UAE Context Research Articles

Nursing students’ stressors and coping strategies during their first clinical training: a qualitative study in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundUnderstanding the stressors and coping strategies of nursing students in their first clinical training is important for improving student performance, helping students develop a professional identity and problem-solving skills, and improving the clinical teaching aspects of the curriculum in nursing programmes. While previous research have examined nurses’ sources of stress and coping styles in the Arab region, there is limited understanding of these stressors and coping strategies of nursing students within the UAE context thereby, highlighting the novelty and significance of the study.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Overall 30 students who were undergoing their first clinical placement in Year 2 at the University of Sharjah between May and June 2022 were recruited. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed for themes.ResultsDuring their first clinical training, nursing students are exposed to stress from different sources, including the clinical environment, unfriendly clinical tutors, feelings of disconnection, multiple expectations of clinical staff and patients, and gaps between the curriculum of theory classes and labatories skills and students’ clinical experiences. We extracted three main themes that described students’ stress and use of coping strategies during clinical training: (1) managing expectations; (2) theory-practice gap; and (3) learning to cope. Learning to cope, included two subthemes: positive coping strategies and negative coping strategies.ConclusionsThis qualitative study sheds light from the students viewpoint about the intricate interplay between managing expectations, theory practice gap and learning to cope. Therefore, it is imperative for nursing faculty, clinical agencies and curriculum planners to ensure maximum learning in the clinical by recognizing the significance of the stressors encountered and help students develop positive coping strategies to manage the clinical stressors encountered. Further research is required look at the perspective of clinical stressors from clinical tutors who supervise students during their first clinical practicum.

Hybrid lighting approach to improve interior workspace environments: a case study in the UAE

PurposeInterior workspace environments use exclusively artificial light, resulting in a loss of biological connection and natural light quality, as well as greater energy consumption. The purpose of the study is to identify a suitable system that can provide natural light to such interior spaces throughout the day while supplementing it with artificial light when necessary. The fundamental aim is to provide insights into the most effective solutions for energy-efficient lighting design in the UAE's environment, with the potential to lower energy consumption related to interior lighting.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an empirical approach to gather and analyze primary data based on field measurements to understand and assess existing lighting conditions, as well as DIALux lighting simulation software to test the efficacy of the proposed HLS in terms of natural light delivery, illumination quality and energy consumption. A branch of a local bank in the United Arab Emirates, situated inside one of the shopping malls where there is no natural light penetration, has been chosen as a case study.FindingsThe findings of comparing the base case to four probable scenarios that used HLS revealed that the third scenario, which uses 100% pure sunshine and 35% artificial LED light during daylight operations and 100% LED light during night duty, is considered to be optimal in terms of illumination quality and energy efficiency.Originality/valueThe study demonstrated the potential of innovative lighting to improve the visual working environment in interior spaces with limited access to direct natural lighting, especially in arid regions, where sunlight is plentiful throughout the year. The study contributes new insights into the establishment of lighting-related recommendations and standards for the UAE context. This may include advice for sustainable construction practices, lighting guidelines or incentives to encourage the use of hybrid lighting technology in commercial and institutional buildings.

The impact of dynamic capabilities on enterprise agility: The intervening roles of digital transformation and IT alignment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of dynamic capabilities on enterprise agility through the mediating effect of IT alignment and the moderating influence of digital transformation. Using a quantitative survey strategy, data were collected from 236 respondents from UAE firms and analysed through a non-linear structural equation modelling approach, partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The study ’s findings indicate that firms’ transforming, sensing and seizing capabilities enhance enterprise agility, respectively. However, only transforming and seizing increase IT alignment, which in turn improved agility. Also, digital transformation was found to moderate the link between transforming and enterprise agility, while IT allignment acted as a mediator. The study offers novel evidence uncovering the mechanism whereby sub-dimensional dynamic capabilities impact enterprise agility. Precisely, it provides fresh evidence on the critical intervening roles of digital transformation and IT alignment in the UAE context.

