An Examination of the Effectiveness of Instagram Stories in Driving Consumer Engagement with Brand Content: A Quantitative Study Mohammad Hamdi Al Khasawneh, Fandi Omeish, Abdelrehim Awad, Abdullah Khataan, Ahmad Shaheen, et al. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 2026 This study tests how Instagram Stories features shape Consumer Brand Engagement (CBE) among active users in Jordan. The market here is mobile first. A cross-sectional online survey produced 443 valid responses from individuals with active Instagram accounts who regularly view Stories and follow at least one brand account, with eligibility confirmed through screening questions embedded at the start. Judgmental purposive sampling guided recruitment, and only respondents passing the use and frequent-viewing checks were retained. The sample is 60.7% female, largely 19–25 years old (72.9%), and mostly holds a bachelor’s degree (77.9%). Measurement validity was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, and the CBE model was estimated using structural equation modeling (SEM) that achieved good overall fit. The fit indices indicate solid performance. Key statistics are CFI = 0.934 and RMSEA = 0.044. Five Stories features, namely entertaining content, interactivity, user-generated content, influencer trustworthiness, and up-to-date information, were modeled as antecedents of cognitive processing, which then predicted affection and activation consistent with the common three-stage structure of engagement. All five features had positive and significant effects on cognitive processing, with the strongest paths for entertaining content (β = 0.321, p < 0.05) and influencer trustworthiness (β = 0.318, p < 0.05). Entertainment leads in this model clearly. User-generated content (β = 0.200, p < 0.05), up-to-date information (β = 0.171, p < 0.05), and interactivity (β = 0.142, p < 0.05) followed in size. Cognitive processing strongly predicted affection (β = 0.647, R2 = 0.418) and activation (β = 0.718, R2 = 0.515), while its own explained variance was modest at R2 = 0.241. Taken together, these results position Stories features as practical levers that can lift engagement in a mobile-first Middle Eastern market, even if cognitive processing captures a modest share of upstream variance in the model.
How process automation and employee training jointly drive workflow efficiency: the conditional impact of industry-specific technological expertise Zahid Hussain, Rohit Bansal, Fazla Rabby, Ayoub Oulamine, Nishita Pruthi, et al. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2026 Purpose The study analyzes the joint effect of the automation of processes and training of employees on the efficiency of the workflow, paying special attention to the moderating effect of technological expertise, in other words, knowledge of the industry. The discovery of influential factors to automate internal processes is critical to maintaining competitive power and advancing operational efficiency in the IT industry of Pakistan, which is facing fast changes. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative approach to research was implemented by gathering the data based on a sample including 300 managers and employees operating in the context of the IT industry in Pakistan. The key variables, such as the process automation (PA), employee training, workflow efficiency (WE) and the use of industry-specific technologies, were measured with the help of a structured questionnaire. Both direct and indirect influences of automation and training on the efficiency of the workflow were analyzed in terms of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The model also included two-way moderation to identify the effects of industry-specific tailored technologies. Findings The findings reveal that the automation of the processes and training employees are highly positively correlated with increasing the efficiency of the working course. Moreover, the existence of a technological expertise in the industry also contributes substantially to the bonding of these variables. Companies that adapt to the tailored tech solutions and makeup talent development strategies have higher rates of productivity in their workflows. Practical implications Performance managers should co-invest in targeted training and domain-aligned tools; PM systems should track capability-building indicators alongside process Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Social implications Upskilling with context-aligned technology supports employability and sustainable productivity. Originality/value The proposed research introduces an innovative means of integrating the PA and workforce formation with the optimization of the contextual technology systems that suit the ever-changing demand in the IT sector in Pakistan. The results confirm the utmost significance of introducing industry-specific digital solutions to streamline organizational functioning and human assets performance.
