Hiba Khodr

Exploring the driving factors behind the event strategy in Qatar

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the main driving factors behind the recent increase in the event market size in Qatar from a public policy perspective. It reports on a case study of the 2006 15th Asian Games that assisted in further examining both the underlying and implicit motives behind the phenomenon as well as its expected policy implications.Design/methodology/approach – This exploratory paper uses a case study approach in which two complementary types of data sources are employed. The qualitative data was mainly obtained from in‐depth semi‐structured interviews conducted with 26 key stakeholders ranging from middle to senior professionals, academicians, high‐ranking officials from the local tourism/sports authorities, and representatives from the private sector. The data was further enhanced by an extensive review and analysis of related documents available in the public domain. Data was analyzed using an iterative thematic content analysis whose findings served to illustrate the...

Investigating the job satisfaction of healthcare providers at primary healthcare centres in Lebanon: A national cross-sectional study

Low job satisfaction is linked to higher staff turnover and intensified shortages in healthcare providers (HCP). This study investigates the level of, and factors associated with, HCP job satisfaction in the national primary healthcare (PHC) network in Lebanon. The study adopts a cross-sectional design to survey HCP at 99 PHC centres distributed across the country between October 2013 and May 2014. The study questionnaire consisted of four sections: socio-demographics/professional background, employment characteristics, level of job satisfaction (Measure of Job Satisfaction scale) and level of professional burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-HSS scale). A total of 1,000 providers completed the questionnaire (75.8% response rate). Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify factors significantly associated with job satisfaction. Findings of the study highlight an overall mean job satisfaction score of 3.59 (SD 0.54) indicating that HCP are partially satisfied. Upon further examination, HCP were least satisfied with pay, training and job prospects. Gender, age, career plans, salary, exposure to violence, and level of burnout were significantly associated with the overall level of job satisfaction which was also associated with increased likelihood to quit. Overall, the study highlights how compensation, development and protection of PHC HCP can influence their job satisfaction. Recommendations include the necessity of developing a nationally representative committee, led by the Ministry of Public Health, to examine the policies and remuneration scales within the PHC sector and suggest mechanisms to bridge the pay differential with other sectors. The effective engagement of key stakeholders with the development, organisation and evaluation of professional development programmes offered to HCP in the PHC sector remains crucial. Concerned stakeholders should assess and formulate initiatives and programmes that enrich the physical, psychological and professional well-being of their HCP. The aforementioned suggestions are necessary to strengthen and sustain PHC HCP and support the provision of universal health coverage to the Lebanese population.

Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Strategies for the Recruitment and Retention of Primary Health Care Employees in Qatar: A Qualitative Approach:

This study explores the recruitment and retention conditions influencing primary health care (PHC) human resources for health (HRH) in Qatar and suggests strategies for their improvement. A qualitative design employing semistructured key informant interviews with PHC stakeholders in Qatar was utilized. Key interviewees were originally recognized, and snowball sampling was used to identify additional interviewees until reaching saturation point. Interview scripts were transcribed and then analyzed thematically using the Nvivo software package. Thematic analysis precipitated a number of themes. Under recruitment, the centrality of enhancing collaboration with academic institutions, enhancing extrinsic benefits, and strengthening human resources recruitment and management practices. Dedicated support needs to be provided to expatriate HRH especially in regard to housing services, children schooling, and streamlining administrative processes for relocation. Findings revealed that job security, continuous professional development, objective performance appraisal systems, enhanced job transparency, and remuneration are key retention concerns. The study provides a number of recommendations for the proper recruitment and retention of HRH. Health planners and decision makers must take these recommendations into consideration to ensure the presence of a competent and sustainable HRH in the PHC sector in the future.

The Interplay Between Policy and Politics in Combatting Terrorism: The Case of Lebanon (2011–2015)

This chapter is an exploratory study on the interplay between politics and policy in combatting terrorism in Lebanon. It aims at investigating the contributing factors to the absence of counterterrorism policies by analyzing the relation between the peculiar Lebanese politics and policy formulation in the country. Based on the three most widely used definitions of terrorism, this chapter starts by offering an operational definition of terrorism followed by a brief history of terrorism within Lebanon through the lens of what we conceive to be the two main factors or drivers behind terrorism in the country. This contextual description provides the background to enter into the discussion of the field of counterterrorism and what policies, if any, Lebanon is undertaking to counter these ever-persisting threats arising both from within its borders and just beyond. After briefly identifying the political, social, and economic factors that perpetuates terrorism in Lebanon, this research will answer the following two key questions: what role does the Lebanese government and civil society play in combatting terrorist acts? And what are the main obstacles (political and administrative) that hinder developing comprehensive counterterrorism policies in the country? This is the first academic study that has investigated the interplay between politics and policy as it relates to domestic and transnational terrorism from a governance perspective. The analysis undertaken in this chapter lays the foundation for much needed future studies on the country’s and the region’s counterterrorism policies by identifying some of participants, mapping out the process and providing policy recommendations for a more effective and efficient policies.