Seeking economic cyber security: a Middle Eastern example

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-507
Author(s):  
Tanya Gibbs

Purpose The transformation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into an important global economic player has been accompanied by digitalization that has also left it at a risk to cybercrime. Concurrent with the rise in technology use, the UAE fast became one of the most targeted countries in the world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the UAE has tried to cope with accelerating levels of cyber threat using legislative and regulatory efforts as well as public- and private-sector initiatives meant to raise cybersecurity awareness. Design/methodology/approach The paper surveys the UAE’s cybersecurity legislative, regulatory and educational initiatives from 2003 to 2019. Findings Because the human factor still remains the number one reason for security breaches, robust cyber laws alone are not enough to protect against cyber threats. Building public awareness and educating internet users about cyber risks and safety have become essential components of the UAE's efforts in building a more secure cyber environment for the country. Research limitations/implications The paper relies on English-language translations of primary sources (laws) originally in Arabic, as well as English-language studies from local media. This should not be considered a problem, as English is established as the language of business and commerce in the UAE. Practical implications The paper provides a detailed overview of the country’s cybersecurity environment to guide and aide practitioners with risk assessment and legal and regulatory compliance. Originality/value The paper presents a comprehensive overview of the UAE’s cybersecurity legislative, regulatory and educational environment. It also surveys government and private sector initiatives directed in protecting the country’s cyberspace.

Significance After initial support by US President Donald Trump for the measures launched by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt on June 5 against Qatar, Washington has shifted towards a push for dialogue. However, it has little leverage. The boycotting states maintain their list of 13 demands on Qatar, which include the closure of satellite network Al Jazeera, a key instrument of Qatar’s ‘independent’ foreign policy since 1996, as well as other media outlets. Impacts There is no chance Doha would close down Al Jazeera without regime change, given how humiliating that would be for the ruling family. The diplomatic focus will be almost entirely on Al Jazeera Arabic, with little interest in the English-language editorial line. Efforts to ban or exclude Al Jazeera from various Middle Eastern and African countries may gather pace, but with limited success.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Taylor ◽  
Jean Pierre Garat ◽  
Samer Simreen ◽  
Ghida Sarieddine

Purpose – This paper aims to outline the food safety roles and responsibilities within the industry that play an important role in the success of government initiatives, demonstrated using a new model of Food Safety Culture Excellence. It is the sixth article in a Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes theme issue presenting a comprehensive government strategy for improving food safety management standards across the hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach – A case study is used to demonstrate the impact of auditing the 16 dimensions of Food Safety Culture Excellence in practice. The business selected was the first in Abu Dhabi to achieve regulatory compliance for HACCP-based food safety management, and the first to conduct a Food Safety Culture Excellence audit in the United Arab Emirates. Findings – This article demonstrates how the concept of food safety culture works in practice, using the Food Safety Culture Excellence Model with four categories and 16 dimensions. It demonstrates how the auditing of culture within a business can highlight strengths and weaknesses and facilitate continual improvement. Originality/value – The article represents the first published model of Food Safety Culture Excellence, an extensively researched and tested model developed by Taylor Shannon International Ltd. and launched in conjunction with Campden BRI in 2014. It also demonstrates the first audit of the model in practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Tolani ◽  
Ananth Rao ◽  
Genanew B. Worku ◽  
Mohamed Osman

