An empirical study of male and female leadership styles in a segregated work environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Disparities between men‘s and women‘s leadership styles are particularly salient in contemporary organizations in which recent trends suggest leadership styles link to both sex and gender. Some research suggests leadership style is associated partly with sex, and other research suggests differences are attributed better to gender roles. Thus, it is unclear whether gender moderates relationships among psychological mechanisms that produce leadership and its various styles. Complicating the matter is the fact that most researchers conduct leadership studies in contexts in which genders interact regularly. In Saudi Arabia, interactions between the genders are limited to one‘s relatives, though some interactions do occur among colleagues. Most Saudi Arabian organisations segregate employees based on gender since cultures governed by Islamic law commonly separate the sexes regarding institutions, education, employment, and even time spent in leisure. In such cultures, segregation acts as a means of respect and protection from sexual discrimination, regardless of any underestimation of women‘s management skills or characteristics, including leadership. The purpose of this study is to assess gendered leadership in segregated, Saudi Arabian work environments, a context in which interactions between the genders is limited. This study examines leader-member interactions to assess whether gender status moderates either leader behaviours or organisational commitment. Since interactions among the genders are uncommon in this context, this study uniquely explores whether leadership is gendered in the environment.A framework was developed based on both the full-range leadership model and leader-member exchange to assess correlations between the two models and predict employee organisational commitment. This study investigates relationships among both models‘ components, including transformational leader behaviours, transactional leader behaviours, passive leadership behaviours and quality of relationships between leaders and subordinates, and organisational commitment, especially concerning how these components operate in a gender-segregated context. Finally, gender as a moderator was also assessed among these relationships. Data were collected through a quantitative survey from a sample of three-hundred and ninety-six bank employees whose organisation follows a strict sex-segregation policy. The survey consisted of the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire, the LMX-7, and the Organisational Commitment Scale instruments. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling, and Partial Least Squares was used as an alternative method of evaluating hypothesised relationships among constructs.Results suggest idealised attributes, idealised behaviours, and developmental behaviours components of transformational leadership correlate strongest with leader-member exchange. Contingent reward, a component of transactional leadership, correlated positively with both leader-member exchange and organisational commitment. Management by exception (active) showed no correlation with leader-member exchange, but correlated with organisational commitment. Passive leader behaviours demonstrated a negative relationship with leader-member exchange. Finally, leader-member exchange mediated relationships among transformational leader behaviours, contingent reward, passive leader behaviours, and organisational commitment.This study suggests the paramount role quality of relationship with a leader plays in the Saudi Arabian context regarding transformational leader behaviours. The mediating role of leader-member exchange between transformational leader behaviours and organisational commitment is attributed to recognition that followers establish relationships in a context in which power distance is high and collectivist values are held. Gender did not moderate relationships among constructs, though non-significant correlations suggest disparities between the male and female groups investigated in this study. Results from this study fill several gaps in the literature concerning gendered leadership in segregated work environments, especially concerning the finding that leadership is not gendered in Saudi Arabian, segregated contexts. Saudi Arabian female managers appear to be as effective as their male counterparts; in fact, they scored slightly higher. These findings argue against a stereotypical view of gendered leadership and suggest an important message regarding the abilities of female managers in Saudi Arabian and other gender-segregated contexts. Saudi Arabian female managers appear accessible to followers through several leadership styles, offering disparate communication channels that encourage multiple avenues to interact with them. Based on the female model, Saudi female maagers were effective in the prediction of LMX using TRFLs, CR and PSVs, while men were effective in TRFLs and PSVs to predict LMX. Also female managers were effective in the prediction of OC using LMX, CR and MBEA, while Saudi male managers were effective to predict OC via LMX and MBEA. Results also suggest that the literature should pay more attention to minimising stereotyping of female managers regarding gendered leadership. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed in light of these findings

Lunar High Quality Terrain Scanning Mission Using LIDAR Technology

As interest in exploring the moon grows, this study suggests a mission plan that involves using a CubeSat fitted with a LiDAR sensor (SALi) to survey large sections of the lunar landscape and gather precise information on its ruggedness and altitude. By making use of available components and an advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system featuring star trackers, IMUs and maintaining a circular polar orbit at 125 km above the moon’s surface the CubeSat will implement the Lambert Method for efficient orbital insertion around the moon and employ reaction wheels along with ion thrusters for accurate imaging. Communication will rely on the 400 MHz UHF band. Utilize the CubeSat Space Protocol (CSP) for secure data transmission while enhancing signal strength through a deployable mesh reflector antenna. The KubOS flight software will oversee onboard functions with data being transmitted via Amazon Web Services (AWS) ground stations. This mission concept presents a strategy, for gathering detailed topographical data of the lunar surface by capitalizing on a CubeSats cost effectiveness paired with LiDAR technology

Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy:Towards Structural Insights into Starch-Based Materials in the Food Industry

Solid-state NMR is a nondestructive and noninvasive technique used to study the chemical structure and dynamics of starch-based materials and to bridge the gap between structure–function relationships and industrial applications. The study of crystallinity, chemical modification, product blending, molecular packing, amylose–amylopectin ratio, end chain motion, and solvent–matrix interactions is essential for tailoring starch product properties to various applications. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of research characterizing starch-based materials using solid-state NMR, and to briefly introduce the most advanced and promising NMR strategies and hardware designs used to overcome the sensitivity and resolution issues involved in structure–function relationships

Synthesizing new glass 40P2O5 – 50BaO - 2.5Na2O – 2.5MgO - 5TiO2 for the application in high radiation environmental dosimetry

This paper aimed to present the thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) nanopowders as a glass former, modified with barium oxide (BaO) glass, the mixture was activated with titanium oxide (TiO2), and then co-activated with magnesium oxide (MgO) and sodium oxide (NaO). The glass was arranged into five different samples depending on the activator concentration and co-activator with the glass matrix 40 P2O5 - 50 BaO. The sample glass 40P2O5 – 50BaO - 2.5Na2O – 2.5MgO - 5TiO2 confirmed and proved the following properties: simple, reasonable, modest way of synthesis, losing nearly about 18.57% from its TL information in 10 days, apparent glow curve shape, linear response, less fading, and high Zeff value. Thus, this new formed kind of glass might play a crucial role especially in the field of high radiation environmental dosimetry

Mammary duct ectasia with bloody nipple discharge in a 5-month-old infant: A case report

Mammary ductal ectasia (MDE) with bloody nipple discharge (BND) appears to be exceptionally rare and presents a challenge for management to the consulting physician. We report A 5-month-old boy presented with a 3 weeks history of unilateral breast enlargement associated with intermittent spontaneous bloody nipple discharge. Ultrasound evaluation showed a 1.0 cm × 0.57 cm cystic mass in the right subareolar region with dilated ducts. Cytological evaluation of nipple discharge showed no malignant cells. The breast swelling and nipple discharge resolved spontaneously after 1 months without recurrence during the following 7 months. We conclude that mammary ductal ectasia is a benign and self-limited disorder in infancy and can be manged conservatively without any specific treatment to avoid unnecessary invasive surgical intervention

[002] 九州大学農学部農場年報 : 第2号

The main aim of this paper is to model the behavior of a mixture of 30% fly ash, 60% black cotton soil, 30% heavy metal laced industrial sludge, and 15% cement for sorption of chromium and copper at different pH values. It was found that the mixture of 30% fly ash, 60% soil, 30% sludge, and 15% cement was the ideal combination found from extensive leaching experiments for heavy metals such as Cr+6 and Cu+6. Owing to practical difficulties of carrying out leaching tests over a wide range of pH values, visual minteq was used to simulate these conditions. It is found that the model predicts the retention behavior accurately and was further confirmed with the output of previous experimental work. A series of visual minteq simulations revealed that surface complexation and reduction play an important role in the sorption process. It was concluded that the hazardous sludge laced with heavy metals can be stabilized. The study would benefit the design engineers in understanding and in finding alternate means for treating industrial sludge waste

Stability and permeability characteristics of porous asphalt pavement: An experimental case study

The systematic behavior of porous asphalt pavement (PAP) under normal traffic conditions has been studied in detail in the present work. In the first phase, an observation program measured the stability by Marshall Test for all the prepared design mix samples with normal bitumen (60/70). For the permeability test in the second phase of observation, a model is developed in the laboratory on the same falling head permeability test. The maximum permeability reaches 0.394 cm/sec for a fresh sample and 0.245 cm/sec after one year of environmental exposure. The maximum stability was 26.9 kN, and the average value obtained was 21 kN. The present work approach provides effectively reliable results in terms of stability and permeability of porous asphalt mix. The primary goal of this research is to reduce the possibility of floods and increase driver protection during inclement weather. A particular emphasis was placed on the mix ratio differences between aggregates to achieve the desired permeability while maintaining the necessary stability. The findings indicate that the checked sample looked excellent in terms of permeability