Marketing information, management and use: the case of Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 653-672
Author(s):  
Hussein Abdulla El-Omari
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Muslim Country ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Environment ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Industrial Organizations ◽  
Marketing Information

Purpose Obtaining, managing and using proper marketing information are considered an important strategic issue that cannot be ignored in the light of stiffening competition locally and internationally. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the level of importance attached by Saudi industrial organizations to good management and use of quality marketing information. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire method was used to collect the required data. Using a self-distributed method, the questionnaire was provided to top management levels of 80 companies from different industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia, selected randomly from a list provided by Saudi’s Chamber of Industry. Despite all attempts, only 30 completed questionnaires were returned and used in the statistical analysis for this study. This gave a response rate of 37.5 per cent. Used in this study’s statistical analysis were descriptive statistics such as frequencies, measures of central tendency such as the mean and median, measures of dispersion such as standard deviation and measures of distribution such as skewness and kurtosis. Advanced statistics, such as factor analysis statistics, were also used. Findings The study’s findings indicate how company variables are related to the ideal and actual marketing information application variables. Management’s capacity to develop a marketing plan and effectively observe the improvement may be the most demanding part of achieving desired results. This study further examined the degree to which Saudi business organizations are aware of how important it is to obtain and use proper marketing information. To develop good marketing plans, those business organizations must understand the nature of Saudi’s social structure. Its organization and welfare services are rooted in the values and traditions of Arab Muslim Culture. One of the five basic Pillars of Faith in Islam is the practice of Alms-giving and care of needy. Furthermore, people’s behavior is heavily influenced by the value, norms and expectations of Islam. Research limitations/implications This research offers a methodology to develop a better comprehension of the importance of having good management of marketing information and its use in Saudi Arabia via a description of the significant variables that form marketing information management and use. The current study also calls for more empirical research into this area of marketing in Saudi Arabia. The empirical nature of this study revealed some recommendations for future work that should look into the issues highlighted in this study. It would be useful to apply this study to other similar contexts, which may prove helpful in reexamining the validity of its results. However, further studies are needed to validate the findings of this study, as all behavioral and cultural variables were not investigated and are left for future research. In addition, this is a deductive research; therefore, some important variables may have been omitted, which is another reason for recommending more empirical studies of this type in Saudi Arabia and similar contexts. Practical implications Investigating this type of study in Saudi Arabia gives a unique implication, as it calls for better understanding of the Islamic Marketing Environment of this country, which has two important holy Mosques of Islam (i.e. Al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosques). There is no denying that the marketing environment characteristics in any society are affected by environmental circumstances, and Saudi Arabia as the most important Muslim Country, is no exception. Originality/value The central issue of this paper is related to the importance of having, managing and using good marketing information by industrial organizations. With this issue in mind, this study was carried out in a Muslim country (i.e. Saudi Arabia). Although the Saudi market has many dealers, domestic and international trades and co-operatives, there is little relevant data about the existing marketing systems, i.e. scarcity of market data and information concerning demand, consumption, opportunities and competition.

An exploratory empirical study of whistleblowing and whistleblowers

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-770
Author(s):  
Maria Krambia-Kapardis
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Due Date ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
European Directive ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of whistleblowers and to determine whether whistleblowing legislation would encourage those individuals to bring to light some illegal or unethical behaviour that otherwise would remain in the shadows. Design/methodology/approach Having identified whistleblowing correlation, a survey was carried out in Cyprus of actual whistleblowers and could-have-been whistleblowers. Findings Males between 46 and55 years of age, regardless of whether they have dependents or hold senior positions in organizations are significantly more likely to blow the whistle. However, could-have-been whistleblowers did not go ahead because they felt that the authorities would not act on their information. Research limitations/implications Because of the sensitive nature of the research topic and the fact that only whistleblowers or intended whistleblowers could participate in the study, the sample size is limited as a result. This, in turn, limits both the number of respondents in each category (actual and intended) as well as constrains the statistical analysis that could be carried out on the data. Practical implications It remains to be seen whether EU Member States shall implement the European Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union Law, in its entirety by the due date, namely December 2021. Originality/value This study provides a literature review of whistleblowing and reports an original survey against the backdrop of the European Directive.

