Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Attitudes and Perceptions of English Language Teachers at Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia Towards Integrating Sustainability Topics into the English Language Curriculum and its Potential Impact on Students' Learning(University of Essex, 2024-09-18) Alharthi, Saad; Gkonou, ChristinaThis dissertation investigates English language teachers' attitudes and perceptions towards integrating sustainability topics at Umm Al-Qura University's English Language Institute (ELI). It addresses the under-researched area of sustainability in English Language Teaching (ELT) within the Saudi Arabian context. Employing a holistic approach, the study explores the factors influencing teachers' acceptance and implementation of sustainability education, considering the impact on students' learning skills. The research examines teachers' attitudes, potential demographic influences, perceived impacts on students, and challenges and opportunities related to sustainability integration. By providing empirical evidence from a specific cultural context, the study fills a gap in the literature and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The findings contribute to informing curriculum development, teacher training, and policy decisions to advance sustainability education in Saudi Arabia and beyond.31 0Item Restricted Parametric Analysis and Life Cycle Cost Assessment for Optimizing PCM Application in Exterior Walls in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2024-11) Alamri, Uthman; James, JonesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) aims to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate its environmental impact as part of Vision 2030. The building sector has high energy consumption, particularly due to elevated cooling demands, which make up 70% of residential energy use. This is largely caused by uninsulated thermal mass and subsidized electricity rates. In addition, Vision 2030’s housing projects and labor shortage necessitate alternatives to current housing standards. Modular housing offers a solution to the labor shortage, but its success depends on lighter materials. This study proposes replacing thermal mass with PCM in modular housing and, investigates this using EnergyPlus simulations. The research investigated the optimal placement and thickness of PCM to maximize its thermal performance in SIPs. PCM application reduced the model total site energy by 12.9% to 13.7% with a thickness of 0.5–2.0 cm and significantly reduced the HVAC energy consumption by 37% to 39%. In this study, we developed LCCA models to assess the cost-effectiveness of PCM by establishing a price range per square foot that aligns with the energy savings that are usable in the KSA. This study also identified the maximum PCM production cost based on the LCCA analysis to ensure its investment use in KSA's construction industry.21 0Item Restricted Exploring the Role of Strategic Management Accounting in Enhancing Organizational Performance: A Comprehensive Literature Review(Swansea University, 2024-09) Alfaddah, Zuhair; Ojra, JafarThis dissertation explores the role of Strategic Management Accounting (SMA) in enhancing organizational performance through a comprehensive review of existing literature. SMA, which integrates financial and non-financial information with long-term strategic goals, is positioned as a critical tool for improving decision-making and maintaining competitive advantage. Key techniques such as Activity-Based Costing (ABC), the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Target Costing, and Benchmarking are examined for their contributions to aligning management accounting with broader business strategies. The study identifies SMA’s potential to improve resource allocation, cost control, and performance measurement by linking accounting practices with strategic objectives. However, the successful implementation of SMA is challenged by factors such as complexity, high implementation costs, and resistance to cultural change within organizations. These barriers, especially prevalent in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), underscore the importance of tailoring SMA techniques to specific organizational needs and fostering cross-functional collaboration. The dissertation also highlights gaps in the literature, particularly the under-exploration of SMA in service industries and its integration with emerging business trends such as sustainability and digital transformation. Recommendations are provided for practitioners on how to overcome implementation barriers, invest in data infrastructure, and integrate SMA into strategic planning processes. In conclusion, while SMA offers significant benefits for improving long-term competitiveness and decision-making, its effectiveness depends on the organization's ability to align SMA practices with strategic goals, adapt to evolving market conditions, and overcome operational and cultural challenges. The study suggests areas for further research, including the application of SMA in non- manufacturing industries and its role in supporting sustainability initiatives16 0Item Restricted Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Sustainable Project Management(University of Exeter, 2024-07-04) Alqurashi, Abdullah; Roman, Jose MelenezSustainable project management encompassed the economic, environmental, and social aspects of a project to attain the project objectives in a sustainable manner. Nonetheless, the integration of AI technologies in sustainable project management was still low due to factors like inadequate knowledge of technical know-how, costs of implementing AI technologies, and resistance from the project team. This research aimed to identify the factors that hinder the application of AI in project management for sustainable practices and provided recommendations for enhanced application. The research sought to understand the status of AI adoption, challenges faced, and the impact of knowledge management practices on project performance based on the survey of 40 