Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/10
Browse
7 results
Search Results
Item Restricted Exploring Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) Learners’ Imagined Communities, Communities of Practice, and Investment in Learning ASL in Saudi Arabia(The University of Memphis, 2024-09) Alsulami, Majed; Thrush, EmilyResearch on L2 learning and studying abroad has indicated that L2 students return with varying levels of language acquisition and differing reactions to the target language and host communities (Kinginger, 2009; Trentman, 2013; Quan, 2019). Scholars have examined various variables (e.g. gender, motivation, identity, etc.), to better understand L2 students’ experiences in L2 settings linguistically and culturally (Trentman, 2013; Quan, 2019). However, exploring L2 learners’ access to imagined communities and communities of practice remains under-researched, which is an important variable in understanding the complexity of L2 students’ investment in L2 settings (Norton, 2018; Darvin & Norton, 2021). Recent studies have emphasized the importance of exploring the relationship between the concepts of imagined communities, communities of practice, and L2 investment for L2 students while living in L2 settings (Trentman, 2013; Soltanian et al., 2020; Darvin & Norton, 2021). Previous studies have focused on immigrants and L2 students learning ESL/EFL (Sung, 2019; Aslan, 2020; Tajeddin et al., 2023; Savova & Azarnoosh, 2024). Little is known, however, about the connection between these three concepts in learning Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) in the Saudi context. This mixed-methods dissertation raises new questions in order to explore 116 ASL learners’ (male, n = 93; female, n = 23) imagined communities and communities of practice, and how these communities are connected and essential for ASL investment. Data were collected from three sources including an online questionnaire, 17 individual interviews, including 6 females and 11 males, and two focus group interviews, including 4 females and 5 males. Descriptive analysis and thematic analysis were employed to analyze the quantitative and qualitative results, respectively. Findings revealed that participants’ imagined communities significantly influenced their motivation. They were highly motivated to expand various ranges of possible selves through their imagined communities and believed in not distancing themselves from ASL teachers or other people or withdrawing from the language classroom. The results also illustrated that all participants males and females expressed a strong power of prior imagination, affiliation, and sacredness orientation toward learning Arabic in Saudi. However, the results showed a significant effect of gender where males expressed a higher sense of belonging regarding their imagined communities to explore possible identities and connect with desired communities more than females. Males were accessed and committed to attending various free religious lessons as local communities of practice, while females had limited opportunities to access, interact, and invest in such communities of practice, which made them less invested compared to males. This dissertation offers implications for ASL educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in ASL institutions and programs to effectively engage ASL learners in their desired communities and encourage them to be active members in multiple social and learning contexts.19 0Item Restricted SERVICE NETWORK OPTIMIZATION TO GUIDE DECISIONS ON INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT(George Mason University, 2023-12-13) Alyahya, Bedor; Brodsky, AlexanderInterrelated infrastructures, such as manufacturing, supply chain, renewable energy and smart grid, are critical for achieving long-term organizational and societal goals and enabling future growth. Deciding on infrastructure portfolio investment is a complex problem, given the uncertainty in future supply and demand, the rapid emergence of new technologies, and non-trivial operational interactions among the infrastructure components. Today, models and systems supporting stakeholders in infrastructure investment decisions either (1) express the investment model in high-level financial terms, which fails to accurately express the underlying operational system behavior over the investment time horizon, or (2) are hard- wired to a siloed domain-specific investment problem, which does not take into account interactions with interrelated infrastructures across the silos and inhibits the widespread adoption and re-usability of these models. Thus, both accurate and flexible investment decision models and systems are needed to recommend investment alternatives and guide stakeholders in making Pareto-optimal trade-o↵s between competing performance indicators such as total cost of ownership, carbon emissions and quality of service. This dissertation is driven by the need to overcome the aforementioned gap of investment decisions made in silos, as opposed to accounting for the synergistic value of strongly interdependent infrastructures. More specifically, the key contributions of this dissertation are as follows. First, designed and developed are formal predictive Analytic Models (AM) for both steady-state and tran- sient Service Networks. These models express metrics, capacity, and demand constraints over a specified time horizon as functions of fixed and controllable parameters, representing investment choices and precise operational settings throughout investment periods. Second, developed is a modular, extensible repository of investment component models, such as pumps, renewable energy sources, water and energy storage, Reverse Osmosis plants, transformers, energy contracts and electric and gas boilers, renewable energy certificates (RECs) and carbon o↵sets. Third, designed and developed are Decision Guidance Systems for both steady-state and transient models for investment in Service Networks. These systems optimize performance metrics and analyze Pareto-optimal trade-o↵s between di↵erent financial, environmental, and quality-of-service investment objectives leveraging a mixed-integer linear programming solver. As a specialization in the domain of Energy and Sustainability, developed is the Green Assessment and Decision Guidance Tool (GADGET.) Finally, a case study is conducted to provide recommendations to George Mason Uni- versity’s stakeholders on the most cost-e↵ective approach to achieve its carbon neutrality