From Digital Governance to Public Value: The Mediating Role of Digital HRM in Public Service Organizations Hiyam Abdulrahim, Abdelrehim Awad, Adel Ghonim, Mohamed Shemais Ibrahim, Abdelnaser Mohamed Sayed, et al. Sustainability Switzerland, 2026 This study examines how digital governance (DG) contributes to public value (PV) in a large, service-intensive public organization and tests whether digitally enabled human resource management practices (DHRM) transmit this effect. Using a cross-sectional survey of employees in Egypt Post (n = 278), items were measured on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed with reliability diagnostics, validity assessments (CFA, CR, AVE, HTMT), and regression-based mediation with 5000 bootstrap resamples. All scales showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: DG = 0.903, DHRM = 0.948, PV = 0.923) and convergent validity (AVE greater than 0.50). Discriminant validity was confirmed via HTMT (less than 0.85). The study finds that DG was positively associated with PV (beta = 0.773, p less than 0.001) and with DHRM (beta = 0.818, p less than 0.001). DHRM was also positively associated with PV when controlling for DG (beta = 0.332, p less than 0.001). Bootstrapping confirmed a significant indirect effect of DG on PV through DHRM (a times b = 0.281; 95% CI [0.156, 0.424]), indicating partial mediation. This study advances public value scholarship by specifying DHRM as a micro-foundation linking governance capacity to value outcomes, demonstrating the partial mediation mechanism in an under-researched Middle Eastern public-sector context, and providing empirical evidence that digital transformation yields higher public value when governance arrangements are translated into workforce routines and capabilities via digital HRM. Implications: The findings suggest that public managers should treat HR digitalization as a core implementation mechanism alongside governance reforms.
Generative AI in Knowledge Management and Organizational Memory: RAG Patterns in Remote Work Abdelrehim Awad Innovative Approaches to AI Supported Hybrid and Remote Workplaces, 2026 The sudden globalization of work, followed by the attendant decentralization of the working population, has spawned an unprecedented crisis in what has become known as Organizational Memory (OM). The aforementioned crisis has been followed by an unprecedented loss of knowledge exchange in tacit knowledge on one hand, and hubris in explicit knowledge organized in disconnected “silos” on another. Under these circumstances, this particular chapter sets out to assume that today and in tomorrow's future, there cannot possibly be any valid KM strategy capable of meeting, let alone succeeding in complying with, this new paradigm of distant work. Thus, we argue that it's time to propose Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models: sociotechnical innovations that propose and see within existing digital presence, in this case in our corporation's “corpus” dynamically coupled with Large Language Models (LLMs) to be henceforth and forevermore, sociotechnically speaking, “de rigueur” in thise new paradigm on distant work. They provide—in fact, literally “reanimate” existing passive repositories to be made query-capable as necessarily “digital synapses” to their existing analogs. Numerous existing Retrieval-Augmented Generation models, including “Retriever-Centric” and “Generator-Centric” models in particular, and even “Agentic” varieties in particular, shall be exhaustively described in this chapter.
AI-driven learning culture enhances innovation performance: a serial mediator of knowledge orchestration and organisational intelligence Zahid Hussain, Arman Khan, Abdelrehim Awad, Rohit Bansal Vine Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 2026 Purpose This paper aims to investigate how an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven learning culture (AIDLC) enhances innovation performance (IP) through the complementary roles of knowledge orchestration (KO) and organisational intelligence (OI). It addresses how organisations in an emerging economy context transform AI-enabled learning into intelligent action and innovation outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative, survey-based study was conducted with 348 professionals working in information technology firms in Karachi, Pakistan. Established scales were adapted to measure AIDLC, KO, OI and IP. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesised direct and indirect relationships and to assess the measurement and structural models. Findings The results show that AIDLC has a significant positive effect on KO, OI and IP. KO positively influences OI and IP, while OI positively affects IP. Furthermore, KO and OI each individually mediate the relationship between AIDLC and IP, and they also form a serial mediation path from AIDLC to IP. These findings indicate that AIDLC foster stronger KO capabilities and higher OI, which together explain improved IP. Practical implications Managers should invest in AI-enabled learning practices and systems that not only capture and analyse knowledge but also orchestrate it across teams and functions. Building OI capabilities is critical for converting AI-driven learning into sustained IP, especially in resource-constrained, emerging economy settings. Originality/value This study introduces and operationalises the construct of AIDLC and empirically demonstrates its impact on IP through KO and OI. By integrating dynamic capabilities, knowledge-based and organisational learning perspectives, it offers a novel serial mediation framework that explains how AI-enabled learning is transformed into OI and innovation in the IT industry of an emerging economy.
