BSpace
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) Digital Repository
Welcome to BSpace, the online institutional repository of the British University in Dubai. BSpace provides access to the Dissertations, Thesis, Research projects, Faculty publications and archives of BUiD.
Submit your dissertation/thesis by completing the registration using your BUiD email.
Review the submission guidelines before you submit the final version
Communities in BSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- This community includes the articles, book chapters, conference and working papers published by BUiD staff members.
- This community includes the Theses and Dissertations submitted by Faculty of Business and Law students
- This community includes the Theses and Dissertations submitted by Faculty of Education students
- This community includes the Theses and Dissertations submitted by Faculty of Engineering and IT students
- The Journal is run by the Faculty of Education, The British University in Dubai (BUiD).
- This community includes the Newsletters published by the BUiD library
- This community includes the BUiD conference papers, newsletters and magazines.
Recent Submissions
Resolving Disputes related to Tendering for Engineering and Construction Contracts in the UAE: A Comparison with Tendering Disputes under English Law
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-09) JAFAR, MUQDAD JAWAD; Dr Abba Kolo
Tendering and the tender actions of engineering and construction contracts are often closely linked to the primary causes of disputes. This correlation arises because construction projects are fundamentally rooted in the tendering process, where inherent pitfalls in tendering elements frequently precipitate disputes, either before or during construction works. To reduce the impact of such disputes, various dispute avoidance methods have been designed to mitigate the risk of high-cost losses that may result from these conflicts. This argument is reinforced by comparing the lower costs of avoidance measures with the expenses associated with litigation or arbitration to resolve similar conflicts. From my experience, the crucial role of the tender authority team, particularly in the preparation of tender scope and the evaluation of tender submissions, are often overlooked. The author emphasises that a solid understanding of construction law principles, coupled with practical experience in mandatory tendering practices, is essential for construction professionals to mitigate the impact of costly disputes arising from tendering processes or actions. This dissertation will explore the benefits of contractual knowledge and legal awareness with regard to dispute avoidance to better manage bidding problems. Furthermore, it will focus on tendering and associated disputes, primarily in the UAE and the UK, providing relevant local and international examples. Given the scarcity of resources on tendering circumstances in the UAE, professional input from construction specialists in the UAE will be sought through the use of a questionnaire.
Keyword: tendering, construction contracts, alternative disputes resolution
Analysing Factors Affecting User Intentions with regard to Hydrogen FCEVs in the UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-01) TAHA, IYAD ABU; Dr Sa’Ed Salhieh
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) faces critical environmental challenges due to high CO₂ emissions, with the transportation sector contributing significantly to the country's carbon footprint. To address this, the study explores hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as a sustainable alternative. It aims to assess user behaviour intention (BI) for future adoption of FCEVs, by applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The factors examined are performance expectations (PE), effort expectations (EE), social impact (SI), environmental concerns (EC), perceived safety concerns (PS), Policy incentives (PI), and technological knowledge, awareness (TA) is a moderating factor. The online survey conducted in the UAE resulted in 292 participants. The UTAUT model was estimated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Considering that that FCEVs are still not available in the UAE. The findings indicate that, PE, SI is positively affects BI toward FCEVs, emerged as the most powerful drivers of user’s intentions to purchase it. EE, EC, PS, PI had no effect on BI toward FCEVs. Despite various policy incentives, a lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure hinders intention to adopt. Technology knowledge positively moderates EE and negatively SI toward FCEVs. However, those with greater TA tend to accept this technology since they believe it to be easy to use, and they will use their own judgment instead of peer influence in their intention to adopt it. The study recommends that automakers and UAE policymakers prioritize infrastructure development and education initiatives. Also reduce reliance on financial assistance only in the initial stages. Support the hydrogen economy and develop sustainable transportation goals.
Keywords: HFCEVs, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Hydrogen, UAE, User intention, Technology knowledge and awareness.
