Egyptian Context Research Articles

The Role of Technological Readiness in Enhancing the Quality of Audit Work: Evidence from an Emerging Market

This study examines the impact of remote audit quality (RAQ) on the quality of audit work (QAW). Further, it explores the moderating effect of both client technological readiness (CLTR) and auditor technology readiness (ADTR) on the link between RAQ and QAW. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey distributed to all external auditors working in Egypt. The final sample consists of 280 auditors. The data were analyzed with smart partial least squares (Smart-PLS) software. The results showed that RAQ has a positive and significant impact on QAW. Moreover, the results revealed that CLTR and ADTR moderate the relationship between RAQ and QAW. CLTR was found to have a positive moderating role, as CLTR was found to strengthen the relationship between RAQ and QAW, while ADTR was found to have a negative moderating role, as ADTR was found to weaken the relationship between RAQ and QAW. The findings can provide a pivotal yardstick for guiding companies, auditing firms, auditing professional bodies, and regulators in the Egyptian context. Positioned as one of the early studies to concentrate on the moderating role of CLTR and ADTR in the relationship between RAQ and QAW, this research suggests insights within an emerging market context.

Cost-effectiveness of Procalcitonin (PCT) guidance for antibiotics management of adult sepsis patients in the Egyptian context

BackgroundSepsis, which is described as a life-threatening organ malfunction brought on by an unbalanced host response to infection, continues to be a significant healthcare issue that affects millions of individuals each year. It is well-known that sepsis can affect anyone around the world, but the employed survey results showed that there are significant regional variations in sepsis incidence as well as mortality rates. Although there are no definite estimates for Egypt, the highest rates were in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).Procalcitonin (PCT) is a host response marker with high specificity for bacterial infections, unlike C-reactive protein (CRP) or white blood cell count (WBC), which represent the traditional methods of detecting inflammation and infection. Its dynamic profile and superior prognostic prediction make it invaluable for assessing response to antibiotic treatment and improving clinical care for sepsis patients.Our main purpose was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PCT guidance compared to no PCT guidance in the antibiotic management of adult sepsis patients according to the Egyptian context.MethodsWe developed a decision tree model to compare the PCT-guided antibiotic management duration endpoint versus the conventional laboratory culture-based antibiotic management in adult sepsis patients. We employed the“Delphi technique” to reach a satisfactory consensus regarding the resources attributed to each compared alternative. The primary measure of the study was the additional cost associated with each Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained by sepsis survivors over a one-year time horizon.Base-case, deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted using TreeAge, Software.ResultsBase-case analysis showed no dominance for either alternative and resulted in an Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) value of 297,783.57 Egyptian Pounds per Quality Adjusted Life Year (L.E/QALY) in favor of the PCT guidance alternative, Deterministic sensitivity analysis revealed that the highest impact magnitudes on ICER reside with seven input parameters, the top two parameters that had the most significant influence were the costs of ICU stay with and without PCT guidance. The CEAC showed a slightly higher probability in terms of acceptability in favor of the no PCT guidance choice along the WTP scale till reaching equal probabilities at the willingness-to-pay (WTP) value point of 390,000 (state currency) after which the - probability supports the PCT guidance choice. ConclusionsIn the Egyptian context, PCT guidance has no cost-effectiveness domination over no PCT guidance in Antibiotics management for adult sepsis patients. This may be attributed to the high cost of PCT investigation that shall be resolved by standardization of its cost when applying the approach of DRG cost packages.

University campuses’ location-allocation: a case study of Egypt with insights from the Japanese context

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the most suitable location for a university campus in Egypt based on governorates’ social needs by employing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The paper, then, reflects the findings retrieved from the Egyptian context on the Japanese context to reveal how different countries deal with the location-allocation decision problem for university campuses.Design/methodology/approachThe AHP is employed to evaluate and rank Egyptian governorates based on 13 distinct criteria obtained from governmental open-source databases. These criteria measure the social needs of each governorate, guiding the decision on the location of new university campuses.FindingsThe results expose a disparity between Egypt's current campus development plan and recommendations derived from AHP analysis. The location-allocation decision for new university campuses appears to be influenced by subjective assessments, indicating a gap between planned developments and identified social needs. Additionally, contextual social and cultural differences between developing and developed countries impact the identification and fulfilment of the demand for a new university campus.Originality/valueThis paper contributes by offering decision-makers a robust location-allocation framework. It serves as a valuable tool for policy formulation in establishing new public universities in both developing and developed countries. Comparative analysis with the Japanese context enriches the understanding of how countries address the location-allocation decision problem for university campuses, emphasising the significance of context-specific considerations in such decisions.

