Organizational learning, resilience and psychological empowerment as antecedents of work engagement during COVID-19

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lama Blaique ◽  
Hussein Nabil Ismail ◽  
Hazem Aldabbas
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
East Region ◽  
Middle East Region ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between organizational learning (OL) and work engagement (WE) in the Middle East region amid the COVID-19 pandemic and to test the mediating role of employee resilience (ER) and psychological empowerment (PE) on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe sample size was 208 respondents working in the Middle East area during COVID-19. Hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with bootstrapping.FindingsThe findings indicate a significant positive impact of OL on WE. Moreover, both constructs – ER and WE – were identified as mediators for this relationship.Practical implicationsPractical implications within this study call for organizations to focus on promoting a learning culture in order to adapt and respond effectively to unprecedented external challenges.Originality/valueThe current study extends previous research and strengthens the antecedents of WE, namely, OL, ER and PE in the Middle East region while controlling for COVID-19 perceptions.

scholarly journals Balancing deterrence: Iran-Israel relations in a turbulent Middle East

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Maher
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
National Security ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Main Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East Region ◽  
Regional Dynamics ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
Middle East Region

Purpose This paper aims to examine the regional dynamics that further consolidated Israel’s national security in the Middle East in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, reflecting upon the nuclear challenge between Iran and Israel and Iran's expanding activities in the region. Design/methodology/approach To prove the central argument, the study uses a conceptual framework that centers on deterrence as the main approach used by states to consolidate their influence in the Middle East region. Findings Iran's nuclear progress and influence in the region has strengthened Israel’s security and fostered an unprecedented open rapprochement led by USA efforts with the Gulf regimes. Originality/value The paper draws particular attention to the Iran–Israel nuclear competency, and the Israeli preferred policy options regarding Iranian activities in the region amid turbulent Middle East. In addition, the paper offers insight to the regional dynamics that further consolidated Israel’s national security in the region while maintaining a status of Arab vulnerability and backwardness.

scholarly journals Accumulation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates Belonging to Lineage 2, Global Clone 1, from Outbreaks in 2012–2013 at a Tehran Burns Hospital

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Douraghi ◽  
Johanna J. Kenyon ◽  
Parisa Aris ◽  
Mahla Asadian ◽  
Sedighe Ghourchian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Carbapenem Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
East Region ◽  
Lineage 2 ◽  
Middle East Region

ABSTRACT The worldwide distribution of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has become a global concern, particularly in countries where antibiotic prescription is not tightly regulated. However, knowledge of the genomic aspects of CRAB from many parts of the world is still limited. Here, 50 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates recovered at a single hospital in Tehran, Iran, during several outbreaks in 2012 and 2013 were found to be resistant to multiple antibiotics. They were examined using PCR mapping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). All Iranian strains belonged to sequence type 328 in the Institut Pasteur MLST scheme (ST328IP), a single-locus variant of ST81IP, and all Iranian strains contained two carbapenem resistance genes, oxa23 and oxa24. The oxa23 gene is in the transposon Tn2006 in AbaR4, which interrupts the chromosomal comM gene. Phylogenetic analysis using whole-genome sequence (WGS) data for 9 isolates showed that they belonged to the same clade, designated the ST81/ST328 clade, within lineage 2 of global clone 1 (GC1). However, there were two groups that included either KL13 or KL18 at the K locus (KL) for capsular polysaccharide synthesis and either a tet39 or an aadB resistance gene, respectively. The genetic context of the resistance genes was determined, and the oxa24 (OXA-72 variant) and tet39 (tetracycline resistance) genes were each in a pdif module in different plasmids. The aadB gene cassette (which encodes gentamicin, kanamycin, and tobramycin resistance) was harbored by pRAY*, and the aphA6 gene (which encodes amikacin resistance) and sul2 gene (which encodes sulfamethoxazole resistance) were each harbored by a different plasmid. The sequences obtained here will underpin future studies of GC1 CRAB strains from the Middle East region. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains are among the most critical antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing hospital-acquired infections and treatment failures. The global spread of two clones has been responsible for the bulk of the resistance, in particular, carbapenem resistance. However, there is a substantial gap in our knowledge of which clones and which specific lineages within each clone are circulating in many parts of the world, including Africa and the Middle East region. This is the first genomic analysis of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains from Iran. All the isolates, from a single hospital, belonged to lineage 2 of global clone 1 (GC1) but fell into two groups distinguished by genes in the locus for capsule biosynthesis. The analysis suggests a potential origin of multiply antibiotic-resistant lineage 2 in the Middle East region and highlights the ongoing evolution of carbapenem-resistant GC1 A. baumannii strains. It will enhance future studies on the local and global GC1 population structure.

