المملكة العربية السعودية
وزارة التعليم
الجامعة السعودية اإللكترونية
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Education
Saudi Electronic University
College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
Critical Thinking Assignment 2
Course Name: Academic Writing and Student’s Name:
Research Skills
Course Code: RES-500
Student’s ID Number:
Semester:
CRN:
Academic Year:
, Term:
For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade:
/ 100
Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
Regulations:
✓ This assignment is an individual assignment.
✓ Support your submission with course material concepts, principles, and theories
from the textbook along with few scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles.
✓ Use Saudi Electronic University academic writing standards and APA style
guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
✓ Submit your findings in a 3–4-page document, excluding the title page,
abstract and required reference page, which are never a part of the minimum
content requirements, in the Assignment Dropbox.
✓ It is strongly encouraged that you submit all assignments to the Turnitin
Originality Check (available under Information folder on your Blackboard) prior
to submitting them to your instructor for grading. If you are unsure how to submit
an assignment to the Originality Check tool, review the Turnitin Originality Check
– Student Guide for step-by-step instructions.
An Overview about Assignment submission Time & grades:
Type of Assignment
Posting Date
Due date
Marks
Critical thinking
Week 4
End of Week 5
100
Grace period*
3
days
* Grace Period: with accepted excuse (accepted by instructor) with deduction of 10% for late submission
Module 4
Assignment-II: Literature Review (100 points)
Once the topic and the draft questions are finalized, various aspects related to the topic
should be explored. For this purpose, visit Saudi Digital Library website and download at
least 15 research articles (at least 5 articles must be published in last 5 years) related to the
topic and research questions. Prepare the Literature review as per the sample format
provided in the blackboard (available in Week 4 course materials). The topic must be
supported by quality literature. Similarly, the individual questions (objectives), which will
be converted to hypotheses, must derive support from latest and relevant literature.
Answers
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This is a sample. Replace with your own.
In this assignment, all the literature available on the different approaches to the concept of your
research is explicitly reviewed. Here you can write the outline or plan of your review like in how
many sections and what you are discussing in each section.
Sample Main Heading 1 (as per your topic)
This is a sample. Replace with your own.
Social entrepreneurship in common parlance refers to entrepreneurial activity with an embedded
social purpose. Although, entrepreneurial activities with a social concern can be traced back in the
history but the social entrepreneurship as an innovative model for social problem solving has
recently emerged (Robinson et al., 2009; Mair & Marti, 2006; Peredo & McLean, 2006; Dees et
al., 2002; Chell, 2007). Thus, social entrepreneurship mainly stands for endeavors which primarily
focus over social value creation and thus social mission remains central to every social
entrepreneurship activity.
The social entrepreneurship has become a global phenomenon, impacting societies by catalyzing
social transformations for societal wellbeing. The phenomenon mainly addresses the basic needs
of human society which were neglected in the race for mainstream development. As such, the
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phenomenon can occur in any society and often such local social entrepreneurship initiatives have
the potential for scale up and replication at the global level. E-g: Microfinance of Bangladesh.
Sample Main Heading 2(as per your topic)
This is a sample. Replace with your own.
As described above, the idea of social enterprise is certainly not new as businesses with social
missions can be traced back in the nineteenth century. Thus, the practice of social enterprise may
well be ahead of the theory as in other areas of social action (Sarah et al., 2002).
Sample Main Heading 3(as per your topic)
This is a sample. Replace with your own.
As described above, the idea of social enterprise is certainly not new as businesses with social
missions can be traced back in the nineteenth century. Thus, the practice of social enterprise may
well be ahead of the theory as in other areas of social action (Sarah et al., 2002).
References (in APA format)
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المملكة العربية السعودية
وزارة التعليم
الجامعة السعودية اإللكترونية
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Education
Saudi Electronic University
College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
Critical Thinking Assignment 1
Course Name: Academic Writing and Student’s Name:
Research Skills
Course Code: RES-500
Student’s ID Number:
Semester: 1st
CRN:
Academic Year: 2024/2025, 1st Term
For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade:
/ 15
Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
Regulations:
✓ This assignment is an individual assignment.
✓ Support your submission with course material concepts, principles, and theories
from the textbook along with few scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles.
