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Abstract of the Student #Thesis: ROBERTO BELLO Informed by agency theory and stewardship theory, this study theorizes the relationship between managers and customers through the various agentic roles that each party can perform: managers as principals, customers as principals, and managers as stewards. Each agentic role carries specific assumptions about how managers perceive customers and develop their marketing strategies. Interestingly, while marketing strategy literature has evolved the role of the customer from a passive recipient of benefits (relationship marketing and market orientation) to an active participant who contributes to the development and implementation of marketing strategies (service-dominant logic and co-creation), it remains largely silent on the parallel transformation of managers’ roles and perspectives. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to revisit the manager-customer relationship not as a static entity but as a dynamic social phenomenon emerging in the daily lives of managers. Marketing strategies are challenging to implement without a shared (intersubjective) frame of reference regarding the activities and tasks embraced by managers. This study argues for a systematic and in-depth exploration of the agentic role of managers and their assumptions about customers within the manager-customer relationship. It highlights the potential utility of a discourse approach, which systematically analyzes processes and traditions with a focus on control and customer relations, not merely as acceptance or rejection, but as subjective reconstructions of the manager-customer dynamic. Through discourse analysis of in-depth interviews, this study identifies the characteristic navigation of mutually antagonistic discursive manager-customer relationships. It analyzes how these discourses were employed by managers when discussing customers and their roles within the relationship. Two principal, and somewhat overlapping, aims are discussed: first, the study examines the significance of antagonistic discourses for understanding the manager-customer relationship; second, it explores managers’ perceptions of their roles within this relationship and the impact on current marketing paradigms, specifically relationship marketing, market orientation, and service-dominant logic. Ultimately, this study identifies the navigation characteristic of mutually antagonistic discursive manager-customer relationships and analyzes how managers deploy these discourses in discussing their roles and relationships with customers. It also revisits our understanding of current marketing paradigms, specifically relationship marketing, market orientation, and service-dominant logic, in light of this managerial navigation.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Mohamed Ahmed Al Lawati Strategic planning has garnered significant attention in the business realm, particularly among researchers who continue to debate the extent of its impact on business success. This study aims to contribute to this ongoing discourse by demonstrating the tangible impact of strategic planning implementation on business success, especially under volatile economic conditions. It seeks to provide concrete evidence rather than merely presenting various viewpoints or statements. Additionally, the study aims to offer a clear picture of strategic planning's role in business development, driving competitiveness, and improving financial performance, benefiting stakeholders, investors, employees, and the broader environment. The study addresses a range of key concepts in business administration, strategic planning, business evaluation mechanisms, and outsourcing. It incorporates international studies in this field, including those examining the impact of financial crises—particularly the global financial crisis of 2008—on company performance. Insights from these studies were crystallized into hypotheses and tested on Omani industrial companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market to assess their applicability to local conditions. Appropriate statistical methods were used to analyze the necessary data. A diverse mix of data was employed in this study, including literature reviews, questionnaires, company visions and missions, and financial statements from the sample companies. Various methods of analysis were utilized to uncover the true role of strategic planning in business performance, helping to adopt new ideas and trends in line with business challenges. The study observed a certain ambiguity in the understanding of strategic planning among administrators at both local and international levels. Nonetheless, this did not prevent companies from applying strategies in various ways. The research demonstrated a significant impact of strategic planning on business performance, aligning with findings from some international studies on the subject. The study yielded fruitful results and made several recommendations to enhance business stability and development. These findings aim to improve the understanding and implementation of strategic planning concepts across different types of businesses.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Shanawaz Nizamuddin Khan This study examined the factors related to the successful completion of a project and the role time and cost management plays. The research brought to light the most common factors and illustrated that nearly every factor directly considered time and cost management influenced a project manager and their ability to control time delays and cost overages. The results of this study demonstrate that time and costs are the two most critical factors in bringing a successful completion to a project. The research also demonstrates that the project managers do not fully understand the extent to which they have control or influence over the time and cost elements of a project. The researcher believes this is a factor in the lack of success. With a p value of 0.000 it was clear that time and costs are critical factors that should be considered when evaluating the success of a project. This indicates that an emphasis is needed to address the importance of building these factors into the pre-planning stage with more realistic numbers and dates when working on the estimates.