Antecedents and Consequences of Work-Family Conflict in Qatar

Purpose This paper examines the effect of causal factors, such as work-life harmony, work- family conflict, co-worker and supervisor support, as well as spouse support, on workload and job stress and employee psychological ill-being (depression/anxiety). Design/methodology/approach A large convenience sample of 807 families from Qatar was surveyed. Using SPSS, the researchers used factor analysis to establish construct validity, based on two suitability tests: the Kaisers-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and the Bartless test of sphericity. The dimensions were found to be reliable and valid. Findings Findings from regression analysis show that five independent variables, as well as gender, are significant in predicting staff members’ perceived employee psychological ill-being in Qatar. In addition, results of the recursive model reveal that work-life harmony, supervisor’s and spouse’s support lead to less perceived employee psychological ill-being. However, workload, job stress and work-family conflict lead to more perceived employee psychological ill-being in Qatar. Practical implications Findings of this investigation provide strategic insights and practical thinking that have important implications for understanding and overcoming employee psychological ill-being. What’s more, this paper contributes to the limited knowledge about the effects of stressful working conditions in combination with low levels of spouse support and co-worker and supervisor support on work-life conflict and higher levels of depression and anxiety. Originality This article empirically correlates three fields of management research: Managerial Psychology, Employee Well-Being and Work-Life Balance

Work-Life -Balance in Qatar: Implementing Tows Analysis as a Variant of the Classic Strategic Tool, SWOT

Purpose The overall goal of this paper is to explore via Gap and TOWS analysis if organizations are offering innovative benefits from the perspective of married employees that make being a working dad or mom easier in Qatar. Design/methodology/approach A large convenient sample of 824 working Qataris were surveyed, using a 15-item instrument based on previous research. The researchers used factor analysis to ascertain construct validity, based on two suitability tests: First, the Kaisers-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy generated a score of 0.807, well above the recommended level of 0.50. Second, the Bartless test of sphericity result was significant (Chi Square = 2079.671, P= 0.00), indicating that there are adequate inter-correlations between the items which allow the use of factor analysis. Findings Findings of the gap analysis validate the trust – building model between leaders and followers from the employee’s perspective. The responses identified in this study enhance the trust in leaders who behave ethically, treat employees fairly, and promote work-life balance. This is an indication that Qatar’s National Vision 2030 introduced by Qatar government is transforming organizations’ values and attitudes in Qatar so that they perform beyond expectations. Additionally, findings of TWOS analysis identified four employer benefits items that are considered opportunities and eight employer benefits items that are identified as threats for the organizations in Qatar as a whole. Also, findings of path analysis confirm that the impact of “gap in perceived supervisor support” on “gap in perceived development of a caring organization” is strengthened via the intervening of “gap in perceived child-friendly working hours” and “gap in perceived parental leave”. Originality Qatar’s National Vision 2030 has set new future trends that demand changes in organizational culture and the empirical findings of this article should help decision and policy makers in Qatar to determine where change is possible and to focus on priorities as well as possibilities

Determinants of Banks’ Profitability: Panel Data from Qatar

Purpose : The aim of this paper is to investigate the main determinants of banks’ profitability and answer the question “what is the effect of liquidity and risk variables on the explained variation of banks’ performance in Qatar?” Design/ methodology /approach : A sample of six major lender banks for the period 2008-2015 is retrieved from the worldwide bankscope database. The dependent variable “Return on Average Assets (ROAA)” is taken as a function of independent variables that are basically liquidity and risk variables. Findings : Findings of this study show that variation in the independent variable “Total Capital Ratio %” positively and significantly affects the explained variation in performance of banks in Qatar measured by “ROAA”, while variation in “Cost to Income Ratio”, negatively and significantly impacts the variation in performance of banks in Qatar. At the same time, variation in “Reserves for impaired Loans/A nonperforming loan (NPL)” and variation in “Loan to Assets Ratio” significantly and negatively affect ROAA of banks in Qatar. Practical implications : It is recommended to replicate the findings of this study in each of the other GCC country before building an econometric model to cluster the GCC banks into homogeneous segments. Originality : The research problem is based on review of literature and investigation in a novel way using EViews 9 and Panel Data

