Strategic Talent Management in UAE Industries: Comparative Insights into Attraction and Retention Across Aviation, Oil & Gas, Banking, and Retail Sectors

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Talent management has emerged as a critical strategic imperative for organizations operating in the competitive landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This comprehensive study examines the strategic talent management practices employed by leading corporations across four key economic sectors: aviation, oil & gas, banking & finance, and retail & e-commerce. Through a multi-theoretical lens incorporating Resource-Based View (RBV), Human Capital Theory, and Social Exchange Theory, this research analyzes how organizations attract, develop, and retain talent in alignment with UAE’s Vision 2031 and Emiratization objectives. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of talent management effectiveness with qualitative insights from corporate case studies of Emirates Airlines, ADNOC, Emirates NBD, and Noon.com. Findings reveal that while compensation and career development remain fundamental retention drivers, contemporary talent strategies increasingly emphasize employer branding, diversity and inclusion (D&I), sustainability initiatives, and technology-driven HR analytics. The research demonstrates significant sector-specific variations: aviation prioritizes global branding and service excellence, oil & gas focuses on Emiratization and technical skill development, banking emphasizes digital innovation and ESG-driven practices, while retail leverages flexibility and customer-centric cultures. The study contributes to strategic human resource management literature by providing empirical evidence of talent management effectiveness in a rapidly developing economy and offers practical insights for HR practitioners navigating the complexities of multicultural workforce management in the Gulf region.

Geospatial Assessment of Three Decades of Shoreline Shifts and Two Decades of Vegetation Change in the Grand Saloum Transboundary Wetland Complex, Senegal-The Gambia

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Coastal wetlands at the land–sea interface are on the frontline of climate change, yet integrated evidence on geomorphic and ecological responses remains limited in West Africa. We quantified shoreline trajectories (1990–2020) and land-cover dynamics (2000–2020) across the transboundary Grand Saloum complex (Senegal–The Gambia) using Landsat surface-reflectance time series, spectral indices (NDVI, NDWI, NDBI), and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Shorelines were extracted from NDWI-based water masks, filtered and vectorized, then analyzed in DSAS with End Point Rate statistics. Vegetation was mapped in Google Earth Engine with a Random Forest classifier (mangrove, other vegetation, built/bare, water). The coastline is dominated by erosion (mean −2.44 m·yr⁻¹) interspersed with localized accretion (mean +1.84 m·yr⁻¹). Erosion hotspots concentrate in central sectors, whereas mixed erosion–accretion patterns occur near the northern and southern mouths. Concurrently, mangrove cover expanded from 57,867.61 ha in 2000 to 66,840.17 ha in 2020 (~+15.5%), while other vegetation declined from 23,483.18 ha to 16,146.11 ha (~−31.3%). Within a 1-km coastal buffer, mangroves remained broadly stable to slightly increasing (16.43%→16.81%). These findings depict a dynamic yet resilient system where mangrove gains coexist with heterogeneous shoreline retreat and conversion of non-mangrove covers to bare substrates and water. Management should safeguard landward migration corridors, target erosion-prone reaches with nature-based measures, and institutionalize a transboundary monitoring, reporting, and verification framework that updates DSAS and satellite products at 2–3-year intervals while integrating in-situ elevation, salinity, and sediment data. Our workflow provides transferable, decision-relevant evidence for coastal adaptation and blue-carbon planning in data-limited deltas and policy design.

Exploring Business Cultural Elements in A College-Level English Textbook

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English textbooks are regarded as the “tangible heart” of any ELT program, so effective communication may require learners to develop intercultural understanding. This study aims to explore the way cultural elements are represented through different aspects in the textbook Business Plus 1 (Helliwell, 2014). A detailed analysis of the cultural content was conducted based on the theoretical framework of Cortazzi & Jin (1999), while also being examined through Kachru’s (1992) model. The findings indicate that international culture appears most frequently – particularly Asian culture – followed by target culture, and least of all, learners’ source culture. Furthermore, countries in the Expanding Circle dominate the textbook, conveying the message that local culture is not given primacy, unlike the tradition of many foreign language teaching (FLT) materials.

