relationships also continue to influence how remuneration committees function. The study highlights the importance of understanding the local institutional environment when applying corporate governance reforms. Although some changes have been introduced, the findings suggest that existing corporate governance regulations alone are not enough to ensure effective remuneration committee practices. More targeted reforms and stronger enforcement of these regulations are required to improve transparency, enhance remuneration committee effectiveness, and support the broader aims of Vision 2030.14 0Item Embargo Whole-Genome Sequencing of Saudi Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Patients(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alfaham, Manar; Mufti, Ghulam; Karimi, MohammedAcute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is caused by the accumulation of immature myeloblasts in the bone marrow, leading to failure of normal blood cell production. While the genomic landscape of AML has been well characterised in Western populations, data from the Middle East remain limited. Given differences in age distribution, ethnicity, environmental exposure, and high rates of consanguinity, AML in Saudi Arabia may have distinct genetic features. This study reports the first Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis of Saudi AML patients treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Clinical data from 786 adult AML patients were reviewed, and WGS was performed on diagnostic bone marrow samples from 198 patients. Germline and somatic variants, structural variants, copy-number alterations, and extrachromosomal circular DNA were analysed and correlated with clinical outcomes. Saudi AML patients were younger and showed high rates of consanguinity and familial cancer history. Germline predisposition variants were identified in this cohort, and the somatic mutational spectrum differed significantly from that reported in Caucasian populations, with a higher prevalence of adverse-risk genetic features. These findings highlight important population-specific differences in AML biology and support the need for tailored diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies for Middle Eastern patients.5 0Item Restricted أثر تطبيق التكنولوجيا الرقمية على جودة الخدمات الصحية دراسة ميدانية بمجمع الجوف الصحي(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) عصام, سهيل; عبد السيد, نانسي; عبد الرحمن, عادل; الحصري, طارقأثر تطبيق التكنولوجيا الرقمية على جودة الخدمات الصحية دراسة ميدانية بمجمع الجوف الصحي4 0Item Restricted THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORKPLACE INCIVILITY AND VOICE BEHAVIOR AMONG SAUDI NURSES(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALRuwaili, Azhar; Nidal, Eshahالعلاقة بين السلوك الفظ في بيئه العمل وسلوك التعبير عن الراي لدى الممرضين السعوديين21 0Item Embargo Art World Creation in Saudi Arabia: From the 1960s to Vision 2030(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Abualshamat, Ghadeer Ghazi; Richardson, Craig; Brown, KathrynThis thesis examines the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene from the 1960s to today. It emphasizes the notable cultural transformations developed in alignment with Vision 2030. This research uses Howard Becker’s theory of “art worlds” as a central framework. It also investigates how art production, distribution, and reception in the Kingdom have been shaped by institutional, governmental, and societal shifts. The study combines historical analysis, case studies, and recent publications. It also demonstrates how government-led initiatives, commercial galleries, biennials, and individual artistic practices have collaboratively shaped a uniquely Saudi art ecosystem. Special attention is paid to the role of the Ministry of Culture in professionalizing the sector and to the internationalisation of Saudi art through strategic cultural diplomacy. The thesis argues that while the Saudi art world is still in a formative stage, it has rapidly matured through new infrastructures, networks, and global engagement. It concludes that the Saudi case demonstrates how contemporary art worlds can emerge in non-Western contexts through a combination of top-down policies and independent artistic innovation. This offers a model of cultural development that is both locally grounded and internationally connected.11 0Item Restricted Investigating Users’ Experiences with The Internet of Things (IoT) and Their Awareness of IoT Privacy and Security In Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alharthy, Abdalmajeed; Masoud, Mohammadian; Abu Barkat, UllahThis research study investigates how Saudi household users form perceptions of Internet of Things (IoT) privacy and security and how those perceptions translate into protective behaviour. Building on an integrated theoretical lens that combines the technology acceptance model (TAM), the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), and the protection motivation theory (PMT), this study proposes a user-centred framework. Determinants are organised into four domains: (i) individual (IoT awareness, IoT Knowledge, previous experience, relative advantage); (ii) IoT security and privacy (privacy concern, security concern, perceived security threat, cybercrime consciousness, trust); (iii) cultural and social (subjective norms, peer influence, cultural values); and (iv) government and policy (regulation, cybersecurity policies, regulatory compliance). The framework specifies user perceptions related to IoT use, privacy, and security (UPRC) as the mediator and privacy- and security-related protective behaviour as the outcome. A cross-sectional online survey of academic and administrative staff in four western Saudi universities yielded 396 valid responses. Data were analysed using variance-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model satisfied accepted thresholds for indicator loadings and internal consistency (α and composite reliability [CR] ≥ .70), convergent validity (AVE ≥ .50), and discriminant validity (HTMT and Fornell–Larcker). The