goals by 2040. GADGET provides recommendations for Pareto-optimal operational settings and investment choices related to the integration of renewable energy sources and related infrastructures with existing systems.4 0Item Restricted A Winning Formula: Saudi Arabia’s Sport Strategy, Sport Investment, Sport Industry and Perceptions of its Involvement in the Global Sport’s Sector(Loughborough University, 2023-12-04) Basheer, Abdulaziz; Skinner, JamesIn recent years, the investment and development of sports within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen a remarkable uptick in intensity, focus, and urgency. A country at the heart of the Gulf, Arab, and Islamic world, the Kingdom has also entered the global sports market with its full weight. Ever since the government released the 2020 Quality of Life Program, the attention the sport sector has received has been unrivalled internationally in terms of government involvement and support. The Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia has been investing into the sport sector by providing billion-dollar investments into the multiple sporting federations within the kingdom, athlete support and development programs, athletics events such as the Arab and Saudi games. Football in the Kingdom is also very popular among the population and The Saudi Pro League has also seen billion-dollar investments and unparalleled support signing the world’s best players form Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, to Neymar. Reports suggest that the Saudi Pro League also known as ROSHN Saudi League (RSL) has received a budget of over $17 billon dollar up until 2030 to achieve its goal of becoming one of the top 5 leagues in the world. The Ministry of Sport has also been hosting many sporting events including Motorsports such as Formula 1 with the Jeddah Grand Prix, The Dakkar Rally, Diriyah Formula E Grand Prix, and Extreme E. Sporting events include boxing mega events as well with the nation hosting global boxing superstar such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Jake Paul among others. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has also recently acquired the PGA giving it control over Golf Internationally, is in talks with ATP over a possible investment takeover, and also owns 5 Football clubs including Newcastle United a Premier League club, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad with plans of buying even more clubs in Europe. The PIF also own SRJ Sports Investments an investment arm tasked with developing IP rights, sport fan experiences, and Sport Broadcasting in the Gulf and North Africa region and have also invested in the Pro Fighters League (PFL) the UFC’s most important direct competitor. However, the academic research on Saudi Arabia’s sports investments, sport industry and involvement in global sports, is relatively limited perhaps because it is a recent phenomenon. Limited studies exist on the motivations and strategies driving Saudi Arabia's increased investment in sport both locally and internationally, hindering a comprehensive understanding of their goals and potential outcomes. Additionally, there is a notable gap in research studying the intersection of sports and investments. The impact of these investments on national development, including socioeconomic benefits, job creation, infrastructure improvements, public health promotion, and 6 international relations are evident yet remain largely unexamined. Additionally, the influence of global perceptions on Saudi’s investment and aim to be a key international player in global sport has not been thoroughly explored. Further research is needed to address these gaps.26 0Item Restricted International Investment Law’s Entanglement with Other Sectors(City, University of London, 2023-03-15) Alkhudairy, Maan; Ben Slimane, MariemIInternational Investment Law can be traced to the genesis of international law. Its aim is to protect the people and assets of international businesses. It was founded on reciprocal and bilateral contracts between leaders.1 There was a tendency in the last century to build a generic legal structure to supplement a network of bilateral treaties.2 Such an approach, embodied in the now-classic concept of "customary international law," went further than the idea that aliens needed particular treaty protection as a principle through their home state; instead, the novel approach was of a broadly applicable system of international law that protected aliens regardless of where they came from or the treaty correlation between their home and host state.3 Now more than ever, host countries are feeling the pressure to adopt an open arms policy toward foreign investors to accomplish economic growth and flourishment. This can be stressed by the majority of treaties having favoured foreign companies for entry and operation4 . Nonetheless, such pressures have been met with equal pressures to further regulate such sectors and foreign interactions. This includes countries such as Russia, which introduced a sectoral restriction; and Thailand, with more restrictions on foreign investment law5,6 .17 0Item Restricted The Relationship Between Risk Management Practices and Investment Performance in the Context of OPEC and OPEC+(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alsalamah, Faisal; Park, SeyoungInvesting in a complicated market structure where it is managed by what economists refer to as a cartel can be challenging since the movement of the market can be unpredictable. Also, the application of the risk management practices can be beneficial in such market once the investor comprehends how the market operate. This literature will present the Relationship between risk management practices and investment performance in the context of OPEC and OPEC+.40 0Item Restricted United Kingdom Infrastructure Bank Path Toward Clean Investments(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alkhalaf, Ayman; Orfanoudaki, AgniAccsys, a pioneering wood manufacturing company, has revolutionized the industry with its unique technology that transforms conventional wood into an ultra-resistant material, surpassing the performance of non-sustainable alternatives like aluminum and PVC. In 2020, Accsys achieved remarkable financial success, reporting revenue exceeding 100 million pounds and employing over 200 individuals in the UK (Financial Times, 2020). Furthermore, the company contributed significantly to environmental sustainability, reporting savings of nearly 70,000 