✓ Use Saudi Electronic University academic writing standards and APA style
guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
✓ Submit your findings in a 3–4-page document, excluding the title page,
abstract and required reference page, which are never a part of the minimum
content requirements, in the Assignment Dropbox.
✓ It is strongly encouraged that you submit all assignments to the Turnitin
Originality Check (available under Information folder on your Blackboard) prior
to submitting them to your instructor for grading. If you are unsure how to submit
an assignment to the Originality Check tool, review the Turnitin Originality Check
– Student Guide for step-by-step instructions.
An Overview about Assignment submission Time & grades:
Type of Assignment
Posting Date
Due date
Marks
Critical thinking
Week 2
End of Week 3
15
Grace period*
3
days
* Grace Period: with accepted excuse (accepted by instructor) with deduction of 10% for late submission
Module 2
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Assignment-I: Topic selection & research questions (80 points)
A topic of research should be chosen. It can be either a research paper or a startup concept.
Once the topic is finalized, the research questions (based on which objectives of the study
will be formed) must be developed (not more than three). Each selection must be discussed
in detail with logic and rationale. Reasons for the topic should be discussed first followed
by discussion on selection of each of the research questions.
Answers
The Impact of Digital Transformation on Customer Experience in the Retail Sector
in Saudi Arabia.
Introduction.
Digital transformation is taking over the industries of the world, and the retail
industry of Saudi Arabia is no exception. With digital technologies being deeply embedded
within business processes, retailers are striving for the improvement of customer
experiences across all three dimensions of e-commerce, mobile, and AI. The
transformation, therefore, has been driven by evolving customer expectations towards
convenience, personalization, and frictionless interactions. It is within this perspective that
the government of Saudi Arabia has established its strategy-what is known as Vision 2030whose main objective has to do with economic diversification in order to reduce
dependency on oil (Masoud & Basahel, 2023). Therefore, the retail sector stands at a very
key position in furthering the country's economy. Hence, it is vital in terms of the success
of this industry that strategies for digital transformation be welcomed.
It would be much too limited to view digital transformation in retail as simply a
shift to online sales. It's about deeper integration of technologies like AI, machine learning,
and data analytics technologies which will really facilitate personalization of experience,
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enhance operational efficiency, and open up new ways of reaching out to customers. While
there are several advantages, transformation also has its challenges; some of the challenges
include the technological infrastructure required, a skilled workforce, measures regarding
cyber security, and investment in terms of money. This study is, therefore, poised to
explore how digital transformation influences the customer experience of Saudi Arabia's
retail industry, with specific attention to e-commerce, AI in customer service, challenges
of retailers, and opportunities.
Research Questions.
•
To what extent do e-commerce platforms and mobile apps influence customer
satisfaction and loyalty in the retail industry in Saudi Arabia?
•
How does AI-powered customer service impact customer experience and
engagement in Saudi Arabian retail?
•
What are various challenges and opportunities that Saudi retailers face in the
adoption strategies of digital transformation?
Rationale of Research Questions.
RQ1:To what extent do e-commerce platforms and mobile apps influence customer
satisfaction and loyalty in the retail industry in Saudi Arabia?
E-commerce platforms and mobile applications are changing rapidly as shoppers
interact with retailers. Driven by growth rates in Internet penetration and smartphone usage
that are among the highest worldwide, Saudi consumers increasingly shop online or via
mobile apps for purchases. Consequentially, e-commerce becomes a major driver for
customer satisfaction because of the convenience it offers regarding browsing products,
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making secure payments, and delivering items to one's location (Azhari et al., 2023). In
addition, mobile applications enhance this convenience by allowing customers to access
all these personalized features, such as product recommendations, exclusive offers, and
even customer support, through their smartphones.
Normally, the retailers who invest in the easiest, most responsive, and secure digital
platforms show better customer retention and loyalty. Certainly, positive experiences are
usually the grounding for loyalty, and a well-designed e-commerce site or mobile app
might provide seamless interaction, timely support, and personalized services that
encourage repeat buying. The research question will still focus on how much digital
platforms drive customer satisfaction and loyalty, especially in a region experiencing rapid
growth in terms of digital transformation. It is importance for analysis that will help explain
how retailers can sustain their competitiveness through optimization of digital tools to meet
customers' needs.
RQ2: How does AI-powered customer service impact customer experience and
engagement in Saudi Arabian retail?
