Gulf Corporation Council Countries Research Articles

The infectious divide: a comparative study of the social impact of gated communities on the surrounding in the middle East

In recent years, gated communities have increasingly become an attractive lifestyle residence worldwide and in the Middle fostering security, privacy, seclusion, and exclusivity. Nonetheless, it seems that with these benefits, other impacts had unfolded and exposed the urban fabric to new attributes such as segregation, fragmentation, and social exclusion. However, gaps exist in the literature on comparative studies on gated communities in regions such as GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) countries and the Middle East (Glasze & Alkhayyal, 2002). This paper aims to examine the social impact of gated communities on the surrounding neighbourhoods through a comparative analysis of cases from the Middle East and GCC. The methodology was implemented to develop a qualitative framework of social segregation indicators to examine similarities and differences between the cases, aiming to identify patterns and gain insights to answer the article’s question of whether this phenomenon can be contagious in different settings. Findings reveal that gated communities can have negative and positive impacts on the social well-being of the surrounding neighbourhoods and may lead to social segregation and exclusion in different geographical settings despite their emergence motives. The paper concludes that isolation and lack of interaction between residents inside and outside the walls may have impacts on the social aspect of the surroundings.

Expatriate Academics’ Positive Affectivity and Its Influence on Creativity in the Workforce Indigenization Context: Revealing the Role of Perceived Fairness

Workforce indigenization in Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries is under-researched in international business literature, especially among expatriate academics from the Middle East and North Africa regions working in GCC countries. Therefore, drawing from the social exchange and conservation of resources theories, this study examines the moderating effect of perceived fairness on the relationship between positive affectivity (PA) and creativity in the context of enhanced indigenization of human resource (HR) policies in GCC countries. This study collects data from 228 mobile academics working in Saudi universities. Principal least squares structural equation modeling results show that PA positively impacts creativity. Further, perceived fairness is found to reinforce the connection between PA and creativity. This study’s results indicate that host universities must build appealing HR policies to cope with the diverse challenges related to the indigenization of HR policies. Furthermore, this study highlights the role of positive personality traits in enhancing creativity.

The Role of Non-Petroleum Production on the Economies of the GCC Countries

This study aims to examine the role of non-petroleum production on the economies of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries for the study period from 1992 through 2021. GCC countries were adopting long-term plans to diversify the economy by expanding the base of domestic production to products other than petroleum. This study adopted an empirical model that depends on several variables to explain the development of economic growth. The model was estimated using a panel data regression method. The results found were generally consistent with the economic theory. The main finding of the model showed that the effect of domestic production of non-petroleum products was positive and statistically significant on economic growth. However, the road is still long. To achieve the goal of diversifying the economies to the point of substantial dependence on the non-petroleum sector, more efforts will be necessary.

Science Journalism Study Gap Between Global North and GCC Countries: A Bibliometric Analysis

The present study shows that science journalism does not move beyond its traditional borders; however, the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries emphasize science and technological development enough. Therefore, bibliometric analysis has been adopted to examine science journalism research gaps in the GCC countries. The result indicates a substantial keyword issue and a gap in science journalism research in North global countries and GCC countries. This research paper is a must-read in the typical scarcity of science journalism research in GCC countries. Furthermore, this paper can be a reference document for policymakers and course developers in the science communication field.

An empirical study of unethical earnings management behaviors in Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) listed firms

We present an empirical rationale and supporting study revealing how executives, especially in Gulf Corporate Council (GCC) listed companies, resort to unethical earnings management practices in times of financial loss and financial distress. Employing a quantitative approach, this study analyzes 120 listed companies using the Modified Jones (1995) Model to estimate earnings management as a dependent variable. Regression analysis is employed to explore the impact of independent variables. Our findings conclude that executives across six GCC countries engage in earnings management through both positive and negative discretionary accruals. Notably, the results reveal that factors such as consolidation, financial distress and performance significantly influence earnings management practices.

