This thesis examines the Saudi animation industry and investigates the barriers that are preventing the development of its life cycle. Although there has been a demand for animation content since the establishment of the Saudi TV in 1965, the Saudi animation industry remains in its Introduction stage. Therefore, the study undertakes an analysis of the factors that could enable the industry to move to its Growth stage. To achieve this, the study attempts to establish an understanding of how different countries succeeded in developing their animation industry life cycle. Therefore, the study selects three countries as a qualitative multiple case study. These countries are the UK, which represents a Mature animation industry; Egypt, which represents an established Growth industry; while the United Arab of Emirates represents an emerging Growth industry. This has involved an in-depth analysis of the animation industries in Saudi Arabia and two other Arabian countries – UAE and Egypt – as well as of the UK. There has been very limited historiography for Arabian animation and almost none on the Saudi Arabian industry previously. A consideration of which factors should be investigated, as the most effective in influencing the evolution of the industry, was undertaken. Reviewing the available literature on the animation industry development showed that four factors have been found to play a considerable role in developing the local animation industry: Higher III Education institutions, Networks, Government and Location. Thus, this study focuses on examining these four factors at different life cycle stages of the animation industry. The findings of this study demonstrate that their impact differs from stage to stage in developing the local animation industry; the significance of particular barriers also varies at different stages of the life cycle. Thus, this study developed a Theoretical Model that combines the most effective strategy that has been found within the studied countries. It also applied the model to the specific context of the Saudi Arabian industry and developed recommendations for a strategy to encourage its evolution. The model could also be applied to other developing animation industries.

The thesis is a study of migration and its links to belonging, class, national identity and recognition in United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation. It focuses on Pakistani migrants, especially Pakistani professionals in Dubai, which is the second largest Emirate of the UAE because of its territorial extension and economic production (Davidson, 2008a). It is not only an empirical study but also partly a conceptual and analytical treatise on migration in the GCC countries. By comparing the extant literature on migration in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the findings of my own field research, I argue the need to move beyond concepts such as belonging despite exclusion (Vora, 2013), citizenship as belonging (Vora & Kock, 2015) and nationalism for nationals (Kock, 2015), which have dominated the literature on migration in this region, to better grasp that belonging, class and national identity are contested and situational. Dubai as a transit lounge is an expression used by one of my Pakistani participants to describe the dynamic nature of the city. But more than that, it was used to emphasize that foreign workers life in the emirate is characterized by temporariness. The UAE authorities have categorized people through the citizenship law (no. 17, 1972) in Emiratis and non-Emiratis by conceiving of them as two distinct categories. In my view, this might be interpreted as a fracture between two groups of individuals. In particular, non-Emiratis have been considered and represented in the literature as a monolithic group (Mahdavi, 2011), as disempowered individuals and, especially low-wage migrants, as victims of the market economy over which they cannot wield any control (Kathiravelu, 2016). The extant literature on migration in the GCC countries has portrayed the image of foreign communities in which the role of human agency in the migration experience is underestimated. Starting from the historical evolution of migration in the Arab Gulf region and the links with African and Asian countries, which have contributed towards shaping the ethnic diversity of the UAE and the GCC countries, my research focuses on the presence of Pakistani migrant professionals in Dubai in order to understand the development of migration in the Emirate; the role and importance of the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) in contributing towards determining belonging; and therefore how migration affects the Emirati national identity. This thesis challenges the extant literature on migration in the Arab Gulf region by questioning the dichotomy between nationals and non-nationals as two reciprocally-exclusive categories. Instead, it argues the need to look at inter and intra dynamics that take place in the field between the two groups in order to understand how their relations are constructed. It is thus important to consider social interactions between nationals and non-nationals because individuals occupy contradictory and multi-layered locations, spaces and social categories (Yuval-Davis, 2011; Anthias, 2015). This reasoning stems from my historical analysis of ethnic composition and social stratification in the Gulf port cities, especially Dubai, where the coexistence of different ethnic groups resulted from economic exchanges and intermarriages with people coming from African and Asian countries, which in turn contributed towards shaping the ethnic diversity of the region. For example, the construction of belonging cannot be grasped only by looking at non-nationals as an isolated category (Koch, 2015) but it has to be analysed and discussed in relation to others . As such, it is important to consider the role played by migrants and their ethno-national migrant associations in forging the discourse on the Emirati national identity. Migrants, through civic engagement and their participation in the Emirati public sphere, contribute towards strengthening Emirati national identity via their sense of belonging to the country and their agential capacity (e. g. migrant organizations).