Artificial intelligence seems to have turned into a transformation force for the
betterment of customer service. AI-driven technologies, such as chatbots, virtual assistants,
and predictive analytics, will grant retailers the ability to provide 24x7 support,
personalized shopping experiences, and on-the-spot solutions to problems. AI can analyze
data concerning customer preferences to anticipate them, suggest relevant products, and
offer solutions, thereby leading to increased customer satisfaction and engagement
(Salman, 2021). For instance, a chatbot configured on a retailer website can assist
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customers in going through a purchase decision, frequently asked questions, and, where
required, also help sort out after-sales issues.
The biggest retailers in Saudi Arabia have begun pursuing AI that could further
ease customer interactions in the country's march to attain its Vision 2030 goals. Such
implementation of AI technologies will enable companies to scale customer service
operations at minimal rises in cost. AI also supports the analysis of huge customer data that
will result in critical knowledge for retailers about customer buying behavior. This helps
them pack the products together as per demand. This research question aims to find out
how AI improves customer experience by increasing the speed, accuracy, and
personalization of customer interactions (Salman, 2021). Understanding the retail sector
would unfold the role of AI that might bring a revolutionary change in Saudi Arabia
regarding customer engagement.
RQ3: What are various challenges and opportunities that Saudi retailers face in the
adoption strategies of digital transformation?
Digital transformation has been a doorway to enormous opportunities in the retail
industries; it has also posed several challenges. For most Saudi retailers, this means a huge
investment into new technologies and related costs of their implementations: building or
upgrading an e-commerce website, elaboration of mobile applications, and integration of
AI systems usually require substantial upfront costs (Al-Ruithe et al., 2019). At the same
time, there is an increasing demand for professionals who can operate and develop these
digital platforms effectively. Still, despite the rise in demand for digital skills, the supply
of qualified talent remains rare across several industries, including retail.
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Another critical issue related to digitization that retailers are experiencing is
cybersecurity. While this may mean more online deals, it equally increases the tendency
for cyber threats, data breaches, and fraudulent payments. Hence, retailers should invest in
good security measures that will protect customer information and give a good reason for
confidence in their digital channels. On the other hand, the opportunities opening up in the
curve of digital transformation are limitless. In fact, this will even let them improve their
operational efficiency, cut some costs by automating processes, and reach out to more
people once they expand their online presence. It also helps retailers make proper decisions
on the management of inventory, marketing strategies, and product development by
analyzing and gathering customer data (Al-Ruithe et al., 2019). This research question will
try to present a balanced view of the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation.
Precisely, by understanding both sides of the equation, Saudi retailers can then devise
means of overcoming obstacles to the fullest use of the benefits of digital transformation
in enhancing customer experience.
Conclusion.
The outlook for digital transformation in the Saudi Arabian retail sector is
promising, especially since it has much potential to improve customer experience and
operational efficiency. E-commerce, mobile applications, and AI-driven customer support
can develop personalized, easy, and fun experiences for customers, ultimately leading to
customer loyalty. However, at the same time, there are many obstacles to be met regarding
financial costs, skilled professionals, and risks of cybersecurity. The purpose of this
research will be to show ways in which Saudi retailers can surmount these challenges and
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exploit opportunities created by these digital technologies to remain successful in such a
competitive market.
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References.
Al-Ruithe, M., Benkhelifa, E., & Hameed, K. (2019). Key Issues for Embracing Cloud
Computing to Adopt a Digital Transformation: A Study of Saudi Public Sector.
Procedia
Computer
Science,
130,
1037–1043.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2018.04.145
Azhari, N. F. B., Senathirajah, A. R. bin S., & Haque, R. (2023). The role of customer
satisfaction, trust, word of mouth, and service quality in enhancing customers’
loyalty toward e-commerce. Transnational Marketing Journal, 11(1), 31–43.
http://transnationalmarket.com/menuscript/index.php/transnational/article/view/259
Masoud, R., & Basahel, S. (2023). The Effects of Digital Transformation on Firm
Performance: The Role of Customer Experience and IT Innovation. Digital, 3(2),
109–126. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/digital3020008
Salman, G. (2021). The Impact of AI-Enabled Checkouts on Shoppers’ Attitudes and
Purchase
Intent
in
Saudi
https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/handle/10292/14207
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Arabia.
Aut.ac.nz.
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