Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Exploring the rise of Farm-to-Table dining experience and its implications on sustainable tourism destination marketing(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Baeshen, Lana Rayan; Wang, LornaFarm-to-table (FTT) is assessed in this study as more than just a sourcing preference. To promote sustainable tourism, it looks at FTT as an entire organizational structure and as a visitor experience. The objective is to evaluate how FTT enhances the perception of a location and its sense of place, adds value to the market for hospitality providers, and supports environmental, social, and economical sustainability. The work is guided by four objectives: defining FTT in the context of sustainable tourism; evaluating its social and environmental impacts; analyzing its function in place branding and destination marketing; and determining implications for destination development and sustainable tourism marketing. To comprehend the practical operation of FTT, a qualitative design was selected. Eleven participants, including chefs, restaurant managers, and visitors, participated in semi-structured interviews. To promote truthful responses, chefs and managers from the same location were interviewed separately. Their testimonies were then analyzed as matched pairs to compare viewpoints. To triangulate judgments of authenticity, quality, and value, tourist interviews were analyzed in conjunction with these dyads. Analysis proceeded in a straightforward manner from codes to themes, following reflexive thematic analysis. Data-source triangulation, an audit trail of analytical conclusions, and reflexive notes were used to support trustworthiness. The results for objective 1 demonstrate that FTT functions as an organizational system as opposed to a single strategy. Deliberate supply chain selection, menu engineering based on seasonality, staff proficiency in provenance knowledge, and guest communication outlining the significance of choices are all part of it. Seasonality serves as the operational rhythm that influences menu changes, preparation, and purchases. While managers convert seasonality into unambiguous statements for the table and online, chefs frequently view it as a creative catalyst. This systems perspective broadens our knowledge of FTT beyond the constrained concept of "local sourcing." Social, environmental and economical contributions are demonstrated by the results for Objective 2. Flexible menus can reduce waste and the effects of transportation and storage, as can short food chains and a seasonal focus. Redirecting expenditure to local producers and craftspeople and showcasing food traditions to tourists both create social value. Interviewees talked of cooperative problem-solving when harvests were delayed or yields were low, as well as relationships founded on trust with producers. These relationships uphold authenticity and safeguard quality, but they also highlight conflicts because small suppliers are subject to unpredictability and scale constraints. The study candidly documents operators' realistic modifications as they strike a balance between ideals and operational reality. The results for Objective 3 demonstrate how FTT helps with place branding and tourism marketing. By transforming landscapes, farms, and producers into menus and stories that guests can taste and identify, FTT "puts place on the plate." The restaurant's local food network is connected by cues displayed in the dining rooms, servers explain procedures and seasons, and menus mention people and locations. Travelers associate these cues with a greater sense of location and describe them as genuine and memorable. In this sense, FTT uses sensory experience and believable storytelling to enhance destination uniqueness and loyalty. The results for Objective 4 show the implications for the market and development. When food tastes better, supports local farmers, and adheres to ethical standards, tourists are willing to pay premiums typically between 15% and 25% if provenance and quality are obvious and staff members provide an explanation of the "why" without being pushy. However, the study identifies obstacles that hinder scalability compared to standardized chains: depending on small suppliers creates unpredictability; menu agility necessitates close coordination between the kitchen and floor and trained teams; and stock-outs necessitate meticulous service timing. The value of FTT is not diminished by these problems but rather show that development is dependent on enabling structures that preserve provenance while enhancing dependability, such as producer networks, light aggregation, and shared logistics. By connecting front-of-house meaning to back-of-house practice, the thesis makes a theoretical contribution. It links branding outcomes like place attachment, word-of-mouth, and authenticity signals to sourcing and menu design. Methodologically, triangulating with tourists and pairing chefs and managers in the same location lessens the bias of a single informant and highlights tensions and complementarities that are otherwise difficult to identify. All things considered, FTT is positioned as an organizing logic that is integrated into a destination rather than as a stand-alone strategy. Practical guidance follows. Instead of fighting seasonality, operators can plan their prep procedures and menu cycles to accommodate it. Teams should receive training on how to succinctly and effectively demonstrate provenance, backed up by straightforward producer records. Values and costs should be reflected in pricing, with clear connections to waste reduction, biodiversity, and farmer advantages. Plans for replacements and close coordination between the beverage, floor, and kitchen teams enable the transformation of limitations into stories and innovation that create value that