Moroccan Context Research Articles

NPM reforms and institutional characteristics in developing countries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the institutional factors affecting the reform of public sector in Morocco. In particular, this study focuses on the adoption path of one such reform, in which Moroccan municipalities had to adopt economic and development plans (EDPs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper’s methodology adopts a qualitative approach. In particular, the paper adopts a mix of primary and secondary sources to analyze the historical development of the EDP reform in the Moroccan context, and the institutional factors involved in the implementation process. It contributes to the existing literature in two ways: it defines a tentative model that combines two approaches (new and old institutional theories); and it contextualizes the proposed model in the Moroccan context by examining the institutional process of implementing the reforms.FindingsThe reform that introduced EDPs in Morocco was the result of a collaboration between the Moroccan government and international donors. The introduction of EDPs was impeded by institutional features of Moroccan society. Therefore, the implementation of EDPs in Morocco did not change taken-for-granted ways of thinking, nor did it remove institutional restrictions and barriers. Municipalities were not affected by the modernizing effects of the reform. They are managed as traditional administrative structures, with very little capacity for organizational and management innovation.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the debate on the adequacy of new public management (NPM) in less developed countries (LDCs), and in particular with regards to the use of strategic plans in Moroccan municipalities. In doing so, the paper attempts to define a tentative framework that combines new institutional and old institutional theory. The framework proposed helps to explain how NPM in LDCs was diffused and how institutional characteristics could hamper or foster the implementation of NPM reform.

Proposal of a causal model to measure the impact of quality on industrial performance: A case study from Moroccan context

This article aims to measure the impact of quality practices on the overall performance of the young manufacturing enterprises located in the Province of Tangier (Morocco). Based on an empirical study via questionnaires administered to the owner-managers and using structural modelling with latent variable via the Xl-Stat software (2015 Version) on a sample of 80 young enterprises, we concluded that, generally, quality practices positively impact the overall performance. However, an invalid link was detected between 'human resources' and 'management process'. Also a weak association was noted on the level of quality practices 'partnerships and resources' and 'management process'. It should be noted that these two practices 'human resources' and 'partnerships and resources' had weak indirect impact on the different perspectives of overall performance. Indeed, to further improve the overall performance, the owner-managers of such enterprises must seek constant improvement of quality practices especially those that have weak associations: human resources and partnerships.

An integrated production and distribution problem with direct shipment: a case from Moroccan bottled-water market

We consider an industrial application encountered in the Moroccan context that involves the production and distribution of bottled water. Our industrial partner owns one plant from which all requests are delivered in direct shipments and usually full truckloads to the customers (a set of regional depots and wholesalers). We must take into account the production, the delivery requirements, multiple products, and inventory levels. The objective is to minimise the sum of the production, transportation, and inventory costs. We propose a mixed integer linear program for a variant of the multi-vehicle, multi-product production routing problem. Experiments have been conducted using CPLEX 12.3.0, and almost all instances were solved with a reasonable optimality gap. The results show that significant savings can be obtained by using our approach with respect to the current company practice.

Attitudes towards English and ESP Learning for University Students: The Case of School of Economics and Law in Meknes

This paper reports the results of a research conducted and English and ESP learning attitude in the Moroccan context. The study specifically investigated the language attitude of first-year economy and economy and law master students at the school of Law and Economics in Meknes, (University Moulay Ismail). The results revealed that both undergraduate and graduate students hold a positive attitude towards English and ESP learning at the cognitive, affective and behavioral levels. They also reveal a high degree of motivation in this regard.