Young consumer-brand relationship building potential using digital marketing

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1993-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolla Confos ◽  
Teresa Davis
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Digital Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Environment ◽  
Online Branding ◽  
Brand Relationship ◽  
Branding Strategies ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
Mobile Phone Applications

Purpose This paper aims to examine branding strategies directed at child consumers, used by six high fat, sugar and salt food brands across three different digital marketing platforms. It identifies brand relationship building potential in this digital context. Design/methodology/approach This study analyses the contents of branded mobile phone applications, branded websites (including advergames) and branded Facebook sites to understand the nature of young consumer–brand relationship strategies that marketers are developing in this digital media marketing environment. Findings The use of sophisticated integrated branding strategies in immersive online media creates the potential for marketers to build relationships between young consumers and brands at an interactive, direct and social level not seen in traditional media. Categories of relationships and brand tactics are identified as outcomes of this analysis and linked to brand relationship building potential. Research limitations/implications The results suggest that branded communication strategies that food companies use in the online environment are creating conditions that appeal to young consumers, fostering new ways to build brand relationships. As this is a dynamic medium in a fluid state of change, this exploratory study identifies and categorises the marketing strategy, but not the young consumers’ response to such branding strategies (a limitation). Originality/value This study details the potential for child–brand relationship building in the context of online branding environments. It identifies the potential for longer-term effects of embedded advertising directly to young consumers, within and across three digital media platforms.

Civil engineers’ personal values/demographics linkage in project team building

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1337-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atilla Damci ◽  
David Arditi ◽  
Gul Polat
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Team Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Civil Engineers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between civil engineers’ demographics (e.g. age, marital status, education, work experience) and their personal values. The objective was to predict civil engineers’ personal values based on their demographics. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was administered to civil engineers to collect data on their demographics and their personal values. Statistical analysis was performed to verify whether a significant statistical relationship exists between civil engineers’ demographics and their personal values. Findings The most important and the least important personal values were identified for civil engineers. Statistical analysis indicated that civil engineers’ values do vary based on their demographics. Research limitations/implications The results of this study cannot be generalized, because individuals’ personal values and demographics are, by definition, local. Location and culture may affect the personal values of civil engineers. Practical implications Team leaders normally have access to information about the demographics of the engineers they employ; based on the results of this study, they should be able to predict their personal values, and to make more informed decisions when appointing them to particular positions on project teams. Originality/value The research presented in this paper, establishes for the first time, that a linkage exists between civil engineers’ personal values and their demographics, and makes it easier for team leaders to make assignment decisions.

Cultural influence on brand loyalty of rural consumers in the Indian context

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Ranjan Parida ◽  
Sangeeta Sahney
Keyword(s):  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Market Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Rural Market ◽  
Rural Consumers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop a scale to identify and measure cultural factors and brand loyalty among rural consumers. The study also seeks to analyze the impact of identified cultural factors on the overall brand loyalty of rural consumers. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to measure cultural factors and brand loyalty of rural consumers. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to identify cultural factors, and a regression analysis was carried out to study the impact of the identified factors on brand loyalty. Findings Four dimensions of culture were identified from the study, i.e. virtuousness, religion, sociability and ethnocentrism. The analysis reveals that virtuousness is the most influencing factor on brand loyalty of rural consumers, followed by sociability and religion. Ethnocentrism was found to have insignificant influence on brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications The Indian rural market is a market of opportunity and unlimited business potential. An understanding of the cultural factors of rural markets and their influence on brand loyalty would help marketers and business organizations build an appropriate market strategy to explore benefits. Originality/value The paper attempts to explore the influence of certain cultural factors on the brand loyalty of Indian rural consumers, which has not been researched extensively. This provides a good insight for all marketers who want to succeed in this market.

