Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted The Influence of TikTok Food-Related Content on the Eating Behaviour of Young Adults in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsharari, Khalid Hail S; Feng, JuanThis research set out to explore how food-related content on TikTok influences the eating behaviours of young adults in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and informed by a structured review of global and regional literature, the study employed a quantitative design to examine behavioural trends, digital media engagement, and dietary motivations among a sample of 215 participants. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The findings revealed that frequent TikTok users were significantly more likely to try new foods, discover unfamiliar cuisines, and follow diet-related content creators. For example, participants who used TikTok for more than three hours daily reported higher motivation to explore new diets (p = .0003) and greater confidence in changing their eating habits (p = .0011) but also showed stronger appeal toward unhealthy food content (p < .001). These results highlight TikTok’s dual role in shaping both health-promoting and indulgent dietary behaviours. By focusing on an underrepresented region, the study offers contextual insights into how algorithm-driven content influences food choices among Saudi youth and provides a basis for more targeted health communication strategies. By situating this investigation within the underrepresented context of Al-Jouf, the study offers region-specific insights into how global platforms like TikTok are reshaping dietary perceptions even in semi-urban environments. Through its thematic analysis and theoretical framing, the research affirms key constructs of Social Cognitive Theory—namely observational learning, reinforcement, and self-efficacy—as relevant mechanisms in digital food culture. Furthermore, it identifies areas where health communication strategies could engage more effectively with youth through culturally relevant and visually persuasive content. While the study acknowledges its limitations, including the use of a non-random sample and reliance on self-reported data, its contributions are clear. It provides a foundation for future research on algorithm-driven health messaging in the Gulf region and highlights the growing need to understand how young people interact with food content in digital spaces. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of aligning public health efforts with the evolving media environments that shape the everyday lives of young adults in Saudi Arabia and beyond.19 0Item Restricted The Impact of Job Burnout on the Performance of Non-Academic Staff(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alzahrani, Ahmed; O’Loughlin, TimJob burnout has emerged as a critical issue affecting employee well-being and organisational performance, particularly within the higher education sector. Despite substantial international research, limited studies have explored the relationship between burnout and performance among non-academic staff in Saudi Arabian universities. This study addresses this gap by investigating how job burnout influences the performance of non-academic employees at the public universities in Riyadh. The research aims to examine the extent and nature of burnout experienced by staff, identify its main causes, and assess its impact on individual performance outcomes. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured survey distributed to a sample of non-academic staff across various administrative departments at the public universities. The survey collected information on demographic characteristics, burnout experiences (across emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, reduced personal accomplishment, job stress, work-life balance, and social support at work), and self-perceptions of job performance. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modelling to examine the relationships between burnout dimensions and performance outcomes. The findings revealed a moderate level of overall job burnout among participants, with a weighted mean of 57.6%, alongside a moderate level of job performance effectiveness, with a weighted mean of 56.8%. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant negative impact of overall job burnout on job performance (R² = 0.756, p < 0.05). Among the burnout dimensions, job stress demonstrated the strongest negative association with job performance (correlation coefficient = 0.797, p < 0.05). These results highlight the critical need for organisational strategies to address job burnout, particularly by managing work-related stress and enhancing support systems for non-academic staff. Implementing initiatives such as workload management, employee engagement programs, and professional development opportunities may contribute to improved staff well-being and greater institutional effectiveness. Future research could benefit from longitudinal studies and broader cross-institutional comparisons within the Saudi higher education sector.19 0Item Restricted Sustainable Waste Management of Date Palm Fronds in Saudi Arabia: Pyrolysis-Derived Biochar Integration into Construction Materials for Carbon Sequestration(Saudi Digital Library, 2024-09) Shaiban, Saad; Scott, BanksThis study focuses on integrating biochar derived from date palm fronds into cement production in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA), to optimise carbon sequestration (CCS) and reduce carbon emissions. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research combines quantitative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using SimaPro software with qualitative sustainability analysis through the Bioeconomy Sustainability Indicator Model (BSIM) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. Phase 1 compares the environmental impact of traditional open combustion versus pyrolysis for biochar production, revealing that pyrolysis significantly reduces carbon emissions from 3.5 tons CO₂-equivalent per ton of waste to 646 kg CO₂-equivalent. This substantial reduction supports Riyadh's climate goals and aligns with KSA’s Vision 2030 sustainability objectives. Phase 2 evaluates the integration of biochar into cement mortar, showing that a 20% substitution of cement with biochar reduces emissions by 24.81 kg CO₂-equivalent per ton of mortar, potentially saving up to 1,796 million tons of CO₂-equivalent annually based on current cement production levels. The sustainability analysis using BSIM highlights benefits such as job creation and economic growth while identifying transportation logistics risks and production efficiency risks. Additionally, the study assesses contributions to SDGs, particularly in climate action, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption and production. The study recommends optimising the supply chain, investing in advanced pyrolysis technology, and supporting market development through policy incentives. Future research should focus on the long-term performance of biochar, explore additional applications in agriculture and water treatment, and further integrate biochar into sustainable construction practices. This research provides valuable insights for advancing sustainable waste management and construction practices in Riyadh, contributing to climate action and supporting regional and global sustainability efforts.20 0Item Restricted A systematic Review of the Consequences of Parents’ Divorce and Challenges of Raising Children between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom(Bangor University, 2024) Qahtani, Wasmmih Nayef; Margiad, WilliamsAbstract Purpose: The objective of this study is to assess the emotional, psychological, and social effects of parental divorce on children in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia as well as the challenges parents face in parenting after divorce in the two cultures. Methodology: A pragmatic research paradigm was adopted for conducting a systematic review. Literature relevant to the project was then identified, screened, and assessed in line with the PRISMA framework. The approach was a mixed-methods one, using qualitative findings, and supported with quantitative data. The assessment of key themes was conducted through narrative analysis. Results: The children in the UK brought up in an emotionally expressive climate have significant emotional and behavioural issues post-divorce. Saudi children, especially girls, however, are taught to suppress emotions as a cultural norm. Co-parenting challenges are different, with UK laws favouring shared custody but lacking emotional safeguards, and Saudi laws favouring paternal custody and limiting involvement. Conclusion: The experiences children have after a divorce are shaped by cultural values and legal systems and therefore need context specific support strategies. Keywords: Divorce, children, co-parenting, UK, Saudi Arabia, culture, emotional impact5 0Item Restricted The Moderating Role of Organizational Environment Effectiveness on the Relationship Between Saudi Arabian Nurse Managers' Delegation Abilities and Leadership Practices(Zarqa University, 2025-05) Faranti, Amani Mohammed Omer; Alhusban, Raya YousefBackground: Effective leadership and delegation are critical competencies for nurse managers, particularly in healthcare systems characterized by hierarchical structures and resource limitations. In Saudi Arabia, limited evidence exists on how organizational environment factors influence the relationship between nurse managers’ delegation abilities and leadership practices. Aim: This study aims to examine the moderating role of organizational environment effectiveness on the relationship between delegation abilities and leadership practices among nurse managers in Saudi Arabian governmental hospitals. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 183 nurse managers from three governmental hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Delegation of Authority Scale (DoAS), the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), and the Organizational Environment Assessment (OEA). Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and moderation analysis were performed using SPSS version 26. Results: The mean delegation score was low (M = 1.74, SD = 0.18), with 78.7% of participants classified in the low delegation category. Leadership practices were moderate (M = 127.98, SD = 12.55), with “Modeling the Way” scoring highest (M = 40.23, SD = 5.08). Organizational environment effectiveness was perceived as poor (M = 10.54, SD = 2.13). Moderation analysis revealed that the organizational environment significantly influenced the delegation–leadership relationship (interaction term B = -1.170, p = 0.006), weakening the effect of delegation in unsupportive settings. The number of units managed negatively predicted leadership (B = -1.965, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Organizational environment plays a critical moderating role in the effectiveness of delegation on leadership practices. Targeted interventions to enhance organizational support, resource availability, and manageable workloads are essential to foster effective nursing leadership.5 0Item Restricted Evaluating Dispatcher-Assisted CPR: A Global Systematic Review and Observational Study in Asir, Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-06-17) Alshedidi, Ahmed Mohmmed; Zainab, AlqudahThis thesis evaluates the impact of Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DACPR) on bystander CPR rates and patient outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The first part is a systematic review of 17 studies from Asia, Europe, and North America, demonstrating increased bystander CPR and improved survival outcomes associated with DACPR. The second part is a retrospective observational study conducted in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, which assessed call recognition, language-related delays, and early outcomes using linked dispatch and EMS data. Findings show that language and dispatcher qualifications influence recognition time and