Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-11-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:07:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fuser_i_me_mar.pdf: 915056 bytes, checksum: 28696b7832f59cf52b3e2fdb4ff37d9f (MD5) / O trabalho investiga os vínculos entre, de um lado, a crescente presença militar dos EUA e seu envolvimento em conflitos no Golfo Pérsico e, do outro, o aumento da importância econômica e estratégica das reservas de petróleo dessa região. O trabalho busca as raízes históricas dos conflitos da atualidade. Para isso, focaliza a atuação internacional das grandes empresas petrolíferas e a evolução da estratégia norte-americana no Golfo Pérsico desde a II Guerra Mundial. Esse estudo utiliza como referência as sucessivas doutrinas de política externa aplicadas pelos EUA no Golfo Pérsico, com destaque para a Doutrina Carter, que declara o acesso norte-americano ao petróleo da região como um interesse vital, a ser defendido pela força, se necessário. O trabalho constata que as intervenções militares norte-americanas no Oriente Médio se tornaram mais intensas e freqüentes depois do fim da Guerra Fria. Esse fenômeno é explicado pela dependência crescente dos EUA e da economia mundial em relação às reservas petrolíferas da região, cuja importância estratégica aumenta na medida em que o petróleo se torna mais escasso no resto do mundo. A partir da análise de documentos oficiais, o presente trabalho constata que os EUA adotaram, no governo de George W. Bush, uma política de energia cujo ponto central é convencer os países produtores a extrair petróleo de acordo com a máxima capacidade possível, a fim de enfrentar a escassez e de manter os preços em patamares compatíveis com os interesses norte-americanos. Essa política, que encara o acesso à energia como uma questão de segurança e tem como instrumento fundamental a força militar, tende a acirrar a resistência nacionalista nos países produtores mais importantes, agravando os conflitos já existentes no Golfo Pérsico.

Notre recherche, qui s’inscrit dans le champ de la sociolinguistique, vise à fournir un nouvel éclairage sur la question de la dynamique des représentations sociales produite par l’expérience de la mobilité académique. Elle prend comme sujets-témoins les étudiants koweïtiens regroupés en quatre sous-groupes variant par leur expérience de la mobilité. Cette approche méthodologique s’est avérée pertinente pour évaluer l’évolution des représentations sociales depuis l’émergence du projet de mobilité jusqu’au retour au pays. L'étude de terrain est de type exploratoire et qualitative au moyen d’entretiens semi-directifs. Les données de cette étude révèlent que les sujets en situation de mobilité académique s’inscrivent dans une dynamique d’adaptation, tan tculturelle, identitaire que linguistique. Bien qu’une évolution des représentations sociales puisse se produire sous l’effet de la mobilité académique, celle-ci ne semble toucher que des éléments périphériques, les sujets-témoins conservant intacts les éléments centraux des représentations sociales partagées par leurs concitoyens. Cette recherche contribue à une meilleure connaissance d’un contexte très peu exploré dans la littérature et fournit les clefs pour une meilleure préparation des projets de mobilité académique du Koweït vers la France. / Our research, which fits into the field of sociolinguistics, aims at providing a newinsight into the dynamics of social representations resulting from the experience of academic mobility. For this study we interview Kuwaiti students organized in four subgroups varying in their experience of mobility. This method of approach has been proved relevant for the assessment of how social representations evolves from the startof their mobility project up to the return to their country. The field study is exploratory and qualitative conducted through semi-directive interviews. The feedback from this study reveals that the subjects in a situation of academic mobility fit into the dynamics of identity, cultural as well as linguistic adaptation. Although an evolution of socialre presentations can occur under the effect of academic mobility this appears only to effect peripheral elements while the test-subjects retain well-preserved the central elements of social representation shares with their fellow-citizens. This research is a contribution to an increased awareness of a relatively unexpected context in theliterature and contributes to a better preparation for academic mobility projects from Kuwait to France.