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze significant determinants to assess the probability of insureds’ intent to buy (ITB) insurance and willingness to pay (WTP) quantum of dollars for security benefits. Design/methodology/approach The authors use the Double Hurdle Model (DHM) and Neural Network (NN) architecture to analyze the insureds’ behavior for ITB and WTP. The authors apply these frameworks to all the 503 insureds of a branch of a leading insurer in the United Arab Emirates. Findings The DHM identified age, loans & liabilities, body mass index, travel outside the UAE, salary and country of origin (Middle Eastern and African) as significant determinants to predict WTP for social security benefits. In addition to these determinants, NN architecture identified insurance replacement, holding multiple citizenship, age of parents, mortgages, country of origin: Americas, length of travel, income of previous year and medical conditions of insured as additional important determinants to predict WTP for social security benefits; thus, NN is found to be superior to DHM due to its lowest RMSE and AIC in the holdout sample and also its flexibility and no assumptions unlike econometric models. Research limitations/implications Insureds’ data used from one UAE Branch limit the generalizability of empirical findings. Practical implications The study findings will enable the insurers to appropriately design the insurance products that match the insurers’ behavior of ITB and WTP for social security benefits. Social implications The study findings have the potential for insurance institutions to be more flexible in their insurance practices through public–private partnerships. Originality/value This is the authors’ original research work.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Yanping Gong ◽  
Julan Xie

PurposeThe ubiquity of mobile phone use has generated a common phenomenon called phubbing, a reference to snubbing someone in social settings and instead concentrating on one's phone. Despite numerous adverse effects of phubbing argued in previous research, the group of phubbers is growing intensively. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential transmission of phubbing between marital partners to raise public awareness of the propagation of phubbing.Design/methodology/approachA two-wave study with a 3-month interval was conducted, using matched husband–wife data from 253 Chinese couples. Husbands and wives separately completed questionnaires about their spouses’ phubbing and their marital quality. The dyadic data analysis method was applied to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe results confirm the transmission of phubbing and show a pronounced gender asymmetry in the process of phubbing transmission. Phubbing could be transmitted from wives to husbands, but not vice versa. Specifically, only wives' phubbing significantly undermine relationship quality, while relationship quality was negatively related to both husbands' phubbing and wives' phubbing.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of phubbing transmission and provide support for reciprocity theory and social role theory. Results can cause public attention to the transmissibility of phubbing and provide enlightenment on the management of personal phone behavior and offer insight into research on technology use in other types of interpersonal relationships.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauzia Jabeen ◽  
Maryam Al Hashmi ◽  
Vinita Mishra

Purpose This study aims to explore the antecedents that may lead to turnover intentions among police personnel in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from police personnel (n = 176) through a questionnaire survey, and structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships. Findings The findings revealed that the work-family conflict and job autonomy significantly correlate with turnover intentions. Alternatively, perceived organizational support does not predict turnover intentions. Research limitations/implications This research is limited by the study’s subjective assessment of police personnel turnover intentions through self-reported questionnaires. It provides implications for policymakers, organizational behavioral experts and those interested in formulating effective strategies to reduce turnover among police personnel. Originality/value This study offers a novel context as it assesses police personnel in an emerging Middle Eastern country. It provides insights to policymakers and academia concerning the factors strongly linked with police personnel turnover intentions and will help them formulate strategies for improving personnel satisfaction and advancing relationships between police and the community.


Significance Major banks and investment companies have also announced planned mergers in 2016-17. The Ipsos City Index in July named Abu Dhabi the second-best place to live and work, overtaking Paris and London. On the ground, however, the oil-price driven slowdown is finally starting to hit residents hard. Impacts The government will increase its emphasis on economic diversification, although this will be a difficult task. Loss-making state airline Etihad is likely to face another restructuring. Abu Dhabi’s vast reserves will enable it to retain its position as leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).


Headline UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Employment trumps private sector


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 887-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Lizette Garay-Rondero ◽  
Jose Luis Martinez-Flores ◽  
Neale R. Smith ◽  
Santiago Omar Caballero Morales ◽  
Alejandra Aldrette-Malacara