An SEM-based analysis of the determinants of household saving behavior among Islamic bank customers in Indonesia Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, Asmiyati Khusnul Maryam, Dinan Fathi Shiddieqy, Abdelrehim Awad Banks and Bank Systems, 2026 Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractHousehold savings are a fundamental driver of financial stability and economic growth, particularly in developing economies such as Indonesia. Given the presence of a dual banking system that includes both conventional and Islamic banks, understanding the saving behavior of Islamic bank customers is essential for improving financial inclusion and economic resilience. This study aims to empirically investigate the impact of service quality, customer satisfaction, customer value, customer loyalty, and income on household saving behavior in Indonesia’s Islamic banking sector. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 260 Islamic bank customers, and the data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings reveal that customer loyalty is significantly influenced by service quality (β = 0.23), customer satisfaction (β = 0.41), and customer value (β = 0.15), explaining 31% of the variance in loyalty (R² = 0.31). Additionally, household savings are directly affected by service quality (β = 0.82), customer satisfaction (β = 0.16), customer value (β = 0.06), customer loyalty (β = 0.17), and income (β = 0.08), with the overall model accounting for 55% of the variance in saving behavior (R² = 0.55). These results underscore the critical role of banking service quality and customer-related factors in fostering saving habits within Islamic banks. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers and financial institutions aiming to enhance customer engagement and strengthen savings mobilization strategies in Islamic banking.AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.&amp;nbsp;
Green finance and ESG practices as drivers of multidimensional corporate performance: Evidence from UAE-listed firms Akram Ramada, Mohamed Ahmed Shemeis, Ahmed Moustafa Aldabousi, Abdelrehim Awad Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 2026 Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractGrowing regulatory and investor scrutiny of sustainability has intensified the need to understand whether green finance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices translate into measurable corporate performance gains in emerging markets. This study examines how green finance and ESG practices influence multidimensional corporate performance among firms listed on the UAE stock market. Data were collected via a structured survey of finance and sustainability managers in companies listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market; 167 valid responses (87.4% response rate) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The survey was administered in the UAE in May 2025. Results show positive effects of green finance on efficiency (β = 0.341, p &amp;lt; 0.01), effectiveness (β = 0.206, p &amp;lt; 0.01), sustainability (β = 0.157, p = 0.041), and customer satisfaction (β = 0.248, p &amp;lt; 0.01). ESG practices also improve efficiency (β = 0.288, p &amp;lt; 0.01), effectiveness (β = 0.179, p = 0.032), sustainability (β = 0.194, p &amp;lt; 0.01), and customer satisfaction (β = 0.142, p = 0.028). Joint modeling indicates complementary effects, with the strongest combined impacts on sustainability (β = 0.376, p &amp;lt; 0.01) and customer satisfaction (β = 0.408, p &amp;lt; 0.01); model fit is strong (GFI = 0.91; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.014). Overall, integrating green financing with robust ESG practices enhances corporate outcomes in the UAE, providing practical guidance for managers, investors, and policymakers.AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.
Sustainable E-Commerce in MENA: An SOR Analysis of Gen Z Purchase Intentions through Open-Source LLM (DeepSeek) Interactions, Trust, Familiarity, and Privacy Concerns Ahmad Shaheen, Fandi Omeish, Dina AlGhamdi, Abdullah Khataan, Abdelrehim Awad World Journal of Entrepreneurship Management and Sustainable Development, 2026 Purpose: This study models how open-source large language model (LLM) recommender interaction quality (personalisation and responsiveness) affects Gen Z online purchase decisions through trust, AI familiarity, and privacy concerns using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework. Design/Methodology/Approach: We have conducted a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis of 570 Gen Z online shoppers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar. Findings: Interaction quality improved trust (β=0.2585) and AI familiarity (β=0.2943) while increasing privacy concerns (β=0.5499). Purchase intention was positively influenced by trust (β=0.2848) and privacy concerns (β=0.3583). AI familiarity showed no direct impact (β=0.0477). Model explained 47% variance in purchase intention. Originality/Value: Few studies examined trust-privacy dynamics for open-source LLM recommenders across four economies. Research Implications: SOR theory application reveals trust mediates positively while high interaction quality increases privacy concerns among Gen Z. Practical Implications: Retailers should optimise interaction quality while implementing transparency and user control mechanisms to address heightened privacy concerns. Keywords: Open-Source LLMs; E-Commerce Interaction Quality; Trust-Privacy; SOR Model; Gen Z; Middle East Shopping. Citation: Shaheen, A., Omeish, F., AlGhamdi, D. S., Khataan, A. and Awad, A. (2026): Sustainable E-Commerce in MENA: An SOR Analysis of Gen Z Purchase Intentions through Open-Source LLM (DeepSeek) Interactions, Trust, Familiarity, and Privacy Concerns. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development (WJEMSD), Vol. 22, Nos 1-2, pp. 133-150.
