The Effect of Using Arabic Language for Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Stage Schools in Jordan

This paper aims at investigating the effect of using Arabic language for teaching English as a Foreign Language in a Jordanian context at elementary school stages in Al-Karak Directorate of Education.  English language teachers usually intend to focus on using English in their classes, but they come across a big problem which is the lack of communication between the teachers and their students as they have difficulties in comprehending what they think of as a difficult foreign language. The sample of the study consists of 30 participants. The researcher used random sampling to select the participants of the study. The researcher used a questionnaire survey and a test to elicit data from the participants. The findings of the research indicated that using Arabic language as a facilitating tool in English classes has affects negatively and positively teaching English as a foreign language with a classroom setting in a Jordanian context. This paper recommends further research be conducted to investigate relevant types of problems related to this study with different areas.

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Job Satisfaction And Self-Perceived Performance Of Banking Employees: The Case Of Jordan

This study tested the transformational leadership theory among managers at functional level in Jordanian banks. It examined the effects of both transformational and transactional leadership styles of bank mangers/supervisors on employees’ satisfaction and self-perceived performance. Self-efficacy, self-esteem and leadership disposition (Romance of Leadership) of employees were hypothesized to act as moderators. Data was collected from employees working in Jordanian banks. A multiple regression analysis indicated that transformational leadership style, transactional leadership style, and self-efficacy were all related to job satisfaction. On the other hand, self-efficacy, Romance of Leadership (RLS), and self-esteem were related to self-perceived performance. Furthermore, a MANCOVA analysis indicated significant effects of self-efficacy, RLS, and self-esteem as covariates. Results showed that to elicit higher levels of satisfaction among bank employees, managers/supervisors need to demonstrate transformational and transactional attributes at the same time

An integration model for identifying the determinants of the adoption and implementation level of HRIS applications and Its effectiveness in business organisations in Jordan

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel UniversityThis thesis investigates the influence of firms’ internal and external environmental factors upon their adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the variation between adopters and non-adopters) and the level of implementation of HRIS applications and its effectiveness. An integrated conceptual framework was developed for the factors that determine the organisation’s adoption and the level of practice of HRIS applications. This framework integrates ideas and elements from the Diffusion of innovation Theory (DOI) and technology organization environment (TOE) model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the IT studies in the area of HRM. Data were collected through structured-directed interviews with 236 respondents. The survey units were the shareholding companies in Jordan, and the key single respondents approach was employed. The findings of the study support that internal and external environmental factors are related not only to adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the difference between adopters and non-adopters), but also to the level of implementing of HRIS applications. In comparison to each environmental dimension acting alone, the integration approach of the two internal and external dimensions gives better explanation not only of the prediction of the level of implementing of HRIS applications, but also of the prediction of adoption behaviour. Therefore, a better understanding of adoption of HRIS behaviour and the level of implementing of HRIS applications requires that firms’ environmental factors be viewed as whole (i.e., the interaction of the internal and external dimension) rather than being isolated fragments (i.e., only a single dimension). The current research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by enhancing current understanding of the organisational adoption of HRIS, which is an under-researched area in Jordan as a developing country. By employing analytical tools based on Rogers’s Innovation Diffusion Theory , UTAUT, TOE , and the findings of empirical studies of IT adoption, evidence confirms that the adoption of HRIS in the business organisations depends largely on interaction of internal and external environmental factors and the findings support the need for an integrated view of the adoption phenomenon. In that respect, this study also attempts to make an important theoretical contribution towards articulating differences in the determinants of adoption and the level of implementations of HRIS applications and its effectiveness

Flourishing the indoor environment quality of workplaces using the biophilic architectural design

