Students’ perceptions of and loyalty towards internet banking: the case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The contribution of this study based on the development of a cross-cultural universal framework, which is moderated by the culture dimension (uncertainty avoidance) and examines the factors influencing the individuals’ attitudes and behaviour and, ultimately, the individuals’ loyalty towards Internet banking across different countries (KSA and the UK). The study will contribute towards filling the gap in Internet banking literature by: 1) examining customers’ loyalty as a dependent variable of intention; 2) invariant acceptance of customers across the UK and KSA cultures; 3) and integration of the cultural dimension (i.e. uncertainty avoidance) and demographics (i.e. gender and experience) as factors of invariance across the groups. The framework is based on a number of constructs adopted from the validated theories in information systems (IS), psychology and marketing literature perspectives. Specifically from a psychology perspective, using Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs, Attitude, Intention, Subjective Norms, Self-efficacy and Actual Behaviour (i.e. intention towards loyalty) were integrated. From a technological perspective, using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use were integrated. Besides these constructs, the model also integrates constructs of privacy, security, communication, customers’ experience, Internet banking reputation, trust and loyalty from IS, as well as a marketing perspective. To examine the hypothetical relationships within the conceptual model, this study applied the positivist philosophical approach with quantitative methodology. Out of 1000 questionnaires distributed amongst undergraduate students in UK and KSA, 532 were useable, i.e. 53%. Due to the multilevel stages of the conceptual model, structural equation modelling (SEM), based on analysis of moment structure (AMOS), was applied to analyse the data. In addition, invariance analyses were applied to see the differences across the groups (i.e. moderation effect). Initially, sixteen hypotheses were developed in the model but due to the merger of three constructs (i.e. trust, security and privacy ) into one construct (i.e. trust), and the deletion of three constructs (i.e. communication, customers’ experience and Internet banking reputation) at the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) process, eleven hypotheses were finally retained for examination. The modification indices (MI) suggested three new paths, and hence, the addition of these new hypotheses brought the number up in total to fourteen hypotheses. The results suggest that the conceptualised model was able to fit with the data in both UK and KSA sample. Within the KSA sample, the model explained 45% variance in customer loyalty, but 60% in UK sample. From the path relationships perspectives, out of fourteen hypotheses ten were supported in the KSA and nine were supported in the UK. The results confirm the study’s argument that customer loyalty is the main construct of individuals’ behavioural intention to accept Internet banking. Within specific countries’ context, after behavioural intention, perceived ease of use was a more important predictor of loyalty in the KSA (i.e. b= 0.28); whereas perceived usefulness was a more important predictor of loyalty (i.e. b= 0.27) in the UK. Furthermore, it was noticed that subjective norm towards behavioural intention, perceived usefulness and ease of use was only significant in the KSA sample. The invariance analysis across the countries revealed significant differences between the KSA and the UK for nine hypotheses. Furthermore, invariance analysis also revealed significant differences across the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance (i.e. high and low), and the demographical variable of gender (i.e. male and female). Contrary to this, no difference was found for the demographic variable of experience (i.e. high and low). Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are advised.King Khalid Universit

Total amount of protein in Lilium longiflorum Thunb., Easter lily, styles from 2 days pre-anthesis to 10 days post-anthesis

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 A43Master of Scienc

Hepatitis C — Overview and Update in Treatment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, making it a major public health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a worldwide prevalence of 3%. Each year, three to four million people are newly diagnosed with HCV, and it remains endemic in many countries of the world. According to the WHO, there are at least 21.3 million HCV carriers in Eastern Mediterranean countries, a figure close to the combined number of estimated carriers in the Americas and Europe. The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview and update in treatment of HCV patients by a broad search of published literature on aspect of epidemiology, natural history, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of HCV, graded on the best available evidence. All that to improve HCV patient care, and to promote and improve the multidisciplinary care required in the treatment of these patients

MUA'LLAGAT ZOHAYR IBN ABI SOLMA: ELEGANT PIECE OF ARABIC POETRY (1)

Zohayr ibn Abi Solma is identified as an eminent poet who produced poetry distinguished with preeminence in courtly and virtuous love. The study employs an analytical and critical methodology, attempting to elucidate the influence of virtuous love narrated by the poet in the first verse lines of his great Mua'llagah. It commences with a terse introductory synopsis shedding light on the importance of classical Arabic and its involvement with poetry. The paper attempts to prove, via the poetry of Zohayr ibn Abi Solma, the greatness of the Arabic classical poetry and demonstrate the aptitudes of the poet through his Mua'llagah. It is divided into four main parts. The first part deals with the greatness of the Arabic language then it moves to the second section that focuses on Arabic Poetry: Treasure of Wisdom. The third one sheds light on the poet's 'The Man and the Poet', and the last main part goes with an analytical and critical endeavor of the first ten verse lines of Al-Mua'llagah of Zohayr. It comes to an end with a conclusion. Keywords: Arabic Literature, Arabic Poetry, Courtly Love Poetry, Courteous Arabic Poetry, Umm Awfa, Virtuous Poetry

Building a Framework for ICT Project Implementation and Evaluation

In this technological era with a wide range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) resources, organizations are dealing with massive amounts of data, highly equipped infrastructure, and a sustainable business environment and are attempting to obtain competitive advantages while securing their capital in an aggressive market environment. The use of technology offers a chance for firms to produce better quality products and services, in addition to creating a productive work environment and encouraging all types of stakeholders to take more interest in organizational business activities. The evaluation of this massive investment with the proper framework is a real challenge for almost every organization. This paper discusses the different approaches used for evaluating ICT projects, such as pre- and post- implementation evaluations through the measurement of financial and non-financial returns. This study proposes a framework to overcome the main issues related to ICT project implementation and evaluation. The details about possible phases and steps further enhance the reader’s understanding of the use and implementation of the framework in any industry. The study has implications both for researchers working in this field and for ICT decision makers from any industry to improve their decision-making processes for new projects using pre- and post-implementation evaluations with the help of the proposed framework

Changes induces by haloperidol (antidepressant drug) on the developing retina of the chick embryo

AbstractMorphological and histological studies were done on the retina of chick embryos of 6th, 10th and 16th days of incubation by a single dose of haloperidol (0.25mg/egg), injected on day zero and 5 of incubation. To get an idea about the extent of the teratogenic effect of this drug on the development retina. Sign of malformation in the chick embryo after administration of haloperidol were seen as absent of the ear vesicles, eyes or decreased size of them. Retardation of growth of the retina at 6th, 10th and 16th days treated chick embryo were observed as evidenced of reduction of the size of the retina, associated with sign of degeneration of the retina cells.ConclusionThe injection of haloperidol drug give rise to several side effects as retardation of growth and degeneration of the cells. The decrease of the thickness of the layers and less density of the cells was related to direct effect of the drug on the cells of this organ. Also on the DNA formation and on the retardation of cellular mitotic activates, therefore the retina appeared decrease in thickness and less cell density with degeneration its cells