Purpose -This paper seeks to reengineer the applications' processes of the Naturalization and Residency Department in Al Ain city and to develop an electronic version of the reengineered processes. Design/methodology/approach -The research approach used in this work is similar to the five-point redesign process. Also, this work is categorized as incremental as opposed to the radical way of change. The five steps are: establishment of the business vision and objectives; identification and focus on the core business processes that support them; modeling and analysis of the business environment; streamlining; and continuous control and improvement of the previous steps. Findings -It is believed that the best possible solution for shorter and more efficient processing paths was achieved. Great savings in cost, time and human resources were achieved. Many factors have contributed to the success of the work. These include the efficient reengineered process, efficient database design, search facilities, electronic document archive and easy-to-use user interface. Practical implications -There were some critical factors that had to be considered. Perhaps, one of the most serious obstacles was the reluctance of some key decision makers to cease or reduce some of their authorities. Those officers believe that a direct supervision or control on the different stages of the processes is essential. Special considerations may be required under certain circumstances and these are only dealt with by key decision makers. The absolute minimum of two approval points model has helped to eliminate those legitimate concerns. Other factors such as reluctance of the users to accept change, job redundancy resulting from the change and financial resources were important but less significant. Originality/value -The paper is a case study that describes the reengineering processes in the public sector in UAE. This sector suffers from a great deficiency and this work represents a leading step towards improving its working practices. The value of the paper lies in the comprehensive study and analysis of this department and the efficient customized solutions it offered.

Based on the authors experience in applying different approaches of active learning and student-centered teaching, the main problem that prevented the achievement of the full advantages of these approaches is the lack of motivation of students for self-centered learning. A new model for a student-centered learning is presented in this work. This model is of teaching integrative thinking, based on existing models of creativity and synthesis. In this model, the student is put at the heart of a bigger learning process that includes instructors, specialists and the public. Usually students who are in the final year of their study will be the target of the application of this model as a part of a capstone course or final year project. This model promotes the research and thinking skills of the students as well as the gained motivation of self-learning as a result of being in contact with the specialists who might be their potential future employers. A proto-type web-based system based on this model was developed. Although it is applied on a sample of students from the Biology department, the system is readily expandable to any number of other disciplines without any complications or programming overheads. The results achieved from the application of this model were very encouraging.

PurposeTo reengineer the applications' processes of the land department of Al‐Ain Municipality and to develop an electronic version of the reengineered processes.Design/methodology/approachThe research approach used in this work is similar to the five‐point incremental approach and the work of Gunasekaran et al. These steps are: establishment of the business vision and objectives; identification and focus on the core business processes that support them; modeling and analysis of the business environment; streamlining; and continuous control and improvement of previous steps.FindingsThe best possible solution for shorter and more efficient processing path was achieved. Great savings in cost, time and human resources were achieved. Many factors have contributed to the success of the work. These include the efficient reengineered process, efficient database design, search facilities, electronic document archive and easy‐to‐use user interface.Practical implicationsThe authors were not absolutely free to select the model they think is better. There were some critical factors that had to be considered. Perhaps, one of the most serious obstacles was the reluctance of some key decision makers to cease or reduce some of their authorities. Those officers believe that a direct supervision or control on the different stages of the processes is essential. The justification given is that the issue of land allocation is critical and may be problematic. Special considerations may be required under certain circumstances and these are only dealt with by key decision makers. Other factors such as reluctance of the users for change, job redundancy resulting from the change and financial resources were important but less significant. Therefore, many models were suggested before the final one was agreed on.Originality/valueThe paper is a case study that describes the reengineering processes in the public sector in UAE. This sector suffers from a great deficiency and this work represents a leading step towards improving its working practices. The value of the paper lies in the comprehensive study and analysis of this department and the efficient customized solutions it offered.

PurposeThis paper seeks to elicit the challenges faced by the UAE dates industry in adopting and aligning its business strategy with the use of information system and information technology (IS/IT) within its operations.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted approach is based on the combination of conclusive feedback research technique and action research. The intention is to elicit background information in its initial phase, formulate an interim solution, which will evolve through users' constant feedbacks into a full‐blown desirable system.FindingsHighlights the UAE dates industry existing state of readiness in adopting IS/IT and the extent of optimizing supply‐chain management business practices.Research limitations/implicationsTransforming organization manual operations to achieve efficiency towards strategic effectiveness is a lengthy process. While quantitative and qualitative evidences suggest the adoption of a certain solution, the benefits yield cannot be realized overnight.Practical implicationsThis research proposes a paradigm shift in the organization's culture. Adopting supply‐chain principles and implementing a strategy to align both business and use of IS/IT will facilitate an elevation for UAE dates factory to be one of the economy contributing industries.Originality/valueThis research addresses existing states of readiness to implement IS/IT within the UAE dates factory, proposes supply‐chain model customized to UAE dates factory and highlights challenges faced by the factory in implementing the strategic alignment of its business through IS/IT optimization.

PurposeThis paper sets out to contribute to making the use of the Dubai e‐government services more secure and facilitating the process of introducing new services, while maintaining the integrity and security of the whole system.Design/methodology/approachThis work is based on the ISO 17799 standard. ISO 17799 a comprehensive set of controls comprising best practices in information security. It is essentially, in part, an internationally‐recognized generic information security standard (The ISO 17799 Directory).FindingsThe system has achieved its objectives in terms of performance, cost, reliability and flexibility.Practical implicationsThe system assumes that the fed information is true and authenticated. However, this may not always be the case. Therefore, onsite manual verification may be required at the very end of the process.Originality/valueThe system would serve accelerating and facilitating the process of expanding the e‐services provided by the Dubai e‐government within the set timeframe.