Contribution of Remote Sensing in The Study of The Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Classified Forests: Case of The Classified Forest of Irobo (Southern Ivory Coast)

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This study was carried out in the south of the Ivory Coast as part of our master’s thesis. This study aims to highlight the improvement in knowledge on the phenomenon of degradation in the Irobo classified forest and to provide managers with essential elements for the establishment of a sustainable forest management policy. Concretely, it was a question of (1) characterizing the different types of land use of the Irobo classified forest, (2) mapping the vegetation cover of the classified forest of Irobo from the Landsat images of 1988, 2005 and 2020, (3) evaluating the forest dynamics between 1988 and 2020. To this end, the characterization of the types of land use, the mapping of the dynamics and the evaluation of the forest dynamics between 1988 and 2020 were carried out using cartographic methods on the one hand and area calculations on the other. The results indicate that there are nine types of land use. These are forests, reforestation plots, perennial crops, annual crops, fallows, bare soils and habitats. Regarding the assessment of forest dynamics, it appears that forest cover has lost 11,993.3 ha between 1988 and 2020, which means a decrease of 2.07% per year in favour of agricultural holdings (26,838.9 ha in 2020).

Culture and Governance: Promoting sustainable social change, case study: Cámara Popular del jirón Amazonas in the city of Lima-2024

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The objective of this study was to determine how cultural innovation and governance are related in promoting sustainable social change in the Popular Chamber of Jirón Amazonas, Lima–2024. The problem posed was: How are cultural innovation and governance related in this context? The general hypothesis established that cultural innovation is positively related to governance. The research was conducted using a basic quantitative paradigm with a bivariate correlational design. The population consisted of 201 entrepreneurs, from which a sample of 130 was obtained. The results showed that cultural innovation is positively related to governance, presenting a high and significant correlation. It is concluded that cultural innovation is a key factor in strengthening governance and promoting sustainable social change in urban communities.

Pets as Healers: The Role of Pets in Promoting Owners’ Mental Well-being among Adults in Bangkok, Thailand

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This study aims to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, pet attachment, and mental well-being among adults in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting quantitative data through standardized self-report questionnaires and demographic information. A total of 61 participants completed the survey, including both pet owners and non-owners. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression analyses will be used to examine whether pet attachment significantly predicts mental well-being outcomes. Preliminary descriptive results suggest that most participants own dogs and cats, report moderate-to-high levels of pet attachment, and perceive psychological benefits such as reduced loneliness and emotional comfort. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the psychological benefits of pet companionship and inform future mental health interventions.

Behavioral Finance: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Goal-Setting of Motivation in Financial Literacy among Small Rice Farmers

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This research focused on understanding financial literacy alongside self-efficacy and goal-setting motivation behaviors within small-scale rice farmers in Daet, Camarines Norte. An integrated approach was conducted through a combination of a survey with 71 farmers, and a focus group with 10 farmers. For the quantitative component, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were used, while qualitative responses were organized through thematic analysis. The research found farmers had high motivational and selective self-efficacy in terms of income diversification and financial task prioritization. However, weak adaptability to financial shocks, high-order decision-making, and advanced task prioritization were noted. Self-efficacy, and goal-setting of motivation were found to be strong predictors of financial literacy, accounting for 79.3% of the explained variance. Financially competent farmers had proactive planning, disciplined cash control and goal-directed behaviors correlating to the competencies of financial structuring and cash control. Major self-directed activities reported were seasonal cash planning, digital financial tools, and cash management within families. The need to address behavioral aspects of finance in capacity-building programs was clearly established within the findings. Guides to policy and program design that enhances the socio-economic status and financial resilience of smallholder farmers will be improved with this focus on self-efficacy and goal-setting as primary motivators.