Risk Management in Islamic Banking: The Impact of Financial Technologies through Empirical Insights from the UAE

Financial technology (fintech) innovations are transforming banking globally. Their adoption poses new opportunities and risks for Islamic banks with unique requirements. This study examines fintech’s implications for risk management effectiveness in United Arab Emirates Islamic banks. A conceptual model incorporates factors like fintech adoption, emerging capabilities, digital maturity, and IT security influencing outcomes. Primary data were collected via survey from nine UAE Islamic banks and analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results show that fintech adoption and capabilities positively impacted effectiveness, while digital transformation alone did not. The findings also show that the regulatory environment did not moderate relationships as hypothesized. The findings provide empirical evidence on optimizing risk management through responsible fintech enablement and oversight alignment in the UAE context.

Exploring logistics service providers for small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations: benefits and challenges

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits and challenges of using logistics service providers (LSPs) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the focus group interview method with eight LSP companies of varying sizes in the UAE. The aim is to obtain detailed insights into the advantages and obstacles associated with using LSPs. Findings The interview results reveal differences in the services and payment options offered by large and small-medium-sized LSPs, leading to varying impacts on SMEs. Additionally, both large and small-medium-sized LSPs encounter challenges in delivering services to SMEs, including sustaining logistic excellence in a competitive market, meeting the high customer expectations from SMEs and large enterprises, difficulty in recruiting skilled and competent employees and high costs of business technology. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the UAE context and the perspectives of eight LSP companies. The findings may not be generalizable to other regions or industries. Practical implications The findings of this research provide valuable insights for SMEs and large corporations considering the use of LSPs. Understanding the benefits and challenges associated with outsourcing logistics services can assist in making informed decisions and developing effective collaborations with LSPs. Originality/value This research contributes to the existing literature by specifically examining the benefits and challenges of using LSPs for SMEs and large corporations. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that influence logistics outsourcing decisions and highlights the unique challenges faced by LSPs and SMEs in the context of the UAE.

Exploring UAE's transition towards circular economy through construction and demolition waste management in the pre-construction stage–A case study approach

PurposeThis paper aims to explore UAE's transition towards circular economy (CE) through construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in the pre-construction stage. The extent of circularity is assessed by five key aspects of CE, such as policies and strategic frameworks, design for waste prevention, design for disassembly or deconstruction, use of prefabricated elements and CDW management plans.Design/methodology/approachMultiple case studies were conducted in the context of the Dubai construction industry (UAE). Three significant and unique construction projects were selected as the cases. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to collect data, and the thematic analysis technique and NVIVO 12 software were used for data analysis.FindingsFindings reveal several positive initiatives towards CE in the UAE context; yet it is identified that the transition is still at the initial stage. Selected case studies, the best-case scenarios of UAE (i.e. influential cases), demonstrated adequate measures in relation to four key CE aspects out of five. For instance, (a) policies and strategic frameworks such as lean standards, green building standards and standards developed by the local authorities, (b) design for waste prevention (e.g. adherence to the 3R principle, and construction planning with BIM), (c) use of prefabricated elements and application of innovative construction technologies (e.g. 3DPC, DfMA) and (d) CDW management planning such as 3R principle were evident. However, the selected cases hardly showcase designing for disassembly or deconstruction.Research limitations/implicationsThe existing CDW practices are mostly conventional, as most constructions in UAE are procured through conventional building materials and methods. Therefore, there is a necessity of encouraging CE principles in CDW management. Even though the transition towards CE was evident in four key CE aspects out of five, the UAE construction industry has yet to adopt more effective CE-based CDW management practices to accelerate the circularity. Hence, it is necessary to enforce standard waste management guidelines, including the 3R principle, to standardise CDW management in UAE and encourage construction practitioners to adhere to CE principles.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide valuable insights for decision-making processes around CDW management towards a CE. This paper contributes to the literature by bridging the CE concept with CDW management in the pre-construction stage. The study provides insights for industry practitioners for planning CE in terms of policies and strategic frameworks, CDW management planning, construction planning and application of innovative construction technologies.

