The purpose of this research is to study the factors influencing the attitude of male academic librarians towards copyright laws in Saudi Arabia. The Tripartite Model is used to evaluate the overall attitude of academic librarians, defined in terms of three main components: feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. Five independent variables that may affect this attitude are investigated: level of education, domain of practice, position, professional experience, and academic librarians’ knowledge of copyright laws as measured by six pre-selected questions (knowledge Index). The knowledge Index is also later measured against the four other independent variables. Seven major universities were chosen, and 201 male academic librarians participated in this study. A survey method is adopted for collecting data, and a quantitative approach is used to measure the relationship between attitude and the independent variables. The results reveal that academic librarians in Saudi Arabia have a positive attitude, but inadequate knowledge, regarding copyright laws. Only one independent variable—the level of education—is found to be related to the belief component of attitude. While the level of knowledge based on the knowledge Index does not affect attitude, it is correlated with levels of education, experience, and position. This study demonstrates the need for improving librarians’ education and training in Saudi Arabia regarding copyright laws. It also reveals the importance of librarians’ input in copyright laws. / Le but de cette recherche est d’étudier les facteurs qui influencent l’attitude des bibliothécaires académiques masculins menvers les lois sur les droits d’auteur en Arabie saoudite. Le modèle ternaire est utilisé afin d’évaluer l’attitude générale de ces bibliothécaires; ses trois composantes sont les sentiments, les croyances et les comportements. Cinq variables indépendantes qui pourraient affecter les bibliothécaires sont examinées: le niveau de scolarité, le domaine de travail, le poste, l’expérience professionnelle et les connaissances qu’ont les bibliothécaires des lois des droits d’auteur. Cette dernière variable est aussi évaluée par l’entremise d’un questionnaire divisé en six points, l’index des connaissances. Celui-ci est comparé ensuite aux quatre autres variables. Dans le cadre de cette étude, nous avons recruté 201 participants, tous des bibliothécaires académiques masculins provenant des sept (7) universités les plus reconnus. La méthode du sondage est utilisée pour la collecte des données, et une approche quantitative est employée afin d’évaluer la relation entre l’ «attitude» et les variables indépendantes. Les résultats dévoilent que les bibliothécaires académiques en Arabie saoudite ont une attitude positive, mais qu’ils manquent de connaissances à propos des lois des droits d’auteur. Une seule variable indépendante - le niveau de scolarité - s’avère reliée à la composante des «croyances» de cette attitude positive. Même si le niveau de connaissances, basé sur l’index, n’affecte pas l’attitude, il correspond aux niveaux de scolarité, de l’expérience professionnelle et du poste qu’occupe le bibliothécaire. Cette étude démontre clairement qu’il faut améliorer la scolarité et la formation des bibliothécaires en Arabie saoudite concernant les lois des droits d’auteur. Elle dévoile aussi que les bibliothécaires devraient avoir un mot à dire sur l