Appreaching Risk Through an Approach by Managerial Situations in Projects: Empirical Investigation in the Moroccan Context

Appreaching Risk Through an Approach by Managerial Situations in Projects: Empirical Investigation in the Moroccan Context

Morocco’s Experience with Gender Gap Reduction in Education

This article presents a synthesis of the policies and measures for girls' education in Morocco and attempts to evaluate their results. It analyzes a wide range of initiatives and provides an overview of their relevance and impact in the Moroccan context. In Morocco, the lack of educational opportunity for girls is still evident, despite significant actions taken by the government. The article identifies the most promising approaches and priority areas for the development of girls' education. Its purpose is to provide an analysis of the situation of gender and education in Morocco, and to take stock of the extent to which gender equality and girls’ right to education are protected and promoted. It also aims to reflect upon and discuss the scope of the legal framework in terms of the provisions of gender equality under law. The article identifies and discusses the root causes of school attrition and illiteracy among women and the most important hurdles that require urgent attention, further proposing a meaningful integration of the gender perspective in schools and in the overall education system. This article advocates for full and equal educational opportunities for all, girls and boys alike, in policy and in practice.

Les Big Data A L’emergence Des Data-Driven- Business-Models: Une Synthese De La Litterature

This paper focuses on presenting a first step in a more in-depth literature review. In the border frame of the ‘systemic’ approach (Donnadieu & Karsky, 2002), the study focused on the exploration of ‘Big Data’ value. It follows the process of the formation of the tax decision (Bensouda, 2009) using some properties of the new network apprehension paradigm (Penard, 2014). This is in line with many approaches of identification of the taxable substance of possession and the transmission of ‘value’ (Jemmar, 2010). Also, it is captured exclusively by the ‘shareholder power’ (Vatteville, 2008), using ‘Data-Driven-Business-Models’ (Hartmann et al., 2014). This business model, however, inspired their "Digital Laborer" (Fisher & Fuchs, 2015) based on an activity whose ‘positive externalities’ (Collin & Colin, 2013) go in the form of a "Cognitive Capital" (Boutang, 2007). "Big Data" is indeed the focus of the growing attention in the literature of different disciplines. In addition, it is at the heart of controversies concerning the apprehension by various "stakeholders" who are central to the development of this concept. Based on preliminary research work, this study is aimed at understanding the different dimensions of this Value in the Moroccan context. It also aims to shed light on why its various ‘stakeholders’ are apprehensive regarding this ‘common good’, which escapes real tax measures that can mitigate the ‘negative externalities’ of this new statistical power (Rouvroy & Berns, 2010).

Key Factors of Cognitive Performance in Moroccan Preschool: Evidence from Random Slope Model

Compared to social factors, some studies have concluded that the quality of school environment is not important for learning. However, other studies have pointed out the divergence from this finding, highlighting the importance of environmental and educators quality regarding cognitive acquisition. Therefore, this article is in the same vein, and this, by seeking in a Moroccan context to identify the factors likely to influence cognitive learning in early childhood. The major features of our research reveal that in the Moroccan context mothers' level of education, environment’s quality, the training of educators and class size are among the key factors of preschool learning. Multilevel modeling is applied to data from an ad hoc survey of 780 children in 45 pre-schools.

The support structures in Africa as a company’s sustainability factor: evidence from Morocco

Many classical studies show the importance of providing future entrepreneurs with access to the resources necessary to develop their projects; also allowing the accompanied contractors to acquire expertise that will make them autonomous and able to manage their business on the long-term with personalized support provided by entrepreneurs of the same field. In our paper, we first discuss the concept of coaching, and then its support structures in Morocco by highlighting their ability to meet this double challenge, based on a case study of a guide (coach) who operates in the Moroccan context, witnessing entrepreneurs succeed at their business creation using those structures.