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model that defines the essential components shaping the new Digital Supply Chains (DSCs) through the implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach The scope of the present work exposes a conceptual approach and review of the key literature from 1989 to 2019, concerning the evolution and transformation of the actors and constructs in logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) by means of examining different conceptual models and a state-of-the-art review of Industry 4.0’s concepts and elements, with a focus on digitization in supply chain (SC) processes. A detailed study of the constructs and components of SCM, as defined by their authors, resulted in the development of a referential and systematic model that fuses the inherent concepts and roles of SCM, with the new technological trends directed toward digitization, automation, and the increasing use of information and communication technologies across logistics global value chains. Findings Having achieved an exploration of the different conceptual frameworks, there is no compelling evidence of the existence of a conceptual SCM that incorporates the basic theoretical constructs and the new roles and elements of Industry 4.0. Therefore, the main components of Industry 4.0 and their impact on DSC Management are described, driving the proposal for a new conceptual model which addresses and accelerates a vision of the future of the interconnectivity between different DSCs, grouped in clusters in order to add value, through new forms of cooperation and digital integration. Originality/value This research explores the gap in the current SCM models leading into Industry 4.0. The proposed model provides a novel and comprehensive overview of the new concepts and components driving the nascent and current DSCs. This conceptual framework will further aid researchers in the exploration of knowledge regarding the variables and components presented, as well as the verification of the newly revealed roles and constructs to understand the new forms of cooperation and implementation of Industry 4.0 in digitalized SCs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Virginia Bodolica ◽  
Bilal Kasih

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes of this paper are as follows: to assess the extent to which a new business concept or entrepreneurial idea represents a commercial success or practical failure, to estimate the complexities associated with the management of a partnership-based venture in the context of emerging markets, to demonstrate understanding of entrepreneurial action and strategic adaptation under the condition of uncontrollable external shocks (e.g. COVID-19) and to evaluate the pros and cons of different strategic options and provide viable recommendations for the future. Case overview/synopsis Startup entrepreneurship constitutes the backbone of the socioeconomic activity of any nation and a driver of innovation, industrial diversification and wealth generation, particularly in emerging market settings. Drawing upon narrative storytelling techniques, this case study immerses the reader into the intricacies of entrepreneurial venture creation within the dynamic startup ecosystem in the Middle East. It follows the story of a young serial entrepreneur, Omar, who decided to launch a business in the creative industry of arts in the United Arab Emirates in partnership with his friend, Ahmed. Their common venture, Mont8, showcased and promoted the artwork of budding and well-known Arab talents and was on track to become a recognizable brand in the Middle Eastern business of arts until the COVID-19 crisis shook the world taking everyone by surprise. In an attempt to build a successful post-pandemic future, Omar was convinced that Mont8 needed to fast-track its digital transformation. He envisioned an e-commerce marketplace that would empower Arab artists, designers and photographers to create customized virtual galleries on their own web-stores through the Mont8’s digital platform. Yet, Omar’s vision diverged drastically from the very conservative mindset of Ahmed, who did not want to disrupt tradition and argued in favor of a back-to-business-as-usual approach. It remains unclear whose option would be selected and whether the two partners would stay in this makeover together or rather part ways. Complexity academic level Upper-level undergraduate courses. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject Code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Russell ◽  
Racquel Warner

Purpose The concept of self-regulated learning (SRL) has become increasingly important in higher educational institutes seeking to provide students with a holistic education. It is important for students entering, and faculty within higher education, to understand whether future time perspective (FTP) or self-efficacy is more predictive of self-regulation. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Through the use convenience sampling, data were collected via an online survey from 130 undergraduate students attending universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Data were analysed using regression analysis and inferential measures identifying themes in participants study habits in order to examine whether it is FTP or self-efficacy that more strongly predicts SRL behaviours. Findings Results suggest that self-efficacy is a much stronger predictor of SRL in undergraduate students than goal setting, as measured by FTP. Student’s most deficient SRL behaviours related to reading and comprehension of texts prescribed across modules. Research limitations/implications Due to the fact that only an adjusted 33 per cent of self-regulation was predicted by the two variables under consideration, researchers are encouraged to identify further variables that may predict students SRL. Practical implications This paper seeks to support both students and faculty in how to draw on SRL in order to optimize students’ success in higher education. Originality/value The current research supports the identification of learning behaviours specific to branch campuses in a Middle-Eastern context.


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