Šis tarpdisciplininis magistro darbas yra konceptuali galios ir realybės (tam tikra prasme ir autentiškumo) studija. Viena nuo kitos sunkiai atsiejamos pastarosios sąvokos yra analizuojamos per tris plačius teorinius pjūvius – hiperrealybę, orientalizmą bei šiuos procesus katalizuojančią ir iš dalies logistinę funkciją atliekančią antrąją modernybę. Galios ir realybės santykis darbe analizuojamas ne tiek per fizinį silpnesniojo pavergimą, kiek mėginimus modifikuoti tikrovę bei vaizdinių pagalba kurti hiperrealybę, subordinuotą galios subjekto interesams. Atvejo studijai pasirinkta galios implikuota Jungtinių Arabų Emyratų (JAE) hiperrealybė bei sąlygas jos atsiradimui paklojusi antroji modernybė. Atlikta empirinė ir teorinė analizė atskleidžia, jog įspūdingi Emyratų kultūros objektai, iliustruojami leksinėmis hiperbolėmis ir kvapą gniaužiančiais vaizdais, tėra simuliakras, neatspindintis tikrovės ar vietos kultūros, bet siekiantis pačią tikrovę pakeisti. Be to, JAE yra naujos rūšies simuliakras, kurio esminiu požymiu galima laikyti vertybiškai svetimos kultūros perėmimą bei pavertimą „sava“, siekiant simbolinio pripažinimo. Šio Emyratų, kaip globalaus pasaulio galios centro, pripažinimo, kuris yra ir šalies modernizacijos katalizatorius, ir nedemokratinio valdančiojo režimo legitimacijos įrankis, siekiama drastiškai aukojant autentiškumą bei kuriant „faraoniškus“ kultūros projektus, kurie šiame darbe laikomi kultūros utopija. Be to, autentiškumo ignoravimas ir Oriento (JAE)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This interdisciplinary Master thesis is a conceptual investigation of power and reality (in a sense of authenticity as well). The following concepts which are hardly distinguishable from each other are analyzed via three theoretical layers – hyperreality, orientalism and the late modernity which works both as a catalyst for these processes and as a logistical tool. The relation between power and reality is revealed not through physical subjugation of the weaker but rather through the attempts to modify reality and with the help of images to create hyperreality that is subordinated to self-interests of the mighty. As the case study the power implicated hyperreality of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the second modernity that conditioned it has been chosen. Empirical and theoretical analysis reveals that spectacular Emirati cultural objects, illustrated by lexical hyperboles and breath-taking images merely is a simulacra that does not reflect reality or local culture but seeks to alter that reality. Furthermore UAE is a new kind of simulacra characterized by accepting and transforming into “their own” the foreign culture that is alien to the one found within local cultural context in order to obtain symbolic recognition. The symbolic recognition of Emirati as one of the hubs of global power is both the catalyst of Emirati modernization and the instrument of legitimacy of the ruling elite. This recognition is pursued by ‘pharaonic’ cultural objects (cultural utopia) and... [to full text]

This study examines the political life of Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Fatih Al Khalifa, the fifth ruler of the Al Khalifa dynasty and the third of that family to rule Bahrain. It is a political biography, examining the tactics used by Shaikh Abdullah and his family to fend off threats from various foes. Those tactics ranged from direct military combat, to entry into temporary protector-protégé relationships, to playing off one foe against another. His ability to employ such tactics effectively enabled him and his family to neutralize or defeat their foes. This study examines local statecraft tactics through the case study of one of the Gulf’s greatest nineteenth century statesmen. It also looks at the reasons that resulted in Shaikh Abdullah’s political downfall. Those reasons were domestic and external factors that the Shaikh seems to have either ignored or been unable to fully address. That inability and/or shortcoming in addressing those factors would have cost any Gulf ruler his rulership, not just Shaikh Abdullah, as similar aspects prevailed in the other Gulf shaikhdoms. The study examines the life of a political leader whose achievements have been played down, even neglected, by most modern historians in Bahrain and the Gulf. The reason for this neglect lies perhaps in the natural desire of the current ruling branch of the Al Khalifa family to discourage any potential future claim to the throne by the descendants of Shaikh Abdullah, who have lived in exile from Bahrain ever since Shaikh Abdullah’s overthrow in 1843.

