Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item 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 Exploring Risk Management Strategies in Mega Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study of Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) ALMOUSA, Mohammed Ali; Mokebo, KirstyRiyadh metro project was started while following Vision 2030 goal. The project aims to build 176.5 km Metro line connecting 85 stations. Due to its size the project faces different types of risks emerging as a result of unique condition of Saudi Arabia in the aspect of market and environment and society. This research aims to examine the risks and risk management strategies of the Riyadh Metro project, assess the contextual factors influencing their application, and propose recommendations to improve risk governance in Saudi mega infrastructure projects. The research collects primary qualitative information with the help of interview. Project managers working in Riyadh Metro has been interviewed to understand their opinion regarding projects risks management process. The information’s has been analysed with the help of thematic analysis. The research recommends that Riyadh metro should maintain communication and governance structure while accepting, avoiding, treating and transferring risks. The research also recommends that while managing mega projects dedicated team should be used for risks identification and strategy development. The team needs to analyse risks in a routine manner ensuring that risks emerging do not remain unnoticed. The research also recommends providing training to employees on ground-level risk management processes.9 0Item Restricted ESG Considerations in Saudi Megaprojects: An Intent–Implementation Comparative Study of KAUST and KAEC(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsulaiman, Omar; ElDaouk, MohammedSaudi Arabia is initiating an unprecedented wave of megaprojects under Vision 2030’s directives to drive diversification away from oil and increase the Kingdom’s global ‘softpower.’ However, global developments have highlighted the susceptibility for megaprojects to not meet their cost, time, and benefit targets. Despite abundant academic research relating to “why megaprojects fail?”, there is little comparative, ESG-framed work that links founding intent to operational implementation in Saudi Megaprojects. To this end, this dissertation aims to fill that gap by systematically testing how intentions translate into outcomes. This dissertation investigates how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations shape outcomes in two “most-similar” Saudi Arabian megaprojects: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) & King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). Using a qualitative comparative case design, the study analyses founding intentions and successive implementation within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 environment. Employing the intent – implementation framework the study reveals structural strides and pitfalls to the development of megaprojects in Saudi Arabia. Findings revealed three distinct dimensions to megaproject execution in the Kingdom. First, environmental performance is strongest when sustainability is embedded from day one, as retrofitting programs can work but move slower and cost more. Second, delivering social value depends on actual uptake by residents and firms in addition to alignment with the wider society. Third, governance structures are most eaective with single and accountable decision-making structures, as Private-Public Partnership (PPP) structures can work but depend on stakeholder and national alignment. The novel ‘Intent-Implementation System’ under ESG considerations can be used as a foundation for future megaproject research in Saudi Arabia, in which clear mission intentionality, robust governance, and beneficial ESG considerations are the baseline for all Saudi megaprojects.14 0Item Restricted Future Challenges of Major Tourism Projects in Saudi Arabia: A Prospective Study on Environmental Sustainability(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanazi, Bassam; Zadeh, Shiva IlkhaniThis research critically examines Saudi Arabia's largest tourism projects—NEOM, The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and Riyadh—under the lens of environmental sustainability, and focuses on their place within the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These massive projects, in spite of their ecological claims, causes serious threats to delicate marine and desert ecosystems. The research reveals a disconnection between the projects' ambitious rhetoric of sustainability and their real-world environmental consequences, and alarms both environmental management and government control. This study employs qualitative case study method, and invokes the Triple Bottom Line, Resilience Theory, and Stakeholder Theory, based on eight in-depth interviews as well as extensive examination of government policies, academic scholarship, and media articles. It evidences widespread gaps in sustainability, such as deteriorated water scarcity, loss of biological diversity, increased energy needs, and deceptive marketing that falsely overhypes environmental success. The study points to a lack of responsibility in the projects, with some initiatives such as quantifiable environmental goals, while others are based heavily on promotional hype. The views among stakeholders differ, with some being cautiously optimistic about new technology while others are seriously worried about the long-term environmental impacts. The study calls for a shift in paradigm—one where real ecological protection is coupled with economic development to ensure that such projects deliver sustainability.92 0Item Restricted RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIAN MEGA PROJECTS(University of Kent, 2023) Alanazi, Abdulrahman; Badewi, AmgadThis thesis investigates the challenges and strategic solutions for effective resource management in Saudi Arabian mega projects, specifically focusing on projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Mukaab. These mega projects, integral to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, require extensive resources and present unique management challenges. The study aims to identify these challenges, evaluate the effectiveness of current management practices, and develop a comprehensive framework for resource management. This framework is intended to improve the administration of current and future large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia. The research methodology includes a literature review, qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews with project managers and stakeholders, and thematic analysis. Key findings highlight the importance of strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, technological advancements, and sustainability in resource management. The study concludes with policy recommendations for stakeholders and practitioners to enhance the success of mega projects in Saudi Arabia.85 0