An empirical analysis of stock market interdependence and volatility spillover in the stock markets of Africa and Middle East region

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajaya Kumar Panda ◽  
Swagatika Nanda ◽  
Rashmi Ranjan Paital
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Stock Markets ◽  
Volatility Spillover ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East Region ◽  
Long Run ◽  
International Investors ◽  
Middle East Region

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the short-term and long-term interdependence among the stock markets of Africa and Middle East region. It also attempts to analyze the pattern of volatility spillover among the regional stock markets. Design/methodology/approach The study has used Granger causality test, variance decomposition test of vector auto-regression (VAR) model, vector error correction model (VECM), multivariate generalized conditional heteroskedasticity (MGARCH-BEKK) models and Johansen and Juselius multivariate cointegration techniques. Findings The study finds that the interlinkages of the stock markets are not uniform across all the countries of the region. The stock market of Israel, South Africa and Jordan are found to be highly connected stock market of the region followed by Egypt and Botswana. The study also finds significant spillover of lagged standardized volatility across the stock markets of the region. But the magnitude of the response of volatility spillover and its persistence is very minimum. However, the stock markets are found to be co-integrated and expected to share long-run equilibrium relationships among each other. Research limitations/implications The study has the scope to be extended to capture the time-varying integration of market returns with transmission of monetary policy and exchange rate changes within the region. The results obtained from this study may assist the firm managers and international investors to understand the key drivers of market connectedness. Originality/value Empirically investigating the pattern of stock market connectedness in Africa and Middle East region with advanced methodology over a long study period is the originality of this study.

Determinants of Web-based disclosure in the Middle East

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henda Abdi ◽  
Henda Kacem ◽  
Mohamed Ali Brahim Omri
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Company Size ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
East Region ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Middle East Region

Purpose This paper aims to examine the factors influencing the extent of information disclosed on the companies’ websites in the Middle East region. Design/methodology/approach This study uses multiple regression models to examine the impact of some companies’ characteristics (company size, leverage, profitability, size of the audit firm, ownership concentration) on the extent of online disclosure. The study was conducted on 170 listed companies in seven countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey). The website content was analyzed during the period from September 2015 to December 2015. Findings The results reveal that the most important factors influencing the level of Web-based disclosure are company size, leverage and the size of the audit firm. Practical implications The results of the study will help regulators to formulate policies about Web-based disclosure as they offer insights into the characteristics of those companies which do and do not meet investors’ demands for online information. Thereby, the regulators might expect that the Middle East companies engage in the online reporting to be larger, have higher debt levels and audited by a big-four audit firm. Originality/value This study, added to the existing literature by analyzing seven countries in the Middle East region, allows having a clearer idea on the online disclosure in this region as a whole, which has not been examined before. In this paper, to assess the information’s disclosure on the website, the study has been interested in all of the information presented on the websites: financial and non-financial information.

The use of discretionary loan loss provisions by Islamic banks and conventional banks in the Middle East region

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Ben Othman ◽  
Hounaida Mersni
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Loan Loss ◽  
Accounting Earnings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Loan Loss Provisions ◽  
East Region ◽  
Conventional Banks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Middle East Region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study earnings management practices of Islamic banks and conventional banks in the Middle East region. First, the authors examine factors that may influence Islamic banks managers' use of discretion in reporting loan loss provisions (LLP). Second, the authors investigate differences that may exist between Islamic banks and non-Islamic banks in terms of discretionary loan loss provisions (DLLP) used to manipulate accounting earnings. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical study uses an unbalanced panel data of 21 Islamic banks, 18 conventional banks with Islamic windows and 33 conventional banks, from seven Middle East countries during a period that ranges from 2000 to 2008. The authors use a two-stage approach in order to examine factors that may influence the use of discretion by Islamic banks' managers. Findings – The empirical results reveal that Islamic banks use DLLP for both earnings and capital management. External financing is also found to be a determinant of DLLP. Additional findings show no significant differences among Islamic banks, conventional banks with Islamic windows and conventional banks in using DLLP. These three groups of banks behave similarly in terms of discretion based on DLLP. Practical implications – The findings are potentially useful for regulators, auditors and investors. This study provides regulators with insights to strengthen their financial regulations in order to improve accounting quality. In addition, it helps auditors when considering the provisioning policies adopted by banks in order to detect specific manipulations of accounting earnings. The results may also help investors to focus on the impact of managerial discretion on accounting earnings for evaluation purposes. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on Islamic banking. On the one hand, it extends prior research by examining the discretionary component of LLP, instead of being restricted to total LLP. On the other hand, it compares the use of discretion among three groups of banks: full Islamic banks, conventional banks with Islamic windows and full conventional banks.

