Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Governance, Policy, Ethics, Law, and Risk Management in IT and Cybersecurity(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Alharbi, Asia; Tuffley, DavidThis paper delves into the diverse and evolving fields of IT and cybersecurity governance, ethics, and law, focusing on their essential role in managing digital risks and promoting the responsible use of technology. It discusses major frameworks such as COBIT 2019 and ITIL 4, which help align IT operations with business objectives and strengthen organizational performance. The study further explores approaches to ethical hacking, incident handling, and responding to data breaches, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and accountability. In addition, it examines pressing ethical issues related to artificial intelligence, open-source development, and telemedicine, as well as challenges surrounding cyber risk management, insurance, and data privacy in remote work environments. By connecting these aspects, the paper underscores how strong ethical governance and compliance systems build trust, ensure accountability, and enhance resilience within organizations. In conclusion, it argues that achieving sustainable digital transformation requires a thoughtful balance between technological advancement, legal adherence, and moral responsibility.27 0Item Restricted Informal Institutions and Economic Performance(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Asiri, Saad; Wang, KunThis research examines the direct effect of tribalism on economic performance as well as the moderating roles of governance, in particular Government Effectiveness (GE) and the Rule of Law (RoL), in that relationship. Previous studies have examined tribalism's negative impact on institutional quality but have rarely studied its direct effect on economic performance or how governance can mitigate this effect. This study employs a mixed linear model on a panel dataset covering 73 countries over the period from 2002 to 2022. The results confirm that tribalism has a significant adverse effect on economic performance. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that GE significantly moderates this negative relationship, which indicates that strong government capacity can counter the influence of tribalism. RoL, however, does not exhibit statistically significant moderation, implying that formal legal frameworks may be circumvented by informal tribal networks. These results indicate that the dimensions of government vary in their ability to reduce the negative effects of tribalism. Moreover, the study recommends that for policymakers in tribal societies, improving government effectiveness can be a more effective strategy for promoting growth than relying solely on legal frameworks.3 0Item Restricted Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Saudi Arabia: A Risk-Reward Analysis from a Project Management and Contracting Perspective(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanzi, Mashal Johim; Hasan, FakhrulThis study investigates the dynamics of risk and reward allocation, governance, and technological enablers in Saudi Arabia’s Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) within the framework of Vision 2030. Using a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis in NVivo, the research identified 13 initial codes consolidated into four overarching themes: risk–reward mechanisms, project management and governance, institutional and technological enablers, and international best practices. Findings reveal that while PPPs are central to infrastructure delivery, risk allocation in Saudi Arabia remains highly government-centric, often undermined by opaque communication and weak project management capacity. Governance reforms, such as the PSP Law, provide a legal basis, yet institutional fragmentation and regulatory overlaps persist. Technology, including blockchain and AI, is recognised as a potential enabler of transparency but remains at a largely symbolic stage. Comparative analysis highlights that international best practices can inform Saudi PPPs only when adapted to the Kingdom’s socio-economic and institutional context. The study advances PPP scholarship by providing a context-specific understanding of governance and risk-sharing in emerging markets, integrating technology as a dual enabler, and offering practical recommendations for policymakers, investors, and project managers.2 0Item Restricted The Impact of Governance Factors on Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Analysis of GCC Countries and Spillover Effects on Regional Economic Development(The London School of Economics and Political Science, 2025) Alfehaid, Khaled; Parmigiani, AlbertoThis dissertation investigates the impact of governance quality on economic growth in Saudi Arabia and address the gap in understanding how governance quality shapes economic outcomes in Saudi Arabia and GCC region. It also conducts a comparative analysis of the governance environment across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, evaluating regional governance spillover and its impact on Saudi Arabia’s economic growth. Recognizing governance as a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses institutional and political factors, this study applies principal component analysis (PCA) to governance indices, employing it as a tool in a multi-regression equation. Given that most of these world governance indicators (WGI) are highly correlated, the PCA method is optimal. Data were collected between 1996 and 2023 (19 observations per country due to missing values). The findings reveal that institutional governance indicators, such as government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and rule of law significantly impact Saudi Arabia's economic performance. However, their association with growth is sometimes negative, potentially reflecting time lags, governance improvements, or the dominance of oil-based, state-led economic development. A comparative analysis of GCC nations highlights significant disparity in governance quality. For example, the UAE and Qatar lead in terms of institutional performance. However, political governance, particularly voice and accountability, remains a consistently weak dimension of governance across the region. Notably, the study identified significant negative spillover effects from improved governance in neighboring countries such as the UAE and Qatar, which could negatively impact the economic growth of Saudi Arabia. Conversely, positive spillover was observed from the countries with aligned institutional frameworks, such as Kuwait and Bahrain. These results demonstrate the complex dynamics of governance in GCC countries and underscore the need for regional policy coordination to mitigate adverse competitive spillover to promote inclusive economic development in the whole region.36 0Item Restricted The principle (or the notion) of accountable judiciary (or holding judges to account): A comparative study of Saudi Arabia and the U.K. (or English) Laws.