This study researches a rapidly growing area of interest in the financial services industry, that is,operational hsk management, with special focus on the mitigation phase. Operational risk management has accelerated in importance in the financial services over the last two decades for many reasons, not least of which is the well-known catastrophic failure of large banks such as BCCI, Barings and Indymac, as well as the recent Global Financial Crisis. One of the main drivers behind such bank failures was the failure of the banks' managements to manage effectively and efficiently their operational risk exposure. The focus of this study is operational risk mitigation in the United Arab Emirates Commercial banking industry. A controversial issue with operational risk was deciding on an agreed and accepted definition within the financial services industry. It has been defined by Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as "the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. This definition includes legal risk, but excludes strategic and reputational risk." This definition captures a wide spectrum of risk categories such as fraud risks, people risks, legal risks and compliance risks, to name a few. Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a Committee of banking supervisory authorities established by the central bank Governors of the Group often countries in 1974, published in June 2006 a document called the "International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards - A Revised Framework Comprehensive Version" known as Basel II Accord, which requires banks, among many other things, to sustain capital adequacy to cover their operational risk exposures. This Accord was the result of a number of consultative documents issued by the same Committee which focused increasing attention on the need for operational risk adequate and efficient management. Bank managements are facing increasing pressure to ensure that operational risk exposures are being managed effectively and efficiently. This extended the main momentum for the study, being the first independently sponsored study of how the UAE commercial banks have developed their operational risk management frameworks as a basis for mitigating the range of operational risk exposures they encounter. The operational risks that prompted the current Financial Crisis and how they were mitigated in the context of the UAE commercial banks gave further momentum to the research. The study addresses the various key players in operational risk management and is, therefore, interdisciplinary. The foundations from which the field work was undertaken were based on theoretical propositions in the area of decision making since the process of mitigating an operational risk is rooted in making a decision. Multiple case studies were used in the design for the research to answer the research question and establish the practices in operational risk mitigation in the UAE commercial banking industry. Leading UAE commercial banks were carefully chosen as representatives of this industry. The findings of the research are in line with the conclusions of Basel Commiltee on Banking Supervision that the main responsibility for operational risk management, and therefore mitigation, is vested in operational managers. The analysis demonstrates that (hey do not do this independently, but are supported by other experienced people in this field. A model and check-lists of operational risk management, and therefore mitigation, is proposed demonstrating the complexity of the whole process due to the nature and the scale of operational risks. The thesis concludes by discussing some further potential research suggestions in this ever-growing area of interest.

