Iman Akour

Bio: Iman Akour is an academic researcher from University of Sharjah. The author has contributed to research in topics: Business & Technology acceptance model. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 14 publications receiving 114 citations. Previous affiliations of Iman Akour include Emporia State University & Louisiana Tech University.

IoT for Smart Cities: Machine Learning Approaches in Smart Healthcare—A Review

Abstract: Smart city is a collective term for technologies and concepts that are directed toward making cities efficient, technologically more advanced, greener and more socially inclusive. These concepts include technical, economic and social innovations. This term has been tossed around by various actors in politics, business, administration and urban planning since the 2000s to establish tech-based changes and innovations in urban areas. The idea of the smart city is used in conjunction with the utilization of digital technologies and at the same time represents a reaction to the economic, social and political challenges that post-industrial societies are confronted with at the start of the new millennium. The key focus is on dealing with challenges faced by urban society, such as environmental pollution, demographic change, population growth, healthcare, the financial crisis or scarcity of resources. In a broader sense, the term also includes non-technical innovations that make urban life more sustainable. So far, the idea of using IoT-based sensor networks for healthcare applications is a promising one with the potential of minimizing inefficiencies in the existing infrastructure. A machine learning approach is key to successful implementation of the IoT-powered wireless sensor networks for this purpose since there is large amount of data to be handled intelligently. Throughout this paper, it will be discussed in detail how AI-powered IoT and WSNs are applied in the healthcare sector. This research will be a baseline study for understanding the role of the IoT in smart cities, in particular in the healthcare sector, for future research works.

Does BLE technology contribute towards improving marketing strategies, customers’ satisfaction and loyalty? The role of open innovation

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the marketing strategies for the introduction of Beacons technology applications (BLE) technology in businesses and how it can convert potential clients into satisfactory and loyal customers. Open innovation is the pathway to taking businesses to the next level with the help of and introduction to BLE technology contributions. Companies are flexible towards adopting new technologies to make sure that their marketing strategies are working positively. Global Village Dubai was the market that we targeted to study the customers’ needs and wants. This was done through 138 questionnaires distributed among 159 stores that met our research criteria. We used ANOVA through the SPSS program for analysis of the data. The results supported all our hypothesis of the study, which means there is a positive and strong relationship of adopting BLE technology on customers’ satisfaction which leads towards customers’ loyalty, making them stick to the brand for long term. The results of our research revealed that Beacons technology applications have positively influenced marketing strategies which in turn have impacted customer satisfaction and loyalty. The proximity marketing is the best strategy developed in lieu of open innovation. Future studies are welcomed for analyzing the same model in perspective of other markets for clearer advocacy of the hypothesis that proximity marketing is the marketing strategy that helps in customers’ happiness leading towards their loyalty.

Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict People's Intention to Use Mobile Learning Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Machine Learning Approach.

Abstract: Background: Mobile learning has become an essential instruction platform in many schools, colleges, universities, and various other educational institutions across the globe, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The resulting severe, pandemic-related circumstances have disrupted physical and face-to-face contact teaching practices, thereby requiring many students to actively use mobile technologies for learning. Mobile learning technologies offer viable web-based teaching and learning platforms that are accessible to teachers and learners worldwide. Objective: This study investigated the use of mobile learning platforms for instruction purposes in United Arab Emirates higher education institutions. Methods: An extended technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior model were proposed to analyze university students’ adoption of mobile learning platforms for accessing course materials, searching the web for information related to their disciplines, sharing knowledge, and submitting assignments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected a total of 1880 questionnaires from different universities in the United Arab Emirates. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling and machine learning algorithms were used to assess the research model, which was based on the data gathered from a student survey. Results: Based on our results, each hypothesized relationship within the research model was supported by our data analysis results. It should also be noted that the J48 classifier (89.37% accuracy) typically performed better than the other classifiers when it came to the prediction of the dependent variable. Conclusions: Our study revealed that teaching and learning could considerably benefit from adopting remote learning systems as educational tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the value of such systems could be lessened because of the emotions that students experience, including a fear of poor grades, stress resulting from family circumstances, and sadness resulting from a loss of friends. Accordingly, these issues can only be resolved by evaluating the emotions of students during the pandemic.

The effect of digital marketing capabilities on organizational ambidexterity of the information technology sector

Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the impact of digital marketing capabilities on organizational ambidexterity by focusing on the Information Technology Sector in UAE. Data were primarily gathered through self-reported questionnaires created by Google Forms which were distributed to a purposive sample of managers at different levels via email. This study was conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses, which represents a contemporary statistical technique for testing and estimating the relationship between factors and variables. The results showed that the highest impact on organizational ambidexterity was for strategic approach and data content infrastructure, followed by integrating customers with employees, and finally the lowest impact belonged to the process of improving performance. Based on the study findings, the researcher hopes that the decision-makers and managers define all tasks, roles and work procedures in companies through digital marketing systems to improve their organizational ambidexterity and enhance their performance.

An Exploratory Analysis of Culture, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, and Internet Acceptance: The Case of Jordan

Abstract: This study examined the impacts of cultural dimensions, perceived ease of use (PEOU), and perceived usefulness (PU) of managers' intentions to use the Internet. Based on data collected from 507 Jordanian managers, findings suggested that while two cultural dimensions, power distance (PD) and collectivism (CO) had significant positive impacts on managers' intentions to use the Internet the other two cultural dimensions, uncertainty avoidance (UA) and femininity (FE) had no impact. Additionally, both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had significant positive impact on managers' intentions. The results showed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use mediated the relationship between cultural dimensions and managers' intentions. Findings should assist organizations to understand the influence of cultural values on computer-technology acceptance by integrating societal and cultural values into their technological diffusion. Finally, implications and suggestions for future resea...

Critical success factors for e-learning in developing countries: A comparative analysis between ICT experts and faculty

Abstract: This study identifies the critical success factors that influence the acceptance of e-learning systems in developing countries. E-learning is a popular mode of delivering educational materials in higher education by universities throughout the world. This study identifies multiple factors that influence the success of e-learning systems from the literature and compares the relative importance among two stakeholder groups in developing countries, ICT experts and faculty. This study collected 76 usable responses using the Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The results reveal 6 dimensions and 20 critical success factors for e-learning systems in developing countries. Findings illustrate the importance of curriculum design for learning performance. Technology awareness, motivation, and changing learners' behavior are prerequisites for successful e-learning implementations. Several recommendations are provided to aid the implementation of e-learning systems for developing countries which have relevance for researchers and practitioners. Limitations as well as possible research directions are also discussed.

The Impact of the Financial and Economic Crisis on European Tourism

Abstract: As of the late winter season of 2009 it has become obvious that the Austrian tourism industry can no longer escape the effects of the slowdown in international demand. Consequent to lagging adjustments to negative income and labour market expectations, the steep decline in tourism demand is expected to be further exacerbated throughout 2009. In 2009, the effects of the international credit crunch and economic crisis and the resultant slump across all sectors of the economy will cause international demand for foreign travel in the EU 15 to drop by 4.5 percent in real terms, although the decline should slow down significantly in 1010 (–1 percent).