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Foad Alatsibi The purpose of this thesis is to enhance the understanding of the effects culture has on negotiations between Israeli and Asian companies. The author utilizes traditional cultural theories to define culture and its impact on both individual behavior and organizational structures. Salacuse's (1998) ten factors, which conceptualize how culture influences various aspects of the negotiation process, are employed to develop proposed negotiation profiles for East Asian and Israeli negotiators. These profiles are based on the discussed theories, specific East Asian cultural characteristics, and various "how-to" literature sources on international negotiations. The second part of the thesis comprises empirical research based on three personal interviews with professionals who have relevant experience. A qualitative research approach was chosen due to the exploratory nature of the research question, focusing on how different cultures affected negotiations in the cases of the three interviewees. The goal of this research is not to develop new factors or generalize findings but to provide a deeper understanding of negotiation as a social interaction across cultures. The research design used Salacuse's framework (1998) as its theoretical foundation, explaining cultural differences and their impact on negotiation styles through ten factors: goal, attitude, personal style, communication, time sensitivity, emotionalism, agreement form, agreement building, team organization, and risk-taking. The results indicate that while increased interaction between Israeli and Asian companies has minimized differences in some factors, other factors still pose significant challenges to successful negotiations with Asian counterparts.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Zeeshan Butt The aim of this thesis is to examine the ICT environment and analyze the evolution of a department that provides services to corporate technology. The study seeks to establish how ICT management has affected business operations. The primary focus is on analyzing the current state of the ICT market and its main evolutionary trends. This includes exploring the relocation and outsourcing of information services and the impact of these choices on the business environment. Additionally, the thesis provides an overview of the competitive landscape of service providers.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Nima Mohamed Ibrahim A cookie is a small text file that is downloaded onto a device (such as a computer or smartphone) when a user accesses a website. This file allows the website to recognize the user’s device and store information about the user’s preferences or past actions. Many studies have focused on protecting consumer privacy in electronic communications but have often overlooked the advantages of cookies for firms that provide products or services. There are numerous rules and Privacy Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) in place to control the use of cookies, alongside the Data Protection Act, which grants consumers specific privacy rights. These regulations cover areas such as: Marketing calls, emails, texts, and faxes; Cookies (and similar technologies); Keeping communication services secure. A prime example of privacy and data protection regulations can be seen in the frameworks adopted by Europe and the UK, which have implemented changes into their own laws. This research aims to explain the importance of cookies for firms—particularly those providing products or services—and consumers alike. By highlighting these benefits, the study hopes to encourage companies to use cookies or similar technologies legitimately, in compliance with privacy policy rules. This is the focal point of the paper, with further details provided to support these ideas. The researcher employed a descriptive analytical approach for this study, classifying it as applied research. Data was collected from primary sources through a specially designed questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS application. Additionally, interviews and the Nvivo application were used to analyze collected data. The target population included firm owners who use cookies and customers. Secondary sources such as books, business journals, previous research papers, and business letters related to the research topic were also utilized. The research concluded that cookies offer several advantages, including enabling web developers to create better web applications and services, and enhancing marketing plans. Cookies are one of many tools that developers use to improve the visitor experience on the web. Most firms in the Middle East support the implementation of cookie laws and privacy legislation, though they have yet to apply such laws. However, many firms are willing to adopt these laws in the future. Currently, most firms have their own corporate rules to respect customer privacy and secure their information, which suggests that implementing European and UK cookie and privacy rules in the Middle East could be straightforward. This presents a good opportunity to use cookies for wide statistical analysis for marketing purposes and exploring social trends, benefiting companies, countries, and visitors from various perspectives. The effective use of cookies depends heavily on existing rules, regulations, and laws, as well as education and awareness programs about legitimate cookie use.