visitors can relate to. For destination managers and policy makers, the study suggests using transparent sustainability standards to preserve trust and guard against greenwashing; investing in enabling infrastructure like shared logistics or food hubs that maintain traceability while improving reliability; and coordinating across producers and venues to keep messages and quality consistent. Benefits are dispersed more widely when high-end FTT eating is combined with easily accessible touchpoints, including as markets, seasonal events, and producer tours. Limitations are acknowledged. Cultural nuance and rural comparability may be limited by the qualitative, purposeful, and time-limited nature of the research; majority of the interviews were performed in urban areas and in English. A clear analytical trail, depth, and triangulation help to counteract these scope conditions. To investigate resilience and equity, future research may compare urban and rural ecosystems and governance models, measure trade-offs and willingness to pay using choice experiments, and monitor producer-restaurant connections throughout seasons. In summary, the dissertation achieves its goal. It demonstrates how farm-to-table transforms seasonality into unique brand value and region into gastronomy. When practice and storytelling coincide, it shows social, environmental and economic benefits in addition to believable market results. It discusses how enabling structures might aid and why growth may be slower than for huge, standardized chains.16 0Item Restricted Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Financial Performance with a Mediating Role of Enterprise Risk Management of the Islamic Banks in GCC Countries(Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 2025) Alsalami, Tamader; Soo-Wah, Low; Shifa Mohd, NorThe incorporating of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) factors into managerial decision-making has been shown to mitigate risks and create an "insurance-like" value that protects Financial Performance (FP). However, previous research on the direct relationship between CSR and FP has yielded mixed results, highlighting the need for further investigation. Thus, this study examines the mediating role of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in analysing the relationship between CSR and FP. This study examines Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a distinctive context for analysing the CSR-ERM-FP dynamics within the banking sector. Drawing on stakeholder, signalling, and agency theories, it argues that strategic CSR practices strengthen enterprise-wide risk management, ultimately enhancing the FP of GCC Islamic banks. This study utilizes a sample of 221 bank-year observations from 23 listed Islamic banks operating in GCC countries between 2011 and 2020. Data were collected from two secondary sources: annual bank reports were utilized to gather CSR data through content analysis and scoring methods for ERM data, and the DataStream database was accessed for FP data. An analysis of multiple panel regression approach was applied to examine the relationship between the study variables. The study finds that CSR practices positively impact both accounting-based and market-based FP in GCC Islamic banks. Additionally, banks with a strong commitment to CSR demonstrate more effective ERM implementation. Furthermore, while ERM implementation shows a significant positive relationship with accounting-based FP, no such link is found with market-based FP. However, ERM implementation does not significantly mediate the relationship between CSR and FP, indicating insufficient evidence to support its mediating role. This study contributes to existing knowledge by providing insights into the relationship between CSR, ERM, and FP within the Islamic banking sector in the GCC. The findings underscore the significance of incorporating CSR as a fundamental element of business model transformation to improve stakeholder engagement. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for Islamic banks to align CSR with ERM initiatives to maximize the benefits of sustainable business practices while addressing stakeholder concerns for better FP. Furthermore, the findings offer valuable guidance to regulators in strengthening ERM and CSR policies. Lastly, the study provides stakeholders, managers, and scholars with a deeper understanding of CSR-ERM-FP dynamics in GCC Islamic banks.12 0Item Restricted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Its Influence on Employee Loyalty and Engagement in Saudi Arabia(Coventry University, 2025) Alsaadi, Halah; Lawton, Natalia RochaThis study investigates the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approaches in Human Resource (HR) practices on employee loyalty and engagement within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector, a context shaped by the nation’s Vision 2030 reforms. Drawing on Stakeholder Theory and Social Identity Theory, the research explores how CSR dimensions environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integrated into HR policies can foster organizational commitment, retention, and employee identification. A qualitative, interpretivist methodology is employed, utilizing secondary data from peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and institutional publications, analysed thematically to identify patterns and implications. Findings reveal that genuine, culturally aligned CSR initiatives embedded in HR practices such as staff welfare programs, ethical governance, environmental sustainability measures, and community engagement significantly enhance employee trust, pride, and loyalty. Sectoral differences emerge, with public healthcare CSR focusing on societal welfare, while private sector efforts prioritize direct employee benefits. The study underscores the strategic role