Preface Harnessing Geospatial Information Systems for Sustainable Economic and Regional Development, 2026
Digital Resilience in Supply Chains: Security, Governance, and AI Innovation Digital Resilience in Supply Chains Security Governance and AI Innovation, 2025
A structured literature review of resilience in Egypt’s Islamic financial markets under global uncertainty A Awad, A Kordy, A Ramada, AM Mostafa, AM Aldabousi, R Mahfouz Discover Sustainability , 2026 2026
Exploring How Customer Experience and AI-Driven Service Innovation Influence Perceived Firm Innovativeness: Digital Trust as a Moderator Z Hussain, SI Mohammad, A Vasudevan, A Awad, A Khan, R Bansal Services Marketing Quarterly, 1-22 , 2026 2026
How process automation and employee training jointly drive workflow efficiency: the conditional impact of industry-specific technological expertise Z Hussain, R Bansal, F Rabby, A Oulamine, N Pruthi, A Awad International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management 75 (4 … , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
From Digital Governance to Public Value: The Mediating Role of Digital HRM in Public Service Organizations H Abdulrahim, A Awad, A Ghonim, MS Ibrahim, AM Sayed, DHA Nashily, ... Sustainability 18 (6), 3044 , 2026 2026
AI‐Enabled Environmental Auditing and Sustainability Disclosure: Green Reporting Capability as Mediator and Digital Compliance Culture as Moderator MS Islam, Z Hussain, R Bansal, A Awad, N Pruthi Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
AI-driven learning culture enhances innovation performance: a serial mediator of knowledge orchestration and organisational intelligence Z Hussain, A Khan, A Awad, R Bansal VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 1-23 , 2026 2026
Digital sales automation and buyer engagement: investigating the mediating role of perceived value in B2B exchanges AAS Mohammad, SI Mohammad, A Vasudevan, SA Alenazi, Z Hussain, ... Discover Artificial Intelligence , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
The Function of Artificial Intelligence in Arbitration for Resolving Virtual Reality Disputes AM Aldabousi, A Al-Shuaibi, LS Alateibi, MN Saleh, A Awad Digital Evidence and Procedural Law in the UAE, 1-26 , 2026 2026
Sustainable E-Commerce in MENA: An SOR Analysis of Gen Z Purchase Intentions through Open-Source LLM (DeepSeek) Interactions, Trust, Familiarity, and Privacy Concerns A Shaheen, F Omeish, DS AlGhamdi, A Khataan, A Awad World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development 22 … , 2026 2026
Generative AI in Knowledge Management and Organizational Memory: RAG Patterns in Remote Work A Awad Innovative Approaches to AI-Supported Hybrid and Remote Workplaces, 353-368 , 2026 2026
Agentic Control Towers: Multi Agent LLM RL Orchestration for Autonomous and Resilient Supply Chains A Awad, D Alahmari Accelerating Logistics Through Generative AI, Digital Twins, and Autonomous … , 2026 2026
From Dashboards to Decisions: Prescriptive Agentic Supply Chain Control Towers A Awad, D Alahmari Accelerating Logistics Through Generative AI, Digital Twins, and Autonomous … , 2026 2026
Exploring the effect of industry 5.0 human-centric sustainability and green knowledge automation in enhancing green process adaptability: The mediating role of sustainable … Z Hussain, SI Mohammad, A Vasudevan, A Awad, R Bansal Journal of Cleaner Production 537, 147240 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Strategic integration of marketing and supply chain functions for superior customer experience: Insights from logistics startups under Saudi Vision 2030 D Alahmari, A Awad PloS one 20 (11), e0336132 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Data-Driven Marketing: Enhancing Marketing Efficiency, Customer Engagement, and Business Performance in SMEs A Awad Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences 31 (149), 22-36 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
E-MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA'S IMPACT ON TOURIST SATISFACTION: A MODERATED MEDIATION STUDY. A Awad, TR Shma, AFF Aziz, A Hegazy Scientific Culture 11 , 2025 2025
The role of technological and environmental factors in creating business value from social media dynamic capabilities for SMEs in Saudi Arabia A Yahia Shams Eldin, A Elnour, R Omer Ahmed Hassan, A Awad Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 12 (1), 1-11 , 2025 2025 Citations: 27
Ethical leadership and organizational excellence: the mediating role of citizenship behavior in healthcare F Saeed Almanbahi, A Awad, A Ghonim, N Mohammed Alabsy, ... Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 12 (1), 1-14 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Leveraging Digital Fan Engagement for Sports Brand Loyalty: A Study of Emerging Marketing Strategies in Saudi Arabia A Nader Abdelrehim Ismail Awad المجلة العلمية للدراسات التجارية والبيئية 16 (2), 1219-1256 , 2025 2025