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe central argument in this thesis is that workplace users’ health, well-being and productivity are affected by indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and that their overall satisfaction is related to the IEQ factors within the workplace. In addition, it is proposed that enhancing the indoor environment using Biophilic Design can positively influence occupants’ health, well-being and productivity in co-working offices and university research rooms. To test this argument, a methodology based on the Flourish Model was developed to collect interview data, discrete IEQ measurements and post-occupancy evaluation (POE) responses. This thesis is made up of three empirical parts. The first part evaluates occupants’ health, well-being and productivity in the Second Home co-working offices, which contain 30 multidiscipline companies. Data were collected through on-site observation and interviewing 10 HR members; these data were then analysed to determine how the implication of Biophilic Design patterns can help solve several IEQ issues and establish how these patterns are related to overall satisfaction and productivity. The results of this empirical part show two main points: first, the addition of plants as part of the Biophilic Architecture positively affected occupants’ health and well-being positively, and some of these plants controlled the thermal comfort, which includes the temperature and humidity as well as the air quality of the office environment; second, other Biophilic features were added to control noise levels in the space, while some of them were for aesthetic value. However, using some green features for atheistic value is not enough to reach the best environment quality and meet occupant expectations in the office environment. Finally, the implication of the Biophilic patterns is connected to the cost used in a project, starting from adding plants to significant changes in the whole building construction. The second empirical part of this study was conducted in five research rooms at Brunel University London in 2 old and 3 recently developed buildings by surveying the researchers twice and conducting a measurement test using Arduino sensors in five zones for 14 days. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that the II qualities of the five key aspects of IEQ, namely thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting environment, acoustic environment and office space layout, have significantly positive correlations with occupants’ productivity. Moreover, the participants assured that Biophilic Design offers many ways to improve their offices. Several suggestions have been presented for Biophilic solutions depending on the building age and issues raised. Finally, although some of the measured IEQ conditions were relatively good, with no significant fluctuation across the research rooms, it was noted that there is a difference between objective IEQ data and subjective occupant evaluations. The recently developed buildings which designed with fully double-glazed façades showed the highest overall health, well-being and productivity levels, whereas the old buildings constructed with small windows or with no access to the daylight had the lowest; they had lower window-to-wall ratios. The results support that the measurements do not express the absolute satisfaction of the occupants. Nevertheless, the findings were useful to be considered in the third imperial part. As the main research output, this project created a co-design toolkit that offers an opportunity for designers and architects to indicate their perspectives on improving open-plan workplaces. At the same time, this toolkit helps enhance the office environment by means of Biophilic Design and by bringing the natural environment indoors. This project is the first of its kind to develop a co-design toolkit for workplace design that can be used by designers, architects, students and even stakeholders to improve the design of workplaces in a way that positively affects their occupants. The toolkit was created in a co-design study in which the participants interactively discussed and shared their ideas as to the functionality and design of the toolkit. Then, using tow testing rounds with 6 and 15 designers and architects respectively. The researcher collated and modelled the results in the direction that they wished by using four types of cards: the activity guide, which is designed to explain the aim and the process of the toolkit to the user; the flourish cards, which created to evaluate the existing workplace situation and determine the main IEQ issues; the Biophilic cards, which present different solutions with different user budgets; and finally, the plant cards, which deliver a number of floor and desk plants with some tips that help the user to find the right location for using them.Mutah Universit

The influence of the firm's environmental measures upon its export behaviour & the level of exporting: an empirical investigation

This thesis attempts to investigate the influence of the firm's internal and external environmental measures upon its export behaviour (i.e., the variation between exporters and non - exporters) and the level of exporting. In order to achieve the study's objectives, and to conduct this research in a systematic manner, a conceptual framework was developed. The conceptual framework tied together the key factors which are thought to have influenced the firm's export behaviour and the level of exporting, i.e., the internal and the external environmental dimensions. The design of the research is guided by a number of hypotheses about the relationship between the firm's level of exporting and its internal and external environmental measures on the one hand, and about the discrimination between exporters and non exporters according to these environmental measures on the other hand. The required data interviews with 387 manufacturing firms approach was employed. are collected through structured - directed respondents. The survey units were the in Jordan, and the key single respondents The data are analysed by the application of a variety of statistical tests and techniques: (1) Factor analysis (Principle Components analysis); (2) Multiple regression analysis; (3) Discriminant function analysis; (4) Correlation analysis; (5) T - test; (6) the Univariate F - ratio; (7) Chi - square test, and the (9) McNemar test. This thesis is organised in 10 chapters; the first chapter discussed the research problem, objectives, and hypotheses; chapter two introduced the relevant literature review; chapter three presented the preliminary interviews; chapter four is devoted to the study's conceptual framework; chapter five and chapter six are intended to explain the research design and the research methodology; chapters seven, eight, and nine are concerned the research findings, and finally chapter ten is the conclusions. Overall, the findings of the study support the following conclusions: (iv) (1) The firm's internal environmental measures are related not only to export behaviour (i.e., the difference between exporters and non - exporters), but also to the level of exporting. (2) The firm's external environmental measures are also related to export behaviour and the level of exporting. (3) In terms of the predictive power (i.e., explanation) of the level of exporting, the firm's external environmental measures are found to be higher than its internal environmental measures. (4) In respect of the predictive power of the classification of group membership (i. e., exporters vs. non - exporters), the firm 's internal environmental measures are shown to be higher than its counterpart, the external environmental measures. (5) The factors determining the firm's export behaviour are found to be somewhat different from the factors determining its level of exporting . (6) In comparison to each environmental dimension acting alone, the integration approach of the two internal and external dimensions gives better explanation not only of the prediction of the level of exporting but also of the prediction of export behaviour. Therefore, a better understanding of export behaviour and the level of exporting requires that the firm's environmental measures to be viewed as a whole (i.e., the interaction of the internal and external dimensions) rather than being isolated fragments (i.e., only a single dimension). (7) The study 's findings support many of the findings of previous studies. However, some conflicting results are also reported. For example, the age of the decision - maker is not found to be an important determinant either of the level of exporting or export behaviour. These differences raise new explanation when variables are, or are not, important to export behaviour or the level of exporting. And on the basis of the findings, the study is concluded with a number of interesting applications for the current and potential exporters, and for the public policy - makers in Jordan

