Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted The Reality of the Tourist Guide Profession in Saudi Arabia Challenges and Development Prospects(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsuliemani, Raghad Naif; Ladkin, AdeleThis study explores the current reality of the tourist guide profession in Saudi Arabia, examining its challenges and future development prospects within the framework of Vision 2030. As the Kingdom undergoes rapid transformation in the tourism sector, tourist guides play a critical role as cultural ambassadors and mediators between heritage and visitors. Using a qualitative research approach, the study investigates the professional identity of Saudi tourist guides and the structural, regulatory, and societal challenges affecting their performance and career sustainability. Drawing on Professional Identity Theory, the research introduces the Saudi Dynamic Identity Resilience Model (SDIRM), which explains how guides adapt to rapid sectoral transformation while maintaining professional authenticity. Findings reveal key issues related to training gaps, regulatory frameworks, seasonal employment instability, and public perception. However, the study also identifies strong opportunities aligned with Vision 2030 reforms, institutional support, and growing international tourism demand. The research contributes theoretically by contextualizing professional identity within emerging tourism economies and practically by offering policy and training recommendations to strengthen the profession and enhance national tourism competitiveness.5 0Item Restricted Assessing the Behaviour Change Potential of Diabetes Self-Management Apps in Saudi Arabia Using the App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS)(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) ِAlkhuzaei, Rafid; Win, Khin ThanBackground: Diabetes affects approximately 23% of adults in Saudi Arabia, yet the behaviour change potential of diabetes self-management apps available in the Saudi market remains largely unexamined despite near-universal smartphone and internet access in the population. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate diabetes self-management mobile applications available in the Saudi Arabian Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Specifically, it evaluated behaviour change features using the App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS) and described application characteristics including language support, accessibility features, privacy policy availability, diabetes type support, advertising presence, data input functions and self-monitoring capabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive content analysis was conducted in December 2025. Apps were identified through keyword searches in English and Arabic, screened against predefined eligibility criteria, and evaluated through direct use. Each app was assessed for general characteristics, self-monitoring features, accessibility, privacy practices, and behaviour change potential across the four ABACUS domains: Knowledge and Information, Goals and Planning, Feedback and Monitoring, and Actions. Results: A total of 103 apps met the inclusion criteria. English was the dominant language, with 92.2% of apps offering no Arabic support. Accessibility features were minimal across the sample. Blood glucose logging was universal, while nutrition and medication features were inconsistently implemented. Most apps (65%) did not specify a target diabetes type. The mean ABACUS score was 6.29 out of 21 (SD 2.63). Feedback and Monitoring was the strongest domain (mean 2.08), while Goals and Planning was the weakest (mean 0.73) . Conclusion: Diabetes self-management apps available in Saudi Arabia demonstrate limited linguistic inclusivity, inconsistent coverage of self-monitoring, and low potential for behaviour change. Future development should prioritise Arabic language support, accessibility, and stronger integration of goal-setting and action-planning techniques to better serve the Saudi population.18 0Item Restricted From Determinants to Sustainability: A Structural Equation Modeling Study of E-Government Use and Outcomes in The Post Adoption Stage in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) ALHussain, Abdullah; Shee, HimanshuThis thesis investigates the post-adoption phase of e-government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) variables on use activities and sustainable outcomes. This research examines how Users, Systems, and Infrastructures, as ICT determinants, influence the use of e-government in terms of rate of use and variety of use of the Tawakkalna platform, an ambitious e-government initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, in relation to advancements in outcomes concerning economic, governance, and social sustainability. The research employs a positivist, quantitative design based on the Use–Diffusion (UD) model. A systematic survey was administered to Tawakkalna users, resulting in 348 valid responses. Further, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS examined the proposed links between ICT determinants, use of e-government variables, and sustainable outcomes. The comprehensive structural model demonstrated an acceptable overall fit to the data: χ² (1352) = 3048.51, p < .001; χ²/df = 2.26; RMSEA = .061, 90% CI [.058, .064]; CFI = .905; TLI = .900; IFI = .906. The parsimony-adjusted indices further supported model adequacy (PNFI = .796; PCFI = .855), indicating that the proposed model achieves a satisfactory balance between explanatory power and parsimony and can be regarded as sufficiently robust. Additionally, the results indicate that System (β = .534, p < .001) and Infrastructure (β = .628, p < .001) are the strongest and most significant predictors of e-government