The Objectives of this research is to raise the awareness of the leaders and executives, from both the Business/Management and IT, to the role of ICT in organizational e-transformation, specifically in UAE, to enable them better facilitate their roles and responsibilities. Global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) changes and their Business/Management consequences have their regional reflections, shades, and effects. During the last few years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federal government in general, and Dubai government in particular, initiated and deployed progressive and ambitious steps towards the implementation of E-government. The main objectives being to better serve all government stakeholders, by enabling reductions in cost, time and effort. Each department/directorate formed its own leading teams, to achieve the Etransformation projects. These teams, supported by International consulting firms, and starting with targeted attainable objectives developed solutions that achieved fast and encouraging results. These results encouraged additional steps to be taken. The process continued, and many departments/directorates - having their Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) related solutions in place - believed that their goals had been achieved or almost achieved. Upon execution of the next phase, which required connecting departments/directorates together (Government to Government: G2G stage), many serious technical problems were raised. Problems arose with respect to information exchange, database structures, file formats, uniformity and integrity of applications, hardware scalability and interoperability, and integration, accompanied with related management and financial problems. This produced IT islands of information that had to be managed and shared more efficiently. This highlighted the following issues: 1) The absence of an enterprise detailed and integrated plan to: A) Harmonically harnessing the best of Business and IT strategies, infrastructures, and processes (business-IT alignment) B) Perfect Integration, Coordination and Cooperation inside and outside the organization, supported and facilitated by new Governance structure (business-IT alignment) C) The need for Integrated Enterprise Architecture Framework (IEAF): characterized by Wholeness, Intel-connectedness, in addition to Multidimensional solution, maintaining Alignment, Standards, Scalability, Interoperability, and Integration characteristics 2) The absence of "conscious transformation" leadership, to transform leader and employee mindset and behavior, to develop supportive to change culture. This influenced the determination and support for self and organizational transformation. This required revealing the implementation of E-transformation drivers in the UAE organizational E-transformation, and classifying them into two categories: Major ICT based drivers Technology Business-IT alignment, Enterprise Architecture Project management Minor ICT based drivers Leadership Vision and Strategy Stakeholders Continuity This research focuses on the Major ICT based drivers, mainly, the business-IT alignment, and the need for an Integrated Enterprise Architecture Framework. In order to prove the above, the researcher integrated the utilization of the "case study analysis" methodology, augmented by an "interview/questionnaire" The research revealed that most of the UAE government organizations are in the second stage - with some traits of the third stage - on the level of five stages (levels of maturity) with respect to the Business/IT alignment. Meanwhile, the IEAF is either not formulated yet, or in its initial stages. Additionally, the research revealed the following: Critical Success Factors, Identification of deficiencies, Areas for improvement, identified problem areas, and proposes a "Framework milestones for sustained E-Transformation".

Construction claims are considered by many project participants as one of the most disruptive and unpleasant events of a project (Ho & Liu, 2004). Researchers like Kumaraswamy (1996) argue that claims managers should focus not merely on the significant claims categories but also on the avoidable ones, to minimize the damaging effects on a given project. It becomes apparent that the causes underlying different claims categories have to be identified so that controllability and avoidability may be established. This research examines the issues by looking at the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the second largest single industry after oil and gas sector, where claims and disputes are a major problem in the country. 51 leading construction participants including clients, consultants and contractors alike in the UAE were sampled for the study. The analytical results of the survey were further examined, compared and validated via the analysis of the data collected from 45 construction projects. The main findings of the first phase of study lead to the establishment of an index system called Claim Focus Index (CFI) that further establishes the finding of the 16 most significant types of claims and disputes in the UAE. The study continues to examine the underlying causes of the most significant types of claims and disputes and has identified unique sets of the root causes specific to each significant type of claims and disputes. These shall establish the basis to formulate strategies to focus on avoidability and minimization of claims and disputes.

Desde a formação do Sistema Árabe de Estados, na esteira do processo de descolonização, a retórica do nacionalismo árabe tem sido o pano de fundo sobre o qual as relações políticas intra-árabes se desenvolveram. Contudo, as relações que se estabelecem entre os Estados árabes estão muito aquém da unidade, tendo se caracterizado mais pela desintegração. A literatura sobre a integração política no Mundo Árabe aponta diversos fatores envolvidos no aparente contra-senso representado pelo discurso unificador nacionalista árabe e a ausência de integração na região, dentre eles a ingerência externa, a dependência econômica externa, os problemas relacionados ao equilíbrio de poder intra-árabe, as tensões entre soberania estatal e o discurso pan-arabista e a ausência de complementaridade econômica regional. Esses fatores foram analisados nesse trabalho, em diferentes períodos selecionados para estudo, a saber: 1954-1973; 1973-1990; e 1991-2004; tendo como referencial teórico o Realismo Estrutural, conforme proposto pela Escola Inglesa de Relações Internacionais. Na tentativa de responder ao questionamento que guiou essa pesquisa – o que condiciona o Mundo Árabe a viver uma permanente fragmentação, a despeito de todo o discurso unificador do arabismo? – buscou-se identificar quais desses fatores apontados pela literatura sobre integração no Mundo Árabe tiveram um peso relativo maior para o fenômeno não integrativo intra-árabe, no que concluiu-se que apenas a falta de complementaridade econômica regional não teve um papel relevante para a ausência de integração política intra-árabe entre os anos de 1954 e 2004.

