http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/8609 2026-06-28T07:27:21Z 2026-06-28T07:27:21Z Alberawi, Hussein http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33500 2026-06-25T09:53:36Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: How performance management shapes academic staff motivation and satisfaction: Insights from self-determination theory in Jordanian private universities Authors: Alberawi, Hussein Abstract: Performance management (PM) has become a crucial HR function used by higher education institutions (HEIs) to assess academic staff’s performance, identify their training needs, and understand their satisfaction and motivation. While many universities use research measurement indicators to assess academic performance due to their influence on global rankings and reputations, other dimensions of academic performance, such as teaching and community services, are still scarce and underdeveloped and thus need further research. Furthermore, the existing literature lacks a strong theoretical perspective identifying the effects of different PM indicators on job motivation, satisfaction and well-being through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Applying SDT, most of the literature identified the psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness and their positive consequences, satisfaction, motivation and well-being. However, the effects of PM indicators on needs frustration and the negative consequences remain limited and need further exploration. Hence, this study examines how PM indicators shape academic staff motivation, satisfaction and well-being via the satisfaction or frustration of autonomy, competence and relatedness. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 academic staff members, including lecturers, senior lecturers, readers and professors, from three different private universities in Jordan. The findings demonstrate that research and teaching evaluation practices undermine both autonomy and competence by pressuring academics to prioritise publication quantity, conform to institutionally preferred research agendas, and restrict freedom in selecting meaningful research topics leading to controlled extrinsic motivation, anxiety, stress and work for contract renewals. By contrast, community engagement evaluation practices such as free lectures and voluntary works for public foster a sense of belonging, contribution and meaning, thereby supporting intrinsic motivation, an insight that expands SDT applications in HEIs. The study further advances SDT theory by revealing that PM in Jordanian private universities is shaped by cultural norms, hierarchical governance, and limited HR capacity, leading to systematic needs frustration. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Alkhaldi, Mohammed http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33491 2026-06-23T02:00:19Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigating the impact of inspirational leadership on implementing and managing change: The case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia education institutions Authors: Alkhaldi, Mohammed Abstract: The world business environment has become increasingly competitive due to changes in both its internal and external factors, especially during the recent uncertainties. Such uncertainties greatly impacted organisations, especially the sustainability of SMEs. Therefore, it is essential that organisations master effective management techniques to successfully navigate change while improving performance in the given context. This research aims to investigate the impact of inspirational leadership on Change Management (CM) and Organisational Performance (OP) in small and medium-sized educational institutions (SMEs). Detailed literature review highlighted the importance of inspirational leadership on Change Management. Furthermore, evidence from literature review reveals that there is limited research on inspirational leadership, especially around SMEs education institutions (detailed Literature Gap presented in Chapter 2, Table 2-2). A qualitative research approach was employed, using interviews with 37 participants, including leaders and managers from SMEs within the education sector. Data were analysed thematically to explore the relationship between inspirational leadership, Change Management, and OP. This research found that inspirational leadership plays a crucial role in improving Change Management practices and Organisational Performance in SMEs. Leaders who provide clear vision, foster trust, and inspire their teams to embrace change were found to enhance communication, collaboration, and innovation. These factors contribute to the effective implementation of change initiatives. Participants highlighted that when leadership is inspirational, employees are more motivated and committed to organisational goals, which improves their overall performance. Inspirational leaders were also seen as key in creating a work culture that supports change, making it easier to implement new strategies and achieve long-term success. However, the study also revealed challenges such as a lack of resources and resistance to change, which can hinder the full realisation of leadership’s impact on performance. This research contributes to the understanding of how inspirational leadership drives Change Management and improves Organisational Performance in the context of SMEs within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia education sector. The study provides practical insights into leadership strategies that educational institutions can adopt to enhance performance and successfully manage change. Additionally, the research highlights the importance of leadership in cultivating a positive Organisational Culture that supports adaptation to external and internal changes. Key limitations include the small sample size of 37 participants, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. The reliance on self-reported data introduces potential biases, and the homogeneity of respondents may not fully capture the diversity of leadership styles across different types of SMEs. The cultural context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the absence of longitudinal data also limits the scope of the study. This research recommends developing leadership theories tailored to the cultural and organisational contexts of SMEs, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It suggests focusing on inspirational leadership through training in Emotional Intelligence and communication, alongside fostering a supportive culture for change. Future research should expand the sample size, explore long-term impacts, and include comparative studies across regions to better understand the role of leadership in organisational change. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Afrifa, Kwadwo Owusu http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33490 2026-06-23T02:00:21Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Climate change management strategies in emerging economies: A focus on green bonds Authors: Afrifa, Kwadwo Owusu Abstract: Climate change has become a global grand challenge featuring in discussions on international development and sustainability. This has arisen from the reality that the challenges posed by climate change directly impact economic sustainability, human development, and disrupt the interdependence among natural ecosystems supporting life on earth. The challenges also transcend national borders, thereby requiring multi-stakeholder engagements on the effective strategies to manage the adverse effects. Since the early 1990s, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has led the global action on climate change. However, there remains much progress to be achieved regarding the management strategies which have varied across different countries, as well as the funding mechanism for the management strategies especially among emerging economies who are among some of the most at risk of the adverse impact of climate change. These create a problem for governments and organisations, thereby necessitating a study of the management strategies and underlying financing mechanism(s). Adopting Legitimacy Theory as a lens, this research investigates the climate change management strategies in emerging economies from the perspective of green bonds. This was achieved by investigating the factors influencing the size of green bonds issuance, an indication of the level of funding available to finance planned strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation. Distinction was not made between mitigation and adaptation strategies. Both strategies were viewed under the common term, management strategies. To distinguish this research from prior vague uses of the term “emerging economies”, a defining criterion based on commonly accepted measurements of an economy was employed to select three biggest economies of focus. The context of emerging economies provided the opportunity to study the role of green bonds in the achievement of climate objectives in the focal countries. Data on green bond issuances in the countries of interest for the period 2015 to June 2024 inclusive, based on when the instrument was first issued in the selected countries was extracted from the Bloomberg fixed income data base. The analyses were done using STATA to study the direct and indirect relationships among constructs and answer the hypotheses. The analyses involved ordinary least square (OLS) regression models in the first instance, with confirmatory tests using differences-in-difference (DiD) and parallel trends analysis methodologies. The results found that profitability measure, return on assets (ROA), and debt repayment ability measure, leverage (Lev) positively influence green bond issue size. Other measures such as ESG disclosure scores, and industry classification did not positively influence green bond issuance size. However, controlling for variables such as total assets (TA), legal systems origin, use of proceeds, bond maturity, and issuer credit rating, the results showed that the coefficient of determination was stronger for the collective controlling influence of all covariates and individually stronger for bond maturity, especially for long-term maturing bonds. The findings of the research make theoretical contribution as one of the first studies that quantify the factors influencing green bond issuances in emerging economies through the lens of Legitimacy Theory. The findings impact policy on development of the market for green bonds in emerging and other developing countries, as well as direct attention to contribution of emerging economies towards the achievement of global climate change objectives. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Abdulaal, Abdulrahman Mohammed http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33461 2026-06-19T02:00:31Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigating strategic directions and initiatives of green hydrogen, the role of alignment between government and business collaboration: A case of green hydrogen in Saudi Arabia Authors: Abdulaal, Abdulrahman Mohammed Abstract: This research investigates the strategic alignment process that can support the development of Green Hydrogen (GH2) initiatives with a case study in Saudi Arabia. Despite growing global interest in GH2 as a pillar of sustainable energy transitions, this research finds that structured national strategies for GH2 remain fragmented and underdeveloped. This fragmentation limits the potential for coherent deployment and long-term value creation in energy projects. In response, the study proposes a Strategic Alignment Framework to guide the coherent deployment of GH2, aligned with the objectives and needs of stakeholders. The literature review identifies a lack of integrated models to support GH2 ecosystem planning, prompting the development of a multi-phase framework comprising Initiation and Planning, Strategic Development, and Implementation. The proposed framework in Figure 4:7 distinguishes between internal and external environmental dynamics and incorporates key strategic levers such as policy design, infrastructure readiness, human capital development, and industrial localisation. Empirical data were gathered through qualitative expert interviews with senior stakeholders across government, semi-government, and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, and validated through two focus groups consisting of three participants each. Thematic analysis highlights critical enablers, including regulatory clarity, innovation ecosystems, and government-business collaboration, as well as barriers such as investment uncertainty. Key findings emphasise that strategic alignment between national policy, industrial readiness, and infrastructure planning is essential for the GH2 sector’s success. The validated Green Hydrogen Strategic Alignment Framework in Figure 4:7 enables stakeholders to anticipate coordination bottlenecks, assess implementation readiness, and mitigate socio-environmental risks. This research contributes developing a Strategic Alignment Framework for GH2, linking external drivers with internal execution, and serving as a diagnostic tool for policy, investment, and stakeholder engagement. The findings emphasise incentives, regulatory clarity, innovation, and collaboration as key enablers of a competitive GH2 industry. Although grounded in the Saudi case, the study offers insights applicable to other resource-rich countries pursuing energy transition. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z