Relationship between state-provided Islamic education and Islamism

Abstract This article examines the relationship between state-provided religious education and support for Islamists. It first provides a historical overview of this debate in the Egyptian context. It then examines a survey of young adults from post-Arab-Spring Egypt, the largest education market in the Middle East and North Africa region. The findings show that recipients of state-provided Islamic education, Azharites, are more likely to hold favorable views of Islamists. This is likely attributed to the ideological alignment between Azharites and Islamists, since both favor a bigger public role of religion and stricter adherence to conservative social norms. However, the analysis does not support the notion that Azharites view Islamists as competitors in the religious market for followers. These results inform policy debates on Islamic education in Muslim countries and illustrate the limitations of mass indoctrination in authoritarian settings.

Green campuses as pivots of sustainable development in Egypt

Abstract Sustainable development is a global aim to which Egypt is highly committed. This is evident in various projects and initiatives that aim to direct all activities towards more sustainable patterns and tools. Egyptian higher education institutions are an important partner and tool in enhancing sustainable development. University campuses, as the main anchors for higher education, take part in achieving this goal through developing green campuses that support the overall national sustainable development. This paper examines the presence of Egyptian universities in the global ranking of Green Campuses. It then focuses on two main case studies within the Egyptian context which are the AUC and ASU to compare their progress and identify their future priorities in Green Campus development.

Home boundaries: a socio-spatial analysis of Cairo’s housing market. Using justified plan graph (JPG) theory

Purpose This paper aims to define the socio-spatial considerations of apartment users in Cairo, during their decision-making process. It provides a set of socio-spatial guidelines for professional architecture designers that are based on regionalist sociological theories and the evaluation of participant responses. These guidelines can also help users choose better plan configurations or make socially conscious adjustments as formal residential interiors in Egypt are not arranged based on social interaction at home or the cultural specificity of the region. On the other hand, users have little clue about choosing better plan configurations for sustainable social relationships. Moreover, the private housing sector has mostly neglected the social boundaries that traditionally shaped home interiors. This is because the designers focus on physical attributes to satisfy market demand and economic aspects. Design/methodology/approach The research reviewed past literature on the impact of different home arrangements relative to inhabitant and social relationships. Simultaneously, preliminary open-ended sorting surveys were undertaken at the Cityscape 2020 exhibition. Based on the results, a comprehensive online survey was developed to map the socio-spatial preferences of users. Finally, a sample of 150 apartment plans was analyzed by using the justified plan graph (JPG) theory to reveal the most common arrangements in the speculative market, measuring unit depth. Findings The findings of this study will benefit the following: practitioners, including architects and real estate developers, will be able to learn about end-user preferences and offer better products (residential units). Designers can rely on a reference that visualizes recommended home arrangements in the form of justified graphs. This research will expose the academic theories that currently shape residential plans and those that are overlooked and need to be applied. Academics, on the other hand, will learn about the market, and the extent of the influence of architectural theory. Originality/value The value of this paper lies in the gathering of theoretical recommendations on traditional home arrangements and investigating the preferences of both professionals and laypeople when choosing between apartments. The open-ended study in this research will test its efficiency in the Egyptian context and serve as a reference for future social studies. It highlights the importance of cultural adequacy and how to design homes related to local residents’ natural lifestyle, by doing so, people will be able to overview the options available in the market and how to manipulate their own houses to control or encourage different social interactions.

When Religion Takes the Stage: How the Coup Regime Instrumentalizes Religion in Securitizing Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

This study explores the strategic deployment of religion by the Egyptian military regime as a legitimizing tool for the 2013 military coup and ensuing rule. Central to the analysis is the role of the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta, a pivotal state religious institution, in securitizing the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates. While multiple frameworks exist to dissect regime preservation tactics, the research harnesses securitization theory to illuminate these strategies. Grounding the arguments in the foundational works of Juha Vuori in nondemocratic contexts, it contends that the Egyptian military regime tactically utilized religious institutions to securitize its adversaries and enriches the extant literature by integrating securitization principles within the Egyptian context and emphasizes underexplored narratives from the Global South. Moreover, it seeks to bridge a research gap on the nexus between religious institutions and individual actors and delves into the intricate interplay between religious and political discourses by examining speeches and statements infused with religious rhetoric for legitimization.