Impact of Psychological Capital on Academic Adjustment Among International Students From Gulf Corporation Council Countries

Impact of Psychological Capital on Academic Adjustment Among International Students From Gulf Corporation Council Countries

Exploring radiative sky cooling resource map and the impact of meteorological conditions on radiative emitters. A perspective of GCC countries

The thermoregulation of indoor spaces has become a pertinent concern due to rising global temperatures and heat agglomeration. Besides extensive energy consumption in conventional air conditioners, the released heat and greenhouse gases exacerbate cooling requirements. Several regions of the world, such as the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries, are facing temperature rises almost twice as fast as the rest of the world due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, which have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of nearly 400 million people in this region. This study explored the radiative sky cooling (RSC) potential resource map across the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) region, providing it as a sustainable solution to address the aforementioned challenges. A brief comparison of the daytime, nighttime, seasonal, and annual RSC potential is provided for all six countries within the GCC region. The average annual RSC power is between 116.58 W/m2 and 61.80 W/m2 with an average of 82.60 W/m2. Based on meteorological conditions such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar irradiance, cloud cover, and atmospheric transmissivity, the highest RSC power is estimated for Kuwait, with an annual average RSC power of 91.12 W/m2. In comparison, the lowest annual average RSC power of 72.50 W/m2 is found for Oman. Since the climatic conditions within this region remain similar throughout the year, there is not much discrepancy in the average RSC capacity throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Furthermore, the average nighttime RSC power is found to be 92.74 W/m2, which is about 18.47% higher than the daytime average RSC of approximately 67.77 W/m2.

Institutional quality and inward FDI: empirical evidence from GCC economies

ABSTRACT This paper studies the determinants of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) across the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries between 2009 and 2017 using a modified knowledge-capital model of the multinational firm. In particular, we investigate the importance of institutional quality factors. We document the significant effects of institutional characteristics such as government effectiveness, control of corruption, political stability and rule of law, while regulatory quality was found to be less important. Moreover, our study finds that the GCC countries’ FDI can be explained by horizontal market seeking rather than efficiency-seeking vertical motives. Finally, the extended specification results highlight the significant effects of colonial relationships, common language and contiguity.

Introducing the Business Judgment Rule in Select Countries of the Arabian Gulf

Examining the corporate practices of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states, this paper demonstrates the imperative that GCC nations implement rational board practice models and improve current laws and regulations that pertain to corporate boards of directors. GCC member countries increasingly need to diversify revenue-generating streams; improved corporate board practices are likely to increase income from foreign corporations and investments. Rational board policies protect board members from frivolous challenges related to legal culpability because they operate on a “good faith” model, augmenting corporate growth. Providing a coherent analysis of the business judgment rule, a significant as pect of rational board practices, this paper examines how the rule has worked in the United States and provides a standard for GCC countries to emulate. Shifting domestic policies to this rational model will promote foreign investments and result in financial stability, benefits that current reform practices initiated by the GCC have not yet accomplished.

Impostor Phenomenon and Its Relationship to Self-Esteem Among Students at an International Medical College in the Middle East: A Cross Sectional Study.

The atmosphere of constant scrutiny of academic ability that prevails in medical colleges may leave some students at risk of expressing feelings of intellectual fraudulence and phoniness. Impostor phenomenon (IP) traits have been associated with anxiety, depression, job dissatisfaction, and poor professional performance. Internationally trained junior doctors exhibit stronger IP feelings than colleagues trained within their own country of citizenship. These feelings may develop during student life. International universities are diverse and complex environments where students may be emersed in a cultural milieu alien to their societies of origin, leading to feelings of isolation. Individuals with IP traits often perceive themselves as the “only one” experiencing this phenomenon, resulting in further isolation and negative self-evaluation, especially among women and underrepresented minorities. IP has also been linked to low self-esteem among students. This study assessed the prevalence of IP and its relationship to self-esteem among students at a campus of a European medical college with a large international student body situated in the Middle East. The self-administered questionnaires: Clance's Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were completed by 290 medical students (58.3% females). Participants' median (range) age was 19 years (16–35). Students were of 28 different nationalities; the largest proportions were from Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. The prevalence of low self-esteem was 18.6%, while 45.2% of the students demonstrated traits suggestive of IP. There was a strongly negative correlation between CIPS and RSES (r = −0.71). No significant gender differences were found in IP. Similarly, no differences in IP were found when comparing between age groups, previous experience in higher education or year of study. Multivariate analysis showed that students from GCC countries had higher levels of self-esteem relative to students from other regions. Low self-esteem was a strong predictor of IP. Country of origin may influence students' self-esteem studying in international university settings.

