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on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | Kohnert, Dirk |
| Abstract: | As early as 1991, Ali Mazrui argued that the Red Sea was not suitable for separating Africa from Arabia. The two regions were inextricably intertwined through languages, religions (particularly Islam) and identities in both the Sahara and the Red Sea in a historical fusion of Arabism and African identity. Their separation was closely linked to a broader trend in which the white world closed ranks and created a system of global apartheid. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increasingly viewed the Horn of Africa as their ‘Western security flank’. They were united in their desire to prevent the growing influence of Turkey, Iran and Qatar in this part of the world. These Gulf rivalries formed the basis for growing economic cooperation with SSA as well as military support and security alliances, particularly in the Horn of Africa. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which together have become the largest Gulf investors in Africa, compete with each other, particularly with Qatar, which has established embassies in most SSA countries. In addition, state and non-state actors from the Middle East and North Africa were closely involved in the destabilization of the Sahel in the 2010s by providing military, intelligence and ideological support to SSA states and terrorist groups. On the other hand, the Gulf States became increasingly dependent on migrant labour and the steady increase in migration from SSA to these countries, reinforced by the massive influx from African migrant-sending countries given the restrictions on African migration to Europe. As early as the seventh century AD, Arabia had relied heavily on the slave trade and the supply of labour from SSA, founded on the philosophy that it was legitimate to enslave black people because they were no better than animals. During this time, Black Africa became the largest slave depot in the Islamic world. To this day, there are significant African migrant and diaspora communities in the Middle East. Their presence has at times helped to perpetuate long-standing derogatory views and attitudes towards Africa and its peoples. These attitudes, based on an Arab-centric social hierarchy and expressing contempt for African cultures, remain prevalent today and shape social relationships between employers and African migrants in the emirates of the Arabian Peninsula. |
| Keywords: | GCC; Middle East; Arabian Peninsula; Arab states of the Persian Gulf; Sub-Saharan Africa; Red Sea; Horn of Africa; Yemen; Arab Spring; Sahel; Islamic terrorism; Arab slave trade; Arab nationalism; Islam; Culture of Africa; migrant workers; human trafficking; forced labor; Ethiopia; Somalia; Ghana; Turkey; Iran; Afro-Arabs; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; Qatar; Oman; African Studies; |
| JEL: | D31 D62 D72 D74 E26 F35 F51 F52 F53 F54 F55 H12 H56 N45 Z13 |
| Date: | 2023–11–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:119234&r=ara |
| By: | Ghizlane Barzi (ENCGS - Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de SETTAT); Bamousse Zineb (ENCGS - Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de SETTAT) |
| Abstract: | Resilience is a multidisciplinary and polysemous concept that refers to the company's ability to manage its skills in a situation of crisis. In the Moroccan context, companies are currently facing various crises. However, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are still present. The objective of this article is to understand the relationship between the need to develop a management mode based on resilience and the sustainability of companies in the national arena. It also aims to carry out a reflexive assessment of the consequences of Covid-19 crisis on the financial function of companies and to formulate proposals to prevent and reduce these far-reaching consequences in the future. Therefore, an empirical study was conducted among 30 companies in the Moroccan industrial sector. The results of the study showed that resilience is a real lever for sustainability against the effects of the Covid-19 crisis. |
| Keywords: | risk management resilience factor sustainability financial function cash flow, risk management, resilience factor, sustainability, financial function, cash flow |
| Date: | 2023–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04367540&r=ara |
| By: | Chaimaa EL BOUFFI EL BOUGHLI (LARGESS - Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion, Economie et Sciences Sociales - FSJESJ - faculté des sciences juridiques, économiques et sociales d'El Jadida); ABDELHAKIM QACHAR (LARGESS - Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion, Economie et Sciences Sociales - FSJESJ - faculté des sciences juridiques, économiques et sociales d'El Jadida); Rania Derkaoui (LARGESS - Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion, Economie et Sciences Sociales - FSJESJ - faculté des sciences juridiques, économiques et sociales d'El Jadida) |
| Abstract: | The health and economic crisis caused by Covid-19 is undoubtedly one of the most serious and dramatic crises our globe has experienced to date.This pandemic has disrupted all economies, impacting advanced and developing countries and creating an unstable and uncertain environment.Morocco is no exception as it tries to endure the negative repercussions of the measures taken to limit the harmful effects.It must not be denied that this crisis had positive points such as the acceleration of the digital transformation of organizations moving from a Morocco 1.0 to a Morocco 4.0. Various organizations, including the Social and Solidarity Economy, in particular cooperatives, have tried to adapt to the new context while opting for teleworking to ensure the continuity of their business, for selling and buying online, for e-learning, etc.To answer the following problem: What is the impact of the digital transition on cooperatives in the era of covid-19", we will opt for a conceptual literature where we will try to define the concept of digital transition, as well as that of the social and solidarity economy, more particularly one of its main components "cooperatives" which are the subject of our study, to end up highlighting the benefits and limits of digital on this form of social enterprise |