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The objective of this study is to investigate the quality management systems of ISO 9000 registered firms in the manufacturing sectors in Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, different aspects were studied; a study of the characteristics of firms; an investigation into their quality systems, which includes some ISO clauses and other elements; and a comprehensive study of the implementation of ISO 9000. To achieve these objectives, 140 questionnaires were distributed to all possible known firms holding an ISO certificate. 97 were returned, of which 83 were considered usable. In addition, 10 postal questionnaires were sent to assessors in Saudi Arabia, 3 were returned; and interviews were conducted with three SASO officials. The chemical and petrochemical sectors had the largest number of ISO registered firms, followed by the metal sector, and ISO registration was adopted by all sizes of firms. Moreover, the largest number of firms, were joint ventures, and approximately 90% of all the firms were involved in exports, the majority comprising the chemical and petrochemical ones. Most of the employees in quality-related positions were expatriates, while the 12 Sabic firms employed a higher percentage of Saudi nationals than other firms did. Two thirds of the firms were registered to ISO 9002 and one third to ISO 9001, while no firms were registered to ISO 9003 or to ISO 14001. The study also revealed that a third of the firms were implementing TQM, and the remaining ones were not. Large firms and Sabic's companies were more likely to implement TQM than others. The Western Region housed the largest number of firms, followed by the Eastern then the Middle Region, while the city of Jeddah came first, followed by Riyadh and then Jubail. The study concludes that ISO registered firms performed well in terms of the quality system elements, and in their compliance to ISO clauses. Among these, TQM firms generally performed better than Non-TQM ones in executing quality system elements and were significantly better in some aspects such as training, relations with suppliers, qualitative tools, SPC, quality culture and measuring performance. However, many ISO firms tended not to implement advanced and other techniques such as QFD; benchmarking; cross-functional teams; a vendor rating system; failure mode and effect analysis; and quality circles. Nor did they use sophisticated techniques to measure customer satisfaction and performance. The study also showed that ISO firms substantially fostered quality culture. The commitment of top managers to ISO was significantly higher than their commitment to quality in general. By applying factor analysis, it became evident that the 19 motives to ISO registration were grouped into 5 factors: increase market share; improvement of functions; international marketing; cost reductions; and joint venture influence. It was also found that there was a positive correlation between the international marketing motives for ISO and the extent of involvement in export. A large number of firms, small and large alike, appeared not to take sufficient preparation measures before implementing ISO. Approximately 53 % of firms relied on external consultants, and some of them used their registration agencies for this purpose, which constituted a conflict of interest and a violation of ISO 62. The most important factors in helping in the implementation were top management commitment; a well-structured system of procedures; and the contribution of the internal auditors. The private training agencies ranked first in training for ISO, followed by the chambers of commerce then the registration agencies, while SASO ranked fourth. The participation of the registration agencies in training their clients may question the conflict of interests matter and the integrity of the registration process. Firms, when choosing their registration agencies, considered such criteria as their reputation and image, their knowledge about their industry, and their experience in Saudi Arabia. It was also found that small firms tended to use subjective factors more than did large firms when choosing the agencies. Before contracting agencies, many firms did not adequately assess their operations and work. The study showed the dominant role of the British agencies in the ISO scene providing more than 80% of registration and the known private training. For those who did not choose SASO, this was because the certificate of the foreign agency was more prestigious, valid, and credible. About 88% of the firms achieved registration in the first audit, and more than half of all firms achieved it in less than a year; the smaller the firm, the faster. It was found that the British agencies and SASO conducted two surveillance visits a year, while the Germans and the Americans did so once a year. The most significant problems with agencies were their high fees, the confusion of choosing the appropriate agency and the complication of the assessment procedures. However, the level of satisfaction with these agencies was high. In arranging the quality manual, about 85% of firms did so according to ISO clause sequencing, and more than half of all firms relied on consultants to write the manual. The majority of firms showed satisfaction with the manual, although some expressed annoyance with certain shortcomings, such as: the involvement of a large administrative burden; being too theoretical, and leading to a loss of flexibility. However, the severity of those problems was not great. Internal costs and consultancy fees incurred about 90% of all expenses, but could be avoided if firms used their own resources. Firms were generally convinced that ISO benefits were worth the costs. By using factor analysis, the 20 benefits of ISO were reduced to 5 factors: internal benefits; marketing benefits; efficiency benefits; inspection benefits; and quality benefits. About two thirds of firms used the ISO logo as a promotional tool in their advertisements and publications. The majority of firms were satisfied with ISO, the larger the firm the more likely it was likely to be uncomplaining. However, they did not think that ISO guarantees good quality products, nor that ISO alone could establish a sufficient quality system, but both ISO and TQM together may do so. Moreover, many respondents and assessors felt the need for the amendment of ISO clauses. When evaluating the role of SASO in ISO implementation, it was found that the organisation played a minimal role in terms of registration, publications, and training for ISO, and had not been accredited to ISO 62. The chambers of commerce provided training for ISO more than did SASO, and were led by the chambers in the Eastern Region. The Saudi government was found not to play an active role in ISO implementation.

Thesis (doctoral)--Jāmiʻat ʻAyn Shams, Cairo, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 477-500).

Thesis (doctoral)--Jāmiʻat al-Qāhirah, Cairo, 1981. / Abstract in English. Title on added t.p.: The ports of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea coast. Includes bibliographical references (p. 595-607).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2002. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 520 p. Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Allan R. Millett, Dept. of History. Includes bibliographical references (p. 508-520).

Thesis (doctoral)--Jāmiʻat al-Qāhirah, Cairo, 1981. / Abstract in English. Title on added t.p.: The ports of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea coast. Bibliography: p. 595-607.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-144).

Compared with face-to-face communication, Facebook use may provide opportunities for greater interaction in a relatively uncensored environment. This research aimed to critically investigate how Saudi university students are using these opportunities. It employs a theoretical framework drawn from uses and gratifications theory, social penetration theory, and social role theory. A mixed methods approach was used over three sequential phases. The research began with a quantitative questionnaire completed by 372 Saudi university students to investigate the gratifications they obtained from using Facebook and to identify a typology of Facebook users. This was followed by thematic and quantitative content analyses of profiles of a sub-sample of 50 students to explore the status updates they generated and the types of information they disclosed. To investigate in greater depth the themes that emerged from the previous phases, a final qualitative interview was conducted with 20 of the students. The results revealed that, Saudi students used Facebook as a virtual space within which they engaged in several activities. It allowed for cross-cultural and cross-gender communication. Facebook also enabled them to be citizen journalists, sharing, discussing, and analysing current affairs. They as well used Facebook to defend their religious beliefs and advocate Islamic values. Saudi university students showed that they are willing to jeopardise the privacy of their personal information to maximise the rewards they obtain from using Facebook as long as these rewards outweigh the expected costs from such disclosure. Despite belonging to a gender-segregated society, analysis of gender differences conducted across all three research phases revealed that the gap between genders in their Facebook usage is narrower than in offline settings.

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