Lean construction implementation in the Moroccan construction industry

PurposeLean construction provides innovative practices to manage construction projects while reducing waste and improving performance. This paper aims to explore the current level of awareness of lean construction practices among Moroccan construction professionals to assess the potential benefits derived from lean construction practices and to identify the critical barriers hindering a successful implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for a quantitative approach by using a structured questionnaire survey. A total of 330 valid responses were collected from Moroccan construction practitioners involved in private and public construction organisations.FindingsThe results show that 61 per cent of the respondents are familiar with lean construction practices. The findings have also pointed out that the lean construction approach adds a positive impact, specifically on quality, safety and environmental level. In addition, the main barriers hindering a successful lean construction deployment in Morocco are lack of knowledge about lean construction philosophy, unskilled human resources and insufficient financial resources.Originality/valueThis study provides a new insight into the implementation of lean construction in Morocco. It contributes to the body of knowledge, as it uncovers for the first time the level of awareness, the potential benefits derived from lean construction practices and the barriers to implementing lean construction in the Moroccan construction industry. Exploring the current state of lean construction implementation can help practitioners, companies and researchers in the Moroccan construction industry to focus their effort and resources on the significant issues necessary to assist a successful implementation of lean construction. Furthermore, the findings of this study could prove valuable to other countries in Africa, especially those sharing similarities to the Moroccan context.

A Study on Democracy Metaphors in Moroccan King Mohammed VI Inaugural Speeches

This study analyzes democracy metaphors used in Mohammed VIs' speeches at the opening of the parliamentary session from 2003 until 2014. Mohammed VI has ruled Morocco since 1999. Many studies have uncovered the role of metaphors as influential devices used in politics. However, in the Moroccan context, studies related to metaphors and politics have received little attention so far. Politicians encounter challenges as they address their audience such as the need to convince them of their views, to gain the trust of their analysis and to give psychological realities to their abstract concepts.
 The Moroccan monarchy has ruled Morocco for centuries. More than three hundred and fifty years of monarchy rule has marked the history of Moroccan society. The monarchy was able to adapt to the sociopolitical changes that the Moroccan society has known. This rule was the work of multiple factors and strategies that the monarchy has followed. One of them is the use of metaphors as a communication strategy.
 The aim of this paper is to reveal the contribution of metaphors to the Moroccan political debate mainly by studying the king’s speeches addressed to the Moroccan nation. This research strives to uncover part of the Moroccan king’s strategy to win the hearts and minds of the moroccan people. This study provides an insight into the communication strategies used by the head of state of one of the third world regimes facing democracy transition and encountering political and economic challenges. They are based mainly on the use of the metaphor to interpret realities and design future roadmaps.

Enhancing Mentoring Quality: The Tri-spheric Ecological Approach to Mentor Selection (TEAMS)

The central role of mentoring in developing and preparing prospective teachers during the clinical experience has been consistently documented in the literature. Screening candidates and selecting the fittest to serve as mentors is an essential process to the successful provision of the necessary professional and personal assistance to the new entrants to the profession. Based on this premise, the present conceptual paper aims to provide a new perspective to the selection process of mentor teachers to support pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in the Moroccan context. At the current time, the only formal requirements for becoming a mentor are based on a simple expression of interest and a consideration of the academic qualifications the candidate has. This method of selection proved to be problematic in light of new empirical evidence that showed its inherent limitedness and how it created unnecessary difficulties for trainee teachers during practice teaching. The Tri-spheric Ecological Approach to Mentor Selection (TEAMS) framework this paper tries to put forward adds more layers to the screening process of mentor teachers and places it in a wider context with more important factors and players to consider. This approach is then hoped to enhance the quality of mentoring during the practicum and circumvent numerous reported problems that pre-service teachers, unnecessarily, have to endure under the current mentor selection process.

Imported Malaria in the Region of Marrakech-Safi, Morocco, between 1996 and 2016

Since the elimination of the autochthonous malaria in Morocco in 2005, the control of imported malaria, based on epidemiological monitoring of the parasite carriers and on vector control, is a priority. This retrospective study is focused on imported malaria cases identified by optical microscopy at the Laboratory of Public Health in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 1996 to 2016. 208 cases were observed. Males accounted for 89% of cases. The cases were imported from 24 African countries, especially from Equatorial Guinea (28%), Guinea Conakry (11%), Ivory Coast (9%), Burkina Faso (8%) and Mali (7%). The highest incidence was recorded in 2012 and 2014 with 32 cases each. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequent parasite (85%) followed by Plasmodium ovale (12%), while lower rates were detected for Plasmodium malariae (3 cases) and Plasmodium vivax (2 cases). Increasing malaria cases have been recorded since 1996. This may be related to Morocco's openness to the sub-Saharan Africa with an increase in international travels and migration flow from malaria endemic countries. To keep the status of autochthonous malaria free country, since 2011 the Ministry of Health has developed and implemented a strategy adapted to Moroccan context, to maintain malaria elimination and prevent its reintroduction.