utilisation, whereas User factors exert a comparatively weak and non-significant effect (β = .167). Within the User construct, trust in Tawakkalna (β = .941) and personal innovativeness (β = .767) emerged as robust indicators, while self-efficacy demonstrated a relatively marginal contribution (β = .141). The System construct comprising content quality, usability, security, and performance, exhibited consistently high standardized loadings (β = .880–.935), affirming the critical role of technological quality and reliability in sustaining continued e-government use. Similarly, Infrastructure-related dimensions, including process clarity, accessibility, and support, showed strong explanatory power (β = .922–1.025), confirming the central importance of institutional readiness and service accessibility in facilitating effective e-government utilisation. The use of e-government services significantly enhanced economic (β = .912, p < .001), governance (β = .933, p < .001), and social outcomes (β = .919, p < .001), indicating that sustained utilisation generates substantial multidimensional benefits. Furthermore, variety of use exerted a strong and significant effect on rate of use (β = .997, p < .001), underscoring the diffusion mechanism whereby engagement with a broader range of e-government services accelerates usage intensity. Furthermore, multi-group testing confirmed that gender, nationality, and area yielded identical effects, indicating generalizability of the proposed model within the Saudi context. This study is significant both theoretically and practically, as it advances understanding of e-governance in the post-adoption stage within the Saudi Arabian context. Theoretically, the research extends the Use-Diffusion (UD) model by integrating user, system, and infrastructure determinants with usage patterns and sustainable outcomes, including economic, social, and governance impacts. Unlike traditional adoption-focused frameworks such as TAM and UTAUT, this study emphasizes post-adoption behaviour through variety and rate of use, while also considering demographic influences on continued usage. Practically, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, government agencies, and developers involved in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation initiatives, particularly the Tawakkalna platform. The findings are expected to support the development of more inclusive, secure, and user-centred e-government services, improve platform functionality and accessibility, and guide strategic policy and communication decisions aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.11 0Item Restricted MAPPING POWER AND POTENTIAL: ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY, SPATIAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND LIMITATIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA—WITH STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FROM THE U.S.(Michigan State University, 2026) Alanazi, Abeer; Nathan, MooreThis dissertation investigates energy sovereignty in Saudi Arabia through an original five-pillar theoretical framework comprising Resource, Economic, Political, Cultural/Epistemic, and Technology Sovereignty. Saudi Arabia presents a compelling analytical paradox: a nation commanding the world's largest proven petroleum reserves and among the highest solar irradiance values on Earth, yet generating less than 1% of its electricity from renewables as of 2023. This research argues that the gap between Saudi Arabia's renewable energy ambitions and actual deployment is not primarily a technical or financial problem but a multidimensional sovereignty problem — rooted in the institutional architecture of the petroleum state, the structural logic of the rentier economy, and the geographic realities of the Arabian Peninsula. The dissertation is organized across an introduction and six chapters. The Introduction establishes the Saudi Arabian context — its geography, population, economy, and the global significance of its energy sector — and outlines the dissertation's analytical architecture. Chapter 2 develops the five-pillar energy sovereignty typology as an original theoretical contribution, derived from comparative analysis of food, water, resource, and political sovereignty literatures, and validated empirically through k-means clustering of 138 countries. Chapter 3 applies the typology to Saudi Arabia's historical and contemporary energy sovereignty configuration, testing its analytical utility against the Kingdom's capable-but-stalled transition trajectory. Chapter 4 operationalizes energy sovereignty quantitatively through the Timmermann and Noboa (2022) values-based framework, evaluating Saudi Arabia across six dimensions using established international indices. Chapter 5 grounds the analysis spatially through a GIS-AHP multi-criteria suitability analysis of seven strategically selected Saudi cities, reframing geographic barriers as sovereignty conditions with direct strategic implications. Chapter 6 synthesizes findings across all analytical layers, revisits the dissertation's three primary research questions, and identifies future applications of the five-pillar framework to other resource-dependent economies. The central finding is that Saudi Arabia occupies a capable-but-stalled configuration — possessing the institutional capacity, financial resources, and physical endowments necessary for energy transition, yet structurally constrained by rentier political economy dynamics that suppress deployment urgency. The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, which unfolded during the completion of this research, provides unplanned empirical validation of the dissertation's core spatial argument: geographic exposure is not merely a cost factor but a sovereignty condition with direct strategic implications for Saudi Arabia's energy future. The insights developed extend beyond Saudi Arabia to all resource-dependent economies navigating the transition from fossil fuel dependency to renewable self-determination.4 0Item Restricted Perceptions and attitudes toward psychological health stigma among Saudi male university students in the U.S.