Mitigating cold stress in rice: a study of genotype performance and sowing time

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an essential food for half of the global population and is vital in maintaining global food security. Climate change, increasing population and recent incident of COVID pandemic has generated financial burden and threaten the global food security. Due to theses factors rice cultivation also has to face significant challenges. frequent weather changes pose a considerable challenge to agricultural planning, which was previously relaying on consistent seasonal variations. In this context, rice cultivation is particularly sensitive to cold, where its development and productivity inhibited by low temperatures (< 18 °C). Developing rice varietes with low temprature tolerence and good yield potential is one of the major goals of current breeding efforts of plant scientists. For this purpose, short duration and early rice varieties are most favorable to avoid cold stress and yield more in less number of days. this study was designed to investigate the effect of low temperatures on different rice varieties. the study was designed to identify low temprature tolerent genotypes with early and regular cultivation. For this, thirty-four genotypes were evaluated in two gorwing seasons (2018–2019) with four different sowing times. Statistically sowing time showed significant interaction between all yield contributing parameters. The data indicate that exposure to low temperatures during the reproductive phase prolongs the maturation period of the crop, also length of the panicle and the fertility of the spikelets drops, resulting in a significant decrease in the production of sensitive varieties. Some varieties are more sensitive to cold stress compared to others. In the Egyptian context, Giza176, Sakha104, and Sakha107 are recommended for early cultivation, while the genotypes Giza 179, Sakha101, Sakha104, and GZ 9730-1-1-1-1 are indicated for the normal cultivation period. The Sakha104 variety is particularly notable, as it is recommended for both purposes. In addition, the data obtained in this study provide valuable information for selecting rice varieties suitable for double cropping in the North Delta of Egypt. This study also contributes to the existing literature, providing insights into the resilience of rice cultivation in the face of climate change.

Digital entrepreneurship among Egyptian women: autonomy, experience and community

PurposeGiven the remarkable increase in entrepreneurial activities initiated by women in the Egyptian context in addition to the scarcity of empirical studies on digital self-employment there, the authors of the present paper aim to identify what motivates women to engage in digital entrepreneurship, and to identify how those women establish their digital entrepreneurial activities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed a qualitative research method through semi-structured interviews with 30 women entrepreneurs who own and manage digital businesses. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the transcripts.FindingsThe authors have found that enjoying absolute independence, securing more time for family, guaranteeing an independent source of income in addition to the ease of accessing extensive online markets are the main motives behind the engagement of women in the Egyptian context in digital entrepreneurship activities. Moreover, the authors have also asserted that the minimal training and government support stimulate women entrepreneurs there to start and continue their digital business activities informally.Originality/valueThis paper contributes by filling a gap in entrepreneurship studies in which empirical studies on establishing and managing digital entrepreneurship among women in developing economies has been limited so far.

Different factors affecting the real estate market in the Egyptian context

Purpose Real estate projects are capital-intensive and deeply intertwined with economic factors, making them subject to various influences besides local housing needs. This paper aims to comprehensively understand the dynamics of the Egyptian real estate market, examining real estate cycles, driving factors and their correlation and scale of impact. Design/methodology/approach The study conducts a literature review to explore real estate cycles and their driving factors, along with the relationship between real estate and macroeconomic cycles. It then delves into the dynamics of the Egyptian real estate market, followed by a time series analysis that incorporates five key indicators: economic indicator, demand indicator, supply indicator, capital flow indicator and cost indicator over a 12-year interval (2012–2023), to examine short-term cycle factors, followed by correlation and multi-linear regression analysis to elucidate interrelations among these factors. Findings Through measuring and comparing the prementioned indicators with different economic and social events, the study paints a comprehensive picture of the macroeconomic environment and the real estate cycle in Egypt. Where demand has been found to be more sensitive and directly affected by macroeconomic factors than the supply. With the economic factor as the factor with the highest impact, especially in times of economic fluctuations, the impact has been immediate and short-term. These findings support the idea that the demand in Egypt is speculative, laying a threat of longer recession periods in the long term and having greater and more direct impact. Originality/value This paper contributes to the understanding of the Egyptian real estate market by integrating insights from real estate cycles, macroeconomics and specific market dynamics. The application of time series, correlation and multi-linear regression analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the interplay between several factors shaping the real estate cycle. Ultimately, the findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers involved in urban development planning, facilitating more informed and precise decision-making processes.

The Effects of a School-Based Physical Activity Program on Physical Fitness in Egyptian Children: A Pilot Study from the DELICIOUS Project.