A Structural Equation Model of Perceived University Image In Qatar: Student Perspective

The aim of this research is to examine the factors that influence student perceptions of the image of Qatar’s national university, Qatar University. The study is constructed on related research on perceptions of organizational image and explores institutional image perceptions in the state of Qatar. Based on data collected from a sample of 1427 students in Qatar, this study uses factor analysis in order to identify the variables that influence students’ perceptions of Qatar University. The findings of this study indicate that the way students perceive Qatar University is determined by four main factors: Quality of education, comparability of educational standards, the facilities and extracurricular activities provided, and graduates’ employability. The paper concludes with recommendations for institutional policy and future research

Factors influencing reading news on the mobile devices in Qatar in light of augmented reality (AR) & Virtual reality (VR)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and better understand the factors influencing reading news on the mobile devices in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Design/Methodology/Approach: A large convenience sample of 699 respondents from Qatar was surveyed. The researcher employed KMO measure of sampling adequacy and the Bartless test of sphericity to establish the construct validity of the instrument using advanced SPSS. The four extracted and rotated dimensions were found to be reliable and valid. Main Findings: Findings from Multiple Regression Analysis have confirmed two out of six hypotheses. Two independent variables (1) nationality and (2) interest in using AR & VR out of six explanatory variables are significant in predicting the use of mobile devices to follow regional and international news in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Implications: Gone are the days when Qataris have to wait to get the traditional printed newspapers. A more proactive approach from decision makers in Qatar’s newspaper printing industry is needed to benefit from the findings of this research and the digitalization of international news. Novelty: This article empirically correlates two fields of research: the digital copy of the real world and reading international news.This work was supported by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University and is sponsored by the Qatar National Research Fund. The researcher would like to acknowledge Dr. Justin Gengler for making the data available. The author would also like to thank Mr. John Lee Holmes, Mr. Abdulrahman Rahmany, Mr. Anis Miladi and Mr. Isam Mohamed Abdel Hameed in giving so generously of their time at various stages of the data collection and entry

A Structural Equation Model of Perceived University Image In Qatar: Student Perspective

The aim of this research is to examine the factors that influence student perceptions of the image of Qatar’s national university, Qatar University. The study is constructed on related research on perceptions of organizational image and explores institutional image perceptions in the state of Qatar. Based on data collected from a sample of 1427 students in Qatar, this study uses factor analysis in order to identify the variables that influence students’ perceptions of Qatar University. The findings of this study indicate that the way students perceive Qatar University is determined by four main factors: Quality of education, comparability of educational standards, the facilities and extracurricular activities provided, and graduates’ employability. The paper concludes with recommendations for institutional policy and future research

Factors influencing reading news on the mobile devices in Qatar in light of augmented reality (AR) & Virtual reality (VR)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and better understand the factors influencing reading news on the mobile devices in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Design/Methodology/Approach: A large convenience sample of 699 respondents from Qatar was surveyed. The researcher employed KMO measure of sampling adequacy and the Bartless test of sphericity to establish the construct validity of the instrument using advanced SPSS. The four extracted and rotated dimensions were found to be reliable and valid. Main Findings: Findings from Multiple Regression Analysis have confirmed two out of six hypotheses. Two independent variables (1) nationality and (2) interest in using AR & VR out of six explanatory variables are significant in predicting the use of mobile devices to follow regional and international news in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Implications: Gone are the days when Qataris have to wait to get the traditional printed newspapers. A more proactive approach from decision makers in Qatar’s newspaper printing industry is needed to benefit from the findings of this research and the digitalization of international news. Novelty: This article empirically correlates two fields of research: the digital copy of the real world and reading international news.This work was supported by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University and is sponsored by the Qatar National Research Fund. The researcher would like to acknowledge Dr. Justin Gengler for making the data available. The author would also like to thank Mr. John Lee Holmes, Mr. Abdulrahman Rahmany, Mr. Anis Miladi and Mr. Isam Mohamed Abdel Hameed in giving so generously of their time at various stages of the data collection and entry