(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Almakky, Mohamad A; Mixalis, PoulakisThis qualitative study explores the perceptions and attitudes of Saudi Arabian male international university students in the United States (U.S.) toward psychological health stigma. Guided by the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method, 13 participants were interviewed to understand how their cultural background, religious beliefs, and experiences in the U.S. shaped their views of therapy, stigma, and psychological well-being. Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling and completed semi-structured interviews that examined their evolving perspectives before and during their time in the U.S. Findings revealed seven major domains, including cultural influences, barriers to therapy, coping strategies, the role of religion, and the impact of psychological health awareness campaigns. While many participants initially described strong stigma and reluctance toward seeking psychological support, often rooted in cultural, religious, or masculine expectations, they also reported significant shifts in attitude after exposure to the more open and supportive psychological health climate in the U.S. Influences such as peer encouragement, media campaigns, university resources, and observing therapy’s benefits among peers contributed to increased openness and even advocacy for psychological support. The study highlights the complex interplay among culture, stigma, and adaptation, offering practical implications for therapists, universities, and policymakers seeking to support Saudi and other international students. Recommendations emphasize culturally responsive care, gender-sensitive interviewing practices, the importance of psychological health education in both U.S. and Saudi institutions, and the potential of faith-based and peer-driven outreach to reduce stigma. This research contributes to the limited literature on Saudi male international students and psychological health, offering insights that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to promote psychological well-being and academic success among its global student population.3 0Item Restricted Development Of A Sustainable Lean Construction Framework To Promote Communication In Construction Mega Projects The Case Of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Namanqani, Hussam; Newlands, Moray; Munns, AndrewOver the past seven years, since the establishment of the National Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformational period in its history. The country has transferred its economy to a new era where knowledge-based practices and sustainability have become priorities. The construction of mega-projects has become a major facet of development within the country. Still, these have not been conducted without extra problems in failing to finish successfully, either on time or within the budget frame. Mega-projects in Saudi Arabia face failure due to a lack of organisation and uncertainty. However, promoting communication within the project can enhance the project's performance and overall productivity. However, the construction industry remains conventional, whereas knowledge sharing and communication practices as human factors are less investigated. Consequently, construction mega projects face a significant challenge in their procedures and practices due to the pressure of new policies and waves of international competition. An emphasis on communication qualities and minimising conflicts within project processes and phases is elicited from the literature to assist stakeholders in achieving success on these projects. Lean thinking techniques can also contribute to resolving project struggles in communication practices, which were established to reduce waste and promote the performance of managerial practices on construction projects. For this to be successfully achieved on mega-projects, more needs to be learnt about lean communication, its practices, challenges, and opportunities within the Saudi cultural framework. This research aims to investigate the communication practices within a number of four construction mega projects in Saudi Arabia, identifying current communication challenges, opportunities, threats, and strengths. Data is collected through three main phases in the frame of this study. Mainly, a) conducting a systematic literature review (SLR), b) developing a communication conceptual framework, c) conducting a self-administered questionnaire, and d) Interviewing Constructions’ Saudi mega project experts. The findings of the three phases of data collection are projected as follows. Literature illustrated a wide range of interdisciplinary constructs that impacted communication practices on construction projects internationally and locally. Previous research indicates that knowledge-sharing and communication practices are significantly connected. However, to activate knowledge share practices, a number of constructs and components are emphasised. Seeking understanding and matching needs among individuals, but also task coordination and trust between project members, can be associated with knowledge sharing. Leadership practices are, on the other hand, a cornerstone to facilitate knowledge sharing through a shared decision-making practice. Codes and themes were extracted from the SLR, and the final reviewed themes were projected in the study. Questionnaire findings show a significant xviii