Ensuring the physical fitness of Egyptian children is of paramount importance to their overall well-being, given the unique socio-cultural and educational barriers they face that may hinder their active participation. As part of the DELICIOUS project, the "Be Fit Program" aims to increase the level of physical fitness among Egyptian school-aged children. This study explores the effectiveness of a structured, six-week physical activity (PA) program in improving various facets of physical fitness in children, including body composition, speed, coordination, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance. With the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, such efforts are imperative to improve overall health outcomes. A cohort of 125 children, aged 8.50 to 12.25 y (mean age 10.19 ± 1.03 y), participated in the study. Their body composition, speed, coordination, strength, and aerobic fitness were assessed before and after the Be Fit Program using the revised International Physical Performance Test Profile. Paired t-tests were used to detect changes between the pre- and post-tests. Following the six-week intervention, statistical analyses revealed significant improvements in coordination and lower body strength (p < 0.01). Aerobic endurance showed marginal improvements, approaching statistical significance (p = 0.06). Conversely, there were no statistically significant changes in body composition, speed, or upper body strength (p > 0.05). The study confirms that tailored, non-competitive physical activities can positively influence specific fitness components in Egyptian children. However, achieving holistic improvements across all targeted fitness domains may require further strategic adjustments or a longer program duration. This pilot study underscores the importance of culturally tailored, school-based PA programs and highlights the continued need for research and program refinement to comprehensively improve children's fitness in the Egyptian context.

Social network analysis for identifying the significant drivers of off-site construction adoption in Egypt

PurposeRapid urbanization and the shortcomings of traditional construction methods motivate construction professionals to explore faster and more sustainable approaches such as off-site construction (OSC). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers influencing OSC adoption and to explore the key drivers of its widespread adoption in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive global literature review was performed initially to develop an up-to-date list of OSC adoption drivers, which was confirmed in the Egyptian context through a pilot study. Then, social network analysis (SNA) was utilized to determine the most influential drivers as well as shortlist them to construct the final questionnaire survey. A total of 57 stakeholders in the Egyptian construction industry responded. Lastly, the relative importance index (RII) was calculated to rank the drivers, revealing the key drivers.FindingsThe results revealed that higher productivity, improving project quality control, shortening construction time, improving product quality and improving supervision and inspection are the top five drivers. On the contrary, government policies and regulations is the least significant driver.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing a comprehensive, up-to-date list of drivers, which helps the stakeholders gain a better understanding of the driving enablers of adopting OSC generally and helps Egyptian stakeholders make more informed decisions about its implementation specifically.

Prevalence and determinants of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

ProblemFear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant public health concern, and understanding its determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions to support women during pregnancy and childbirth. BackgroundFear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices. AimThis study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. ResultsThe prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity, unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy. ConclusionsThis study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.

The Impact of the Social Media Outreach on The Management of the Covid-19 Crisis within the Egyptian Context

The Impact of the Social Media Outreach on The Management of the Covid-19 Crisis within the Egyptian Context

Assessing the Impact of Financial Technology (Fintech) on Financial Inclusion in Egypt: An Applied Study

Financial technology (Fintech) has emerged as a transformative force in the global financial landscape, offering innovative solutions to longstanding challenges. This study delves into the Egyptian context to assess the profound impact of fintech on financial inclusion—a crucial factor for economic development and social equity. Through empirical analysis, this research endeavors to unveil the multifaceted ways in which fintech is reshaping the financial landscape in Egypt, particularly regarding expanding access to financial services for underserved and unbanked populations. The data was collected from financial statements of banks over the period of 2018 – 2022, with keywords identified in annual reports to create dummy variables for analysis and analyzing it by STATA through logistic regression to determine whether there is a significant impact or not. The results reveal that the research supports the hypothesis that fintech has a significant effect on financial inclusion, as well as on reliability, availability, accessibility, and efficiency of electronic government services. Thus, this study contributes valuable insights for the Egyptian government to develop electronic payment systems and regulations that maximize the availability, accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness of electronic government services, ultimately improving the lives of the nation’s residents. Keywords: Fintech, E-payment bills, Modes of payment, E-government system, Financial Inclusion

Retained Earnings and Dividends in Real Estate Sector in Egypt

This study examines the trade-off between retained earnings (REs) and dividends in the Egyptian context to determine whether REs affect dividend policy and payout. Additionally, the study examines how the life cycle of a company influences the aforementioned relationships. The results of a multiple regression analysis indicate that REs are positively and significantly related to dividend policy and payout. However, when the company life cycle is introduced as a moderator, the results suggest a significantly negative relationship. Furthermore, a confirmatory test reveals that lagged REs influence dividend policy and payout. These findings carry significant implications for various stakeholders in Egypt. To the best of the knowledge of the authors, no study has investigated the causal relationship between REs and dividends in the Egyptian real estate context.