Strengthening the Strategic Role of University Research and Community Engagement Bodies in Advancing Regional Collaboration

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Universities are increasingly expected not only to excel in teaching and research but also to actively contribute to sustainable development and regional collaboration. This study investigates how research and community engagement bodies in higher education institutions can be strategically strengthened to integrate the University Social Responsibility (USR) agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through regional collaboration. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research was conducted at Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary analysis. Data were analyzed thematically and triangulated to ensure reliability and validity. The findings are clustered into three thematic areas: (1) institutional roles, where the Research and Community Engagement Board (BPPM) serves as a bridge between academia and regional priorities; (2) challenges and opportunities, which include resource constraints, teaching overload, and the need for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration; and (3) strategic mechanisms, encompassing innovation forums, sustainability reporting, and integration with global rankings. Quantitative highlights such as research project outputs, community engagement programs, and budget allocations support these findings. The study contributes to the literature by providing an in-depth understanding of the institutional dynamics that enable universities to operationalize USR and SDGs within regional development frameworks. It also offers practical insights for policymakers and higher education leaders seeking to enhance institutional capacity and governance in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Empowering Sustainable Recycling: The Influence of Startups and Awareness Among Generation Z

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Issues like urbanization, industrialization, and overconsumption have led to sustainability becoming a global priority. According to Schönherr & Pikkemaat (2023), social media, social norms, and the effects of COVID-19 played a role in shaping Generation Z’s environmental attitudes. Their dedication to sustainability manifests itself in low-emission travel, selective mobility, and waste management. Dobrowolski et al. (2022) and Schönherr & Pikkemaat (2023) are of opinion that Generation Z agrees that both consumers and businesses share the responsibility toward achieving sustainability. Nonetheless, applying ecological awareness toward concrete pro-environmental actions is an ongoing challenge for all sectors (Gazzola et al., 2020).

Even with Gen Z being highly environmentally conscious, barriers such as unclear recycling rules, insufficient systems, and complicated solutions prevent their ability to adopt consistent recycling practices.

Leveraging innovation, technology, and the entrepreneurial spirit, startups are tackling the recycling issues faced by Gen Z. With the help of mobile applications, AI, blockchain, and gamification, recycling becomes not only easier but more rewarding. Using incentive-based app recycling and smartphone waste collection systems, companies such as Trashie and RecycleSmart strive to make recycling more rewarding and convenient. Other than technological solutions, companies combine digital awareness campaigns alongside partnerships with government, industry, and educational institutions to make the public conscious of the negative impacts of waste on the ecosystem. This underscores the values of Generation Z regarding the need for honesty and responsibility in public concern over the environment.

This study focuses on the use of digital technologies by entrepreneurs and their deliberate attempts to investigate their role in promoting sustainable recycling among Generation Z. The goal is to find practical ways to increase Gen Z’s adoption of recycling by exploring the cooperation between entrepreneurs, legislators, educators, and the commercial sector. By encouraging the growth of a circular economy and long-term environmental accountability, the study ultimately hopes to support the larger sustainability goal.

Digital Technology-Based Curriculum Development Management: Implications For Student Graduation Competencies in The Industrial Era 5.0

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The development of a digital technology-based curriculum is an urgent need in the Industry 5.0 era to prepare competent graduates to face the dynamics of the world of work that focuses on human collaboration and technology. This research aims to analyze the management of curriculum development based on digital technology and its implications on students’ graduation competencies with a focus on 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and collaboration. Using a literature study approach with a descriptive qualitative method. This research identifies that integrations such as e-learning, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Gamification increase student engagement and support personalized and project-based learning. However, challenges such as the digital divide, limited infrastructure, and lack of teacher competence still hinder implementation. This study recommends strengthening technology infrastructure, teacher training, and inclusive education policies to ensure that the curriculum is relevant to the needs of Industry 5.0, so as to produce graduates who are adaptive, innovative, and ready to complete in the global workforce.