Imperatives for improving entrepreneurial behavior among females in the UAE: An empirical study and structural model

Purpose: Despite various governmental efforts, female entrepreneurship in the UAE is still not a popular option among women. The purpose of this study is to identify the enablers to female entrepreneurship and to establish relationships among them. Design/methodology/approach: This research uses a two-phased approach. In the first-phase, an empirical study on female entrepreneurs was conducted to find out the most important enablers from among a set of variables identified through a comprehensive literature review. In the second-phase, using interpretive structural modeling, a hierarchy-based model is developed among the most important enablers. Further, these enablers are also classified depending on their driving power and dependence. Findings: Survey results indicate that female entrepreneurs consider enablers as the driving force in creating an entrepreneurial culture. Further, the hierarchy-based model developed in this research helps to identify variables that are of strategic importance and require utmost attention. Practical implications: The framework presented in this study can be used effectively by the policymakers to develop suitable strategies for improving entrepreneurial behavior among women in the United Arab Emirates. Originality/value: The novelty of this approach is the integration of questionnaire and interpretive structural modeling methodology and classifying enablers in four clusters. The research provides useful insights about the perception of female entrepreneurs about the entrepreneurial culture in the United Arab Emirates, and a relationship model that may serve as a decision tool for improving female entrepreneurship. ? 2018, Fauzia Jabeen and Mohd. Nishat Faisal.Scopu

Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for diagnosis risk in dengue patients

Dengue disease is considered as one of the life threatening disease that has no vaccine to reduce its case fatality. In clinical practice the case fatality of dengue disease can be reduced to 1 if the dengue patients are hospitalized and prompt intravenous fluid therapy is administrated. Yet, it has been a great challenge to the physicians to decide whether to hospitalize the dengue patients or not due to the overlapping of the medical diagnosis criteria of the disease. Beside that physicians cannot decide to admit all patients because this will have major impact on health care cost saving due to the huge incident of dengue disease in the country. Even if the physicians managed to identify the critical cases to be hospitalized, most of the tools that have been used for monitoring those patients are invasive. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a non-invasive accurate diagnostic system that can assist the physicians to diagnose the risk in dengue patients and therefore attain the correct decision. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis measurements, Symptoms and Signs presented with dengue patients were incorporated with Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to construct two diagnostic models. The first model was developed by systematically optimizing the initial ANFIS model parameters while the second model was developed by employing the subtractive clustering algorithm to optimize the initial ANFIS model parameters. The results showed that the ANFIS model based on subtractive clustering technique has superior performance compared with the other model. Overall diagnostic accuracy of the proposed system is 86.13 with 87.5 sensitivity and 86.7 specificity. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Neural network diagnostic system for dengue patients risk classification

With the dramatic increase of the worldwide threat of dengue disease, it has been very crucial to correctly diagnose the dengue patients in order to decrease the disease severity. However, it has been a great challenge for the physicians to identify the level of risk in dengue patients due to overlapping of the medical classification criteria. Therefore, this study aims to construct a noninvasive diagnostic system to assist the physicians for classifying the risk in dengue patients. Systematic producers have been followed to develop the system. Firstly, the assessment of the significant predictors associated with the level of risk in dengue patients was carried out utilizing the statistical analyses technique. Secondly, Multilayer perceptron neural network models trained via Levenberg-Marquardt and Scaled Conjugate Gradient algorithms was employed for constructing the diagnostic system. Finally, precise tuning for the models' parameters was conducted in order to achieve the optimal performance. As a result, 9 noninvasive predictors were found to be significantly associated with the level of risk in dengue patients. By employing those predictors, 75 prediction accuracy has been achieved for classifying the risk in dengue patients using Scaled Conjugate Gradient algorithm while 70.7 prediction accuracy were achieved by using Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010

Inventory models for joint pricing and greening effort decisions with discounts

Purpose: This paper aims to develop efficient decision support tools for a firm?s environment protection by using greening effort while yet improving profitability by utilizing pricing and inventory decisions with discount consideration. Design/methodology/approach: This study proposed a mathematical model for price- and greening effort-dependent demand rate with discount considerations. Later, the mathematical model is extended to the situation in which the demand rate is also dependent on the stock level, in addition to the price and greening effort. Efficient solution methodologies are developed for finding the optimal solution to the proposed models. Findings: Simple yet elegant models are proposed to mimic real-life applications. Structural properties of the models are explored to outline efficient algorithms with quantity discounts. Research limitations/implications: The paper considers monopoly and assumes deterministic demand. Only a more commonly observed all-units discount scheme is studied. Practical implications: The models provide decision support tools for firms in pursuit of joint profit maximization and environment consciousness goals. Social implications: The study develops environment-friendly approaches for inventory management and improving the profitability alike. Originality/value: This study is among the first to consider environmental protection with an investment in greening effort along with inventory management and pricing decision. The study also explored the effect of all-unit quantity discounts. ? 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.This publication was made possible by the support of an NPRP grant # 5-023-5-006 from the Qatar National Research Fund. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors would also like to thank Faseela C. Abdullakutty for her careful editing.Scopu

Domains of Living and key demographics: Their impact on luxury consumption behavior of affluent Qataris