Ethics and accounting education: does teaching stand-alone religious courses affect accounting students’ ethical decisions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim El-Sayed Ebaid
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Business Ethics ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
T Test ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Hours ◽  
Ethical Decisions

Purpose Undergraduate accounting program at Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia is a unique case. The program includes 147 credit hours of which 28 credit hours are religious courses. This study aims to examine the effect of teaching these religious courses on students’ ethical perceptions and decisions. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted for a sample of accounting students at Umm Al-Qura University. The sample was divided into two groups; the first group includes students who did not study religious courses, while the second group includes students who study religious courses. The questionnaire contained three groups of questions that aimed to explore students’ perceptions of ethics in general, students’ perceptions of business ethics and explored their ethical attitudes regarding some accounting decisions that involve ethical dilemmas. Independent two-sample t-test and multiple regression analysis were used to determine whether the responses of the two groups were significantly different. Findings The findings of the study revealed that teaching religious courses led to an improvement in students’ perception of business ethics and an improvement in students’ ethical decision-making. However, the results of the independent sample t-test showed that this improvement was not significant. The results of the study also revealed that male students tend to make less ethical decisions than female students. Research limitations/implications The findings offer an indication for those responsible for managing the accounting program at Umm Al-Qura University to start developing the program so that some of the general religious courses are replaced with specialized courses in accounting ethics that focus directly on ethical dilemmas faced by the accountant when practicing the accounting profession. Originality/value This study contributes to the current literature related to examining the effect of teaching ethics courses on the ethical perception of accounting students by focusing on accounting students in Saudi Arabia as a context that has not been examined before.

The impact of board composition and ownership structure on dividend payout policy: evidence from Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmi A. Boshnak
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Payout Policy ◽  
Board Composition ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Propensity To Pay ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study examines the impact of board composition and ownership structure variables on dividend payout policy in Saudi Arabian firms. In particular, it aims to determine the effect of board size, independence and meeting frequency, in addition to chief executive officer (CEO) duality, and state, institutional, managerial, family, and foreign ownership on both the propensity to pay dividends and dividend per share for Saudi-listed firms over the period 2016–2019.Design/methodology/approachThe paper captures dividend policy with two measures, propensity to pay dividends and dividend per share, and employs a range of regression methods (logistic, probit, ordinary least squares (OLS) and random effects regressions) along with a two-stage least squares (2SLS) model for robustness to account for heteroscedasticity, serial correlation and endogeneity issues. The data set is a large panel of 280 Saudi-listed firms over the period 2016 to 2019.FindingsThe results underline the importance of board composition and the ownership structure in explaining variations in dividend policy across Saudi firms. More specifically, there is a positive relationship between the propensity to pay dividends and board-meeting frequency, institutional ownership, firm profitability and firm age, while the degree of board independence, firm size and leverage exhibit a negative relation. Further, dividend per share is positively related to board meeting frequency, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, firm profitability and age, while it is negatively related to CEO duality, managerial ownership, and firm leverage. There is no evidence that family ownership exerts an impact on dividend payout policy in Saudi firms. The findings of this study support agency, signalling, substitute and outcome theories of dividend policy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study offers an important insight into the board characteristic and ownership structure drivers of dividend policy in the context of an emerging market. Moreover, the study has important implications for firms, managers, investors, policymakers, and regulators in Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence on four board and five ownership characteristic drivers of dividend policy in Saudi Arabia as an emerging stock market, thereby improving on less comprehensive previous studies. The study recommends that investors consider board composition and ownership structure characteristics of firms as key drivers of dividend policy when making stock investment decisions to inform them about the propensity of investee firms to pay dividends and maintain a given dividend policy.

Saudi anger over US pressure risks long-term pushback

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Content Type

Headline SAUDI ARABIA/US: Anger risks long-term pushback

Exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertising during the school commute in Australia

2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2021-217032
Author(s):  
Gina Trapp ◽  
Paula Hooper ◽  
Lukar E Thornton ◽  
Kelly Kennington ◽  
Ainslie Sartori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Outdoor Advertising ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Environment ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Food Advertisements ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
High Level