Enhancing Biometric Security: A Framework for Detecting and Preventing False Identification

Biometrics is a technological system that utilizes data to differentiate one individual from another. The biometric framework can be used by government and private organizations for security purposes. This software-based technology helps to look at an individual's data if it is genuine or fake. The study suggested a framework; its goal is to strengthen the development and acceptance of the biometric system. The function of this system is to reduce the applied effort to identify and recognize the quality of the image in less time. This study utilizes three data applications: iris, fingerprint, and face recognition. The approach proposed by the survey uses different features of the images to determine the difference between the original image and the considered sample image. It gives efficient protection against different spoofing attacks. Simulation results show that the high-quality detection application has an average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PNSR) of 89.77. Further, the proposed model effectively detects false biometric identification

Enhancing Text Compression Method Using Information Source Indexing

Text compression methods where the original texts are directly mapped into binary domain are attractive to compress English text files. This paper proposes an intermediate mapping scheme in which the original English text is transformed firstly to decimal domain and then to binary domain. Each two-decimal-digit value in the resulting intermediate decimal file represents the index to the location of each alphabet found in the original text. If the already indexed alphabet is seen again, it will be replaced by the previously given decimal-index number. The decimal file is converted into binary domain by assigning each decimal digit a 4-bit weighted code in according to its frequency of occurrence that is akin to BCD code. The assigned codes aim at generating an equivalent binary file with entropy as close as much to that of the original one. Thereafter, any conventional compression algorithm such as Lempel-Ziv algorithms can be applied to the generated binary file. The obtained compression ratios outperform those ones obtained when applying the same compression algorithm to the binary files generated either via direct mapping of the original text or via mapping the decimal file using Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) codes. Keywords: Lossless data compression; Source encoding, LZW coding, Hamming weights, Compression ratio

A medical image steganography method based on integer wavelet transform and overlapping edge detection

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the transmission of digital medical images for e-health services. However, existing implementations of this service do not pay much attention to the confidentiality and protection of patients’ information. In this paper, we present a new medical image steganography technique for protecting patients’ confidential information through the embedding of this information in the image itself while maintaining high quality of the image as well as high embedding capacity. This technique divides the cover image into two areas, the Region of Interest (ROI) and the Region of Non- Interest (RONI), by performing Otsu’s method and then encloses ROI pixels in a rectangular shape according to the binary pixel intensities. In order to improve the security, the Electronic Patient Records (EPR) is embedded in the high frequency sub-bands of the wavelet transform domain of the RONI pixels. An edge detection method is proposed using overlapping blocks to identify and classify the edge regions. Then, it embeds two secret bits into three coefficient bits by performing an XOR operation to minimize the difference between the cover and stego images. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method provides a good compromise between security, embedding capacity and visual quality of the stego images

Web Based Students' Attendance System (WSAS)

A web based students’ attendance system is an appropriate solution for teachers and parents to inform the parents about their students' attendance status in school via SMS and Email services as well as to enhance the communication between teachers and parents. Research Design Methodology was adopted in this project with its five stages, which includes: Awareness of problem, Suggestion (integrated with System Development Methodology), Development (integrated with Object Oriented Development Life Cycle approach), Evaluation, and Conclusion. The prototype was developed to determine, analysis, test, and validate the user's requirements in order to rate the usability test of this system. Furthermore, the prototype was evaluated by using USE questionnaire and the usability results was presented and discussed as well

The Usefulness of Analysts’ Target Prices to Foreign Institutional Investors: U.S. Evidence

This paper investigates whether foreign institutional investors in the United States earn future returns by responding to analysts target price revisions. to examine this issue, this study is using firm fixed effect and industry fixed effect regression in order to examine the effect of using analyst’s target price revisions on future abnormal return for foreign institutional investors. We used 51,427 firm-quarter observations between 2003 and 2013 in the U.S. equity market. Different robust approaches were used to proxy foreign institutional trading. We find a positive and significant increase in foreign institutional ownership in response to a positive change in analysts’ target prices, which predict positive stock returns. The results are robust to controlling for other analysts’ outputs, such as revisions to their earnings’ forecasts and stock recommendations, in addition to other determinants of institutional trading. These results are also robust using different measures of institutional trading. In addition, the results show that foreign institutional trading based on target prices’ revisions is more pronounced in firms with high information asymmetry. The results show that foreign institutional investors rely more on analysts in small firms and firms with low analyst coverage