tonnes of CO2e through the utilization of their advanced materials instead of traditional non-sustainable options (Accsys Technologies PLC, 2020). I am proposing a comprehensive plan aimed at replicating the success of Accsys and leveraging it to drive positive impacts on the UK economy and environment. The proposed plan is designed to enhance the UK's Gross Value Added (GVA), attract private sector investments into eco-friendly projects, and generate employment opportunities for the UK population. Additionally, the plan aligns with UKIB's commitment to a triple bottom line and adherence to its investment principles (UKIB, 2022). The multifaceted plan tackles several integrated challenges, including the current lack of private investments in natural capital, the need to evaluate the financial viability of natural capital investments, and the importance of fostering a conducive working environment to nurture and develop the talents within UKIB. One of the primary objectives of the plan is to stimulate economic growth by channeling investments into sustainable ventures that can replicate the success of companies like Accsys. By focusing on industries with the potential for significant environmental impact, the plan aims to address pressing issues such as climate change and resource depletion. This strategic approach aligns with Accsys's model of transforming traditional sectors into environmentally responsible and economically prosperous entities. Moreover, the plan places emphasis on mobilizing private sector investments into environmentally friendly projects. By collaborating with industries and businesses that share the vision of sustainable development, UKIB can play a pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly practices and technologies. This collaborative effort not only fosters innovation but also establishes the UK as a leader in sustainable business practices on a global scale. In tandem with economic growth and environmental sustainability, the plan is geared towards creating job opportunities for the UK population. By investing in sectors that prioritize sustainability, the plan aims to generate employment across various skill sets, contributing to a diverse and robust job market. This approach not only addresses economic concerns but also ensures that the benefits of sustainable development are distributed equitably. Furthermore, the plan underscores the importance of aligning with UKIB's triple bottom line, which encompasses economic, social, and environmental considerations. By integrating these elements into investment decisions, UKIB can not only achieve financial success but also contribute significantly to societal well-being and environmental conservation. To overcome the challenge of the lack of private investments in natural capital, the plan proposes strategic partnerships with private entities, offering incentives and creating a conducive regulatory environment. Additionally, implementing tools for evaluating the financial viability of natural capital investments will provide clarity and confidence to potential investors, facilitating increased participation in sustainable projects. Lastly, building a working environment that enables UKIB to maintain and develop its talents is essential for long-term success. The plan advocates for the establishment of training programs, mentorship initiatives, and a supportive workplace culture that fosters innovation and creativity within the organization. By nurturing a skilled and motivated workforce, UKIB can effectively address the complex challenges posed by sustainable development and natural capital investments. In conclusion, the proposed plan for UKIB draws inspiration from the success of Accsys and aims to create a blueprint for sustainable economic development. By strategically aligning with the triple bottom line, fostering private sector collaborations, and addressing critical challenges in natural capital investments, the plan endeavors to position UKIB as a catalyst for positive change in the UK's economic and environmental landscape.12 0Item Unknown Cybersecurity Risk Management Investment: An Empirical Study on Impact Factors Affecting Decision-making in SMEs(2023-07-01) Alahmari, Abdulmajeed; Duncan, RobertSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have always attracted cyber attackers as one of the most reachable targets. However, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, most enterprises accelerated the adoption of new technologies like remote work tools and cloud computing to cope with sudden national lockdowns and the Covid-19 restrictions like social distancing. SMEs’ vulnerability has increased dramatically because these technologies have relied on the internet. This made them more vulnerable to cyber-attacks than ever; and the SME sector was already in a critical situation regarding cybersecurity risk management (CRiM). Disregarding the importance of CRiM by decision-makers has become a phenomenon that few studies have investigated. Previous cybersecurity studies have shown a lack of interest in CRiM, particularly in terms of SMEs' strategic investment perspective. Therefore, this research has attempted to illustrate the crucial role of CRiM in the SME sector by conducting three scientific studies. First, a comprehensive literature review has been conducted, using NVivo software to analyse 25 out of 83 articles according to bibliographical information, research design, and findings. As a result, the review identified 5 major perspectives that play a key role in SMEs’ cybersecurity risk management, which are threats, behaviours, practices, awareness, and decision-making. Then, a qualitative exploratory approach was applied in the second study by conducting several interviews with decision-makers in the sector to understand this issue. The results revealed 8 encouragement factors that play a major role in encouraging SMEs’ decision-makers to invest in CRiM as a strategic priority. Therefore, the present study developed a novel model to classify these factors in three different contexts, which are technological; organisational; and environmental. Thereafter, an empirical study has been conducted to examine the relationship between these independent factors and their effects on encouraging CRiM investment decisions among SMEs. Moreover, the present research contributes to the knowledge by providing evidence that CRiM investment has become a strategic priority that should be urgently considered by SMEs’ decision-makers.24 0