Department: Accounting & Finance

Main presenter: Humaid Abdulrahman Alshamsi

Supervisor: Dr. Usman Khalid

Abstract: Foreign direct investments (FDIs) are a healthy way for developed and underdeveloped countries to control their saving-investment gap, as well as bridging gaps in management, technology, entrepreneurship, and skills. Hence, many economies realized that FDI can play a key role in achieving economic development goals. Several studies explored the factors that affect FDI, which may vary from nation to nation. Among the general factors identified were, but not limited to, infrastructure and transportation, labor wages and skills, and tax rates. Inflation is a crucial factor as its relationship with FDI have been always an important topic in economic growth. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of inflation rate on FDI inflows, as well as factors of GDP per capita and trade openness. The paper provides two models: simple linear regression estimating the average effect of inflation on FDI, and a multiple regression model estimating the average effect of all explanatory variables on FDI for selected countries. Data is extracted from “World Bank Indicators” and a descriptive data statistic is performed to analyze each variable. The findings of the study reveal that inflation has no significant effect on FDI inflows, whereas proxies used for market size has a significant impact on FDI inflows.

Department: Innovation in Government and Society

Main presenter: Sanaa Khalifa Almansoori 

Supervisor: Dr. Fernando Zanella & Dr. Amany El Anshasy

Co-presenters: Noura Abdulla Al Kaabi   Sanaa Khalifa Almansoori   Alia Ahmed Alkaabi

Abstract: Despite emphasizing the importance of diversification in resource intensive countries’ policies, this goal remains underachieved. This is still apparent from the lack of diversified manufacturing sectors and the shrinking service sectors, in addition to strong dominance of oil in many of these economies. This paper examines the economic transition patterns in the GCC countries; in particular, we study factors that could improve employment creation in these countries. We consider 5-year average panel observations on the unemployment rate from the year 1990 to 2020. Based on economic theory on natural resources and economic growth, we test the hypothesis that higher resource intensity in GDP (the percentage of natural resources rents in GDP) is associated with higher rates of unemployment. We consider other variables in the model to include: a proxy for monetary policy (growth in domestic credit and interest rates), GDP per capita, inflation rate, real GDP growth rate, labor growth and trade openness.

Department: Innovation In Government And Society

Main presenter: Hedaya Hamad Rashed Hamad Al Saedi

Co-presenters: Ibrahim Jawad Hashim     

Supervisor: Dr. Fernando Zanella & Dr. Amany El Anshasy

Abstract: There are growing concerns related to how socioeconomic factors impact environmental quality. Some recent studies tried to understand the links between income inequality and carbon emissions. Higher income inequality is associated with environmental quality degradation. In this paper we test the hypothesis that both gender and racial inequality work to reinforce this effect. The findings may be important to policymakers because they pose greater challenges in achieving sustainable development across States. We aim to expand the literature to assess the effect of the rising inequality among various demographic groups on carbon dioxide emissions in the US.

We use regression analysis, employing CO2 emissions as the key indicator for environmental performance across states. Selected metrics of independent variables include the Gini coefficient for individual states, the growth of real GDP per state, GDP per capita, population density and a proxy for the strictness of legislation of each state. Demographic inequality variables include the ratio of females’ to males’ income and the ratio of the incomes of Black to White college graduates. The data is retrieved from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the World Population Review and the US census.

Department: Innovation in Government and Society

Main presenter: Reem Rashed Khalifa Al Shaali

Co-presenters: Hind Ahmed Khalifa Al Dhaheri     

Supervisor: Dr. Fernando Zanella & Dr. Amany El Anshasy

Abstract: Climate change is increasingly becoming a global concern. Twenty seven countries have imposed carbon taxes, aiming to protect the environment from further degradation. Finland, Norway and Sweden were among the first countries to introduce Carbon Taxes in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether carbon taxes were effective in lowering carbon emissions in these countries, or not; and the elements of success or challenges. To this end, we test the hypothesis that the inception of carbon tax is associated with better environmental performance. In a comparative analysis framework, we will construct a panel comprised of the three countries, Sweden, Finland and Norway, from 1980 to 2019. We will use both pooled and individual country regressions to draw comparative results. We use Air quality, carbon emissions and the environmental performance index as dependent variables. Carbon taxes will be the independent variable. Other control variables include: GDP per capita, GDP growth and population density. We will draw policy concussions on how successful Carbon Taxes are in combating climate change.

Department: Entrepreneurship

Main presenter: Reed Ali AlDhaheri

Co-presenters: Aleya Humaid AlNeyadi   Maitha Maktoom AlHarsoosi   Reed Ali AlDhaheri

Supervisor: Dr. Yazid Benchabane

Abstract: People and countries have been suffering the consequences of floods for a long time, it has an impact on the community, houses, roads, peoples’ jobs, ect. In this research project, we will discuss an automatic drainage system that would solve the problems of the floods all around the world. Briefly, our automatic drainage system focuses mainly on solving the flood issue as fast as possible by including sensors that would automatically open up the drainage system itself, which would help clear the roads immediately without having to go through the traditional procedures by sending manpower to track and clean each drainage system, our solution will leverage these issues, it has a positive impact on the municipality, drivers and reduce any accidents caused by the floods.