This research aims to explore and identify the critical success factors (CSFs) needed to facilitate and guarantee the implementation of successful public private partnership (PPP) projects in the education sector in Egypt. Thus, the research proposed a CSFs model based on an exhaustive literature review to identify CSFs for PPPs’ successful implementation. The identified 21 CSFs were divided into four groups: political, legal, economic and financial as well as operational and managerial. A qualitative and quantitative analysis that involved semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey tool was applied to gather required data. Then, data were analyzed using the Nvivo program, correlation, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesis for the research. The results showed that the set of four CSFs groups which are political, legal, economic and financial as well as managerial and operational have positive significant impacts on successful PPP implementation in education in Egypt. Results also show that managerial and operational factors are the most significant factors followed by legal factors, political factors, then economic and financial factors. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the research findings provide the private sector investor with the direction, clarity and guidance essential to create the confidence needed to invest in the education market and programs in Egypt. It also provides public sector employees with a clear vision for the environment and conditions needed to embrace PPP projects in the sector of education in Egypt.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to promote and analytically verify an advanced assessment design to evaluate service quality (SQ) especially in postgraduate higher education. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a quantitative approach through a survey method. A structured questionnaire was designed as a means for collecting data. Data were collected from 182 postgraduate students in an Egyptian higher education university. Data were examined by exploratory factor analysis to pinpoint the main irregularities explained by the extracted factors. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to filter the ratios and empirically test the assessment efficiency of the developed model. Findings The final model consists of 33 items loaded into eight dimensions for measuring performance-based SQ of the postgraduate higher education. The results are satisfactory in terms of unidimensionality, trustworthiness, and validity tests. Research limitations/implications Although the empirical results are significant, a comparative study can identify relative strengths and weaknesses of this model. Practical implications For improving postgraduate higher education institutions’ quality, this paper highlights some dimensions and attributes that should be considered. Originality/value The literature proposes that there is an opportunity to handle SQ from the point of view of postgraduate students covering different contexts to further build a more comprehensive structure specifically for postgraduate higher education SQ. This paper deals with this research gap with analytical confirmation within the context of postgraduate programs in an Egyptian university.

The fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is receiving more attention from academics, business leaders, and manufacturers. However, few readiness assessments are currently available that address the difficulties and needs associated with implementing I4.0 to help companies understand how to get ready for an organizational transformation towards I4.0, particularly in developing economies such as Egypt. Accordingly, the current study aims to identify the readiness factors for I4.0 implementation in the industrial sector in the Egyptian context. Quantitative research methodologies were used in this study. The exploratory and deductive approach was used in this study because its goal is to analyse the readiness factors for implementation of I4.0 for Egypt’s industrial sector. Descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA test were used to ascertain the significant difference between the respondents’ profile factors and the readiness factors for the implementation of I4.0 in the various industrial sectors. A questionnaire was specifically delivered to Egyptian manufacturing companies. The structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM) approach was conducted to assess and rank the readiness factors of I4.0 implementation as well as examine their hierarchical effects. Then, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis was performed to rank the importance of readiness factors in a different sector. The readiness factors were further analysed using the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach for analysis, which was applied by developing a causal relationship between the factors under study through employees’ opinions. This was performed after filtering the most significant readiness factors for industry implementation. This study identified fifteen I4.0 readiness elements that could hasten the technology’s implementation in Egypt’s manufacturing industry and the degree of influence of each element on I4.0 implementation in Egypt within a different culture, sector, and economy from that previously evaluated. The three most critical readiness criteria for implementing I4.0 in the Egyptian manufacturing sector were identified as level of knowledge, management support, and financial support. Results gleaned from the research will help the manufacturing industry be well-prepared for implementation of I4.0. The results of the ISM approach indicated that the factors of financial support, level of knowledge, and management support and leadership are always considered as influencing factors on all other factors. On the other hand, the factors of agility in manufacturing, compatibility with existing technology, and smart factory are always dependent on other factors, such as collaboration and transparency, strategy and organization, and supply chain management and collaboration, in addition to lean, sustainability, and government supportive policies as well as competitiveness, customer-focused innovativeness, financial support, level of knowledge, management support and leadership, and leadership and dealing with insecurity.

Inventories are playing vital role in every business, so organization needs to have proper control and management of inventories as it may lead to increase in manufacturing cost. A correctly managed inventory can significantly affect organizational effectiveness. Just in Time (JIT) has been treated as one of the best manufacturing methods to address issues related to all types of inventories and wastes. Thus, this research broadens the geographical range by measuring the relationship between inventory level and organizational effectiveness through JIT in the Egyptian context, using questionnaires with a final sample 517 respondents, at Egyptian industrially certified ISO standard businesses operating in a variety of areas for measuring inventory levels. The findings demonstrated that inventory level significantly affects organisational effectiveness via the mediating function of JIT inventory. This research recommended to decision makers to manage and reduce their inventory level as it is proved that inventories represent a poor method for managing an organization because it increases the cost of manufacturing. Also, to work on enhancing the organizational effectiveness (Aligning, Exploiting, and Mobilizing) by always working on solving any problem that could face the organization as well as developing the whole operation and make it more advanced. As well, apply the most advanced technologies and machines that support the process of JIT.