PurposeHappiness levels differ among the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries and follow a downtrend, making such heterogeneity a popular topic to investigate. The paper aims to study the contribution of governance quality on the heterogeneity in happiness levels across MENA countries while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic variables.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies panel random-effects regression analysis on three samples: full sample, rich and poor subsamples, using data from 20 MENA countries over the 2007–2017 period.FindingsThe empirical results for the full sample conclude that better technical quality of governance increases happiness in the region. Furthermore, findings suggest that political stability and absence of violence matters for people's happiness only in rich countries. Whereas, control of corruption is positively associated with happiness level in the full sample and poor subsample. Across all three samples, voice and accountability has no impact on happiness.Research limitations/implicationsA possible limitation of the paper is using an index for happiness based on a subjective weight distribution. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to implement a novel method using data envelopment analysis.Practical implicationsThis paper includes implications for policymakers in the MENA region. Governments should strengthen existing laws and create a comprehensive database of laws, fight corruption and prioritize raising income.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to categorize MENA countries into rich and poor to analyze how governance quality contributes to the heterogeneity in happiness levels.

The chapter aims to determine three research objectives: (1) ATM service quality in Lebanon measurement based on five dimensions, using the SERVQUAL model; (2) analyze and investigate customer satisfaction and loyalty of the ATM usage, during two different periods, before and after the following situations that Lebanon encountered: foreign currency shortage, commercial banks' informal capital control, and bankruptcy; and 3) assess the intention of the Lebanese to adopt Libra virtual currency. To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was distributed among bank clients in Lebanese. The results and analysis of the study have been done by comparing the means of SERVQUAL dimensions. The findings indicate that the Lebanese perspective of the banking system changed during the two different periods; however, their intention level to adopt a virtual currency is low.