Non-communicable diseases are on the increase worldwide, causing more than 36 million deaths each year. Evidence of the link between the role of nutrition and reducing non-communicable diseases is predominant in the literature. The factors influencing intervention strategies/policies and activities, however, need attention. AIM: The study aims to examine the factors that influence nutrition interventions within the United Arab Emirates’ healthcare system. METHOD: This research adapts an interdisciplinary approach where a triangulation mixed methodology is applied. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used, through the analysis of ten interviews with policy makers, four case studies and 161 questionnaires. Furthermore, the research framework, which emerged from the literature search and qualitative analysis, is tested and validated by rigorous quantitative analysis using SPSS. The statistical analysis, using factor analysis, MANCOVA and ranking analysis aims to provide solid support for the resulting factors. MAIN FINDING: The study identifies five factors that influence nutrition interventions in a healthcare system, and could enhance the effectiveness of nutrition interventions. The factors are 1) quality and processes, 2) training and use of technology, 3) senior management involvement and responsibility, 4) patient diversity, and 5) multidisciplinary teams. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the emerging literature on management in nutrition interventions and the theory and importance of preventative measures in relation to nutrition. This study provides a roadmap for policy makers to adopt in order to enhance the role of nutrition interventions in healthcare settings.

Up to 1998, the Institutes of Nursing in the United Arab Emirates have been using the traditional lecture-based teaching/learning process in their graduate-nursing program. In 1998, however, these Institutes adopted a new approach; namely, the case-based learning (CBL) for the education of their nursing students. This approach emphasizes the use of self-directed and cooperative learning that is supposed to help students increase their critical thinking (CT) level. As the students were experiencing changes in the teaching practices, it was important to determine the effect of the teaching and learning approaches on students' CT abilities, and to describe suggestions needed for improvement. Empirically, very little is known regarding the influence of CBL on a student's CT. The question then remains, as to whether students who have undergone case-based learning, differ significantly in their CT abilities from those who studied in the traditional method. This study investigates the critical thinking skills in relation to two types of nursing educational programs: (a) the traditional teaching and (b) the case-based learning. The professed purpose of the study in hand is to measure and compare the level of critical thinking in participants from each of the two programs. The instrument of measurement guiding this study is the model developed by Facione and Facione (1998). The design has been a comparative descriptive survey. The critical thinking abilities were measured by the CCTST, which was administered to 38 participants from the traditional curriculum and 65 from the case-based learning curriculum who agreed to participate in the study. When the scores were analyzed by using the independent sample 1- test, this study found that, in general, participants from both programs performed badly on the CCTST. Nevertheless, the CBL program participants performed significantly better when compared to the traditional program participants in all aspects of the CCTST. / Thesis (M.Cur.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Thesis (M. Sc.) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007.

This PhD thesis examines the Gulf monarchies of Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as they strive to transform their political economies away from dependency on hydrocarbon revenues into more diverse sectors of economic activity. In particular, the research attempts to forecast the monarchies’ chances of achieving the transformation into principally private sector-led economies, while maintaining absolute rule and excluding those outside the circle of the ruling élites from political power or influence. The central research question guiding the study is ‘Human and National Security in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – Should Climate Change Matter?’ The effects of climate change provide a useful lens through which to examine each of the states’ policies and actions as they attempt to cope with the physical degradation of an already water and heat-stressed environment, coupled with declining oil and gas revenues from the West as a result of international climate change agreements. The thesis applies a ten question research framework to each of the entities to produce individual case studies for comparison. The research finds that climate change is acknowledged as an issue by each of the states, but is not at the top of their list of priorities. Rather, measures to improve human security are aimed at maximising the economic productiveness of each country to make up the deficit caused by decreasing hydrocarbon revenues and enable the monarchies to maintain the high level of free and subsidised state services they currently provide to their populations. They believe the effective maintenance of services directly contributes to political stability which assures the continuance of their current system of governance where political power lies solely with the rulers and their close advisors. Essentially, the priority for each of the ruling families is not climate change, but regime survival, preferably in its current form.

Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of medication error reporting is key to enhancing patient safety. The aim of this research was to explore medication error reporting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), examining the attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and experiences of health professionals. The first phase was a Joanna Briggs Institute registered systematic review of the beliefs, attitudes and experiences of health professionals relating to medication error reporting. Findings indicated the need for original research employing a mixed methods approach to quantify and generate in-depth information, grounded in theories of behaviour change. In the second phase, a cross-sectional survey of health professionals in the UAE was conducted to determine the behavioural determinants and facilitators and barriers of medication error reporting. Principal component analysis of responses from 294 health professionals identified six components: knowledge and skills related; feedback and support related; action and impact related; motivation related; effort related; and emotions. Responses were neutral for the motivation and effort related components, but negative for the emotions component. Comparison of component scores identified that, nurses, females, those with greater experience and being older were more likely to be positive in their responses (p<0.05). In terms of emotions, the component with the lowest scores, older respondents with greater experience gave more positive responses (p<0.05). In the final phase, face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 29 health professionals explored in-depth the behavioural determinants of medication errors reporting in the UAE. The theoretical domains framework was employed in constructing the interview schedule and interpreting the findings. ‘Goals’ and ‘intentions’ were determinants which acted as facilitators while ‘beliefs of the consequences’, ‘emotions’,’ ‘social influences and environmental context’ were barriers. This doctoral research has generated original findings which can support the development of interventions, based on behaviour change techniques, to enhance medication error reporting. These changes could impact at the levels of the organisation, health professional and patient.

Social media are increasingly becoming platforms of choice for communication among individuals and groups of the public, and hence organisations are interested in engaging with communities and the public through this form of media to gain intelligence from such engagements to support their decision making processes. Yet, organisations are missing on realising the potential value from using social media for this type of interaction and engagement, while paucity in research addressing practical ways to use social media communication in supporting decision making still persists. This research investigates and proposes a practical framework for using social media – specifically Twitter – as a communications instrument to support the decision making process in police organisations. The research design is based on developing and evaluating a proof of concept representing engagements between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police as a case study of police organisations with communities and members of the public in the UAE. The proof of concept is designed based on comparing and contrasting current practices by the UAE police with models, trends, and practices discussed in related literature. The research uses the Grounded Theory methodology to guide sampling, data collection, and analysis. The contribution of the research is to both theory and practice. The research addresses a gap in the body of knowledge for a framework that guides the development of models, policies, and practices for the use of social media as a communication instrument to support decision making in governmental organisations, specifically the police. In addition, the framework offers practical insights to policy makers into using different social media to engage with the public in communication, interactions, and knowledge sharing, with the aim of supporting decision making.

La répression du crime organisé est un enjeu essentiel de la coopération internationale. Le blanchiment de l’argent provenant d’activités illicites est la phase finale des trafics de toutes natures qui se développent en profitant des nouvelles technologies et de la globalisation des échanges. Les profits des activités criminelles infiltrent les activités économiques légales. Le blanchiment apparaît alors comme une menace contre la stabilité économique mondiale. La détection des mouvements financiers suspects est indispensable pour éviter la contamination du système financier par la criminalité transnationale. L’assainissement des activités économiques à l’échelle mondiale implique l’engagement de tous les états. Les droits nationaux mettent en œuvre de nombreux instruments internationaux qui criminalisent le blanchiment et organisent l’entraide judiciaire. Le système bancaire privé tient un rôle important dans ce dispositif juridique. Les faits montrent que les circuits du crime organisé sont utilisés par les organisations terroristes pour se financer. La capacité du terrorisme à contrôler de vastes territoires et à commettre des attentats partout dans le monde est une menace contre la sécurité internationale. Couper les circuits de financement du terrorisme est un objectif prioritaire. Il a conduit les états à étendre leur coopération et à perfectionner la surveillance des transactions financières et en adaptant les mesures répressives aux spécificités du terrorisme. Les Émirats arabes unis, place financière et commerciale de premier plan dans le Golfe, prennent toute leur part dans la lutte contre l’argent du crime et contre le financement du terrorisme / The repression of organized crime is a key issue of International cooperation. The laundering of money from illicit activities is the final phase of trafficking of all kinds, which is taking advantage of new technologies and the globalization of trade. Profits from criminal activities infiltrate legal economic activities. Money laundering then appears to be a threat to global economic stability. The detection of suspicious financial movements is essential to avoid the contamination of the financial system by transnational crime. The consolidation of economic activities on a global scale implies the commitment of all states. National laws implement many International instruments that criminalize money laundering and organize mutual legal assistance. The private banking system plays an important role in this legal system. The facts show that organized crime circuits are used by terrorist organizations to finance themselves. Terrorism's ability to control large areas and to carry out attacks around the world is a threat to International security. Cutting the financing of terrorism channels is a priority objective. It has led states to extend their cooperation and to improve the supervision of financial transactions and by adapting repressive measures to the specificities of terrorism. The United Arab Emirates, the leading financial and commercial center in the Gulf, is playing its part in the fight against crime money and the financing of terrorism