professionals in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this research enhanced the theoretical understanding of the topic by identifying that the level of awareness of AI is much higher than the level of its adoption. The research results show that although the level of awareness of AI technologies is relatively high, the implementation of the technologies is limited because of technical, financial, and organizational constraints. This research has also highlighted how knowledge management practice can be used to close this gap which can enhance increase in project performance, reduce costs and promote innovation. The research provided practical recommendations for organizations interested in using AI for sustainability and following best practices on a global level and in alignment with the vision of Saudi Arabia for the future. When applying these recommendations, professionals will be able to increase project efficiency, reduce costs, and promote innovation which contributes to sustainable development goals. This research presents a conceptual model that outlines how AI technologies can be applied in sustainable project management, fostering innovation and sustainable development. The research also highlights the necessity for future research to delve deeper into developing actionable frameworks and practical strategies for integrating AI into sustainable project management.42 0Item Restricted Evaluating the Long-Term Influence of Culture-Led Regeneration on Civic Pride, Community Cohesion, and Social and Economic Inequalities: The Case of Hull(Cardiff university, 2024) Albalawi, Najat; Thomas, SmithABSTRACT Hull, a historically industrial city, has faced significant socio-economic decline and territorial stigmatization in recent decades. In response to these challenges, the city was designated as the UK City of Culture in 2017, an initiative aimed at revitalizing the local economy, enhancing civic pride, and fostering community cohesion through cultural investment. While the event year saw an increase in tourism, local engagement, and economic activity, questions remain about the initiative’s long-term impact. This dissertation explores the sustainability of the positive changes resulting from the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 initiative, with a focus on how it influenced civic pride, community cohesion, and socio-economic inequalities. Using a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative interviews and document analysis, the research critically examines whether the benefits of the cultural initiative have been sustained in the years following 2017. This dissertation concludes that while the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 brought short-term benefits to the city, it has fallen short in addressing deeper structural issues. The study highlights the importance of ongoing investment and long-term strategies to ensure the sustainability of culture-led regeneration in post-industrial cities like Hull.27 0Item Restricted Integrating Vernacular Architecture Attributes into Contemporary Residential Design Utilising BIM and Digital Technologies: Comprehensive Synthesis and Evaluation(University of Liverpool, 2024) Battoyor, Mashal; Haidar, AdonisRecently, there has been a threat of losing traditions and architectural cultural identity, including the potential loss of vernacular architecture due to several aspects, one of which is the globalisation of the construction industry. Also, there is an escalated concern regarding the detrimental environmental impact of the built environment, and sustainability practice has been heavily recommended. However, these sustainability and cultural challenges can be mitigated by preserving and integrating the accumulated knowledge of vernacular architecture into contemporary practice. Thus, this research comprehensively evaluates and synthesises literature and practical applications of integrating vernacular architecture attributes into contemporary residential design using BIM and digital technologies. It aims to establish a comprehensive framework for this integration to assist practitioners in enhancing sustainability and cultural relevance. To achieve this aim, two stages of the literature review are conducted: initial and systematic. The initial literature review establishes a critical understanding of the main concepts related to the research area. Then, the systematic literature review that follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines is conducted to investigate and assess the current practice of BIM and digital technologies in residential vernacular architecture. The research used a mixed-methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative data to synthesise descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The result shows that BIM and digital technologies can significantly aid in integrating vernacular architecture attributes into contemporary residential design practice, mitigating sustainability and cultural relevance challenges. It also provides a comprehensive framework that shows new horizons and triggers future studies.5 0Item Restricted Adopting Green Technology through Green Organisational Culture: A Comparative Case Study of Saudi Logistics Companies in Dammam(University of Leeds, 2024) Alotaibi, Maha; Yew Wong, CheeThe primary purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of green organisational culture that facilitate the adoption of green technology in the Saudi logistics sector. Using an interpretive research method and a qualitative approach, data were collected through ten interviews with senior and middle management from two logistics companies in the city of Dammam. The findings of the research expose several attributes of green organisational culture that enhance the adoption of green technology. First, flexibility within organisational culture is demonstrated by fostering shared values and beliefs among employees, including sustainability, accountability, cooperation, and commitment. Second, involving employees in sustainability initiatives to address