association in terms of individual communication practices to promote knowledge sharing and communication in construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Project members intend to share knowledge significantly only through the practices of seeking understanding and matching the needs of co-workers. Knowledge-sharing is, on the other hand, significantly associated with establishing effective communication. Teamwork and leadership practices are found to hinder effective communication practices in the Saudi context of construction projects. Trust and shared decision-making were taken into consideration to be investigated in depth, as they hinder communication based on the previous questionnaire results. Project members were asked to share their experiences to explain how trust is built and why the team adopts particular behaviours that can impact trust. Leadership practices were also investigated. Findings show that a large number of social activities and communication tools are utilised. However, trust needs a particular communication culture in which sustainable activities, technologies and protocols can be inherited. Leadership, on the other hand, lacks transformative practices, highlighting tasks and regulations at the cost of personal needs and training.6 0Item Restricted Development Of A Sustainable Lean Construction Framework To Promote Communication In Construction Mega Projects The Case Of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Namanqani, Hussam; Munns, Andrew; Newlands, MorayOver the past seven years, since the establishment of the National Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformational period in its history. The country has transferred its economy to a new era where knowledge-based practices and sustainability have become priorities. The construction of mega-projects has become a major facet of development within the country. Still, these have not been conducted without extra problems in failing to finish successfully, either on time or within the budget frame. Mega-projects in Saudi Arabia face failure due to a lack of organisation and uncertainty. However, promoting communication within the project can enhance the project's performance and overall productivity. However, the construction industry remains conventional, whereas knowledge sharing and communication practices as human factors are less investigated. Consequently, construction mega projects face a significant challenge in their procedures and practices due to the pressure of new policies and waves of international competition. An emphasis on communication qualities and minimising conflicts within project processes and phases is elicited from the literature to assist stakeholders in achieving success on these projects. Lean thinking techniques can also contribute to resolving project struggles in communication practices, which were established to reduce waste and promote the performance of managerial practices on construction projects. For this to be successfully achieved on mega-projects, more needs to be learnt about lean communication, its practices, challenges, and opportunities within the Saudi cultural framework. This research aims to investigate the communication practices within a number of four construction mega projects in Saudi Arabia, identifying current communication challenges, opportunities, threats, and strengths. Data is collected through three main phases in the frame of this study. Mainly, a) conducting a systematic literature review (SLR), b) developing a communication conceptual framework, c) conducting a self-administered questionnaire, and d) Interviewing Constructions’ Saudi mega project experts. The findings of the three phases of data collection are projected as follows. Literature illustrated a wide range of interdisciplinary constructs that impacted communication practices on construction projects internationally and locally. Previous research indicates that knowledge-sharing and communication practices are significantly connected. However, to activate knowledge share practices, a number of constructs and components are emphasised. Seeking understanding and matching needs among individuals, but also task coordination and trust between project members, can be associated with knowledge sharing. Leadership practices are, on the other hand, a cornerstone to facilitate knowledge sharing through a shared decision-making practice. Codes and themes were extracted from the SLR, and the final reviewed themes were projected in the study. Questionnaire findings show a significant xviii association in terms of individual communication practices to promote knowledge sharing and communication in construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Project members intend to share knowledge significantly only through the practices of seeking understanding and matching the needs of co-workers. Knowledge-sharing is, on the other hand, significantly associated with establishing effective communication. Teamwork and leadership practices are found to hinder effective communication practices in the Saudi context of construction projects. Trust and shared decision-making were taken into consideration to be investigated in depth, as they hinder communication based on the previous questionnaire results. Project members were asked to share their experiences to explain how trust is built and why the team adopts particular behaviours that can impact trust. Leadership practices were also investigated. Findings show that a large number of social activities and communication tools are utilised. However, trust needs a particular communication culture in which sustainable activities, technologies and protocols can be inherited. Leadership, on the other hand, lacks transformative practices, highlighting tasks and regulations