L’anticipation de l’après-pétrole est, depuis le milieu des années 2000, le leitmotiv du gouvernement des Émirats arabes unis. Au-delà de l’objectif de diversification économique, ce projet passe par des politiques de développement urbain et le contrôle des populations étrangères qui représentent 88 % des résidents. Souvent considérés comme la génération ayant bénéficié des revenus pétroliers, les jeunes adultes nés aux Émirats sont les premiers à subir les effets de ces politiques. Fondée sur une ethnographie des jeunes Émiriens et expatriés arabes ayant grandi à Abou Dhabi, cette thèse prend le contrepied d’analyses souvent centrées sur la division entre citoyens et non-citoyens. Une telle approche permet d’explorer la complexité des hiérarchies statutaires et de leur traduction dans l’espace public. Elle permet surtout de les confronter avec les identifications en termes d’âge et de génération qui se dessinent à travers les sociabilités urbaines de ces jeunesses arabes. Du cosmopolitisme consumériste mis en scène dans les shopping malls, à l’investissement des marges urbaines, en passant par des formes spécifiques d’anonymat, ces jeunes adultes investissent des temporalités et des territoires qui leur sont propres. Ils y façonnent des subjectivités singulières s’exprimant à travers des répertoires communs, notamment une langue arabe réinventée et les usages d’internet. Parmi les imaginaires ainsi partagés, la nostalgie pour les espaces urbains dans lesquels ils ont grandi participe à l’élaboration de leur sentiment commun d’appartenance à la société urbaine. L’étude des pratiques sociales et des processus de subjectivation des jeunesses arabes d’Abou Dhabi ouvre ainsi la voie à l’analyse anthropologique des modes de structuration sociale et de l’urbanité spécifique de la société émirienne contemporaine. / Since the mid-2000s, anticipating the post-oil era has been the leitmotiv of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. Beyond the project of economic diversification, it has translated to policies of urban development and to the control of foreign residents, who constitute 88 % of the country’s population. Although seen as the generation who benefitted from oil revenues, the young adults who were born in the UAE are subjected first-hand to the consequences of these policies. Based on the ethnographic study of young Emiratis and Arab expatriates who grew up in Abu Dhabi, this thesis detracts from analyses often focused on the divide between citizens and non-citizens. Through an in-depth exploration of the complexities of status hierarchies, it shows how these are translated to public space, but most of all how they are confronted to identifications in terms of age or generation emerging from young adults’ urban sociabilities. From a consumerist cosmopolitanism played out in shopping malls to the appropriation of urban margins and particular forms of anonymity, the Arab youths of Abu Dhabi indeed appropriate specific temporalities and territories. Within them, they model idiosyncratic subjectivities which are expressed through shared practices and modes of communication, including a reinvented Arab language and Internet uses. Among the imaginaries which are thus produced, nostalgia for the urban spaces in which they grew up contributes to shaping their feeling of belonging to urban society. The analysis of social practices and the shaping of subjectivities of the Arab youths in Abu Dhabi thus brings about an anthropological understanding of the specific urbanity of contemporary Emirati society, as well as it sheds light on the processes which shape its social structure.