(University of Glasgow, 2025) Abdulbari, Mohammed; Mullen, TomThis thesis undertakes a comparative administrative‐law examination of judicial independence in two advanced legal systems—England & Wales and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—while emphasising the latter’s visionary governance and commitment to both de jure guarantees and de facto implementation. Drawing on formalist, functionalist, and sociological theories, it develops a dual framework that distinguishes between de jure (statutory and constitutional guarantees) and defacto (institutional practice and administrative behaviour) indicators of independence. These indicators encompass tenure security, appointment procedures, financial autonomy, disciplinary safeguards, and protection from improper influence. The framework is applied through rigorous doctrinal analysis of primary legislation, soft‐law instruments, and observed administrative practice. In the UK case (Chapters 2–3), the thesis traces the administrative evolution from the Act of Settlement (1701) to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. It demonstrates how de jure measures—such as the Judicial Appointments Commission’s merit‐based selection process, consolidated‐fund remuneration, and entrenched tenure protections—combine with de facto conventions—Parliamentary restraint in commenting on pending cases and media‐court protocols—to reinforce a principled separation of powers. These administrative safeguards ensure that English and Welsh judges operate with predictable funding, protected status, and clear recusal and contempt procedures that shield them from executive or legislative interference. Chapters 4–6 celebrate Saudi Arabia’s dynamic fusion of centuries‐old Sharīʿah principles with cutting‐edge administrative‐law reforms under the Kingdom’s enlightened leadership. The analysis charts the system’s progression from early qāḍī and maẓālim forums to the 1992 Basic Law of Governance and the 2007 Judiciary Law, which enshrine Article 46’s de jure guarantee of judicial independence. It then examines de facto innovations: the Supreme Judicial Council’s transparent recruitment and promotion protocols, tiered rank hierarchies with probationary safeguards, specialised commercial and administrative tribunals, e‐litigation platforms that expedite case management, and Nazaha’s pioneering anti‐corruption oversight. These measures collectively reflect the regime’s unwavering commitment to administrative transparency, accountability, and the continuous enhancement of public trust. Chapter7 synthesises these findings by contrasting England and Wales’s long‐tested administrative safeguards with Saudi Arabia’s model of tradition‐empowered reform. It offers six targeted administrative‐law recommendations—mandatory annual anonymised reporting on judicial appointments, disciplinary measures, and budget allocations; statutory limits on executive review powers; and routine publication of written judgments—to strengthen de jure frameworks and deepen de facto autonomy. By demonstrating how a modern administrative structure can harmonise with Sharīʿah values under enlightened stewardship, this work provides best‐practice benchmarks for any jurisdiction committed to an impartial, accountable judiciary operating within a robust separation‐of‐powers framework.59 0Item Restricted Governance and Asset Allocation Strategies in the Investment Mutual Funds(Univeresity of Strathclyde, 2024-12) Alsubaie, Aseel; Moore, JedThis research examines the role of governance in asset allocation and portfolio management within the investment mutual fund sector. Modern governance frameworks, influenced by technological advances, ESG requirements, and market volatility, integrate risk management, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The study evaluates how governance structures incorporate ESG criteria, manage technology risks, and ensure resilience during market shifts. Findings suggest that funds with strong governance achieve balanced, risk-averse allocations through diversification and ESG integration. Additionally, AI and ML require governance adjustments to manage related risks. The study emphasizes the need for flexible governance frameworks to address future challenges in an evolving market landscape.28 0Item Restricted The Nexus between Sustainable Development and Economic Dynamics in MENA and SSA Countries.(Western Sydney University, 2023) Alghamdi, Thamer; Gangopadhyay, ParthaThe complex interplay between economic dynamics and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains underexplored. This thesis investigates this nexus, focusing on the roles of corruption, governance, foreign direct investment, and trade in shaping sustainable development outcomes. Additionally, it examines the relationship between energy poverty and education, as well as the hidden barriers to renewable energy transition in SSA. Findings indicate that while good governance and corruption reduction can significantly advance sustainable development in SSA and MENA nations, the region faces substantial challenges in mitigating energy poverty. Employing CS-ARDL approach to assess more robust and reliable results, the findings reveal that – contrary to existing literature – governance has a significant positive effect on sustainable development, indicating that the governance is essential