of CSR as both a driver of workforce stability and a tool for aligning organizational goals with national priorities. Recommendations emphasize transparent, authentic CSR integration into HR strategies to strengthen engagement and retention, contributing to sustainable organizational performance in the evolving Saudi healthcare landscape.18 0Item Restricted The Role Of The Board Of Directors Of Shareholding Companies Listed On The Saudi Stock Exchange In Achieving The Saudi Vision 2030 Towards A Sustainable Economy: A Study In Saudi Regulations And Legal Reform Proposals(Southern Methodist University, 2025) Alshiddi, Norah; Dean Camp, Martin L; First, Primary Advisor; Norton, Joseph JThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has adopted a modern vision of economic reform, Vision 2030, using KSA’s economic resources to create a more diversified and sustainable economy. The KSA has launched several programs to help achieve these goals, including the National Transformation Program (NTP), which enacted numerous legal reforms to empower the private sector to be consistent with current international standards. The KSA issued a new Companies Law, amended Implementing Regulation of the Companies Law for Listed Joint Stock Companies (IRCL), and amended the Corporate Governance Regulations (CGR) to meet international best practices in corporate governance in order to create a sustainable private sector able to contribute a solid financial market. Since joint-stock companies are the basis of the financial market, the Vision 2030 programs have addressed them with the intention of supporting their sustainability and social responsibility. A joint-stock company's board of directors (BoD) has broad authority to supervise and plan the company's affairs. Whenever the BoD is competent and enlightened, its decisions will advance the company's sustainability planning. Therefore, the main focus of this study will be to examine how well the new legal reforms meet international standards and how they affect the BoDs of shareholding companies listed on the Saudi Exchange in in terms of their ability to achieve corporate sustainability. More specifically, this analysis will address the impact of legal reforms on the following areas: formation of the board, board committees, fiduciary duties of the board, and the board's role in regulating the relationship with stakeholders and in corporate social responsibility (CSR). These are important categories of analysis, as they relate to the success of companies in implementing the corporate governance best practices that make corporate sustainability possible. This dissertation will highlight the importance of these aspects of corporate sustainability in relation to the best corporate governance practices, and it will analyze the adequacy of Saudi laws for achieving sustainability. The principles of sustainability are inherent in Vision 2030 and its executive programs. However, the corporate governance practices in Saudi Arabia do not promote the adoption of sustainability. Saudi legal rules still need to address many factors that significantly shape the composition of the BoD and the roles which enable the BoD to fulfill its obligations to promote sustainability for the company and to adhere to the principles of best corporate governance. Deficiencies persist in Saudi legislation regarding several crucial elements in the formation of the BoD and its committees, such as the diversity of members, the inclusion of women, the proportion of independent members, and the extent of relevance between the selection of members of the BoD and its committees and the achievement of the company's objectives. Additionally, the committees' objectives need to be enhanced to align with the company's sustainability. The BoD has significant roles that affect its ability to carry out corporate sustainability effectively. Fiduciary duties and their influence on the board's decision-making capabilities are of particular importance. Although the Companies Law emphasized the fiduciary duties of the BoD for the first time, the current formulation of fiduciary duties may restrict the BoD from pursuing sustainable value for the company. Understanding the primary value of fiduciary duty is critical to determine if the company is acting for the shareholders' benefit or the company's long-term viability. Furthermore, regulating relationships with stakeholders contributes to establishing good value for the corporation, thus maximizing the organization's value. Some international corporate governance practices obligate the BoD to regulate the relationship with stakeholders. In Saudi Arabia, although the CGR encourages such regulation, this encouragement is not mandatory, which affects some critical aspects of dialogue with stakeholders. Moreover, CSR plays a crucial role in shaping the company's strategy towards sustainability. The CGR states that CSR policy is instituted by the ordinary general assembly (OGA) in accordance with the BoD's recommendation. This text may hinder a BoD's ability to embrace CSR as a strategic decision to maximize the company's long-term value. Chapter One provides a general introduction. Chapter Two highlights the background of Saudi shareholding companies, Saudi corporate governance and its theories, as well as corporate sustainability. Chapter Three covers the composition of the BoD, the BoD’s independence and diversity, and women's participation in the BoD in Saudi Arabia. The chapter will examine practices in Saudi Arabia compared with international practices in order to highlight the relationship between the BoD’s composition and the attainment of corporate sustainability. Chapter Four discusses the formation of board committees and how they relate to sustainability. Analysis in this chapter will focus on committee formation in Saudi Arabia compared with international