Quantifying the impact of concrete 3D printing on the construction supply chain

3D printing technology has demonstrated great potential in reducing the complexity of managing a construction supply chain (CSC). This paper investigates the consequences of incorporating 3D printing (3DP) in a traditional construction supply chain when using a two-story office building project in the UAE context as the basis for the investigation. The following steps were implemented: (1) developed frameworks and processes for the traditional construction supply chain (T-CSC) and the construction supply chain with 3D printing (3DP-CSC), (2) simulated the processes using the experts' experience data regarding the required effort in terms of construction resources to design and build a standard office building project, and (3) obtained and analyzed simulation results to compare the two CSCs. It was observed that 3DP-CSC experiences a 21% higher cumulative effort and a 6% reduction in the production rate to complete the project when compared to T-CSC. The simulation results should not be directly extrapolated or generalized for different CSCs in different sizes or types but should be considered an integral part of construction innovations. Additional simulations will be conducted in future work to demonstrate the performance of 3DP-CSC for projects with complex geometries.

The Influence of Shared Leadership towards Organizational Commitment in a Public Organization of United Arab Emirates

The existence of many leadership styles implies a lack of consensus on the best way to guide organizations in their pursuit for progress. Equally, the interplay between leadership style and outcomes such as organizational commitment remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of shared leadership on organizational commitment within the public sector in UAE context. The research aims to explicate the influence of shared leadership on organizational commitment in one of the public organizations in UAE. The study employed a quantitative research approach - a survey method using questionnaires to collect data. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The descriptive approach relied on the mean, standard deviation while inferential method was deployed using regression analyses. The study found that shared leadership is practiced in the public sector entity in UAE, given the average mean values of 4.1 and standard deviation of 0.92. The R value between shared leadership and organizational commitment is 0.48 thus indicating a moderate relationship between shared leadership and organizational commitment in public sector entity in UAE. The study has both practical and theoretical implications. Given the possibility of the influence of shared leadership being indirect, the study implication is that future researcher should investigate the presence and role of intervening variables. Practically, leaders within the UAE context would benefit from employing shared leadership as best practice more extensively to improve organizational commitment.

Strategic HRM practices, learning orientation and learning competence: study from retail industry

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect of strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices on two learning outcomes, learning orientation and learning competence, which past research has seldom examined in the UAE context. SHRM practices consisted of four factors, namely, talent acquisition, learning and development, performance appraisal and developmental pay.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data was collected from 285 employees from retail outlets operating in Dubai. Partial least squares regression analysis using the tool, SmartPLS, was used to empirically validate the measurement model and test the structural model.FindingsFindings reveal that SHRM practices talent acquisition, learning and development and developmental pay have a positive association with learning orientation, and learning and development and performance appraisal have a positive association with learning competence of employees. The path coefficient and total effects signify that learning orientation acts as a conduit to pass on the effect of the SHRM practices to learning competence.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample considered for the study was from the retail industry. Furthermore, to generalize the findings of this research, cross-national studies should be conducted across various sectors and organizations.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research study is the first of its kind in retail firms in Dubai (UAE) to empirically test the association of SHRM practices with learning outcomes. Retail outlets can implement SHRM practices to improve learning orientation and learning competence in a highly dynamic operating environment such as retail industry.

Detection of bisphenol A in thermal paper receipts and assessment of human exposure: A case study from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that is widely used in various industrial applications. It has concerns in its use as a color developer in thermal paper receipts since it is identified as an endocrine disruptor and causes hormonal disturbances. In this study, thirty thermal paper receipt samples were randomly collected from various locations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty percent (60%) of receipt samples showed BPA levels above the acceptable limit (200 ng/mg) set by the European Union (EU) for thermal papers. On the other hand, 40% of the samples reported very low BPA levels (< 0.02 ng/mg). However, estimated weight adjusted daily intakes (EDI) ranged between 8.22 ×10-11 and 0.000812 μg/kg bw/day for the general population, and between 7.89×10-9 and 0.0681 μg/kg bw/day for the occupationally exposed cashiers. Thus, all calculated EDIs were below the European Food Safety Authority Tolerable Daily Intake (4 μg/kg·bw/day) and the provisional Health Canada Tolerable Daily Intake (25 ug/kg bw/day) under varying paper-to-skin transfer coefficients and absorption fractions. Nevertheless, due to its health effects and recent legal restrictions by EU, the occurrence of co-exposure to dietary and non-dietary sources should be considered in the health risk assessment of Bisphenol A, mainly for people with frequent occupational exposure to thermal paper, and especially with the increased use of sanitizers. The current study is a first within the UAE context in relation to BPA in thermal paper receipts, thus its significance especially with the recent EU enforcement of BPA limits in paper receipts. The study highlights that proper policies as well as education and awareness may assist in limiting transdermal BPA exposure for the general and occupationally exposed populations.