environmental challenges enables organisations to develop their skills and generate innovative solutions. Third, cooperation with stakeholders to overcome barriers to green technology adoption. Fourth, the ability to respond effectively to external changes facilitates the adoption of green technology. Finally, the commitment of senior management to integrating sustainability practices into the organisation’s overall .strategy In contrast, there are attributes of organisational cultures that are focused on quality control and a lack of open communication channels between different parts of the organisation affects the successful implementation of green technology. Moreover, the type of organisational culture prevailing within a company influences the selection of green .technologies that are appropriate for achieving organisation objectives This study highlights organisational culture's critical role in driving green technology adoption .within the logistics sector18 0Item Restricted Deployment Of Advanced ICT To Achieve Net Zero(Loughborough University, 2024-09) Alghamdi, Ghaida; Hassan, TarekThis research investigates how advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to achieving net-zero carbon emissions throughout the construction process's life cycle. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study employed a questionnaire to evaluate the role of ICT utilisation in reducing carbon emissions across the various construction phases. The survey, distributed via email and industry-related online platforms, gathered data from 45 participants, including engineers, project managers, and architects. The results indicated that Building Information Modelling (BIM) was the most widely used ICT tool, adopted by 77.78% of participants, with Virtual Reality (VR) and Computer Vision (CV) also prominently featured. Notably, drones and VR were extensively used during the construction phase, while Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) saw increased usage in the post-construction phase. An overwhelming 88% of participants perceived the impact of these tools on sustainability as either strong or moderate. The study concludes that deploying advanced ICT tools such as VR, AR, and AI significantly enhances time savings, quality, safety, and overall project performance, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. BIM, in particular, emerged as the most extensively used tool, supported by technologies like VR and drones. The research highlights the vital role of ICT in advancing sustainability and achieving net-zero targets in the construction industry, while also acknowledging the need to address challenges associated with emerging technologies like WSNs.26 0Item Restricted Sustainable Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Balancing Local Community Benefits with Environmental Challenges.(Newcastle University, 2024) Alkahlani, Sabreen; Liu, Yu-LunSaudi Arabia's Vision 2030 emphasises sustainable tourism as a key component of an ongoing economic diversification strategy that aims to enhance socioeconomic welfare, address environmental issues, and preserve cultural heritage in both urban and rural areas across the country. While the Kingdom has been traditionally reliant on money from oil extraction, with its tourist trade dominated by religious tourism, its tourism sector is now being transformed and expanded, which requires a focus on sustainable practices. This study thus addresses a gap in the literature by examining the impacts of sustainable tourism on local communities and the environment in several rapidly developing regions such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. Quantitative surveys were applied as the primary analytical approach, and the findings highlight significant both social and economic benefits, including job creation and income growth, as well as challenges in terms of balancing economic development with cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. The conclusion developed is therefore that, while Vision 2030 has improved public understanding of the benefits of tourism, there is a critical need to address various environmental challenges to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector. This leads to the development of recommendations focused on equitable economic distribution and the integration of sustainable practices in public transport and SME support.25 0Item Restricted Assessing Environmental Degradation and Sustainability Claims in AlUla City(University of Leicester, 2024) Bakhsh, Talah; Gosh, AdityaThis study explores the impact of tourism activities on biodiversity in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on understanding how different tourism components, such as heritage site visitation, infrastructure development, adventure tourism, and event-related activities, affect the region's natural environment. Employing a quantitative research design, the study gathers data from 262 stakeholders, including local residents, tourists, businesses, and environmental organizations. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings reveal significant correlations between tourism activities and biodiversity degradation, highlighting the role of infrastructure development and adventure tourism in exacerbating environmental pressures. Event-related activities were also found to contribute to biodiversity challenges, though to a lesser degree. These results underscore the need for sustainable tourism practices that balance economic growth with environmental conservation. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable tourism by providing empirical evidence from the unique context of AlUla, a region rich in cultural heritage and biodiversity. The insights gained offer practical recommendations for policymakers, environmentalists, and tourism stakeholders aiming to develop tourism strategies that mitigate negative environmental impacts while promoting sustainable growth. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into tourism planning to preserve the region's biodiversity for future generations.11 0