to achieving sustainable development in this region. The findings also reveal that the corruption has a significant positive effect on sustainable development. Furthermore, foreign direct investment and trade were found to have an insignificant relationship with sustainable development. By uncovering the intricate connections between economic factors, energy poverty, and sustainable development, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers hindering progress in these regions. The findings underscore the urgent need for innovative policies that prioritise governance, education, and renewable energy to accelerate sustainable development in SSA and MENA.30 0Item Restricted An Urban Management Framework for Crowd Movements in Hajj: A User-Centric Approach(University of Leeds, 2024-08) Kadi, Abdulrahman Omar; Selim, GehanThis thesis explores the complexities of urban management in the context of crowd movements during mega-events, with a particular focus on the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. The research aims to develop a user-centred management framework that enhances both crowd movement conditions and user experience, addressing the limitations of traditional top-down management approaches. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates theories from event management, crowd dynamics, and user experience, the study offers a novel perspective on managing large-scale gatherings, where the safety and satisfaction of participants are paramount. The research establishes the importance of urban management in facilitating effective crowd movements during mega-events, particularly addressing the unique challenges of Hajj, a religious event in Makkah that annually draws millions of pilgrims. The study identifies critical variables and correlations within urban management, event activities, and user experience, highlighting the need for a user-centric approach. The research examines urban management variables influencing crowd movements and analyses existing literature in order to identify gaps in the current understanding of crowd dynamics, particularly the formation and impact of collective behaviour during mass gatherings. A significant focus is placed on the pivotal role of user experience in shaping innovative crowd management strategies, employing tools such as User Journey Mapping (UJM) to dissect the collective experiences of pilgrims. The thesis further contextualises the study with a historical background of the Islamic pilgrimage, detailing the Holy Sites' rituals, circulation patterns, and significance. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies, to gather data during Hajj in 2021 and 2022. This data presents an in-depth analysis of crowd movement conditions during Hajj, identifying key challenges and proposing strategies to improve crowd control and user experience. The analysis from the user's perspective identifies touchpoints that influence crowd dynamics and underscores the importance of considering users' needs, expectations, and experiences in designing effective crowd management strategies. Moreover, the research introduces an urban management framework comprising three overarching themes: Event Management, Crowd Movement, and User Experience, each divided into sub-themes that collectively form a comprehensive approach to managing crowd movements during mega-events. The research synthesises these findings, relating them to the initial research questions and theoretical framework. It advocates for a user-centric strategy prioritising inclusivity, safety, and user satisfaction. It introduces the User-Centric Management Canvas (UCMC), a practical tool designed to guide event organisers in adopting this new approach. This framework offers a structured yet flexible method adaptable to various mega-event contexts. In conclusion, this thesis marks a significant contribution to urban management, providing a blueprint for future research and practical applications in crowd management. It sets the stage for a paradigm shift towards more empathetic and effective management of mega-events, potentially enhancing participants' safety and spiritual fulfilment at events like Hajj, with global applicability to other large-scale events.75 0Item Restricted A Comparative Case Study: Exploring Health System Governance in Canada and Saudi Arabia(Western University, 2024) Almalki, Fawziah; Oudshoorn, Abe; Tryphonopoulos, Panagiota; Smith, Maxwell; Muntaner, CarlesHealth systems and health system outcomes are incredibly complex. To understand how they function, researchers explore individual components of the system, in the study herein the component is ‘governance’. Research to date has demonstrated a positive relationship between governance and population health outcomes. Governance, therefore, may be a concept that assists in understanding differential health outcomes of seemingly comparable countries. This study aims to explore macro-level governance, particularly the two sub-concepts of ‘government effectiveness’ and ‘perceived corruption’, in two countries: Saudi Arabia and Canada. Government effectiveness reflects the quality of public health policy development and implementation, and how much the government adheres to these policies. These comparator countries are selected as they share similarities on three levels, economy, population size, and free basic healthcare; yet differ significantly in governance models. A case study methodology as described by Stake (1995), guided this study. This study is particularly a comparative case study design with a focus on qualitative data. The data will be used to understand in-depth nuances of governance in health systems. Two overarching questions guided this study, one for each of the sub-concepts: 1) How the government effectiveness process, in terms of health policy development and implementation, unfolds within the health system in Saudi Arabia and Canada. 