JOURNAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES

The present study aims to shed light on the role of talent management practices in strengthening the competitive advantage from the point of view of decision-makers (deans, vice deans and heads of academic departments) at Shaqra University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The researcher has also used the questionnaire that was developed under the guidance of the previous studies and related to the topic of the research. The data have been collected from the study population of 105. Statistical analysis have come to a number of findings, most of which have found that there is a significant correlation and effect for all dimensions of talent management practices ("recruitment", talent recruitment, talent development, and talent retention) in achieving competitive advantage.

Recent reports suggest that policymakers and practitioners of women’s empowerment the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is planning to give more opportunities for women by 2030, which includes the leadership positions in the public and private sectors.  The role of religion in hindering the women’s empowerment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is an extensively researched topic, KSA being the center of attention. However, the Islamic Shariah and its implications are highly influenced by the socio-cultural norms, which is evident from the huge differences in women’s empowerment within the GCC countries. By giving too much importance to the role of religion, many of the earlier studies failed discuss the role of historic, social and cultural factors in deterring the women’s empowerment in the GCC countries. Further, opportunity for the women to lead is also an important criterion when the extent of empowerment is evaluated. Therefore, the present study evaluated the role of governmental policies and factors other than religion in shaping the women’s empowerment in the KSA and other GCC countries. Further, we checked to what extend women adorn the leadership positions in the government sectors of KSA and other GCC countries. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review of articles published after 2005 on the women’s empowerment to assess the current scenario. The analysis followed a qualitative route – thematic analysis method was used to represent the different areas of concern, including the socio-cultural, economic factors as well as issues related to women-in-leadership. We found that women in KSA and other GCC countries are still facing inequality and discrimination in the recruitment and appointment processes. Factors that may act as hurdles for women to attain leadership position in higher education include personal, cultural, and organizational barriers. However, recent reports indicate that the perceptions of people living in the GCC regions is also changing and policy makers are becoming increasingly aware about the need for women’s empowerment. We suggest gender-specific training programs and affirmation in recruitment for the females. Training programs can play an essential role in polishing the professional capabilities and can boost the value of females in the labor market. Consequently, women's empowerment in the GCC countries can be boosted and improved female representation in the leadership can be achieved.

This research is based on a case study conducted by means of observation at Al-Qassim National Hospital, Saudi Arabia. The findings of this case study have aided the exploration of the vision of Saudi Arabia’s National Health Services (SA NHS) regarding the prioritization of information security in healthcare databases and the usage of information technology. The study observes the use of information technology and its practices and priorities regarding information security. This research gives a brief overview of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare services. Moreover, different challenges including information security and successful adoption of information technology are discussed. As well, this work highlights some important drivers of the information security of electronic personal records (EPR). The paper presents the findings from this case study at Al-Qassim National Hospital.

The objective of the study is to explore the impact of MIS on the process of decision-making in the telecommunications sector of Saudi Arabia and to determine whether decision-making is influenced by factors such as data, hardware, software and organizational skills. The study focuses on the telecommunication sector represented by STC, Mobily and Zain in Saudi Arabia. The primary data collected from 171 employees of the three companies in Qassim region has been analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and factor analysis. The study has achieved many objectives, most importantly, the validation of all hypotheses of research, thus, that use of information systems (Data, Devices, Software, Organizational Skills) positively affects the decision-making process. Correlation coefficients of all independent variables with the dependent variable range between 0.62-0.84 with statistically significance. Total variance explained by the four factors in Factor analysis is about 85% which is quite high. According to the regression result, Data has the highest impact on Decision Making with the relative coefficient size of 0.61, followed by Organizational Skills at 0.35. Software is the third most important factor. However, the Devices variable is statistically insignificant. The study also reveals that most respondents are cognizant of the importance, advantages and benefits of applying management information systems in these companies. In addition, the study finds that the application of management information systems leads to efficient and effective decision-making in communications companies. Based on the results, it is recommended that companies should take interest in development of information systems by using the latest equipment and advanced programs. The study also recommends the need for flexibility in the flow and exchange of information between management levels and ensuring access to information for all staff. Another recommendation is that telecom companies should develop organizational skills of their staff to ensure the effectiveness of information systems in making decisions.

The research aimed to study the effect of liberalizing exchange rate fluctuations of the Egyptian pound against the US dollar on some macroeconomic performance indicators such as: inflation, commodity exports, and foreign direct investment, using the Autoregressive Linear Delayed Gaps (ARDL) model. It has been shown that there is a co-integration relationship between the exchange rate and both: the value of commodity exports, the inflation rate, and foreign direct investment. There is also a short-term equilibrium relationship towards the long-term between the exchange rate and the same variables mentioned above. The research recommended not to rely on raising the interest rate only to reduce inflation, but it is necessary to carry out structural reforms in the structures of production and exports, as well as to reconsider the foreign direct investment system, and to generate job opportunities through the injection of new foreign investments, instead of selling shares in existing companies, as the goal of foreign investment is to create new productive capacity within society, whose economic and social effects will affect the Egyptian market.