The role of digital marketing tools in promoting tourism: An applied study on online marketing strategies. Innovative Marketing, 21 (2), 14–26 A Awad, B Alharthi 2025 Citations: 8
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Integrating knowledge management with smart technologies in public pharmaceutical organizations M Mahmoud, T Shma, A Aziz, A Awad Knowledge and Performance Management 9 (1), 31 , 2025 2025 Citations: 46
The role of digital marketing tools in promoting tourism: An applied study on online marketing strategies A Awad, B Alharthi Innovative Marketing 21 (2), 14 , 2025 2025 Citations: 43
Impact of electronic customer relationship management on competitive advantage: Mediating role of customer satisfaction in EgyptAir MM Abdelrehim Awad Problems and Perspectives in Management 22 (3), 276-286 , 2024 2024 Citations: 43
Influencer marketing’s impact on credibility and purchase intention: A study on University of Bisha students in Saudi Arabia M Saad, A Awad, AF Aziz, TR Shma Innovative Marketing 21 (1), 326 , 2025 2025 Citations: 36
Driving HR performance through digital transformation in educational directorates: A strategic imperative A Awad, M Shemais, M Al-Embabi Problems and Perspectives in Management 22 (4), 163 , 2024 2024 Citations: 33
Exploring the impact of flexible work arrangements on employee engagement in telecommunications: case of Egypt A Ghonim, A Awad, M Shemais, T Shma, A Aziz Problems and Perspectives in Management 23 (2), 198 , 2025 2025 Citations: 32
Artificial intelligence and marketing innovation: The mediating role of organizational culture A Awad Innovative Marketing 20 (3), 170 , 2024 2024 Citations: 31
Leveraging E-Marketing for enhancing customer knowledge management: A systematic review of tourism strategies in the Saudi Arabian context A Ghonim, A Awad Journal of Ecohumanism, 3 (8), 11693 11709 , 2024 2024 Citations: 29
The role of technological and environmental factors in creating business value from social media dynamic capabilities for SMEs in Saudi Arabia A Yahia Shams Eldin, A Elnour, R Omer Ahmed Hassan, A Awad Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 12 (1), 1-11 , 2025 2025 Citations: 27
Investment behavior in the Egyptian stock market: The impact of social media on investor decision-making A Awad, AF Aziz, TR Shma Investment Management & Financial Innovations 22 (1), 203 , 2025 2025 Citations: 27
The influence of social media marketing on customer knowledge management: The role of confidentiality in UAE public banks A Awad, AM Aldabousi, S Albatal Banks and Bank Systems 20 (1), 1 , 2025 2025 Citations: 27
Arbitration in Islamic banking: Exploring legal and practical implications for dispute resolution AM Aldabousi, A Awad, HEM Hassan, SS Abdullah, A Ghonim Banks and Bank Systems 20 (2), 15 , 2025 2025 Citations: 23
AI-powered ChatGPT in branding: Benefits, challenges, and future directions A Qadeer, A Awad Impacts of AI-generated content on brand reputation, 1-26 , 2025 2025 Citations: 22
Role of AI chatbots in enhancing customer satisfaction and customer loyalty A Wahid, A Awad Impacts of AI-Generated Content on Brand Reputation, 129-148 , 2025 2025 Citations: 21
Understanding generative AI implementation in digital advertising among retail SMEs in Pakistan A Qadeer, A Awad, A Ali Impacts of AI-generated content on brand reputation, 177-202 , 2025 2025 Citations: 20
Analyzing the impact of viral marketing on brand equity dimensions in Egypt’s home appliances sector: A customer and legal perspective A Awad, AM Aldabousi Innovative Marketing 20 (4), 100 , 2024 2024 Citations: 20
The role of universities' social responsibility in enhancing business sustainability: Mediating role of entrepreneurial culture A Awad Problems and Perspectives in Management 23 (1), 181 , 2025 2025 Citations: 19
Generative AI in advertisements: A conceptual framework based on the technology acceptance model A Qadeer, A Awad Impacts of AI-Generated Content on Brand Reputation, 109-128 , 2025 2025 Citations: 17
Optimizing dormant account management in UAE banking: Legal gaps and proposed reforms A Awad, NZ Al‐fil, KM Dganni, AM Aldabousi, MA Obeidat Banks and Bank Systems 19 (4), 124 , 2024 2024 Citations: 17
Artificial intelligence in financial statement preparation: Enhancing accuracy, compliance, and corporate performance A Awad, O Akola, M Amer, EKA Mousa International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies 8 (2 … , 2025 2025 Citations: 15