The purpose of this research is to explore the policy processes in Kuwait by examining the recent privatization legislation, which has been adopted but not yet implemented. First, the research reports data from elite interviews, focus groups, and document reviews about policymaking, to illuminate the processes that lead up to the adoption of privatization. Limited data of this nature currently exist. Second, it is anticipated that findings reported in this study will be of theoretical relevance to scholars of comparative politics and particularly to privatization theorists. The research contributes to a better understanding of the differences in policymaking processes between consolidated democracies of Western countries and transitional democracies of Gulf countries, with a particular focus on Kuwait. Data analyzed depict Kuwait in its struggle to become part of an internationally diversified economy. While the government is still centralized in its operations, there is a push towards greater openness and inclusiveness in the political process. The research draws on the interpretivist and social constructivist paradigms, and employs the use of a phenomenological data analysis method. Ministers, directors of public agencies, and private sector executives were interviewed, as well as leaders of nonprofits and representatives of international organizations. Essentially, the study attempted to include all participants in the privatization policy development. The research shows that Kuwait’s economy is the least diversified in the Gulf region, with a great dependency on hydrocarbon revenues. Results indicate that fluctuating oil prices, economic stagnation, and declining citizen satisfaction, drove privatization discussions at different points in time. Although the privatization legislation was enacted in 2010 via Law 37, the government is still struggling with implementation across the public sector. Data analysis of the reasons behind the lack of implementation reveals that limitations in the legal framework, lack of private sector incentives, capacity issues, national workforce concerns, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of evaluation and management criteria are drastically hindering the policy implementation process in Kuwait.

This study examined personality characteristics of dental students at Faculty of Dentistry at Kuwait University and investigated the relationships between personality characteristics of these students and their preferred teaching methods. In order to assess personality characteristics, The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) was used. For teaching method categorization Grasha’s (2002) classification was used. This research builds knowledge about personality traits as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory® of dental students in Kuwait. Further, it adds knowledge about teaching methods preferred by dental students. Two surveys, the Myers- Briggs Type Indicator® Form M and a brief learning preference for teaching methodology survey, served as data collection instruments. Twenty-seven out of 43 dental students were interested in participation. Twenty-three (53.4%) students completed both surveys. After the data were analyzed, no dominant personality types among the dental students surveyed was uncovered. There were, however, four types slightly more represented than others. This study did find some correlations between certain subgroups and preferences for teaching methods. The study also found that students perceived Hybrid and Demonstrator methods as both the most preferred and most beneficial. Overall, the findings support that there is association between personality and preferences of teaching method and there is a preference of a teaching method over the other in dental education in general.

In recent years, online learning has become a recognized method for delivering educational content in numerous institutions of higher education. Despite the prevalence of this new method of education and training, few studies have been performed regarding online learning in the field of dental education. This research describes and analyzes faculty perceptions in the Kuwait University-Faculty of Dentistry regarding online dental education. Out of sixty-six full-time faculty members thirty-three of them have responded to questionnaires regarding their perceptions. The data were analyzed for themes and patterns. There was a general positive perception toward online learning as a good tool to enhance dental education. When replying to questions about the challenges and obstructions of online learning, faculty members’ answers indicated that a lack of time and administrative support created barriers to teaching online learning courses. Viewpoints of the faculty members were further analyzed by age, gender, education level, and teaching experiences. The results showed some variation in the levels of agreement toward online learning based on various components of identity. Females were slightly more positive about online teaching and learning. However, there were no noticeable differences between faculty members of different ages. The academic positions did correlate with perceptions: those who hold the highest academic position (professors) had the least favorable perceptions of online teaching. Further, participants who had 6 to 10 teaching experience years had a stronger positive attitude than those who had been teaching for fewer than 5 years or more than 16 years. Keywords : online education, dental education, web-based learning, distance learning, e-learning, faculty perception.

This thesis examines the current state of crude oil extraction and production in the Greater Burgan oilfield, Kuwait's largest and oldest oilfield. This thesis is based on interviews with oilfield workers, analyses of official documents from the Kuwaiti government and the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), and my own experience as an oilfield worker in Kuwait. through this, I trace the changing social and environmental relationships in the Burgan oilfield. Through Actor-Network-Theory and Assemblage Theory, I explore the different actors and the power dynamics negotiated between actants in the oil industry. Specifically, I am interested in how economic and social relationships are assembled in oil economies, how oil dependency impacts society, and how we can prepare for a future without oil. Burgan reservoirs have shifted from natural production to artificial lift, indicating that Burgan has reached its oil production peak. This plateau in oil production has incited KOC to further invest in technology, to compensate for the anticipation in oil production shortfalls. Furthermore, I examine how 'cultures' are created around oil in the oilfields. This leads me to ask how labour security, safety, and dependencies are negotiated in relation to global processes. I conclude that the declining profitability of the oil market is compensated for by lower salaries, the deterioration of working conditions and worker rights. Finally, I explore the long-term health and environmental effects, and how their mitigation is negotiated in the oilfields. The study highlights the practice of gas flaring as leading to carbon emissions in extraction of oil and shows that the official data on flaring is underrepresented. In addition, a lack of awareness and mitigation around Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is highlighted and discussed. Finally, the argument is made that the traditional oil industry in Kuwait is disassembling, KOC now invests in oil markets else-where to compensate for losses. As shown here, oilfield workers are the first point of contact in this complex situation, so they should be considered in the transition process.