| Abstract: | La crise sanitaire et économique, due au Covid-19, est sans aucun doute l'une des plus graves et dramatiques crises que notre globe a connues jusqu'à présent. Cette pandémie a bouleversé toutes les économies, impactant les pays avancés et ceux en développement et générant un contexte instable et incertain. Le Maroc ne fait pas l'exception vu qu'il essaye d'endurer les mauvaises répercussions dues aux mesures entreprises pour limiter les effets néfastes. Il ne faut pas nier que cette crise avait des points positifs tels que l'accélération de la transformation digitale des organisations passant d'un Maroc 1.0 à un Maroc 4.0. Différentes organisations, y compris celle de l'Économie sociale et solidaire notamment les coopératives, ont essayé de s'adapter au nouveau contexte tout en optant pour le télétravail pour assurer la continuité de leur activité, pour la vente et l'achat en ligne, pour le e-learning ...etc. Pour qui répondra à la problématique suivante: Quel est l'impact de la transition numérique sur les coopératives à l'ère de covid-19», nous allons opter pour une littérature conceptuelle où nous essayerons de définir le concept de transition numérique, ainsi que celui de l'économie sociale et solidaire plus particulièrement l'une de ses composantes principales «les coopératives» qui sont sujet de notre étude, pour finir par ressortir les bienfaits et les limites du digital sur cette forme d'entreprise sociale. |
| Keywords: | digital transition, digital, covid-19, organization, cooperative. |
| Date: | 2023–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04378670&r=ara |
| By: | N. Y. Al Saiqal; James. C. Ryabn; Osiris Jorge Parcero |
| Abstract: | The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a young, oil-rich country, where national youth display a clear preference for public sector employment. Growing youth unemployment reinforces the importance of non-government employment, including entrepreneurship. This study investigates UAE national youth intentions towards entrepreneurship through the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ). Analysis (N=544) identifies the direct influence of attitude and perceived behavioral control, and indirect influence of subjective norms on entrepreneurship intention. Results also examine several demographic variables and highlight the potential importance of family and social groups in promoting entrepreneurial intentions in this emerging country context. |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.04253&r=ara |
| By: | Marouane Nakhcha (ENCGK - ENCG University Ibn Tofail of Kenitra, Morocco); Mamdouh Tlaty (ENCGK - ENCG University Ibn Tofail of Kenitra, Morocco) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the concept of sustainable finance and socially responsible investment (SRI) from a number of different angles, based on an in-depth review of the literature. The first part summarizes the literature in order to understand the main concepts of sustainable finance and SRI. Sustainable finance is a dynamic concept, a common framework based on certain principles derived from the issues underlying sustainable development. It is a process, not an end goal, with many positive outcomes. These issues are a current trend as well as powerful tools for educating profit-driven markets such as traditional finance. Together, they constitute an influential driving force towards sustainable development. The second part of this article is an analysis based on the current state of play, providing an overview of how sustainable finance, as a promoter of sustainable development, is developing in the Moroccan context. While there are strengths and opportunities for development, there are some challenges that require immediate solutions. Society is looking for new alternatives, and sustainable finance should be seen as a real alternative. Nevertheless, public distrust drives the need to support and protect truly sustainable initiatives within Morocco's financial sector. |
| Abstract: | Ce document aborde le concept de finances durables et d'investissement socialement responsable (ISR) selon différentes approches et à l'aide d'un examen approfondi de la littérature. La première partie résume la littérature en la matière afin de comprendre les principaux concepts des finances durables et d'ISR. Les finances durables sont un concept dynamique, un cadre commun basé sur certains principes issus des questions qui sous-tendent le développement durable. Il s'agit là d'un processus, et non d'un objectif final, avec de nombreux résultats positifs. Ces sujets sont une tendance actuelle ainsi que des outils puissants pour éduquer les marchés orientés vers le profit tels que les finances traditionnelles. Ensemble, ils constituent une force motrice influente vers le développement durable. L'analyse sera basée sur l'état des lieux; constituant la deuxième partie de cet article, elle donne un aperçu sur la façon dont les finances durables, en tant que promoteur du développement durable, se développent dans le contexte marocain. Bien qu'il y ait des forces et des opportunités de développement, il subsiste certains défis qui nécessitent des solutions immédiates. La société est à la recherche de nouvelles alternatives, et les finances durables devraient être considérées comme une véritable alternative. Néanmoins, la méfiance du public entraîne la nécessité de soutenir et de protéger les initiatives véritablement durables au sein du secteur financier au Maroc. |