Ethical leadership and work engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1991-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israr Ahmad ◽  
Yongqiang Gao
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Power Distance Orientation ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Employee Work Engagement ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between ethical leadership and employee work engagement as well as the moderating effect of power distance orientation.Design/methodology/approachWith a multi-wave survey, this paper uses a sample of 251 employees from the banking sector in Pakistan to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that psychological empowerment partially mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employee work engagement. Besides, power distance orientation mitigates the positive relationship between ethical leadership and psychological empowerment as well as the indirect effect of ethical leadership on employee work engagement via psychological empowerment.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing ethical leadership literature by identifying psychological empowerment as an additional mediator and power distance orientation as a boundary condition, in the relationship between ethical leadership and employee work engagement.

Effects of religiosity on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 786-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Mourad Hussein Abou-Youssef ◽  
Wael Kortam ◽  
Ehab Abou-Aish ◽  
Noha El-Bassiouny
Keyword(s):  
Practical Importance ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East Region ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Potential Customers ◽  
Middle East Region ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of Islamic religiosity on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt.Design/methodology/approach– The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, employing both qualitative in-depth interviews and quantitative surveys.Findings– The main findings of the study show that religiosity has an impact on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt. Major religiosity clusters were identified from the sample and these were associated with attitudes toward Islamic banking.Practical implications– The findings of this research are of practical importance for marketers in Islamic banks, as they reflect on the likely role religiosity would play in shaping the attitudes of potential customers toward their products. Thus, marketers can use the religiosity scale in measuring intention to use their banking services.Originality/value– The study was implemented in Egypt, where the volume of research on this topic is very limited; thus the context of the study is of value to researchers and practitioners and it can serve as a base for future studies in the Middle East region.

Attitudes toward femvertising in the Middle East: the case of Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samer Elhajjar
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East Region ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Middle East Region

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a clear understanding of the use of femvertising in Lebanon and its effects on consumers in general. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected using an online survey questionnaire, administered to a random sample of 318 individuals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Lebanese people positively perceive the implication of women empowerment in advertisement. Gender, trust in ads, support of women’s rights and feminist self-identification, all have an impact on consumer behavior toward femvertising. However, the educational level and age do not affect the attitudes toward femvertising. Practical implications The practical contributions of our research derive from the importance of our findings on the uniqueness of the knowledge and information in the Middle East region. The importance of increasing knowledge of gender roles and Marketing in the Middle East is highly related to the gender dynamics embedded within broader globalization debates. Originality/value While studies have been extensive on the utilization of femvertising as a marketing strategy, the contexts under which these studies have been published, are mainly focused in the West. Hence, the Middle East in general and Lebanon, in particular, has witnessed no comprehensive and serious research on the subject. Consequently, this study is considered important and a major step toward establishing a theoretical base and underpinnings on the subject of utilization of femvertising in brands’ marketing strategies.

Deepening Saudi-Emirati cooperation may be divisive

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inaugural Meeting ◽  
East Region ◽  
Middle East Region

Subject Saudi-Emirati strategic partnership. Significance The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are accelerating their strategic partnership. On June 6 they held the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council (SECC), signalling increased assertiveness and a deliberate turning-away from the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The partnership has become pivotal for the region but has delivered mixed results. Impacts The new SECC will eclipse the troubled GCC as the driver of Gulf policies and may deter US efforts to convene a GCC summit in September. Excluded Kuwait and Oman may look for other regional ties, as they face increasing pressure from the Saudi-Emirati duo. The two countries’coordination against Iran will define long-term alliances in the Middle East region.

scholarly journals The Impact of CEOs’ Transformational Leadership on Sustainable Organizational Innovation in SMEs: A Three-Wave Mediating Role of Organizational Learning and Psychological Empowerment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saira Begum ◽  
Enjun Xia ◽  
Khalid Mehmood ◽  
Yaser Iftikhar ◽  
Yan Li
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Time Lagged ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The sustainable organizational innovation is of paramount importance for enhancing productivity in firms and provides organizations with the strategic direction needed to allow them to perform at an international level. The leadership styles play a key role in their firms’ potential to consistently innovate. Using data from a time-lagged design with three waves, CEOs of Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participated in the study. The findings reveal that psychological empowerment mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and sustainable organizational innovation. Organizational learning was found to indirectly effect the relationship between transformational leadership and sustainable organizational innovation. It also demonstrated that psychological empowerment had a positive impact on organizational learning. The findings indicate the strategic significance of transformational leadership and its influence on sustainable organizational innovation for SMEs. Theoretical contributions and practical implications were also discussed.

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