Students Demotivating Factors in the EFL classroom: The Case of Morocco

This study was conducted to investigate the problem of demotivation in English language learning (ELL) within the Moroccan context. To attain this objective, two instruments were adopted: a questionnaire and a writing test. The participants involved in this study were 201 baccalaureate students (second year) from six secondary schools, 84 were males and 117 were females. The data gathered was quantitatively analyzed through frequency distribution and percentages, Cross-tabulation, Chi-Square Tests, Independent Samples t-Test, in addition to the statistical significance which was set at the level of .05 (95%) for all statistical procedures. Six main findings were reported: (1) students positively perceived themselves in ELL; (2) students did not consider English language as a demotivating factor while learning it itself; (3) students were largely positive towards their teachers of English; (4) crowded classrooms were the main demotivators in learning environment among classmates, textbook of English, and classroom atmosphere; (5) generally, learning environment was the main demotivating factor in ELL; (6) as for gender, there was no significant difference between males and females in terms of the number of demotivating factors that they encountered. In the light of these findings, some pertinent implications were provided.

Development of a competitive intelligence maturity model: Insights from Moroccan companies

This paper aims to assess the maturity level of competitive intelligence (CI) in Moroccan companies, so as to improve theirs practices, and to justify their investment in competitive intelligence. To do so, we have identified the maturity model based on a comprehensive review of recent literature. The objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) to determine the major purposes of a CI maturity model (CIMM), (2) to identify the types of CI dimensions and levels of maturity, (3) to evaluate Moroccan companies in terms of CI practice. Our approach is to develop a conceptual framework of the CI maturity model that articulates (1) dimensions of CI, and (2) maturity levels of CI. We note that little attention has been given in previous research to how CI is actually conducted in Moroccan companies. For this purpose, an empirical study was conducted. The results discuss various perspectives and insights from a competitive intelligence maturity model point of view in the Moroccan context. The results show that the majority of the Moroccan companies are in an early stage of the CI levels, where the CI practice is only to employ environment scanning and the competition in the business environment is not intense. We also note the absence of CI structure at this level. Most of these Moroccan companies are not able to cope with changes in the business environment. The CI systems and processes are released on an irregular basis. This study is the first to investigate the Competitive Intelligence Maturity Model (CIMM) in the Moroccan context. The findings of this research show that there are six CI dimensions (CI culture of an organization; CI deliverables; CI sourcing; CI cycle; CI investment in terms of resources; CI users and CI application) that should be taken into account in CI implementation with regard to the CI level (early, mid, world class).

Determinants Analysis of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

The purpose of this work is to identify the most representative components and dimensions of the Organizational Citizenship Behaviors within the Moroccan context. The first phase of this paper lies on a theoretical framework defining the individual performance concept, and then we will emphasize the different Organizational Citizenship Behaviors' theories. The method involves an exploratory qualitative inquiry based on directive interviews with executives working in the private companies located in the region of Rabat. The present study reassessed the finding of the existing theories in a purposive sample and in a different context. By identifying the different components of the contextual performance within the Moroccan context we can link several organizational behaviors in the same model, which will pave the way to a confirmatory study. This will allow for more organizationnal consideration of contextual performance and may direct future research on performance management.

Menstrual and reproductive factors and risk of breast cancer: A case-control study in the Fez region, Morocco.