| Keywords: | Finance durable, développement durable, investissement socialement responsable, défis, opportunité., sustainable development, socially responsible investment, challenges, opportunities. |
| Date: | 2023–12–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04372356&r=ara |
| By: | Alireza Naghavi; Mohsen Shaeyan |
| Abstract: | Qanats – traditional small-scale Persian irrigation systems – required a complex of cooperative local institutions for their construction and maintenance. We show that these institutions produced a (local) culture of cooperation in Iran that persists to the present day when qanats are no longer of economic value. We use unique geo-coded data on qanat coordinates in Iran and build an IV using grid-level geological preconditions necessary for construction and functioning of qanats: gently-sloped terrains and intermediate clay content. Qanats impact positively activities of cooperatives, as well as pervasiveness of credit institutions and trust in neighbors, particularly under stable climatic conditions. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation, Cooperation, Qanat, Cooperatives, Social capital, Trade routes, Culture, Persistence |
| JEL: | N55 O13 O53 Q13 Q15 Z10 D70 |
| Date: | 2023–05–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:csl:devewp:486&r=ara |
| By: | Abay, Kibrom A.; Abdelfattah, Lina; Elkaramany, Mohamed; Elsabbagh, Dalia; Kurdi, Sikandra |
| Abstract: | We evaluate the impacts of a traditional food distribution and a nutrition-sensitive food distribution intervention in the context of a rapidly increasing inflationary pressure in Egypt. Besides evaluating the relative and absolute impacts of these interventions on household food and nutrition security, we also examine their impacts on households’ preferences for in-kind versus cash transfers. We implement a clustered randomized control trial through which we randomly assigned communities into: (i) “nutrition-sensitive†food box, (ii) traditional “staple-heavy†food box, and (iii) control group. We find that the nutrition-sensitive food distribution cushioned falls in dietary quality and food security of targeted households relative to the control group while the impact of the traditional and staple-heavy food distribution appears to be negligible. The nutrition-sensitive food boxes increased beneficiary households’ dietary diversity by about 9 percent while also increasing energy, protein, and iron intake by 12, 13, and 19 percent, respectively. We also find that experience with the food boxes increases households’ preference for in-kind transfers, more so among households experiencing high inflation rates and among those households not covered by other food and cash transfer programs. Receiving food boxes increases preference for in-kind transfer by about 9-11 percentage points. Our findings have important implications for the debate on the efficacy of alternative interventions to support poor households as food prices rise and the relative efficacy of in-kind and cash-transfers. The lack of effectiveness of the staple-heavy food boxes suggests that the design and content of in-kind transfers are crucial when considering this policy option, including compared to cash. |
| Keywords: | food systems; inflation; households; nutrition; food security; cash transfers; diet; poverty; policies; EGYPT; ARAB COUNTRIES; MIDDLE EAST; NORTH AFRICA; AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2218&r=ara |
| By: | Zakariae Laassili (UAE - Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, FSJES TANGER - faculté des sciences juridiques economiques et sociales de Tanger); Zouhair Ejbari (UAE - Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, FSJES TANGER - faculté des sciences juridiques economiques et sociales de Tanger) |
| Abstract: | In the context of public hospitals, the quality of healthcare services is a major concern involving various stakeholders. This study aims to enrich stakeholder theory by exploring how stakeholders perceive the quality approach implemented by public health services. To this end, a qualitative study was carried out, based on semistructured interviews with a balanced sample of 35 participants, including patients, medical staff, administrative staff, representatives of educational institutions and the Ministry of Guardianship. The aim was to improve the quality of healthcare services. The analysis reveals a diversity of needs, underlining the need for a personalised approach, particularly in terms of quality of care and quality procedures. Stakeholders want greater administrative efficiency, transparent communication and shorter waiting times. Gaps in engagement with stakeholder needs are identified, suggesting opportunities for improvement. Keeping communication channels open is crucial. The results and discussions highlight methodological and contextual limitations, reinforcing the credibility of the study and inviting a critical interpretation of the implications in the context of these limitations. |
