Saudi Arabia

This paper investigates the success of the EHR system and its impacts on the knowledge-sharing process by healthcare professionals in a public medical complex in Saudi Arabia. It aims to reexamine and evaluate the usefulness of the updated DeLone & McLean IS success model considering IS in the healthcare context. The study is based on a quantitative methodology conducted at a public medical complex in Saudi Arabia. The data analysis was performed by combining descriptive and exploratory analysis. SPSS was used to test the constructs' validity and scale reliability. Additionally, using AMOS to test the model fit and examine the direct and indirect relationships among dependent and independent variables, structural equation modeling was performed. The results support the role of EHR use in enhancing knowledge-sharing practices within the medical care complex. The findings show that EHR users appreciate knowledge transfer and collaboration between medical staff. The findings suggest that the EHR’s characteristics of information quality, system quality, and service quality promote medical care knowledge-sharing through system satisfaction and use. This study helps medical staff and health decision-makers to understand the EHR benefits and the medical digital innovations that may contribute to improving the work conditions at care organizations. It shows that healthcare organizations can identify various benefits from the use of the EHR**, ** especially in terms of knowledge management and sharing to propose better medical services. The paper contributes to the existing empirical literature by demonstrating the confirmation of the D&M Model as a relevant instrument for IS success within the healthcare sector.

The primary objective of this research is to develop future scenarios for investment in religious tourism in Saudi Arabia. Given the growing importance of religious tourism in the country's economy and its role in attracting pilgrims from around the world, this study aims to simulate and explore various future scenarios for this industry. The research employs a structural approach and scenario analysis method. Initially, key drivers affecting the future of religious tourism are identified, and based on two main variables—"Strategic Geographic Location" and "Government Policy & Vision 2030"—four scenarios for future investment in this sector are formulated. The findings of this study indicate that Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location and the government's development policies under Vision 2030 are pivotal factors that could significantly influence the future of religious tourism in the country. The scenarios presented in this research include "The Phoenix's Ascent" (success in implementing policies and leveraging geographic advantages), "Icarus' Fall" (challenges due to poor management and ineffective policy execution), "The Labyrinth of Daedalus" (external challenges and competition from emerging religious tourism destinations), and "Pandora’s Box" (weak infrastructure and declining geopolitical influence). These scenarios represent potential futures for the industry, considering both internal and external developments in the country. The main innovation of this research lies in using the scenario analysis method as a tool for simulating the future and combining two critical drivers—geographical and political factors to provide insights that could significantly assist strategic decision-making in this field. Additionally, the research recommends that policymakers and investors focus on strengthening infrastructure, implementing secure and efficient policies, and enhancing international partnerships to maintain and improve their position in religious tourism.

Saudi foreign policy was mostly affected by its strategic relations with the United States as its primary and sole security provider. However, since the rise of Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia further developed its relations with permanent non-Western members of the United Nations Security Council, respectively China and Russia. This study mainly contends that this transformation took place through strategic hedging, with regional and global consequences. It is contended that Saudi Arabia has adopted a triangular foreign policy through hedging, in order to balance its foreign relations with America and achieve regional supremacy. In this article, through a thematic analysis, we will investigate the ways in which Saudi foreign policy adopted hedging, the reasons for this action, and the motifs behind this decision. Saudi Arabia has tried to pursue national interests through hedging. This attempt is affected by a post-Cold War environment, preparing for a possible multi-polarization of the international system. Saudi Arabia also tries to improve its image alongside this approach in foreign policy. Correspondingly, this diversification of Saudi foreign policy is noticeably compatible with its domestic policy of opening up and adopting rapid modernization, which is analyzed through hedging and Neoclassical Realism.

Due to different interests, ideologies, and geopolitical goals, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have long been in competition, which occasionally got severe. After a seven-year rupture, on March 10, 2023, the two states agreed to restore diplomatic relations to reduce tensions. This research examines the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia and tries to answer this question: what are the future scenarios of the Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement? To tackle the question, this research tends to analyze the Iranian-Saudi relationship and shed light on the future scenarios of the deal from an Iranian perspective. Three scenarios are presented: the first one is the cynical one and pays attention to challenges and the driving forces that can deteriorate the present de-escalated relations. The second scenario considers the positive potentialities of the deal and the situation it can make for more stability and peace. The third one regards both elements of tension and compatibility. Ultimately, the third scenario is considered the most logical one based on the framework presented as the Balance of Interests.

Yemen is the poorest Arab country in the world. The corruption of the government, the marginalization of the Houthis, and the inability of the government to meet the economic needs of the citizens of this poor Arab country have been burning in the fire of instability for more than a decade. This instability is such that the transfer of power in 2011 could not be a message of peace for this country, and finally, in 2015, the country entered into a devastating civil war. This research, using the descriptive-analytical method, has tried to investigate the roots of the crisis in Yemen and the constructive role of Iran in ending this conflict. The results of the research show that the Islamic Republic of Iran evaluates the developments in Yemen in the form of Islamic awakening, which reduces the influence of the West in the region. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned about the efforts of Saudi Arabia to manage the developments in Yemen and to empower the affiliated currents and demands that all religious and political currents play a role in the future of this country. What is important for Iran is, firstly, to play a constructive role in the developments of this country to solve the existing challenges towards the understanding of political groups, and secondly, to support its allies to prevent their forced exit from the power scene.

This article employs the theoretical framework of the conflict school to examine the role of economic reforms in consolidating neopatrimonialism in Saudi Arabia. The central hypothesis of the article is that the recent initiatives of Mohammed bin Salman, particularly through the Vision 2030 document, aimed at adapting the Saudi political system to internal and external changes, maintaining stability and continuity of the regime, and centralizing power in his hands, have contributed to the consolidation of neopatrimonialism in the country. While these economic and social reforms ostensibly aim to modernize Saudi Arabia's economy and society, they effectively function as tools to reinforce traditional power structures and solidify the dominance of the Al Saud family, particularly Mohammed bin Salman himself. By analyzing available data and recent political-economic trends in Saudi Arabia, the article addresses the question of how economic reforms have contributed to the consolidation of neopatrimonialism and what implications this has for the country's power structure. The findings reveal that these reforms, while creating superficial changes in the economy and society, act as mechanisms to preserve and strengthen the patrimonial system and perpetuate the dominance of the ruling elite.

The Middle East and North Africa constitute one of the strategic and most significant regions in the world with a turbulent history. The region witnessed the birth of various countries and tense developments from the second decade of the 20th century until the middle of the century, and most of the countries in the region, including Arabic countries and Israel, emerged during the period. In this regard, the countries in the region have experienced conflicts, wars, invasions, and, sometimes, peace, in their relations with Israel. The latest development in this respect is the Saudi-led normalization of ties between some Arabic countries and Israel to oppose Iran and its axis of resistance. Though this has posed a number of threats to Iran’s national security, some opportunities are evident in it, as well. Thus, the main question of the present study is what opportunities the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel can have for the empowerment of the axis of resistance. The study utilizes a descriptive and analytical methodology to answer the question, and the overall result of the study – i.e., the tested hypothesis – shows that opportunities like the creation of chasms between the government and society in Saudi Arabia, the pressure felt by Fatah and the need to reconcile with Hamas, Muslims’ reaction to the negation of the Palestinian Dream by Saudis, the creation of chasms between the government and society of Israel, and the gradual withdrawal of the U.S. from the region are all factors that can boost the axis of resistance based on the existence of groups who oppose the process of normalization across Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Islamic world at large.