Desde a formação do Sistema Árabe de Estados, na esteira do processo de descolonização, a retórica do nacionalismo árabe tem sido o pano de fundo sobre o qual as relações políticas intra-árabes se desenvolveram. Contudo, as relações que se estabelecem entre os Estados árabes estão muito aquém da unidade, tendo se caracterizado mais pela desintegração. A literatura sobre a integração política no Mundo Árabe aponta diversos fatores envolvidos no aparente contra-senso representado pelo discurso unificador nacionalista árabe e a ausência de integração na região, dentre eles a ingerência externa, a dependência econômica externa, os problemas relacionados ao equilíbrio de poder intra-árabe, as tensões entre soberania estatal e o discurso pan-arabista e a ausência de complementaridade econômica regional. Esses fatores foram analisados nesse trabalho, em diferentes períodos selecionados para estudo, a saber: 1954-1973; 1973-1990; e 1991-2004; tendo como referencial teórico o Realismo Estrutural, conforme proposto pela Escola Inglesa de Relações Internacionais. Na tentativa de responder ao questionamento que guiou essa pesquisa – o que condiciona o Mundo Árabe a viver uma permanente fragmentação, a despeito de todo o discurso unificador do arabismo? – buscou-se identificar quais desses fatores apontados pela literatura sobre integração no Mundo Árabe tiveram um peso relativo maior para o fenômeno não integrativo intra-árabe, no que concluiu-se que apenas a falta de complementaridade econômica regional não teve um papel relevante para a ausência de integração política intra-árabe entre os anos de 1954 e 2004.

This exploratory, interpretive study investigates the attitudes towards and experiences of English-medium instruction (EMI) within higher education (HE) on the part of female students completing an intensive foundation programme at a major federal tertiary institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Two data collection procedures were employed in this study, a 21-item questionnaire, and in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was performed on transcriptions of the latter, a procedure which gave rise to recurring, emergent themes. Such themes included the belief expressed by some participants that having the second language (L2) of English as the medium of instruction (MI) can act as a barrier to learning, and that it would be preferable to study in their first language (L1) of Arabic. Additionally, it was found that some students believed their secondary school education had failed to afford them adequate preparation for EMI HE, a disturbing finding given that the government of the UAE appears to have stated a desire to achieve universal HE for females, whilst also signalling its intention to eliminate university-based foundation programmes. In addition to such academic-related findings, it emerged that there exists significant ambivalence towards the place and standing of English in contemporary Emirati society, with a recurring theme being that whilst knowledge of and proficiency in English is required for the globalised economy, and thus for the future of the country, the pervasive spread of the English language in the UAE poses a threat not only to Arabic, but also to the religious identity and cultural integrity of the indigenous Emirati population. The findings of this study lead to the recommendation that the UAE implement a paradigmatic shift in its language policy within federally-sponsored HE by reverting to Arabic as the primary MI, with English as a foreign language (EFL) or English as a second language (ESL) as a subject replacing EMI.