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In the Moroccan context, the role of well-known reproductive factors in breast cancer remains poorly documented. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between menstrual and reproductive factors and breast cancer risk in Moroccan women in the Fez region.MethodsA case–control study was conducted at the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez between January 2014 and April 2015. A total of 237 cases of breast cancer and 237 age-matched controls were included. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual and reproductive history, family history of breast cancer, and lifestyle factors was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer by menstrual and reproductive factors adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsEarly menarche (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.08–2.38) and nulliparity (OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.98–7.30) were significantly related to an increased risk of breast cancer, whereas an early age at first full-term pregnancy was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25–0.65).ConclusionThe results of this study confirm the role of established reproductive factors for breast cancer in Moroccan women. It identified some susceptible groups at high risk of breast cancer. Preventive interventions and screening should focus on these groups as a priority. These results should be confirmed in a larger, multicenter study.

Relationship marketing approach and customer perceived value: An empirical study in retail banks

Abstract
 This paper studies what creates value for customers and how perceived value increases customers’ loyalty. An analytical model is presented and applied in the field of Moroccan retail banking industry. The model is tested through a quantitative study using data collected by an online questionnaire. A total of 200 customers of financial entities were surveyed, and 20 items were tested using the Structural Equation Modeling through Smart-PLS Approach. The results show that the relationship marketing approach is a multidimensional construct composed by trust, commitment and satisfaction. The perceived value based on the PERVAL scale was composed of three components (economic value, social value and emotional value) and represented by 7 items. The results confirm that customers’ positive perceived value has a mediator effect between relationship marketing approach of the providers and customers’ loyalty. This article provides an empirical validation of the perceived value study, a little investigated topic in the Moroccan context. It shows the managerial implications of developing such strategy to maintain long term relationship with customers.
 
 Keywords: relationship approach, perceived value, loyalty, banking , Morocco.

Design and Implementation of a Risk Management Tool: A Case Study of the Moodle Platform

During the last years, the distinctive feature of our society has been the rapid pace of technological change. In the Moroccan context, universities have put digital learning at the heart of their projects of development thanks to a wide range of hybrid training devices, Small Private Online Course (SPOC) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) via Virtual Work Environment (ENT, Environnement Numérique de Travail ). On the one hand, the purpose of using these devices consist in helping improve their performance and in enhancing their attractiveness. On the other hand, is aimed at meeting the increasingly diverse student’s needs, thanks to the infrastructures reorganization and a renovated pedagogy. Also, extensive use of information and communication technologies at different universities exposes them to a problem related to information system (IS) risks in general and e-learning in particular. The risk assessment is quite complicated and multidimensional. It must take into account many components, including assets, threats, vulnerabilities, controls already in place and analyses. In this work, we first propose the methods of risk management. We then present the risk analysis related to the Moodle platform.

Enhancing Mentoring Quality: The Tri-Spheric Ecological Approach to Mentor Selection (TEAMS)

The central role of mentoring in developing and preparing prospective teachers during the clinical experience has been consistently documented in the literature. Screening candidates and selecting the fittest to serve as mentors is an essential process to the successful provision of the necessary professional and personal assistance to the new entrants to the profession. Based on this premise, the present conceptual paper aims to provide a new perspective to the selection process of mentor teachers to support pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in the Moroccan context. At the current time, the only formal requirements for becoming a mentor are based on a simple expression of interest and a consideration of the academic qualifications the candidate has. This method of selection proved to be problematic in light of new empirical evidence that showed its inherent limitedness and how it created unnecessary difficulties for trainee teachers during practice teaching. The Tri-spheric Ecological Approach to Mentor Selection (TEAMS) framework this paper tries to put forward adds more layers to the screening process of mentor teachers and places it in a wider context with more important factors and players to consider. This approach is then hoped to enhance the quality of mentoring during the practicum and circumvent numerous reported problems that pre-service teachers, unnecessarily, have to endure under the current mentor selection process.