This study critically examines the relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Service Quality (SQ) within Dubai’s housing sector, with a specific focus on the moderating influence of blockchain technology (BT) in this relationship. Employing a quantitative approach grounded in a deductive research strategy and positivist epistemology, data were gathered from a sample of industry professionals and subjected to rigorous analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that the deliberate deployment of TQM methodologies leads to significant improvements in SQ metrics, and the catalytic role of BT further enhances these service quality improvements. The study highlights the transformative potential of BT in recalibrating conventional paradigms of service delivery within the housing sector. Specifically, the analysis reveals that BT plays a pivotal moderating role in the relationship between TQM practices and SQ outcomes, thereby enriching our comprehension of the intricate interplay between these constructs. The study concludes by furnishing nuanced insights into the multifaceted dynamics shaping SQ within the housing sector, while also delineating avenues for future inquiry.
Gamification is an active methodology of great value that, in a quality educational environment, provides students with the necessary motivation to participate in their teaching-learning process. An emerging active methodology, which is based on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and requires an educational space that guarantees greater flexibility in the pedagogical dynamics in favor of academic achievement. This increase in interest in active methodologies, and specifically in gamification, has raised doubts about whether current educational spaces are prepared to host a renewal in methodology or if, on the contrary, they could undermine the attitude of change. For this reason, this research seeks to analyze whether current educational spaces are facilitating elements for the incorporation of gamification in the classroom. The methodological cut of the research is quantitative, specifically in two phases. On the one hand, a descriptive analysis of the results is carried out, obtaining information on the trend of each item. On the other hand, an inferential analysis is carried out around different variables to verify their possible influence on the evaluations of the participants. The results obtained, in the sample made up of 210 teachers distributed in the different centers and who carry out their educational activity from 3rd to 6th grade of primary school, indicate that teachers believe it is relevant to take into account the educational space when incorporating active methodologies in class.
The purpose of the current study is to raise the question about making a comparison between international legislation in the United States, European Union, and legislation of Saudi Arabia derived from Islamic law regarding the poultry slaughtering process and the relationship of that to achieving safe and healthy food for humans. In addition, the study utilized the Holy Qur’an and the texts of the Prophet’s hadith as primary sources. Additionally, various national and international laws, reports, and legislations were referenced as secondary sources for the review. Moreover, this study addresses a research gap by providing a comparative analysis that links Islamic and international legislation regarding poultry slaughter and examines its impact on food quality and safety. The study’s findings indicate that Islamic Sharia provisions are in harmony with the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia related to poultry slaughtering process. This alignment ensures the primary goal of the slaughter process, which is to quickly get rid of the blood and achieve the well-being of the poultry. Consequently, this results in high quality meat with low microbial content that can be preserved for a longer period compared to regulations in other global markets such as the USA and the European Union.
Sustainable development is a foundational element in European Union (EU) policies, yet there remains a lack of coherence among member states regarding the perception and response to environmental challenges, resulting in regional inequalities. The “Fit for 55” initiative by the EU is an ambitious strategy aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, as part of its broader goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This study investigates the economic impact and intergovernmental dynamics of the “Fit for 55” plan, analyzing its potential to not only meet environmental targets but also to foster economic resilience and social equity across the EU. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the “Fit for 55” initiative in harmonizing environmental goals with economic and social policies among diverse EU member states. The study reveals that while the initiative offers significant potential benefits, such as stimulating innovation and creating jobs in green industries, it also faces considerable challenges, including economic disparities among member states and the social impacts of rapid decarbonization. These findings highlight the need for integrated approaches that address both environmental sustainability and socio-economic equity.
The following paper assesses the relationship between electricity consumption, economic growth, environmental pollution, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development in Kazakhstan. Using the structural equation method, the study analyzes panel data gathered across various regions of Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2022. The data were sourced from official records of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan and include all regions of Kazakhstan. The chosen timeframe includes the period from 2014, which marked a significant drop in oil prices that impacted the overall economic situation in the country, to 2022. The main hypotheses of the study relate to the impact of electricity consumption on economic growth, ICT, and environmental sustainability, as well as ICT’s role in economic development and environmental impact. The results show electricity consumption’s positive effect on economic growth and ICT development while also revealing an increase in pollutant emissions (emissions of liquid and gaseous pollutants) with economic growth and electricity consumption. The development of ICT in Kazakhstan has been revealed to not have a direct effect on reducing pollutant emissions into the environment, raising important questions about how technology can be leveraged to mitigate environmental impact, whether current technological advancements are sufficient to address environmental challenges, and what specific measures are needed to enhance the environmental benefits of ICT. There is a clear necessity to integrate sustainable practices and technologies to achieve balanced development. These results offer important insights into the relationships among electricity consumption, technology, economic development, and environmental issues. They underscore the complexity and multidimensionality of these interactions and suggest directions for future research, especially in the context of finding sustainable solutions for balanced development.
How are telecommunications infrastructure, institutions and poverty related in a war-torn economy such as Afghanistan? Afghanistan has been plagued by poor governance, low usage of telecommunications, and extreme poverty levels which can be termed triple-challenges. High levels of political instability affected telecommunications investment and adversely affected the adoption and diffusion of modern technology. This study examines the asymmetric effect of telecommunications and governance (institutions) on poverty reduction over the period 1989–2019 using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. In the short run, we establish that information and communication technology, private domestic credit, governance, and educational access for males and females are essential tools that can be used for poverty reduction. In the long run, we also establish that Afghanistan can reduce poverty levels through the use of information and communication technology, governance, and educational access for both males and females. The following policy recommendations were suggested: research and development, robust policy formulation on governance and ICT, development of the ICT sector, and improved governance. These are critical in reducing the high poverty levels as well as solving the institutional challenges faced by Afghanistan.
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