Gender managerial obstacles in private organizations: the UAE case

Purpose The purpose of this study is to report empirical research on gender managerial obstacles in UAE private organizations. It identifies the barriers that limit opportunities for gender equality promotion in managerial level positions. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were gathered from 384 female managers operating in UAE organizations using Survey Monkey and ANOVA for statistical analysis. Two variables (years of experience and industry) were used to compare the average means across the responses and the differences among the group. Findings The situation of gender equality in UAE management currently shows a positive trend. The females who participated in the survey have considerable work experience and jobs in a vital economic sector of the UAE industry. The earlier cultural stereotypes that worked against the interests of women in the UAE society are no longer relevant except for informal barriers and the level of cooperation among female leaders. We found differences among industry, service and transportation sectors in which gender managerial level in a private industry is dependent upon the number of years of experience for female managers. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the study is the online survey was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the lockdown period in the spring of 2020, which led to a low number of participants responding to the questionnaire. Additionally, the survey did not include a nationality question to distinguish Emiratis from non-Emirati. Social implications This study indicates a need to coordinate UAE female leaders' actions to protect their rights, develop formal and informal mechanisms of gender inequality realization in business and promote professional skills, orientation on social networks, and mentoring programs for female leaders. These initiatives improve the positions of female leaders. Originality/value The study of the UAE case adds to the existing literature on gender studies because the survey-based research in the UAE context contributes to the limited knowledge of Middle Eastern countries. The females’ employment and their representation in managerial levels remain lower compared to males. Differences exist among the industry, service and transportation sectors.

The Role of Social Media in Women’s Entrepreneurship in the UAE: Implications for Gender Development and Equality

The objective of this paper is to assess the implications of social media platforms for women entrepreneurs in the UAE, and the extent to which these tools have empowered businesswomen to compete in the market and overcome cultural, societal and financial barriers. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted with 14 businesswomen in the country, the paper sheds light on how women entrepreneurs have benefited from the internet and social media to build their startup companies and business ventures, and on the extent to which these tools have helped them overcome various forms of obstacles facing businesswomen in the country. The results have shown that the social media platforms in the UAE context have provided great aid for women to become independent and start their own businesses, while reducing some challenges for them to attain their goals. In addition, the existence of social media has helped in reframing and positioning their roles in the right context to become financially independent.

Critical Factors to Overcome Project Scope Creep in the Oil and Gas Industry

This study aims to determine procurement and project management critical factors to develop procurement strategy with stakeholders to eliminate Project Scope Creep (PSC) risks in the oil &amp; gas (O&amp;G) sector. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology is applied to prioritize the critical factors from Tendering Management (TM), Contract Quality (CQ), and Project Management (PM) criteria to solve the PSC problem. Data from eight managerial levels and two specialists from procurement and project departments of two O&amp;G companies in the UAE context. The study revealed that there are six factors out of fifteen, which are critical factors from procurement management; i.e., 1) tender strategy 2) tender clarifications meetings and negotiation 3) tender document preparation 4) techno-commercial bids evaluation &amp; award 5) well-written contracts and 6) supplier selection criteria. This study provides managers with tools and strategies for successful project management practices in the UAE.

A Conceptual Framework to Design Connected Mental Health Solutions in the United Arab Emirates: Questionnaire Study.