structural model explained 67.8% of the variance in UPRC and 45.2% of the variance in protective behaviour. Cybersecurity policies and trust emerged as the strongest positive antecedents of perceptions, whereas privacy concern, security concern, and perceived security threat exerted the strongest negative effects. User perceptions significantly predicted protective behaviour. Moderation analyses indicated that the perception-to-behaviour link was stronger among female, older respondents, and those with higher academic qualifications; income and experience did not alter this relationship. Relative advantage and product-level compliance signals did not retain unique effects once other determinants were controlled. The findings demonstrate that credible, visible policy assurances and trustworthy device practices are pivotal for improving favourable perceptions and converting them into everyday protective actions. This study contributes an empirically supported model that merges adoption and protection into a single explanatory account for domestic IoT use in Saudi Arabia. Practically, the research offers guidance for policymakers (make safeguards legible at the point of choice), designers (privacy-by-default interfaces with transparent updates and Arabic family profiles), and educators (targeted, task-level prompts that build efficacy). Methodologically, this study provides a validated instrument and a replicable modelling approach for future research on UPRC and protective behaviour in connected homes.13 0Item Restricted Assessment fit for learning? An exploratory study of assessment design on learner development in dentistry and dental hygiene(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Aldawsari, Eman Nasser; Dawson, Luke; Goddard-Fuller, RikkiAssessment in the clinical learning environment for undergraduate dental and dental hygiene students is essential in ensuring their competence and readiness for independent professional practice. Despite being the first dental hygiene programme established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the structure and implementation of the clinical assessment and learning process at King Saud University follows a traditional approach and has not yet been critically explored. This research aims to explore how the clinical assessment and learning process is structured and implemented within the undergraduate dental hygiene programme at King Saud University, informed by insights from the University of Liverpool’s evidence-based approach. The study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of both the opportunities and challenges within the current structure, with the ultimate goal of developing recommendations for improvement that support student learning and development. This research adopted a qualitative, constructivist approach using an exploratory case study design involving two undergraduate programmes: King Saud University and the University of Liverpool. Data were collected through document analysis, interviews with staff members involved in the clinical assessment and learning process, and focus groups with third and fourth year students. A codebook thematic analysis was used to analyse the documents, while reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the interviews and focus groups. Themes from both case studies were analysed separately and then organised into broader clusters. This thematic clustering enabled the identification of shared patterns and contextual differences across the two programmes, supporting a deeper understanding of how clinical learning and assessment are implemented and experienced. The research findings offer new insights into clinical learning and assessment within a non-western educational culture and highlight the integrative, context-dependent nature of the factors that influence effective implementation. By examining how assessment, feedback, staff roles, and cultural dynamics intersect within the clinical learning environment, the research underscores the importance of designing learning and assessment processes that are responsive to their broader educational and cultural contexts.1 0Item Restricted دور جودة حياة العمل في السلوك الإبداعي في شركة اPتصاPت السعودية، الانغماس الوظيفي: كمتغير وسيط(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) العنزي, منى; الزعبي, فلاحجودة حياه العمل السلوك الابداعي الانغماس الوظيفي0 0Item Restricted دور إدارة تجربة المريض في تحقيق جودة الخدمة: دراسة ميدانية في مستشفى القطيف المركزي(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) آل سيف, أشرف; محمد, مصطفى شلابيهدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى التعرف على دور إدارة تجربة المريض في تحقيق جودة الخدمة في القطاع الصحي، وذلك من خلال دراسة ميدانية في مستشفى القطيف المركزي. ولتحقيق هدف الدراسة تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي في إعداد الدراسة، كما تم استخدام الاستبانة كأداة رئيسية لجمع البيانات من عينة الدراسة، وتكونت عينة الدراسة من عينة عشوائية بلغت (384) مفردة من المرضى المترددين والمراجعين والمنومين في مستشفى القطيف المركزي في مختلف أقسام المستشفى. وعقب جمع البيانات من عينة الدراسة تم استخدام الحزمة الإحصائية للدراسات الاجتماعية (SPSS) الإصدار 27 في تحليل البيانات. ومن خلال تحليل البيانات توصلت الدراسة لعدة نتائج، أهمها: أشارت النتائج إلى أن وجود دور متوسط لإدارة تجربة المريض في (تسهيل حصول المرضى على الرعاية، الاستجابة للشكاوى، عمل استطلاعات رضا المرضى، تقييم جودة الخدمات، تهيئة البيئة المادية) في مستشفى القطيف المركزي. كما كشفت النتائج عن وجود مستوى جودة متوسط للخدمة الصحية في مستشفى القطيف المركزي من حيث (الملموسية، الاعتمادية، الاستجابة، التوكيد، والتعاطف). كما أظهرت نتائج الدراسة وجود علاقة ارتباطية موجبة وأثر ذو دلالة معنوية لإدارة تجربة المريض بأبعادها المختلفة في تحقيق جودة الخدمة المقدمة بمختلف أبعادها في مستشفى القطيف المركزي. وفي ضوء هذه النتائج أوصت الدراسة بعدد من التوصيات، أهمها: ضرورة توفير موظف مختص يحرص على تسهيل إجراءات دخول المرضى لمستشفى القطيف العام. الاهتمام بالمظهر الخارجي للعاملين في مستشفى القطيف المركزي بحيث يكون جيد ومريح وأنيق. تدريب العاملين داخل المستشفى على خدمة أكبر عدد من المرضى في نفس الوقت بما يتلاءم جودة الخدمة المقدمة.3 0