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Ayman I. Abu Haija The United Nations (UN) agencies have invested significant efforts, costs, and time in converting their accounting systems from the United Nations System Accounting Standards (UNSAS) to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). This research aims to explore, in an objective, scientific, and analytical manner, whether this conversion has achieved its two primary targets: improving financial reporting and strengthening the internal control system. The substantial costs and time required for such a conversion and implementation are critical concerns for the executive managements of the UN agencies, their governing bodies, and their member states. The research intends to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of IPSAS implementation on the financial reporting and internal control systems within the UN agencies. An independent evaluation of the implementation process and the results achieved by each concerned agency was provided. To measure the perceived benefits of IPSAS, a Likert scale survey was conducted among a sample of UN employees. The analysis of the survey responses indicated that the IPSAS implementation has indeed improved the financial reporting of the UN agencies. It aligned their financial statements with globally recognized standards, making them understandable to all stakeholders and comparable across different agencies. Furthermore, the implementation of IPSAS has led to a better internal control system for the UN agencies, enhancing all aspects of internal control.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Maria Andrea Hamilton Incivility or uncivil behaviors have become a significant concern for educators worldwide, posing one of the growing disciplinary problems in learning environments. This phenomenon is increasingly seen as a leading cause of violence, with some educators considering it a crisis in educational institutions today. The prevalence of classroom incivility has affected higher education institutions globally for decades. However, there is no known data on the impact of higher education lecturers' classroom management styles on the pervasiveness of uncivil behaviors despite the seriousness of this problem. This qualitative research, employing a phenomenological design, aimed to address this gap through four research questions that guided the study. The researcher examined how the nature of classroom incivility, cultural sensitivity, and classroom management styles influence the pervasiveness of uncivil behaviors in higher education. Semi-structured and open-ended interviews were conducted to investigate how classroom management affects incivility in higher education settings. A purposive sample of 40 higher education lecturers from the Caribbean, the United States, Guyana, and Europe was used to obtain an objective perspective on the phenomenon. The themes developed from the survey and interview results provided potentially useful strategies for lecturers addressing the pervasiveness of incivility in higher education learning environments.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Alberto Rodriguez Dominguez Europe is facing turbulent times politically, economically, and socially. Energy resource management and securing a stable energy supply are critical across these domains and affect the entire EU population. Ensuring Europe's energy future is paramount, particularly in light of global demand from emerging economies like China and India, persistent instability in energy-producing regions, and Russia's use of energy as a political tool. These issues have heightened EU concerns, prompting initial responses, yet much work remains. This will likely be a major focus in the next phase of European integration. This document analyzes the development of an external energy policy at the EU level, key external relationships (such as those with Russia, North Africa, and the Middle East), and the diversification of energy sources. The methodology primarily involves PEST and SWOT analyses, examining the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats from technical, social, and economic perspectives. Additionally, it includes a quantitative analysis of energy security in the EU. Key recommendations to ensure a feasible and stable mid-term energy context include: Improving Flexibility for Energy Investors: This aligns with meeting commitments in various international agreements. Integrating National and Regional Energy Systems: Enhancing the interconnectedness of energy systems across Europe. Enhancing EU Competitiveness Worldwide: Achieving this through coordinated actions at the EU level. Developing New Energy Fields: Investing in and promoting new energy sources, such as bio-energy. These measures are crucial for Europe to secure its energy future and maintain stability across political, economic, and social spheres.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Ralf Hilpert Background: Little research is available on the topic of hospital mission statements, especially in the field of psychiatry. This study tries to deal with the matter by exploring the dichotomy of ethical vs. business attitude in mission statements because staff in psychiatric institutions feels strongly about this issue. Methods: The mission statements of 39 psychiatric hospitals, big (level 1) and small (level 2) in German speaking Switzerland were analyzed according to ethical and business contents and compared with their financial performance using statistical methods (T-tests and regression analyses). Financial data was taken from published statistics of the national health authority (Bundesamt für Gesundheit). Results: According to the T-tests, the small, level 2 psychiatric hospitals contained more ethical aspects in their mission statements than the big, level 1 psychiatric hospitals (p=0.02). The smaller level 2 hospitals in average generated almost only half the financial loss than the bigger level 2 hospitals (p=0.12). Business content was comparable in both groups’ mission statements (p=0.90). Regression analysis found a small, but general trend, that, irrespective of the hospital groups, more ethical contents are associated with better financial results, and more business contents with worse financial results. Conclusions: Small psychiatric clinics seem to have their right to existence in German speaking Switzerland by showing higher ethical attitude and better financial results. Small psychiatric hospitals are ethically more consistent according to their mission statements and maybe financially sounder according to their reported data than bigger hospitals. In (re-)writing a mission statement for a psychiatric institution much care should be given to the language, reflecting a high ethical attitude. Other possible influences and explanations for the results are discussed. This result might open the way for more research in this field, and if confirmed, possibly develop psychiatric care away from big institutions towards smaller, ethically and financially sounder entities.