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of key demographics (i.e. gender, age, education and income) on the rich Muslim consumers Domains of Living (DoL). DoL were broken down into being, belonging and becoming domains. Relationship between the DoL and luxury consumption behavior (LCB) was analyzed as well. Being domain included elements that indicated who one is and how one defines the self; belonging domain linked an individual to his/her environment; and becoming domain referred to the set of social activities that an individual performed. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to get insights into the LCB of affluent Muslim consumers and how these insights related to key demographics and DoL. The researched population was Qatari consumers who were buying luxury products and belonged to a high-income bracket. Stratified sampling method was considered appropriate because the key objective of the study was to generalize the results across the affluent Qatari population. Stratification of the population was primarily done through the selected demographic variables. This research survey, conducted in Qatar, resulted in the collection of 213 usable questionnaires. General Linear Model Multivariate Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to establish the goodness of fit and to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings: Results indicated that there were significant LCB differences between the genders, age groups, income levels and educational background. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the three DOLs and LCB. There were indications that for affluent Qatari Muslims, consumption of luxury products had become a socially accepted norm. Fulfillment of luxury needs did not isolate rich Muslims from their family and friends or made them unhappy about luxury consumption. This behavior could be related to high levels of affluence among Qataris that makes acquisition of luxury products easy and not effort or time intensive. Practical implications: Islamic luxury markets need to adopt an appropriate balance of global (considering global luxury trends) and local (based on cultural, social and religious forces) marketing strategies to engage rich Muslim consumers. Originality/value: This paper presents LCB from the perspective of affluent Muslim consumers within the context of DoL and through the lens of key demographic variables.Scopu

Localisation in an emerging Gulf economy: Understanding the role of education, job attributes and analysing the barriers in its process

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand Emirati nationals' perceptions of the role of workforce localisation policies in their professional aspirations and growth and, second, to determine the role of higher education and job attributes in the achievement of their goals. The study uses a hierarchy-based model/road map to improve localisation efforts by attempting to aid understanding of the relationships and barriers hindering these processes. Design/methodology/approach - The study follows a two-stage process. In the first stage, a questionnaire-based survey was administered to 207 Emirati postgraduate students from public and private universities based in two major Emirates: Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The sample data were analysed by basic descriptive statistics in the form of cross-relationships and rank correlation tests. In the second stage, an interpretive structural modelling approach was used to develop a hierarchy-based structural model of the barriers to localisation. Findings - Emiratis younger than 30 years old consider localisation as an enabling factor in their professional success in contrast to those older than 30 years old. The results also indicate that working female Emiratis have significantly more positive attitudes regarding the contribution of localisation towards their professional success than that of their male counterparts. However, both genders see a mismatch in efforts being made to better equip themselves for the workplace. The hierarchy-based model delineates variables that could contribute to making localisation a successful employment programme in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Research limitations - The findings of this study relate to the UAE. However, there are similar localisation programmes that have been implemented in other Gulf Cooperation Council states. Hence, while the results of this study are relevant to the UAE, they may not be generalisable to the entire Gulf region. Practical implications - It is proposed that the research findings and the structural model of relationships may help policy makers develop suitable strategies to strengthen the Emirati localisation programme. Originality/value - This study makes a contribution to the literature and can serve as a guide to policy makers for localisation programmes. This is achieved by analysing the attitude of UAE nationals studying at higher education institutions. Furthermore, the study presents a hierarchy-based model of the barriers to localisation that explains the root causes of the problem. ? Emerald Publishing Limited.Scopu

PARETO ANALYSIS OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT FACTORS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES

Total quality management (TQM) is an integrated management approach that aim to continuously improve the performance of products, processes, and services to achieve and surpass customer's expectations. To accomplish this objective, some key factors that contribute to the success of TQM efforts are to be identified. These key factors are often termed as critical success factors (CSFs). The purpose of the present study is to identify and propose a list of "vital few" TQM CSFs for the benefit of researchers and service industries practitioners. A quality tool "Pareto analysis" was used to sort and arrange the CSFs according to the order of criticality. A few vital CSFs were identified and reported. The results of this study will help in successful implementation of TQM program in organizations. The managerial implications, research recommendations, and scope for future research work are presented in the end

Determinants of innovation decisions among Emirati female-owned small and medium enterprises

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the innovation decisions of Emirati women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a two-phased approach. In the first phase, empirical research on 50 Emirati female entrepreneurs is conducted to discover the extent of innovation in their ventures. In the second phase, the study uses an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to prioritize factors considered important in facilitating business innovation among SMEs. The AHP model is developed with 9 criteria and 25 sub-criteria based on the previous literature. Face-to-face interviews are conducted with Emirati female entrepreneurs operating nascent (n = 10), start-up (n = 10) and established innovative (n = 10) businesses to collect data for the AHP study. The data collected are interpreted and a priority vector is assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion. Findings: Female SME owners prioritize government policies, research and development, innovation strategy and skill development as the main criteria that influence their innovation decisions. Family support, access to external financing, social networks and the allocation of funds are the main sub-criteria affecting their decisions to be innovative. Furthermore, respondents who are in the nascent business stage consider family motivation as the greatest influence on initiating new ideas through financial and moral support. Among all respondents, the nascent business owners rank skill development the highest because they are still in the initial stages of their business journeys, and thus, obtaining these skills could help them increase innovation and success in their ventures. However, respondents in the established stage rank innovation strategy the highest. Research limitations/implications: The study results can help policymakers and women's associations, such as businesswomen councils, identify the specific inhibitors and facilitators linked to innovation and, thereby, help develop various effective policies to promote innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs. Originality/value: The study is one attempt to facilitate innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs through its efforts to discover the determinants of innovation efforts at nascent, start-up and established business stages as defined by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2012). The study can help Emirati women-owned SMEs understand the critical factors influencing innovation and can encourage them to incorporate innovative characteristics for business growth and resilience. Furthermore, the study can provide insights for policymakers, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations on factors hindering innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs, which may serve as a tool for creating resilience among female entrepreneurs. - 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.Scopu