| Abstract: | Dans le contexte des hôpitaux publics, la qualité des services de santé suscite des préoccupations majeures impliquant divers acteurs. Cette étude vise à enrichir la théorie des parties prenantes en explorant la manière dont les acteurs concernés perçoivent l'approche qualité mise en œuvre par les services publics de santé. Nous cherchons à identifier les éléments déterminants qui influent sur la satisfaction des attentes des parties prenantes en ce qui concerne la qualité des services publics de santé, À cette fin, une étude qualitative a été menée, reposant sur des entretiens semi-directifs avec un échantillon équilibré de 35 participants, comprenant des patients, du personnel médical, du personnel administratif, des représentants d'institutions d'enseignement et du Ministère de la tutelle. L'objectif est d'améliorer la qualité des services de santé. L'analyse révèle une diversité de besoins, soulignant la nécessité d'une approche personnalisée, notamment en matière de qualité des soins et de démarche qualité. Les parties prenantes souhaitent une meilleure efficacité administrative, une communication transparente et une réduction des temps d'attente. Des lacunes dans l'engagement envers les besoins des parties prenantes sont identifiées, suggérant des opportunités d'amélioration. Maintenir des canaux de communication ouverts est crucial. Les résultats et discussions soulignent des limites méthodologiques et contextuelles, renforçant la crédibilité de l'étude et invitant à une interprétation critique des implications dans le contexte de ces limitations. |
| Keywords: | Stakeholders, Participatory approach, Quality Management, Perception, Health services, Parties prenantes, Approche participative, Management de la Qualité, Services sanitaires |
| Date: | 2023–12–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04365693&r=ara |
| By: | Khaled Aburisheh ("Department of Accounting and Accounting Information System, Amman University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan" Author-2-Name: Salih Nofal Author-2-Workplace-Name: "Department of Accounting and Accounting Information System, Amman University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan" Author-3-Name: Author-3-Workplace-Name: Author-4-Name: Author-4-Workplace-Name: Author-5-Name: Author-5-Workplace-Name: Author-6-Name: Author-6-Workplace-Name: Author-7-Name: Author-7-Workplace-Name: Author-8-Name: Author-8-Workplace-Name:) |
| Abstract: | " Objective - This study explores the factors influencing audit quality in Jordan, focusing on professional competence, auditor qualifications, availability and independence, professional experience, awareness of audit importance, and audit fees. Methodology/Technique - Drawing from a sample of 454 Jordanian legal auditors, the research employs a questionnaire-based methodology. Findings - Results indicate a significant impact of the studied factors on audit quality, with audit fees being the most influential, followed by auditor objectivity and independence. Professional competence, academic qualifications, professional experience, and awareness of the importance of audits also contribute to audit quality. These findings underscore the importance of fair fee structures, maintaining auditor independence, and emphasizing professional competence to enhance audit quality and public trust. Novelty - The study recommends setting fees aligned with task complexity and upholding auditor independence for meaningful audit opinions. Type of Paper - Empirical" |
| Keywords: | Audit Quality, Professionalism, Availability, Professional Experience, Audit Fees. |
| JEL: | M41 M42 M48 |
| Date: | 2023–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gtr:gatrjs:afr227&r=ara |
| By: | Bakır, Mahmut |
| Abstract: | Customer citizenship behavior, which expresses actions that add value to the business, such as providing feedback to the firms, tolerating disruptions, and helping other customers, is vital in improving the service experience in the airline industry, where services are provided collectively and in a shared environment. In this regard, the topic of how to encourage consumers to engage in customer citizenship behaviors in the airline industry must be highlighted. This thesis research aims to investigate the effect of customer satisfaction and its antecedents on customer citizenship behavior in the airline industry. In this regard, service quality and value for money were used as the antecedents of customer satisfaction based on the Expectation Confirmation Theory. The dimensions of feedback, advocacy, helping, and tolerance were used to operationalize the customer citizenship behavior. In addition, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory is also incorporated into the conceptual model, as the antecedents of customer citizenship behaviors may vary across national cultures. In doing so, data were collected from Turkish and British airline consumers representing different national cultures, based on a quantitative research design using the survey technique. The web-based questionnaire yielded 420 valid responses from British airline customers and 323 valid responses from Turkish airline customers. Using the 5, 000 bootstrapped resampling technique via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), a significant effect of service quality and value for money on customer satisfaction was observed for both samples. In addition, customer satisfaction significantly predicts customer citizenship behaviors, namely feedback, advocacy, helping, and tolerance. Then, the permutation test and Henseler’s multigroup analysis were applied to the conceptual model to test whether the hypothesized relationships differs significantly between Turkish and British samples. Accordingly, the effect of service quality on customer satisfaction and the effect of customer satisfaction on advocacy and helping behaviors differ significantly. |
| Date: | 2022–07–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:thesis:5yjb3&r=ara |