BackgroundConnected mental health (CMH) is a field presenting information and communications technology–based mental care interventions that could help overcome many mental care delivery barriers. Culture and background influence people’s attitudes, preferences, and acceptance of such solutions. Therefore, the suitability of CMH solutions to the targeted population is an important factor in their successful adoption.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to develop a framework for the design and creation of CMH solutions suitable for the UAE context. The framework is based on investigating enablers and barriers of CMH adoption in the United Arab Emirates, from the mental health professional's (MHP) perspective and from related literature.MethodsA survey of literature on relevant studies addressing the use of technology for mental care in Arab countries, and a web-based questionnaire-based survey with 17 MHPs practicing in the United Arab Emirates investigating their attitudes and views toward CMH was conducted. Results from the questionnaire and from related studies were analyzed to develop the design framework.ResultsOn the basis of findings from the literature survey and analyzing MHP answers to the web-based survey, a framework for the design of CMH solutions for the UAE population was developed. The framework presents four types of recommendation categories: favorable criteria, which included blended care, anonymity, and ease of use; cultural factors including availability in multiple languages, mainly Arabic and English, in addition to religious and cultural considerations; technical considerations, including good-quality communication, availability in formats compatible with mobile phones, and providing technical support; and users’ health and data safety considerations, including users’ suitability testing, confidentiality, and ensuring MHP integrity.ConclusionsCMH has the potential to help overcome many mental care barriers in the United Arab Emirates in particular and in the Arab world in general. CMH adoption in the United Arab Emirates has a potential for success. However, many factors should be taken into account, mainly cultural, religious, and linguistic aspects.

Teacher Candidates’ Perception of Their First Week School Placement: Comparison Between Online and Face-To-Face Practicum Learnings and Challenges

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the pre-service teachers’ education system because the need for social distancing forced pedagogies to shift the mode of practicum from face-to-face to online spaces. It was noticed that studies highlighting the differences in the pre-service teachers’ perceptions about the online and face-to-face modes of practicum are rare in the UAE context. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the differences between learning outcomes and challenges of pre-service teachers, who have enrolled in face-to-face practicum and those who did online practicum. Study participants and methods. After obtaining the written informed consent, a sample of 20 pre-service teachers (10 from online and 10 face-to-face practicum) from the UAE was selected. The data was collected from the participants in the form of qualitative answers in essay format, after the first week of the practicum. The data analysis was performed using the thematic analysis method. Results. The findings show that face-to-face practicum is superior to online practicum in terms of observation and practice-based learnings for skills like classroom management, student-engagement and teaching customization and differentiation. This superiority was mainly due to the lack of proper tools in online classroom management and to achieve person-to-person interactions. The curriculum plan was also more suited to face-to-face teaching. The non-cooperation of the mentors is the common challenge faced by pre-service teachers from both face-to-face and online groups. This study highlights the need for developing proper tools to enhance the online practicum and to improve the personal interactions. Need for improving the mentors’ involvement in practicum is also underscored. Practical significance. This study explored the differences in efficacy between the online and face-to-face practicum and the challenges faced by the pre-service teachers during the first week of their practicum in the UAE context. The results of this study highlight the areas of concern in both online and face-to-face mode, which can be used by the policy makers in the UAE to improve the teacher education programs.

Same day delivery in B2C e-commerce systems in the UAE context

This work aimed to investigate the effect of various factors on cost, customer satisfaction and cycle time with respect to same day delivery (SDD). Using survey and Pareto chart, four factors were identified as the most important: logistics resources ownership, operations management, IT infrastructure, and facility location. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all the four factors were significant for cost. For customer satisfaction and cycle time, all factors except logistics resources ownership were found to be significant. Correlation between cost, customer satisfaction and cycle time was studied and regression models were developed. A multi-objective optimisation model was used to find the best levels of the significant factors to optimise SDD. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the relative weights for the cost, customer satisfaction and cycle time. The findings would help e-retailers in decision-making. Since the survey was conducted in UAE, the result would be limited to UAE.

Same day delivery in B2C e-commerce systems in the UAE context

Same day delivery in B2C e-commerce systems in the UAE context

Maturity on the Horizon: Is the United Arab Emirates Ready for a Teacher Educator Framework?