The Role of English Online Gaming in Developing L2 Students' Speaking Fluency
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-06-26) EL BALI, IMAD; Dr Emad Ayyash
The rapid development and widespread adoption of online gaming platforms have garnered significant academic interest, particularly concerning their impact on students’ English language development and verbal communication skills. Online gaming provides a dynamic environment that facilitates engagement with a global community of English speakers. This setting offers English as a second language (ESL) students an exceptional opportunity for immersive exposure to English, enabling real-time interactions, collaborative gameplay, and community communication.
The availability of internet connectivity and the increasing popularity of online gaming have led to a shift in how young students approach English language acquisition. A growing trend shows many language learners gravitating towards online gaming platforms as a novel and engaging way to enhance their linguistic skills. These platforms are effective in nurturing conversational fluency by providing practical and authentic language practice.
Though often seen as a mainstream extracurricular activity, online gaming’s appeal extends beyond entertainment. It serves as a practical and enjoyable medium for students to engage with English, integrating contemporary language learning methods. The entertainment value of online gaming and its capacity as a supplementary language acquisition tool enable students to develop linguistic skills organically and unintentionally.
Integrating online gaming into language learning represents an innovative approach aligned with the evolving digital communication landscape. Its immersive nature and ability to create genuine language-learning opportunities make it a valuable tool for ESL students to improve language proficiency, particularly conversational fluency.
The Impact of Middle Leaders Empowering Teachers Towards Visible Learning: A Study Among Teachers and Leaders at a Selected Private School in Dubai
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-11) DAHER, AMENAH IBRAHIIM; Dr Solomon Arulraj David
This study investigates the role of middle leaders (ML) in empowering teachers to implement Visible Learning (VL) strategies within a selected private school in Dubai. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys of teachers’ perceptions and qualitative questionnaires directed to MLs to investigate their understanding of their role and to highlight the effective strategies followed and the challenges faced. The study reveals a general agreement in teachers’ perceptions regarding MLs’ empowering role in participative decision-making, informing, leading by example, coaching, and showing concern. While teachers’ perceptions vary across these areas, the highest heterogeneity in their opinions was related to showing concern and coaching aspects. Teachers’ perceptions converge toward MLs’ derived themes of modeling excellence and positive leadership, collaborative and inclusive decision-making, and effective communication. At the same time, it diverges against MLs’ identification of the importance of supporting the team’s wellbeing. The research highlights the importance of leadership practices in fostering an environment that supports teacher empowerment despite challenges in achieving uniform buy-in across staff. Implications for practice suggest the need for more focused professional development and support structures for MLs and recommend future research to explore these dynamics in diverse educational contexts. The findings contribute to the existing literature on leadership and teacher empowerment, offering new insights into how middle leaders can influence VL implementation in schools.
Circular Economy Business Model for Solar Projects: The Case of Dubai
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-12) AL SABAH, SULEIMAN MOHAMMAD; Professor Edward Ochieng
Solar projects are growing in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, driven by a net-zero carbon target by 2050. The study aimed to propose a circular economy business model (CEBM) for solar projects in Dubai, considering the particular project's surrounding factors. The study identified four major determinants: circular economy business model and sustainable value, mediated by strategy, and moderated by internal and external factors. The study used mixed methods, including a quantitative survey where structural equation modelling was employed to test the study’s model, and a qualitative focus group to validate CEBM design options and components. The findings of the study showed the influence of the CEBM on sustainable value and found significant partial mediation of strategy on this relationship; while external factors had a negative moderation on this relationship, internal factors positively moderated it. Given the paucity of research on the circular economy in projects, this study extends the theory by applying circular economy business model theory to solar projects, by examining various business model theoretical constructs and their effects on the sustainable value of projects. The proposed business model offers a novel circular business model that can be implemented in Dubai’s energy sector to meet sustainability strategic goals of both the emirate and the UAE. The proposed circular economy business model provides a new approach to circularity and further details on circular practices that can be deployed in Dubai’s energy sector, such as green procurement and 3D printing. Moreover, the proposed circular economy business model can be used to engage and prioritise environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the solar energy sector.