Raising trauma awareness in the Middle East: Exploration of parental knowledge about the identification and management of trauma among children in Egypt

The study was guided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide insight into parental understandings of trauma identification and trauma-informed practice (TIP). A total of 205 Egyptian parents receiving assistance for various familial challenges completed the Parent Trauma Identification and Management Scale based on SAMHSA’s model. Confirmatory factor analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and hierarchical regression were employed to explore the relationship between trauma identification and TIP. The results provide support for the hypothesized relationship between trauma identification and TIP in the Egyptian context. The study concludes with a call for the mainstreaming or prioritization of trauma management and TIP in health service delivery in Egypt and other similar contexts.

Green Human Resource Management and Job Pursuit Intention: Role of Individual Green Values

The focus on achieving environmental sustainability has led to the implementation of green human resource management (GHRM) practices in various organizations. Many studies have investigated the effect of GHRM practices on existing employees in developed countries. However, limited studies have examined how prospective job seekers perceive GHRM practices in an organization before entering the workplace in developing countries, especially in the Egyptian context. Drawing upon signalling theory, social identity theory and person-environment fit theory, this study aims to bridge this gap by examining the effect of perceived green human resource management (GHRM) practices on the job pursuit intention (JPI) of prospective job seekers in Egypt. A moderated mediation model was proposed, with organizational attractiveness (OA) as a mediator and individual green values (IGV) as a moderator. The sample consisted of 219 final-year undergraduate business students registered in the College of Management and Technology in the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt. The study used an experimental scenario-based approach where perceptions of individuals were examined toward a hypothetical company using self-administered questionnaires. Direct, mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation models were analysed using linear, multiple regression analysis, and bootstrapping procedures (PROCESS macro extension to SPSS) with the help of SPSS version 26. Results supported the significant positive influence of GHRM on JPI and OA mediated the GHRM-JPI relationship. In addition, IGV moderated the GHRM-OA-JPI relationship. The study provided various theoretical and practical implications for scholars and practitioners. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Hosting mega sporting events in the extreme hospitality context: Why do hotel employees engage so intensively in their job duties?

Purpose This paper aims to identify why hotel employees in the Egyptian context accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting too many mega sporting events and what outcomes they experience as a result. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data is based on semi-structured interviews with 36 hotel employees working in reservations, front desk and events management roles in four 4-star hotels located in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the interview transcripts. Findings The findings show that hotel employees accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting mega sporting events for the following four reasons: linking pay with performance, difficulty finding alternative jobs, proving their occupational identity and being subject to patriotism. Furthermore, this paper highlights that the engagement of hotel employees in extreme work conditions during such mega-sporting events might be detrimental to their mental health, resulting in increased cronyism and gender bias among them. Originality/value This paper is a pioneering study to specifically investigate how hosting mega sporting events influences the extremity of work conditions for hospitality sector employees. Prior studies (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) have not theorised and empirically analysed this specific topic, especially in under-researched settings, such as developing countries in the global south.

A proposed multidimensional model for predicting financial distress: an empirical study on Egyptian listed firms

Although there has been a growing interest by researchers worldwide over the past decades to identify the factors pertaining to corporate financial distress and to develop financial distress prediction models that serve as early warning signs to the various firm stakeholders, notably to date, studies that were conducted were context specific and cannot be objectively generalized to other countries and rendered mixed inconclusive results. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to thoroughly investigate the factors that affect corporate financial distress in Egypt and to develop a multidimensional financial distress prediction model. Using comprehensive data of EGX100 listed firms, the researcher examines the role played by financial ratios, market-based indicators, macroeconomic factors, and corporate governance mechanisms in modeling corporate financial distress. Empirical results indicate that after controlling for the COVID-19 effects, the most significant financial ratios in predicting corporate financial distress are the working capital to total assets ratio, earnings before interest and taxes to total assets ratio, and the sales to total assets ratio. Such ratios are negatively related to the likelihood of corporate financial distress. However, the market value of equity to total liabilities ratio, and GDP growth rate have a positive impact on the likelihood of financial distress. However, the retained earnings to total assets ratio, the corporate governance mechanisms, the firm market capitalization, the interest rate, and the consumer price index are insignificant in predicting corporate financial distress in the Egyptian context. The resulting model demonstrates outstanding classification accuracy at around 96%.