BackgroundFood marketing exposure has the potential to influence children’s dietary behaviours and health status, however, few studies have identified how ‘obesogenic’ the outdoor food marketing environment is along public transport (bus and/or train) or walking routes that children take to school.MethodsAudits of all outdoor advertisements present along likely train, bus and walking routes to 24 secondary schools (ie, 3 routes per school, 72 routes total) were conducted in Perth, Western Australia (WA). The size, content, type and setting of each advertisement were recorded in accordance with the International Network for Food and Obesity/non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support protocol for monitoring outdoor advertising.ResultsOf the 4016 total advertisements observed, almost half were for food (n=1754, 44%) and of these, 80% (n=1397) advertised discretionary (non-core) foods, and 8% (n=138) advertised healthy (core) foods. On average, commuting to school by train, bus and walking exposed Perth schoolchildren to 37.1, 22 and 4.5 discretionary (non-core) food ads per one-way trip to school, respectively.ConclusionsChildren living in Perth, WA experience a high level of exposure to unhealthy outdoor food advertisements during the school commute. Policies which restrict the placement and content of outdoor advertising, could be a useful strategy in the fight against childhood obesity.

The effect of social media use on empathy and welling: a personality perspective in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousa Albashrawi ◽  
Yousef Asiri ◽  
Muhammad Binsawad ◽  
Latifah Alqahtani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of social media use on both empathy and well-being through using a five-factor model (FFM) of personality in the context of Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the 13 regions in Saudi Arabia. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to measure the reliability and validity of the study’s constructs and a structural equation modeling technique was applied to test the study hypotheses. Findings With a sample of 450 users, the regression results indicate a less significant relationship between personality and social media use, as well as between personality and affective empathy, while a more significant relationship between personality and cognitive empathy. Also, individuals’ well-being are influenced directly by the heavy use of social media. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design used in this research may not be able to provide the true essence of the hypothesized relationships compared to the cause-effect design. This study furthers the understanding of the role of personality on empathy and well-being in social media among Saudis from one side and provides insights to professionals for better improvement of social media and so better individuals’ well-being from the other side. Originality/value This paper fills an untapped gap in a developing country context by exploring the relationship between the usage of social media and the two dimensions of empathy, which, in turn, influence well-being under the theoretical lens of an FFM personality.

The effect of external factors in use of technology among Ha’il university academic faculty: evidence from Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Khan ◽  
Najmonnisa Khan ◽  
Fawaz Jazim ◽  
Yaser Hasan Al-Mamary ◽  
Mohammed Abdulrab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Organization ◽  
Use Of Technology

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore external factors: organization technical support, organization administrative support, organization infrastructure and resources, and organization ICT policy’s effect on the commitment in use of technology among the faculty staff Hail university, Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey approach was used to collect data. A sample of 300 fulltime employees, having administrative and teaching responsibilities participated using a self-completion questionnaire. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation and multiple regressions to determine the impact of external factors on the commitment in use of technology.FindingsOverall, the results provided evidence that organization technical support, organization administrative support, and organization infrastructure and resources have a significant positive impact on the commitment in use of technology. However, organization ICT policy has an insignificant negative impact on the commitment in use of technology. The findings could be generalized on other public sector universities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were collected from one public sector university of Hail province, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Only four external factors were taken into consideration in investigating its influence on the commitment in use of technology. There could be other external/environmental factors which might be useful to underpin the theory and advance literature.Practical implicationsIn-service and trainee faculties should take an advantage of using learning management system. Faculty should create a positive learning environment in their online classes so the learners can take a benefit out of the immense investment on ICT by ministry of higher education. Apart from giving training to teaching staff in use of technology, learners should also be given a platform to increase and improve their digital literacy. Workshops can be conducted frequently for both faculties and learners. Faculty can offer additional and out of the class support to their reluctant and weak students in order to assist them in the use of technology.Originality/valueTechnology integration after COVID-19 outbreak has significantly changed the education sector throughout the world. The use of technology now is unavoidable at primary, secondary and at tertiary level. This study provides an exclusive viewpoint concerning the external/environmental evidence based findings that have not been investigated empirically in the Saudi Arabian context. The current study also provides statistically a theoretical five-component model to understand the phenomena in the field of information communication technology.

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