Desde a formação do Sistema Árabe de Estados, na esteira do processo de descolonização, a retórica do nacionalismo árabe tem sido o pano de fundo sobre o qual as relações políticas intra-árabes se desenvolveram. Contudo, as relações que se estabelecem entre os Estados árabes estão muito aquém da unidade, tendo se caracterizado mais pela desintegração. A literatura sobre a integração política no Mundo Árabe aponta diversos fatores envolvidos no aparente contra-senso representado pelo discurso unificador nacionalista árabe e a ausência de integração na região, dentre eles a ingerência externa, a dependência econômica externa, os problemas relacionados ao equilíbrio de poder intra-árabe, as tensões entre soberania estatal e o discurso pan-arabista e a ausência de complementaridade econômica regional. Esses fatores foram analisados nesse trabalho, em diferentes períodos selecionados para estudo, a saber: 1954-1973; 1973-1990; e 1991-2004; tendo como referencial teórico o Realismo Estrutural, conforme proposto pela Escola Inglesa de Relações Internacionais. Na tentativa de responder ao questionamento que guiou essa pesquisa – o que condiciona o Mundo Árabe a viver uma permanente fragmentação, a despeito de todo o discurso unificador do arabismo? – buscou-se identificar quais desses fatores apontados pela literatura sobre integração no Mundo Árabe tiveram um peso relativo maior para o fenômeno não integrativo intra-árabe, no que concluiu-se que apenas a falta de complementaridade econômica regional não teve um papel relevante para a ausência de integração política intra-árabe entre os anos de 1954 e 2004.

Magister Scientiae (Nutrition Management) - MSc(NM) / Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer accounting for approximately 25% of cancers diagnosed in children less than 20 years of age. It originates in the bone marrow and prevents the normal manufacture of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A poor nutritional status is frequently observed in children with ALL at the time of diagnosis and during treatment which may result in protein energy malnutrition if nutrition intervention is delayed. This retrospective study aims to assess the nutritional status of children newly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) using 20 case studies between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014 from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (Abu Dhabi, UAE), in order to develop an appropriate nutritional support protocol for pediatric ALL patients treated at this institution. Study Design: A retrospective descriptive case study design was used. The study population consisted of 20 electronic medical records of patients aged between 1-14 years who were newly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and admitted to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for treatment during the period 1 January 2012 and 31 Dec 2014. Data Collection: Identification of suitable participants began through a review of each potential study participant`s electronic medical record. Data was collected and recorded on a data collection form (Appendix III) from the electronic medical record for each suitable participant for the following at admission and during the full duration of all phases of cancer treatment namely induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification and maintenance. The data collected comprised of the following: age, gender, date of diagnosis, symptoms on diagnosis, the cancer diagnosis (type and subtype), anthropometric measurements (weight, length/ height, head circumference), biochemical values (visceral proteins, blood glucose levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte count), clinical assessment (stomatitis, anemia, mucositis), diet history (home feeding regimes; consumption of daily requirements; food preferences – types, textures; food allergies, food intolerances; food aversions; use of oral nutritional supplements; treatment-related side-effects; systemic related side-effects (nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; anorexia; appetite changes; taste changes; physical activity level; depression), dietary requirements (age and gender related nutritional requirements for energy, protein, fat and fluids) and indications for nutritional support (oral feeding; enteral feeding; parenteral feeding). Analysis of Results: The weights and length/ heights of participants recorded in the electronic medical records were converted to z-scores on the World Health Organization growth charts. The diet prescription of nutritional intervention was interpreted in comparison to the biochemical indices, anthropometric status and dietary intake of each participant. All the data involving changes in anthropometrics, biochemistry, diet history and nutritional interventions from each case study (from diagnosis and through all stages of treatment) was screened and compared with reference values in the context of the age and sex of the child. Evidence based nutritional guidelines were used to document the outcomes of the medical nutrition treatment provided in order to develop a nutrition support protocol for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. Results: The results showed that weight loss expressed as a percentage of body weight provided a more accurate estimate of the true significance of weight loss in subjects undergoing cancer treatment (chemotherapy) for ALL. A weight loss of greater than 5% of body weight over a period of one month is considered a sign of nutritional deprivation even if the subject is not classified as undernourished by anthropometric parameters. Subjects experienced the highest weight loss during the consolidation phase and interim maintenance phases of treatment. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that pediatric subjects on cancer treatment for ALL at SKMC and receiving nutritional support underwent changes in nutritional status as manifest by a reduction in more than 5% of their body weight during three phases of treatment namely induction, consolidation and interim maintenance. An appropriate nutrition support protocol was developed based on the results and experience obtained from this study for pediatric ALL patients treated at SKMC.