COVID-19-Related Mortality across the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Based on Countries’ Available Data Up to November, 2020

Background: The world has endured a high burden of mortality and morbidity due to Covid-19 over the last year. There may be factors that account for differences in mortality rates. The Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries share similar cultural identities, socioeconomic conditions, population structure and display similar health-status composition of their population. There is a demand for data on the differentials of the COVID-19 pandemic across all countries. This statistical analysis primarily compared the crude mortality rates, and estimates the relative risk of COVID-19 death rates across the GCC countries using longitudinal study design.
 Methods: This statistical analysis used downloaded data from Our World in Data, which was last updated on November 19, 2020. We computed COVID-19 crude mortality rates for the GCC countries individually. We estimated COVID-19 death rates for the GCC countries and compared them to the reference largest country Saudi Arabia. To adjust for most relevant confounding factors for COVID-19 deaths, a Poisson mixed effect regression model was fitted with COVID-19 new cases and the number test per case as fixed effect predictors of COVID-19 deaths. 
 Results: The estimated relative risk of COVID-19 deaths rates for UAE and Qatar was 0.352 (95% CI: 0.220-0.564, p-value <0.001) and 0.467 (95% CI: 0.287-0.762, p-value = 0.002), respectively, showing 64.8% and 53.3% fewer COVID-19 death rates compared to Saudi Arabia, individually. No statistically significant difference was found between Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman as compared with Saudi Arabia.
 Conclusion: The UAE has the lowest COVID-19 death rate among any other GCC countries, followed by Qatar. In addition, the number of tests per case were negatively associated with the number of Covid-19 deaths. Besides, the number of new COCID-19 infections relative to the number of patients correlates with the number of patient deaths.

Risk Factors Affecting Ground Improvement Work in the Gulf Corporation Council Countries

Aim: This research aims to identify the risk factors related to ground improvement projects in the Gulf Corporation Council Countries (GCC). Background: Investigating and identifying those factors are essential to avoid schedule delay, cost overruns, diminished quality, and failure to achieve the project design requirements. Methods: A questionnaire was used to prioritize the possible risk factors that influence the ground improvement projects in the GCC. Results: Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 120 respondents who work in the ground improvement industry in the GCC, including geotechnical engineers, technical managers, operation managers, project engineers, and project managers. Participants were asked three questions for each risk factor. Questions were about the impact, probability, and detection of the risk factor. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Responses' Score (R.S.), and Risk Priority Number (RPN). Conclusion: Five risk factors were included in the questionnaire, namely, site investigation, ground improvement technique, environmental conditions, ground improvement design, and ground improvement performance criteria. This paper also presents detailed recommendations to mitigate each risk factor.

Cultural challenges eLearners from the GCC countries face when enrolled in Western educational institutions: A thematic literature review

This study provides an in-depth assessment of the cultural challenges eLearners from the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries face when enrolled in Western higher education institutions. The study adopts an analytical approach by identifying two themes that incorporate reviewing some of the most significant literature related to this area of study. As theoretical frameworks, Hofstede’s popular cultural dimensions and Hall’s (1976) concept of low and high context cultures are considered. The purpose of this thematic review of the literature is to better understand challenges related to eLearning that eLearners from the GCC countries face when enrolled in Western educational institutions. In view of that, this study sheds light on two main questions: What are some of the challenges eLearners from the GCC countries face when enrolled in Western educational institutions? And what considerations should be taken into account when designing instructional materials for online courses targeting eLearners from the GCC Countries? The analysis revealed that GCC students face different types of eLearning barriers that are divided into two broad categories. The first is the general barriers and inconveniences, and the second is the challenges they face when enrolled in Western universities. This study also concluded that Western universities targeting students from the Arab countries in general, and the GCC countries in particular, need to place suitable inter-cultural plans to prepare for and effectively deal with the challenges analysed in the study. Recommendations on how to implement these preparatory plans for the GCC eLearners enrolled in Western programmes are also presented and highlighted.