Purpose: Research on teacher educators is fragmented but different trends are emerging from a variety of contexts that recognize it as a distinct profession. This research aims to highlight the features of a potential UAE teacher educator framework that has emerged from my research on authentic professional learning, and where professional learning might be focused in the future to build on teacher educators’ professional knowledge in the UAE. This paper explores the potential characteristics of a UAE Teacher Educator Framework through the methodological lens of narrative inquiry. Approach/Methodology/Design: Teacher educators have formal associations in the USA, Belgium, The Netherlands, Israel, and Australia and these associations have professionalized the industry and created standards and frameworks to support professional learning. No such associations or standards exist in the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on the work of Keltchermans (2018), Kreijns (2019) and the existing frameworks from other contexts, this paper illustrates the potential blueprint for the UAE education sector. Findings: The findings suggest that inter-cultural learning and sensory awareness of the contextual factors that underpin the sector may allow teacher educators to feel empowered to support teachers and their peers in a complex cultural and economic environment. Practical Implications: The practical implications propose a new way of working and thinking within the UAE context, and the framework can be applied and adapted to both the public and private sectors. Originality/value: Teacher educators have formal associations in the USA, Belgium, The Netherlands, Israel, and Australia and these associations have professionalized the industry and created standards and frameworks to support professional learning. No such associations or standards exist in the United Arab Emirates so this work offers significant value in an under-researched space.

Gendered STEM: A Systematic Review and Applied Analysis of Female Participation in STEM in the United Arab Emirates

The present study aims to identify potential barriers that women in the United Arab Emirates might face if they pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). For this purpose, a systematic review and subsequent applied analysis of the UAE context was developed. The systematic review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. The review was performed on EBSCO, ProQuest, Wiley Online Library, Gale, Taylor and Francis Online, SAGE Complete, and JSTOR. The initial database search yielded 168 articles. Following a review of the corresponding abstracts, eight full-text articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. The results obtained are discussed in the context of the UAE and help inform policy proposals and future research lines to strengthen the involvement of women in STEM careers. The study found that while women in the UAE have greater access to education in engineering and STEM fields, women’s employment prospects in these sectors remain fraught.

Customers’ purchasing behavior toward home-based SME products: evidence from UAE community

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore factors influencing customers’ purchasing behavior toward home-based small and medium enterprise (SME) products. Moreover, this study explores customer perception of home-based SME products and services, as assesses their satisfaction with the parking area layouts and delivery service systems of home-based SMEs.Design/methodology/approachRelevant variables were drawn from the literature review. A well-structured, internet-based customer questionnaire was developed for this empirical study and sent to a targeted sample of 117 respondents. The statistical methodologies such as ranking scale analysis, analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation were used to assess the gathered data using SPSS software.FindingsThe main findings revealed that 83% of the customers perceived the quality of home-based SME products and services as “at least good,” and that convenience was ranked as 21.1% with the most crucial factor for customers, which includes easy access, effective delivery and quicker processes. Moreover, the study reveals that approximately 50.4% of customers rated the parking area layouts as “at least good,” while 33.9% considered it dissatisfactory. The evidence from the correlation analysis indicates that consumers’ purchasing behavior correlates significantly with accessibility, ease of finding online shopping sites and availability of parking areas at a 95% significance level.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings will bring insights to SME owners and entrepreneurs to infer and fulfill customer expectations and achieve brand loyalty. However, research limitations include the relatively small sample size, as well as the study, focuses on home-based SMEs’ consumer behavior which cannot be generalized to other firm types.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful information on the factors and issues influencing the purchasing behavior of customers toward home-based SME products in the UAE. Understanding of SMEs owners of customer experience would facilitate planning adequate strategies addressing customers’ needs, behaviors, expectations and future opportunities. Also, logistic and delivery companies can further support SME’s growth by providing an efficient delivery experience taking into consideration the quality of product condition and duration of the delivery cycle.Originality/valueHome-based SMEs are emerging as intrinsic to the economic diversification process, especially in fast-growing and ambitious countries such as the UAE. The research objectives have drawn a better understanding of consumers’ preferences, perceptions and purchasing behavior which would better facilitate the growth and sustainability of home-based SMEs based on the UAE context.