practices. Chapter Five highlights some of the most critical roles of the BoD regarding practical aspects key to the creation of long-term value for the company. Specifically, this chapter focuses on fiduciary duties and the BoD's roles towards stakeholder involvement, as well as the BoD's role in CSR, because these roles are considered practical measures of the company's progress toward sustainability. The chapter will present the concepts defining these roles, analyze the current work in Saudi Arabia per the Companies Law and CGR, compare this with corporate governance practices to evaluate the ability of these roles to fulfill sustainability, and suggest developing the necessary roles. Chapter Six will outline proposals for legal reform in the IRCL and the CGR in concert with the issues discussed in this study. This dissertation is one of the early studies of the key provisions related to the BoD in the Companies Law and the CGR from the perspective of corporate sustainability. This study aims to improve the BoD's performance by providing recommendations to reform the IRCL and the CGR in ways which will enhance the sustainability of the economy and fulfill the aspirations of the Saudi government expressed by Vision 2030.18 0Item Restricted The effect of HRM practices on the CSR integration into organisational culture: A study of the role of HR in developing a socially responsible culture .(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-28) Almatrafi, Ghadeer; Ali, BaharCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) significance in an organisation has been rapidly growing for many years, acknowledging the imperative of addressing Environmental, Social, and Governance concerns in the strategies of business. CSR integration into organisational culture is necessary for sustainable competitive advantage, societal well-being, and stakeholder trust. Human Resource Management (HRM) practices wield a profound influence on the culture, and they can share the CSR principles integration. The empirical investigation on the interaction between CSR and HRM integration is scarce. The study filled the gap by exploring how HRM practices support and contribute to the integration of CSR into organisational culture. The study investigated HR's role in nurturing a socially responsible culture, uncovering key benefits and challenges, and underscoring the importance of aligning both HRM and CSR practices. The research also underscores the HR professional vital contributions and provides insights to foster a socially responsible culture that drives social impact and sustainability, enriching strategic, practical, and academic understandings in the process.35 0Item Open Access Corporate Social Responsibility under Saudi Arabia's Company Law: A Comparative Legal Study with Australia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-03-31) Qawariri, Elham Mohammad M; Bauties, Lowell; Garcia, GabrielCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has assumed strategic significance globally for companies and governments alike. CSR and national development are closely connected. Corporations which are socially responsible promote sustainable development, meet societies’ environmental needs, motivate individual employees, create a wealth of goods, and stimulate economic progress. This research analyses Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under Saudi Corporations Law, using a comparative evaluation method focusing on Australia. In recent years, many companies have re-organised their strategies and standards in order to implement national regulations on CSR, with the aim of ensuring the success of their businesses, especially in terms of improving economic profits. CSR has been implemented in many countries, including Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, and Australia. Corporations in Australia and other developed countries focus on CSR practice in different ways. However, in Saudi Arabia the implementation of CSR is still in its nascent stages. The methodology of this research will examine and evaluate how CSR has been implemented in Saudi Arabia, specifically with regard to its social, economic, environmental, and ethical contexts. This research addresses a gap in the legislation and academic scholarship. In Saudi Arabia, there are no existing legal and regulatory frameworks or reliable systematic studies which have effectively clarified how corporations can implement CSR in a socially responsible manner. This is the lacuna which this study aims to fill. Saudi Arabia intends to have a more diverse industrial base that buttresses the government’s Vision 2030 plan. This requires more effective private sector development to achieve specified economic goals, particularly for both financial and non-financial companies. The concept of CSR has emerged recently as a tool for corporations to improve their legitimacy in social and environmental terms. CSR can facilitate funding, expand investment, promote confidence in institutions and build community capacity. This research fills the gap in the academic studies done on CSR from the legal point of view, especially the responsibility of companies to document CSR in financial reports, financial statements, annual reports, etc. The challenges refer to understanding how internal and external regulations and corporate rules will affect the perceptions of CSR and obligations of reporting and disclosing CSR-related financial information and what business management is doing. The absence of knowledge about CSR has been observed for both government and corporations. More research is needed on the level of partnerships between both parties on devising a CSR framework. Corporations have been not conducting their CSR operations well, and this affecting their reputation and perceptions of their adherence to CSR for the greater good.66 0