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.

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Recent Submissions

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    The Security of Payments in Construction Projects
    (The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-06) HAMARSHEH, MOHAMMAD ORAIB; Professor Aymen Masadeh
    The fundamental objective of any commercial transaction is to generate profit. However, achieving sustainable profitability requires more than ambition, it necessitates disciplined financial planning, rigorous cash flow control, and continuous monitoring. At the heart of this process lies a critical factor which is ensuring that payments are secure and made promptly, in full alignment with the contractual terms agreed upon by the parties. In the construction industry, however, delayed or suspended payments remain a persistent challenge. These issues often arise from complex contractual arrangements such as back-to-back payment clauses alongside contractor performance concerns, project delays, administrative inefficiencies, inter-party disputes, or, at times, unprofessional conduct. Such disruptions frequently escalate into formal disputes, with payment-related disagreements emerging as a leading cause of contention between employers and contractors, as well as between contractors and subcontractors. To mitigate these risks and uphold financial stability, all parties must actively protect their interests. Contractors have the right to ensure the timely receipt of payments, while employers must secure that any advance payments are utilised solely for the intended project scope. Additionally, interim payment applications should accurately reflect the actual value of the work completed, avoiding exaggerated or front-loaded claims during the early phases of the contract. Ensuring transparency and accountability in payment practices is therefore essential to reducing disputes and maintaining trust throughout the project lifecycle.
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    The Impact of Digital Transformation on Organisational Performance in UAE Construction Organisations: The Moderating Role of Organisational Culture
    (The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-06) SHATAT, BASHAR KHALID; Dr Waris Khan
    This study investigates the influence of Digital Transformation (DT) on Organisational Performance (OP) in UAE construction organisations, moderated by Organisational Culture (OC). Despite national strategies like UAE Vision 2030, the construction sector remains hesitant to embrace DT or translate digital investments into measurable performance gains. Addressing this gap, the study assesses current DT maturity, its direct impact on OP, and the moderating effect of OC. Adopting a positivist, quantitative, deductive, and cross-sectional design, a structured 30-item questionnaire (5-point Likert scale with an optional final open-ended question) was distributed to professionals across diverse roles, organisation types and sizes, yielding 81 valid responses (from 86 surveyed professionals). Data were analysed using SPSS and Excel using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Cronbach’s Alpha, Pearson’s correlation, and regression and moderation analyses. Findings revealed moderate-to-high DT maturity, with strong adoption of BIM and cloud technologies but limited use of IoT and AI. Sectoral resistance (notably in infrastructure) and size-based variations in OC were also observed. Regression analysis showed DT accounted for 54.6% of the variance in OP (supporting H1), while moderation analysis revealed a significant but negative interaction effect (rejecting H2), indicating that stronger OC may hinder DT benefits unless strategically aligned. The study contributes to the TOE and IBV frameworks by highlighting the critical role of a cultural alignment—rather than strength—in enhancing DT outcomes. Practical implications include developing a Cultural Alignment Index and UAE-specific, sectoral DT frameworks. Limitations include a small sample size and reliance on self-reported data. Future research should adopt longitudinal or mixed methods and explore cross-GCC comparisons.
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    Implementing and leading technology-driven pedagogical change: A Study among Teachers from Selected Schools in Abu Dhabi
    (The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-03) BOUZID, FATIMA; Dr Solomon David
    This study examines the challenges and facilitators of implementing technology-driven pedagogical reform in Abu Dhabi’s educational system, with a focus on leadership and digital integration. The aim is to explore how leadership strategies and professional development can enhance technology integration in teaching and learning. The main research question investigates which leadership strategies and practices effectively support technology integration in Abu Dhabi’s schools. Key related literature includes Mishra and Koehler’s (2006) TPACK framework and Fullan’s (2001) work on educational change. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys with teachers and school administrators. Findings reveal that visionary leadership, strategic planning and collaborative professional development are critical for successful technology integration, while resistance to change and resource limitations pose significant challenges. The implications suggest that policymakers and school leaders should prioritise evidence-based strategies, targeted training and alignment with broader educational goals to sustain technology-driven reforms. A key limitation is the study’s focus on Abu Dhabi, leaving scope for future research to explore regional comparisons and long-term impacts of technology integration. The study concludes that effective leadership and continuous professional development are essential for successful technology integration, offering actionable insights for educational innovation in the region. Keywords: Technology-driven pedagogy, educational leadership, technology integration, leadership strategies, professional development.
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    The Impact of Effective Leadership on Student Achievement
    (The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-04) ALOMAR, NISRIN
    Effective leadership is one of the most crucial aspects of ensuring successful student achievement. This is applicable especially in schools that are underperforming and facing true challenges, such as lack of resources, low teacher morale, and high teacher turnover rates. This research study enlightens the impact of different leadership styles, such as transformational leadership, distributed leadership and instructional leadership, on student accomplishments. A mixed-method research model was used to collect qualitative data from 7 school leaders through interviews and quantitative data from 25 participants through surveys . The collected data assisted in examining the leadership efficiency of school leaders in term of influencing student learning outcomes. The research underlined that resource allocation, teacher motivation, professional development, and strategic vision are some key determinants of student performance. According to obtained findings, transformational leadership has been identified as having the ability to steer innovative teaching strategies, engagement and collaboration. However, in spite of having certain benefits, school leaders experience different challenges like restricted financial support, maintaining teacher motivation and policy-related restrictions. The research recommended that involving teachers in decision-making process, conducting leadership development workshops, and well-directed coaching sessions to overcome the identified barriers. This aims to ensure optimal leadership efficiency while working with underperforming schools to enhance students’ learning outcomes.
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    Investigating the Impact of Skylights and Atrium Configurations on Visual Comfort and Daylight Performance in Dubai Shopping Malls
    (The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2025-03) SANAD, AYMAN ADEL AHMED; Dr Wael Sheta
    The city of Dubai enjoys a plethora of shopping malls and retail centres. Due to harsh weather in the outdoor areas, visitors and residents prefer indoor spaces, especially areas such as central atriums in the shopping malls where people can socialise, dine and engage in daily activities. Such an atrium features skylights as these are considered the main source of natural light due to the absence of side windows in this type of building. This research investigates the impact of atrium and skylight configurations on daylight performance and visual comfort in shopping malls. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review to build a theoretical foundation and identify research gaps. Key variables and target metrics are identified, followed by a selection of representative case studies. Field measurements and computer simulations are conducted to model and validate daylight performance. Annual simulations are used to assess seasonal variations, while sensitivity analysis identifies key parameters. A genetic algorithm and multi-objective optimisation (MOO) simulations are used to generate optimal configurations, summarised in the form of a Pareto front selection criteria guide the choice of the optimum solution, which is then applied and analysed in a case study. Comparative analysis quantifies such improvements, and generic guidelines are developed for broader application, along with a discussion of future steps and possible research opportunities.