DETERMINANTS OF PARENTAL CHILD’S SCHOOL PREFERENCES IN QATAR

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of “Quality Education”, “Developing Better Social Skills”, “Homework  Assignment”, “Using Private Tutors”, “Charging School Fees” and “Nationality” on “Parental School Preference” using primary data collected from preparatory and secondary school teachers in Qatar. Methodology: The population for this study consists of all parents in Qatar. The current study used a very large stratified sample size n = 1462 that was determined by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) using a 95% confidence interval estimate. The nine items used in this study are part of a huge questionnaire measuring attitude and parental child’s school preferences. Kaisers-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and the Bartless test of sphericity were used to determine the appropriateness of using factor analysis. What are more; principal axis factoring and oblique rotation extracted three factors? Main findings: The representative sample Factor analysis extracted three dimensions (quality education, developing better social skills, homework assignment). The dependent variable (parental school choice) was regressed on the factor scores of these three extracted dimensions in addition to four independent variables (school fees, nationality, repeating a school grade, and parents’ disappointment if their child doesn’t go far in school). The results revealed that parental school choice is significantly determined by three explanatory variables: the quality of education, school fees, and nationality. Implications: Raising standards for teachers should be a key element in educational quality. What’s more, in the spirit of findings the policymakers in Qatar should make funding part of school fees for expatriates a priority. Novelty: This article empirically correlates two main fields of educational research:  Parental School Choice is given Quality of Education, Charging School Fees, and Nationality

Determinants of Student Absenteeism/Presenteeism in Qatar: A Path Analysis

The current study sought to investigate the perceptions of school teachers regarding student absenteeism and presenteeism in the State of Qatar. Drawing on the existing relevant literature in the field and based on a survey research method, the study was carried out during the first term (Fall semester) in 2015. The study involved preparatory (middle) and secondary (high) school teachers at both public (Independent) and private (International) schools in Qatar. To attain this goal, a causal model was used to examine the causes that shape teachers’ perceptions of absenteeism and presenteeism. The data required for the present research was collected from a sample of 495 teachers at Independent and International schools. Based on factor analysis, the findings concluded from the study indicated that seven valid dimensions were extracted. In addition, three determinant factors that influence the perceptions of preparatory and secondary school teachers with regard to students’ absentee and presentee behaviours were identified. These factors are: (a) reviewing curriculum content, (b) the teaching load, and (c) the expected rate of student graduations. The study concludes by offering some important recommendations for education practitioners and policy makers as well as some useful suggestions for future research and practice

PATH ANALYTIC INVESTIGATION OF THE INTENTION TO ADOPT E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES THROUGH MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN QATAR (TAM REVISITED)

The aim of this research is to examine the factors that affect user's intention to use e-government services through mobile applications in Qatar. Based on valid responses from 1,340 adults out of a representative sample size of 7200 (response rate=18.6%) in Qatar aged 18 to 77 years old, this study uses factor analysis and structural equation model to identify the variables that influence users' intention to adopt mobile applications in Qatar. Findings of this study indicate that factors Path Analytic Investigation of the Intention to Adopt E-Government Services through Mobile Applications in Qatar (TAM Revisited) http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/index.asp 128 [email protected] affecting the intention to adopt e-government services through mobile applications are: awareness, perceived trust, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of mobile applications. The present study supports the hypothesis through the findings that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use leads to mobile application of e-government adoption. The present study adds a relevant and a novel contribution to the field of technology acceptance by encompassing the TAM theory to smartphone applications. The paper concludes with recommendations for institutional policy and future research