early survival indicators. The study highlights the need for improved training and multilingual protocols in Saudi EMS systems.9 0Item Restricted Shared decision-making during pregnancy and childbirth in Saudi Arabia: A mixed-methods study(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-07-13) Alruwaili, Tahani Ali; Fooladi, Ensieh; Crawford, KimberleyBackground Shared decision-making (SDM) is fundamental to quality pregnancy and childbirth, representing a collaborative approach between healthcare providers (HCPs) and women. In Saudi Arabia's obstetrician-led maternity care system, the implementation of SDM and the experiences of women and their husbands remain understudied, particularly in the context of unique cultural, religious, and healthcare factors. Aim To explore women’s and their husbands’ experiences of shared decision-making with healthcare providers during pregnancy and childbirth in Saudi Arabia. Methods The study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design guided by the Three-Talk Model for SDM, which conceptualises SDM as a process involving team talk, option talk, and decision talk. The quantitative strand involved a nationwide, online survey conducted between January and May 2023, targeting women aged 18 and above who were either pregnant or had experienced pregnancy/childbirth in the past 12 months. Low to very low SDM and respect were defined as scores of ≤24 on the Mothers’ Autonomy in Decision-Making (MADM) scale and ≤49 on the Mothers on Respect Index (MORi), respectively. Using the same inclusion criteria, the qualitative strand conducted semi-structured interviews with women and husbands, recruited through convenient sampling from two maternity hospitals and social media. Interview data were analysed thematically and mapped onto the Three-Talk Model for SDM. Data from both phases were integrated during the interpretation phase to provide comprehensive insights into SDM experiences. Results The survey of 505 women revealed that 34.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.6–38.9) reported low to very low SDM. Statistical analysis identified significant factors associated with low SDM, including seeing different obstetricians of a different gender at each visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.0, 95% CI, 1.0–3.9), not meeting the same obstetrician throughout the pregnancy (AOR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.2–5.6), and having an instrumental vaginal birth (AOR 6.67, 95% CI, 1.6–28.1). A strong positive association emerged between low to very low SDM and reporting of low to very low respect (χ2 = 83.8173, p < 0.001). The qualitative data from 19 women and 5 husbands identified the following three major themes aligned with the Three-Talk Model: (1) Team Talk; communication and relationship building were limited by discontinuity of care, time constraints, language barriers, emotional readiness, and gender preferences; (2) Option Talk; information exchange highlighted the importance of clarity, despite reported insufficient details and perceived HCP biases towards intervention; and (3) Decision Talk; autonomy and SDM revealed varying levels of autonomy influenced by hierarchical healthcare structures, religious beliefs, and family involvement. Many participants mistook signing consent forms for engaging in SDM, indicating a gap in understanding of SDM processes. Participants’ experiences centred primarily on interactions with obstetricians, with minimal midwifery involvement. Conclusion The findings reveal challenges in implementing SDM within Saudi maternity care, including discontinuity of care, language barriers from non-Arabic-speaking obstetricians, gender preferences, and rigid institutional hierarchies. These findings highlight the need for healthcare reforms, including professional interpretation services, improved continuity of care, and exploration of midwifery-led models. Future maternity care policies should consider the complex interplay of religious beliefs and family dynamics when developing strategies to improve SDM in Saudi pregnancy and childbirth.24 0Item Restricted Environmental Design and Thermal Comfort in Urban Courtyards Within Different Urban Design Patterns in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-05) Alosimi, Turki; Gadi, MohamedUrban open space design and patterns play a vital role in shaping the microclimate of outdoor environments, significantly influencing user comfort and activities. In a harsh arid environment like that of Saudi Arabia, creating high-quality, thermally comfortable outdoor urban spaces is critical. However, studies have highlighted the lack of detailed policies for the environmental planning and design of outdoor urban spaces in Saudi cities, particularly in Makkah, contributing to increased thermal discomfort. This research investigates the influence of alternative urban design patterns on the microclimate and thermal comfort of outdoor urban spaces in Makkah, as an example of a city in a hot-arid climate region. Using three types of courtyard at Umm Al-Qura University (semi-enclosed, partially-open with a canopy, and fully-enclosed), the study analyzes key urban design parameters, namely, orientation, aspect ratio, tree coverage, and mist system density and examines their impact on air temperature, RH, WS, mean radiant temperature (MRT) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET). Field measurements were conducted during extreme summer and winter conditions, with meteorological data outside the courtyards recorded for 10 days and microclimatic conditions inside each courtyard monitored for 48 hours. Numerical modelling using ENVI-met software was then used to simulate a series of proposed scenarios (seven for orientation, three for aspect ratio, five for tree coverage, and three for misting), which were then assessed against the base case data to identify the most effective options in each case. The findings reveal that the impact of the design parameters varies by courtyard type. Orientation adjustments had the greatest influence on the