Pass-through of import cost into consumer prices and inflation in GCC countries: Evidence from a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags model

This paper explores the asymmetric response of consumer prices to import costs using a nonlinear approach that investigates the long and the short run asymmetric pass-through. Quarterly data over the period of 1990–2014 for Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries and their trade partners is used to construct the index of imports cost. The estimated nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags model reveals a stronger import cost pass-through of depreciation than appreciation. We also investigate the underlying relationship between the selected variables by conducting asymmetric causality tests. The results reveal that the import cost factor has an asymmetric causal impact on the level of prices in GCC countries. Our findings provide new insights on the import cost pass-through that might be useful to consumers and policy makers.

Profit- and loss-sharing impact on Islamic bank liquidity in GCC countries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the impact of the principle of profit- and loss-sharing (PLS) on the exposure to liquidity risk of Islamic banks in Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. The Islamic bank activity is distinguished by a PLS principle, which is likely to involve specificities in the bank liquidity issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the determinants of Islamic bank liquidity over the period 2005–2016 using a panel of 23 Islamic banks in GCC. The system of generalized method of moment estimators is applied. Findings The findings reveal that while profit-sharing investment accounts (PSIAs) are inversely proportional to Islamic bank liquidity, the PLS investment does not seem to act as a determinant of the bank liquidity. The fact that PSIAs are globally short-run accounts, but finance long-run projects leads to a substantial maturity mismatches, which limits the availability of liquidity buffer and exacerbates the bank’s exposure to liquidity risk. Moreover, capital adequacy ratio has significant and positive association with bank liquidity, as a strong capital ratio helps to strengthen the liquidity control. However, return on assets has a negative significant impact on bank liquidity. For instance, if the bank holds more cash, it deprives itself from placing funds and earning returns, which causes its profitability to decline. Practical implications This paper gives further insights to better improve the liquidity risk management in a context of scarcity of Shariah-compliant instruments. Islamic bank needs to determine the PLS purpose and goals to be consistent with the “bank’s financing policy” and convince its depositors to use their deposits for medium and long-run investments. Originality/value Unlike previous empirical research, this investigation tries to better grasp the Islamic bank liquidity issue by focusing on the PLS impact on liquidity risk. It aims to fill in the gap in the empirical literature on this topic.

The impact of corporate governance on financial performance of Indian and GCC listed firms: An empirical investigation

Corporate governance plays a vital role in creating a corporate culture of consciousness, transparency, and openness. In this context, this paper provides a brief view about the background of corporate governance mechanisms in India and Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries, corporate legal system and monitoring policies laid down by Indian and GCC governments. Furthermore, it analyzes the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of Indian and GCC listed firms. The study uses a sample that consists of 53 non-financial listed companies from India and 53 non-financial listed companies from GCC countries for the period 2009–2016. Results revealed that board accountability (BA) and audit committee (AC) have an insignificant impact on firms' performance measured by ROE and Tobin’s Q. Similarly, transparency and disclosure (TD) have an insignificant negative impact on firms' performance measured by Tobin’s Q. Moreover, the country dummy results show that Indian firms are performing better than Gulf countries ones in terms of corporate governance practices and financial performance. The current study is considered as a battery for further research and studies particularly in India & GCC listed firms in the context of corporate governance and financial performance.