This study examines and aims to disclose the current policies and practices of Training and Development (T&D) within Kuwaiti government and private/joint-venture organisations. The literature review indicates that although much attention has been devoted in studying Training and Development practices, a very few focus on T&D related factors on organisation performance in developing countries. The literature also indicates the need for considering these factors in order to have a better T&D effectiveness, and hence organisation overall performance. In this study the Training for Impact model was adopted and tested within Kuwaiti context in terms of training needs assessment and evaluation and follow-up. This research uses data collected from 100 organisations in Kuwait. 50 of these were government and 50 private /joint venture listed in Kuwait Stock Exchange. Therefore, all managers (100 training personnel) who are in charge of T&D function/programmes, were samples of the respondents of the present study. The main data collection methods adopted by this study were interviews (semi-structured) and "drop-in and pick-up" self-completion questionnaires. The data were quantitatively analysed and triangulation of quantitative findings was carried out in order to find out the difference between the two sectors in Kuwait in terms of T&D practices and related factors. To establish a causal connection between related factors and identified dimensions (T&D effectiveness, organisational rating, and satisfaction with evaluation process), a multiple regression technique was employed. The major findings of this study are noted below: Results indicate that the majority of the investigated organisations do not have a formal T&D system. T&D programmes are still carried out on a piecemeal basis rather than a systematic long-term policy. Findings which were common among the majority of the approached organisations were absence of a systematic organisational training needs analysis, use of conventional training methods, lack of effective procedures for T&D evaluation. The study explores the training personnel's way of thinking towards their T&D function and to the proposed T&D dimensions framework (integrated HRD strategy, top and line management commitment, a supportive formal system, T&D mechanism, organisational culture, and training budget). The findings indicate that most of the training personnel perceived these dimensions as providing motivation, commitment and support to their T&D function. Six main factors were found to influence T&D practices in government and private/joint venture organisations. These factors are: top management commitment, mutual support between organisational philosophy and T&D activities, line management support T&D involvement in organisation strategy, T&D policies and plans, and T&D effects on employees self-development. The study also identifies T&D effects on organisation performance in Kuwaiti organisations in terms of eliminating problems; increasing commitment and motivation; fulfilling individual needs and personal objectives, improving interpersonal and interdepartmental relations, improving quality of goods and services; and leading to effective utilisation and investment in human resources. In addition the study establishes a causal connection of T&D related factors with performance dimensions, organisation rating, and satisfaction of T&D evaluation. The author recommends that for the T&D function to be treated as seriously as other organisational functions, then Kuwaiti training personnel, as well as top and line management, need to be more willing to play proactive and strategic organisational roles in T&D activities.

The Health Sector at the state of Kuwait is facing many challenges. One of which is public expectations in health are high, and thus, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Kuwait has amplified the health expenditure by 86% since 2007. And since the medicine budget represents half of the total MOH budget, it is proposed that the development in health policy might be a suitable tool to control the inflation within the health budget. This thesis examines the opportunities and challenges of introducing an EML in Kuwait and the factors influencing its effectiveness. A mixed-methodology approach has been used to enhance and validate the data, in the form of interviews, comparative studies and questionnaires. One major limitation to the research was the lack of previous data relating to this work, and the information should be gathered in person in the form of hard copies, and later, the data was analysed using qualitative and quantitative approaches. It has been attained that, the EML might be a valuable tool if adopted and implemented appropriately, EML adjustment to country health situation is crucial for successful utilisation and fulfilling the concept objectives. Standard Treatment Guidelines are fundamental part of EM selection process, in Kuwait there were lack in the uniformity of the local STG, but fortunately, there is an eagerness to innovate, and the medicine situation might benefit from a type of organisation, overall, if the EML implemented efficiently in Kuwait, it might help in improving the general health and control the inflation in MOH budget.

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