fully-enclosed courtyard, where a 135° rotation reduced daily PET by 0.39°C in summer through improved shading. In contrast, the partially-open courtyard benefitted most from orientation changes that enhanced airflow, reducing PET by 0.15°C in winter. Aspect ratio changes were particularly effective in the semi-enclosed courtyard, where increasing the height-to-width ratio to 0.75 H/W lowered PET by 1.08°C in winter and 0.41°C in summer, due to enhanced shading, without significant airflow restriction. The fully-enclosed courtyard and the partially-open courtyard with the structural canopy benefitted more from the lowest aspect ratio (0.25 H/W), as this enhanced airflow and reduced PET. In winter, the most significant PET reduction occurred in the fully-enclosed courtyard with a low aspect ratio (0.25 H/W), achieving a daily PET reduction of 1.34°C, driven by an increase in WS of 0.66 m/s. Tree coverage was found to provide substantial cooling across all courtyard types, with 30% coverage reducing PET by 2.34°C in summer and 2.78°C in winter in the fully-enclosed courtyard. The semi-enclosed courtyard experienced a PET reduction of 1.46°C in summer, while the partially-open courtyard with the canopy showed more moderate reductions due to the pre-existing shade. High-density mist systems (2-meter intervals) proved most effective in reducing PET during summer, with the semi-enclosed courtyard showing the largest reduction of 7.61°C, followed by the fully-enclosed courtyard at 6.98°C. However, excessive humidity in enclosed spaces during winter required balancing mist density to prevent discomfort. These findings are used to develop actionable urban design guidelines for architects and urban designers to promote the efficient use of orientation and aspect ratios to optimise shading and airflow and to ensure that tree coverage and mist systems are utilised most effectively. Recommendations for policy-makers are also provided to create a holistic framework to support the use of urban design to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in Makkah. This research therefore contributes to sustainable urban planning in hot-arid climates by offering practical strategies to reduce thermal stress and mitigate rising temperatures caused by climate change. At the local level it offers solutions to create more comfortable outdoor environments in Makkah and in other Saudi cities, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. At an international level, the findings will also be of benefit in other regions which experience similar climatic conditions.24 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF AIRBNB ON TRADITIONAL HOTELS IN JEDDAH , SAUDI ARABIA(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-07-22) Albalawi, Salma Mohammed; Samaradheera, AmaThis study explores the impact of Airbnb on traditional hotels in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With the rise of the sharing economy, platforms like Airbnb have introduced new competition to the hospitality sector. The research aims to understand how hotels are affected by Airbnb’s presence and how they are adapting to remain competitive. The study is based on secondary data, including reports, articles, and case studies. No primary data such as interviews or surveys was collected. The research addresses four main questions: how traditional hotels are responding to Airbnb, the differences in guest experiences between Airbnb and hotels, Airbnb’s influence on the local economy and regulations, and how hotels can improve to compete more effectively. Findings reveal that while Airbnb has not significantly impacted hotel occupancy rates in Jeddah, it offers competitive advantages such as lower prices, larger spaces, and a more local experience particularly appealing to families and younger travelers. Traditional hotels, on the other hand, maintain strengths in professional service, cleanliness, and safety, especially valued by business travelers. The study concludes that hotels in Jeddah must adjust their strategies by enhancing their guest experience, incorporating local cultural elements, and using more flexible pricing models. Furthermore, implementing regulations for Airbnb could help level the playing field and support fair competition in the hospitality market.8 0Item Restricted How Does Judicial Control Impact the Enforcement of Articles 5 and 6 of Saudi Arabia's Competition Law: A Legal and Institutional Analysis(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Mansouri, Ahmad; Grzejdziak, LukaszWith an emphasis on anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance, this dissertation investigates the function of judicial control in upholding Articles 5 and 6 of Saudi Arabia's Competition Law. The study examines the relationship between the judiciary and the General Authority for Competition's regulatory enforcement procedures. The study uses institutional critique, case law review, and doctrinal analysis to assess how well judicial oversight preserves fair competition in Saudi marketplaces. It also considers the impact of Sharia law, which molds Saudi Arabia's legal environment, and how it interacts with contemporary competition laws. The research identifies key challenges in judicial control, including the presumption of validity of administrative decisions, the complexity of competition cases, and the limited transparency in GAC decision-making processes. The study finds that while judicial oversight is an essential check on the GAC’s authority, the current enforcement framework could benefit from reforms to increase transparency, improve the separation of powers within the GAC, and enhance judicial expertise in competition law. Recommendations are provided to strengthen the alignment between Sharia principles and modern competition law, ensuring fairness and efficiency in enforcement. This dissertation contributes to the broader understanding of how judicial control can ensure accountability in enforcing competition laws while navigating the dual demands of modern le-gal practices and traditional Islamic principles.3 0