Population aging and long-term care policies in the Gulf region: a case study of Oman

ABSTRACTPopulation aging is a phenomenon occurring across the globe including in countries traditionally exhibiting population dividends and “youth bulges.” The Gulf Corporation Council countries are no exception as they currently experience a process of population aging, albeit at a different stage from many developed countries. However, due to historically high fertility rates and fast-paced epidemiological transition, some of these countries will experience population aging at a higher pace than what has been observed in Europe and the United States. This article reviews recent developments in long-term care policies in the Gulf region with a focus on Oman as an example of a high-income Arab country that is experiencing population aging while still being governed by traditional family aged-care norms. Utilizing existing data and published research complemented by policy analysis and field visits, we analyze the process of population aging in Oman and neighboring countries and its policy implications.

Qatar’s effort for the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is an advanced technology that has the technical potential to provide dual advantages: (1) it helps countries maintain their hydrocarbon – driven economic advancement, such as Gulf Corporation Council countries (GCC) and (2) mitigating the negative effects of increasing CO2 emissions. A full system of CCS consists of CO2 separation, compression, transportation, injection into underground reservoirs and long-term monitoring. Qatar is very well aware of the adverse consequences of the rise of CO2 emissions and therefore started investing heavily in carbon capture and Storage and took major steps to mitigate the negative impact of CO2. It is believed that CCS would provide a major shift in mitigation the CO2 emissions. This paper will analyze the potential of deployment of CCS in Qatar as well as the efforts expended so far in that regard.

Occurrence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) across the Gulf Corporation Council countries: Four years update.

The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections has become a global issue of dire concerns. MERS-CoV infections have been identified in many countries all over the world whereas high level occurrences have been documented in the Middle East and Korea. MERS-CoV is mainly spreading across the geographical region of the Middle East, especially in the Arabian Peninsula, while some imported sporadic cases were reported from the Europe, North America, Africa, and lately Asia. The prevalence of MERS-CoV infections across the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries still remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to report the prevalence of MERS-CoV in the GCC countries and to also elucidate on its demographics in the Arabian Peninsula. To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 1,797 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection since June 2012, involving 687 deaths in 27 different countries worldwide. Within a time span of 4 years from June 2012 to July 2016, we collect samples form MERS-CoV infected individuals from National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, and Ministry of health Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. Our data comprise a total of 1550 cases (67.1% male and 32.9% female). The age-specific prevalence and distribution of MERS-CoV was as follow: <20 yrs (36 cases: 3.28%), 20–39 yrs (331 cases: 30.15%), 40–59 yrs (314 cases: 28.60%), and the highest-risk elderly group aged ≥60 yrs (417 cases: 37.98%). The case distribution among GCC countries was as follows: Saudi Arabia (1441 cases: 93%), Kuwait (4 cases: 0.3%), Bahrain (1 case: 0.1%), Oman (8 cases: 0.5%), Qatar (16 cases: 1.0%), and United Arab Emirates (80 cases: 5.2%). Thus, MERS-CoV was found to be more prevalent in Saudi Arabia especially in Riyadh, where 756 cases (52.4%) were the worst hit area of the country identified, followed by the western region Makkah where 298 cases (20.6%) were recorded. This prevalence update indicates that the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Saudi Arabia, is the hardest hit region regarding the emerging MERS-CoV infections worldwide. GCC countries including Saudi Arabia now have the infrastructure in place that allows physicians and scientific community to identify and immediately respond to the potential risks posed by new outbreaks of MERS-CoV infections in the region. Given the continuum of emergence and the large magnitude of the disease in our region, more studies will be required to bolster capabilities for timely detection and effective control and prevention of MERS-CoV in our region.

Unwrapping the relation between work environment and job satisfaction

This research examined the influence of the work environment on employees' job satisfaction in the banking sector in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) region. As the banking industry in the region confronts many challenges, it is essential that banks retain their talent. Hence, this research explored essential elements that could influence job satisfaction and impact employee decisions to stay or leave. A quantitative research design was used on a sample of 250 employees from four GCC countries to explain the relationship between three categories of work environment, human, technical, organisational and job satisfaction. Results indicated that employee work environment has significant positive relationships on job satisfaction level in terms of participation, communication, technology, trust, and management leadership. Office layout and work space were not related to job satisfaction. The study recommended actions for management to improve banks' work environment, which in turn will increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover in the sector.