at the cost of personal needs and training.18 0Item Restricted Assessing Community Pharmacist Knowledge, Perceptions and attitudes toward trizepatide as a weight mangment medication in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alhazmi, Saja; Gomaa, BasmaObesity is a complex, chronic disease and a major public health challenge world-wide, with particularly high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Effective obesity management typ-ically involves a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacological treatment. Tir-zepatide is one of the newer emerging medications approved for the treatment of type 2 dia-betes mellitus; however, it has recently been used for weight management. Previous studies have demonstrated that tirzepatide is an effective and safe treatment option for obesity. Nevertheless, the successful integration of such therapies into clinical practice largely de-pends on healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, particularly among community pharmacists who play an essential role in patient counseling and medication management. This study aimed to measure the association between these factors and phar-macists’ confidence levels by applying the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions on Con-fidence Level framework. A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess the relation-ship between knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, and community pharmacists' confi-dence in counseling patients on the use of tirzepatide for weight management. The results demonstrated that community pharmacists had a relatively high level of knowledge (76.1%) and generally positive attitudes toward tirzepatide as a weight management medication. These findings suggest that pharmacists are aware of the therapeutic value of tirzepatide and are open to its role in obesity management. However, perceptions were not significantly associated with confidence level. In addition, most pharmacists (58%) reported low to moderate confidence in counseling patients about tirzepatide. This finding may be explained by the relatively recent introduction of tirzepatide, limited practical experience, and the need for further training and clinical guidance. In conclusion, although community pharmacists showed satisfactory knowledge and positive attitudes toward tirzepatide, their confidence in counseling patients remained limited. These findings highlight the importance of targeted educational interventions and professional development programs to improve pharmacists’ confidence and support the safe and effective use of tirzepatide in obesity management.15 0Item Restricted The Influence of Local Cultural Festivals on Young People's Understanding of Traditional Culture: A Case Study of the Historic Jeddah Festival, Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Bajaba, Ohoud; Strafford, DavidCultural festivals are increasingly recognised as important spaces where young people engage with traditional heritage and develop cultural awareness. This study examines the influence of the Historic Jeddah Festival on young people’s understanding of traditional Saudi culture. Using a quantitative approach, the research employed a retrospective pre–post questionnaire completed by 107 festival attendees aged 18–30. The findings show that festival attendance was associated with positive changes across all measured dimensions of cultural understanding, including cultural knowledge, appreciation, identification, and interest. The strongest improvement was found in self-assessed cultural knowledge, while changes in cultural pride and personal connection were smaller, likely due to already high levels of national cultural pride among respondents. Traditional activities, especially food-related experiences, produced higher engagement than digital displays, although participants preferred a combination of traditional and digital approaches. The study also identifies a gap between perceived cultural learning and active participation, suggesting that the festival functioned mainly as a presentational rather than fully participatory experience. Overall, the findings indicate that cultural festivals can effectively strengthen youth awareness of traditional culture, but deeper and sustained identity engagement may require more participatory and digitally integrated heritage strategies.16 0Item Restricted Low-Carbon Sustainable Construction in KSA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALBALAWI, MOHAMMED AWAD; ElHalwany, Mohamed MThis research focuses on Saudi Arabia's energy-intensive sectors and presents a data-driven method for accurately forecasting CO₂ emissions from industrial facilities. By combining temporal variables, production metrics, energy consumption data, and operational efficiency indicators, the proposed model employs gradient boosting regression (XGBoost) to capture complex, non-linear connections between input features and emissions output. Compared to traditional statistical methods, this machine learning-based technique offers enhanced projected accuracy and responsiveness, making it suitable for real-time monitoring and decision-making. Besides emissions projections, the model incorporates an adaptive control component that facilitates near-real-time operational adjustments. These adjustments are enhanced by a reinforcement learning loop, which provides continuous optimization and ongoing learning from prior decisions and outcomes. By employing scenario simulation, stakeholders can assess financial implications and develop environmentally friendly policies. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms traditional approaches in prediction accuracy and operational flexibility, providing an effective strategy for sustainable industrial operations in Saudi Arabia16 0