2) How corruption, as an aspect of governance, is present within health systems. This work is framed within a critical theoretical perspective. Concerns about good governance and corruption that guide this work is to the purpose of seeking the best health outcomes for all people. Governance as a whole, and sub-concepts of government effectiveness and corruption, are all amenable to change and improvement. To engage with system complexity, multiple data sources were utilized within this case study. Primary data consisted of interviewing 32 participants (15 in Canada and 17 in Saudi Arabia) who work in the health system in service provision, research, policy, management, or education. Secondary data included government documents about health system structure and strategies at the macro level. Data collection was conducted through two phases. Phase one of data collection involved in-depth interviews with experts across the health systems. The interviews were conducted in both English and Arabic. Documents for analysis were collected and accessed through official websites of governments or Ministries of health, and healthcare organizations, and scientific databases. These documents were analyzed via Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as outlined by Van Dijk (1993) and Mullet (2018). The findings are divided into three foci as three chapters: 1) a methodological piece on conducting bilingual research; 2) the nature of government effectiveness; and 3) the nature of corruption in health systems. Conducting research in a language not spoken by all the research team members is relatively common, yet addressing the nuanced details of implementing bilingual work has limited guidance within extant literature. This includes consideration of promising practices for concept development, translation, data analysis, and presenting the findings. This chapter is an exploration of the strengths and limitations of doing bilingual research, and recommendations regarding these aforementioned issues from our own experiences. Ultimately, it is proposed that via bilingual research, the accumulation of knowledge pertaining to qualitative research concepts, translation, analysis, and dissemination of comprehensive frameworks can be enacted, ultimately enhancing the rigour of qualitative research and increasing confidence in applying knowledge created in the chosen language of participants. Findings on government effectiveness in health systems in both Canada and Saudi Arabia are presented in four themes. These four themes are: 1) Health is Political, 2) Health System Privatization, 3) An Outdated System vs. A System that is Catching Up, and 4) Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and Cross-Sectoral Collaboration. Recommendations are provided on how to better identify elements of government effectiveness and integrate them with the SDoH in order to enhance system effectiveness and improve the health of populations. For the chapter on corruption, it is noted that Governance is a complex theoretical concept that includes the sub-concept of ‘corruption’. A very ‘loaded’ term, this study sought to understand how corruption is present in health systems, often in very subtle ways. Findings illustrate how corruption is still a relevant concept in advanced health systems and can include both subtle and even overt forms within Canadian and Saudi health systems. This is explained in three themes: 1) Corruption in Wealthy Nations: Subtle Opportunism; 2) Nepotism and Professional Courtesy; and 3) A Strict System vs A Relaxed System. This analysis uncovers nuanced forms of potential personal gain within Canadian and Saudi health systems that make the concept of corruption still a timely concern. Addressing these risks must be seen as a collective obligation, where healthcare providers identify and report cases of potential corruption, managers prevent and address opportunities for personal gain, and researchers study how to develop policies and processes that are most immune to corruption. Ultimately, this study continues to unpack the complex ways that health systems are actualized, looking particularly at the concept of governance, and selected sub-concepts of government effectiveness and corruption.34 0Item Restricted THE CONTRIBUTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS(University of Reading, 2024-07-24) Alnajran, Saqer; Kakabadse, AndrewThis qualitative research was undertaken through a case study to explore the contribution of council members of King Saud University (KSU) to their institutional strategy. It is the first study to consider the impact of governing body members of higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. The study involved conducting 26 elite interviews with KSU council members and collecting 9 relevant documents. Through thematic analysis, the study elucidated how board members fulfill their responsibilities in alignment with KSU's strategic plan. Firstly, board members were identified as holding official positions that require role-based contribution and accountability. Secondly, the effective contribution of board members was facilitated by the use of technology through the KSU’s board portal Majales. Thirdly, the engagement of KSU council members at various decision-making levels, including the college council or equivalent level, in addition to the university council level, was found to positively influence the institutional strategy. Fourthly, the crucial role of the KSU president in enhancing collaborative efforts between the board and the institution to achieve strategic objectives was highlighted. Lastly, the efforts of KSU council members in developing new regulations and enforcing implementation compliance were essential in reflecting their contribution to realizing the objectives of KSU’s strategic plan. The study concludes by proposing a model that outlines the process through which board members contribute to their institutional strategy. The model emphasizes the importance of employing a distributed system of specialized experts in their respective roles to make an effective contribution. Additionally, it underscores the involvement of board directors in discussions at multiple levels within the institution contributing to the improvement of decision-making processes across the governance system. Furthermore, the model not only advances the understanding of governance and strategic dynamics within KSU but also provides valuable insights with broader applicability to higher education institutions.47 0