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Adnan Raslan This study aimed to identify the critical success factors influencing consumer buying behaviors for electronics and home appliances in the UAE, providing marketers with strategic recommendations. The research focused on the importance of product accessibility, price, features/characteristics, quality/added value, and brand reputation to UAE consumers, examining how these factors vary among consumers with different individual characteristics. The findings indicated that product accessibility, price, features/characteristics, quality/added value, and brand reputation are highly important to UAE consumers when purchasing electronics and home appliances, with mean importance ratings exceeding 50% of the total possible value. To achieve these findings, the study employed a positivist research philosophy and a quantitative research method. It utilized an exploratory research design and a cross-sectional survey strategy, collecting data through online questionnaire surveys from a randomly selected sample of 300 UAE consumers of electronics and home appliances. The data were analyzed using MANOVA, ANOVA, t-tests, and correlation and regression analysis. The importance of brand reputation was significantly associated with product accessibility, price, features/characteristics, and quality/added value (p < .05 for correlations between brand reputation and other consumer buying behavior factors). Notably, the importance of product price and features was significantly higher among consumers with spouses compared to those without spouses. Additionally, the importance of product accessibility, price, and features/characteristics was significantly higher among consumers with high monthly incomes compared to those with low monthly incomes (p < .05). The study concluded that product accessibility, price, features/characteristics, quality, brand reputation, and social influence are key critical success factors in consumer buying behaviors for electronics and home appliances in the UAE. These factors are influenced by the size of the consumer's household, average income, and marital status

Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Ir. Jean Claude Karorero In the last 50 years, Burundi has experienced recurrent conflicts between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups. Similar to Rwanda in 1994, Burundi has witnessed the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of lives since 1993. Despite a peace agreement between the Hutu and Tutsi signed in 2000 (UN, 2000), violence resurfaced in 2015. The ruling political party, CNDD-FDD, controversially nominated the same candidate for a third term, violating Burundi's laws. This led to widespread violence, resulting in thousands of deaths, imprisonments, cases of sexual abuse, torture, and over 325,000 people becoming refugees. Some parties warn that the risk of a new genocide remains high. As an academic researcher and a native of Burundi, I am deeply interested in uncovering the root causes of the current crisis. My aim is to contribute positively to finding a sustainable solution during the ongoing peace process in Arusha, Tanzania. While many researchers focus on the Arusha Agreement of 2000, the Constitution of Burundi, legal frameworks, or the spirit of vengeance, few have examined the influence of political corruption. I believe that political corruption and its implications have a significant impact on the current crisis. Evidence from Italy demonstrates that corruption skews public budget allocation towards general services like security rather than education and health, leading to significant policy implications (Baraldi, 2008). Moreover, corrupt recipients tend to receive more humanitarian assistance and less aid for productive sectors and infrastructure (Lopez, 2015). This paper aims to quantitatively prove that the findings of Baraldi and Lopez are applicable in the Burundian context. Using a quantitative design, I analyzed and compared the budgets of all service ministries (S-Ministries) with those of production/economic/infrastructure ministries (E-Ministries) from 2006 to 2015. Additionally, I tracked the destination of foreign aid to both E-Ministries and S-Ministries. I utilized Google Scholar to review studies, journals, and research on political corruption, foreign aid, ethnic crises, democracy, and favoritism. My findings reveal that Burundi is indeed a corrupt recipient, validating the observations of Baraldi and Lopez. Since 2006, the services and humanitarian sectors have consumed a significant portion of the national budget and foreign aid. According to Neudorfer and Theuerkauf (2014), this corruption distorts the political decision-making process and fosters political favoritism. In Burundi, this bias has resulted in a greater portion of humanitarian assistance and corruption benefits flowing to CNDD-FDD supporters and key decision-makers. This, I believe, is central to Burundi's problems. The national budget, corruption dividends, and the allocation of foreign aid have financed the violation of laws and the Arusha Agreement. Since 2016, peace negotiations have been ongoing in Arusha involving politicians, donors, and mediators. It is imperative that these stakeholders consider the significant findings of this study to inform their efforts in achieving lasting peace in Burundi.