Purpose This study aims to discuss the impact of the physical environment on the quality of distance education from the viewpoint of a number of teaching staff in Jordanian universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A total of 308 lecturers were selected using a snowball sampling method from different social media websites. The researcher used a descriptive analysis method by conducting social surveys. Findings The results reveal that there is a negative impact of the physical environment on the quality of distance education from the perspective of the teaching staff in Jordanian universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also show that there are statistically significant differences between males and females in terms of the quality of distance education in favor of males. In addition, there are no statistically significant differences in the quality of distance education based on the place from which the lecture is given and the faculty type. Practical implications The study recommends improving teaching staff’s performance in the teaching process, boosting their comfort level and reducing stress and anxiety which may be caused by the surrounding physical environment during distance education. Originality/value The topic of the study is of great significance to quality assurance in education, i.e. online learning and teaching.

Purpose of the study: The study investigates the Emirati Women's perceptions of polygamy according to three variables, namely age, employment, and educational level. It also explores where there are possible reasons that may drive these women to accept polygamy in certain circumstances and their reactions if it actually happens.Methodology: To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 Emirati women to get more insight into their choice, reasons, and reactions. Main findings:The results reveal that 88% of the participants refused the entire idea of polygamy while the rest accepted it. The results also show that the three social variables played an important role in their choice. The participants who consented to polygamy did so due to religious and cultural reasons. In case the husband went along with his remarriage, the participants indicated that they would file for divorce, especially those who are young and employed, or stay with their husbands unhappy. The latter were mostly older and unemployed. Applications of this study:The Emirati women's concerns of polygamy and its consequences on family life should be taken into account when revising social policies in the UAE. The originality of this study:The study is one of its kinds to address polygamy in the UAE. It contributes to the body of knowledge through identifying Emirati women's concerns of polygamy and discussing the reasons for accepting/rejecting polygamy. 911-916 https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.75117 915 |www.hssr.in © AL-Tkhayneh and Nser because these participants believe that the husband should support and get his wife back which is a sign of loyalty and love, and he should not remarry as long as his wife is alive, and 3 of the participants believe that the husband should not remarry even after the death of his wife. These answers were provided by participants who are under 35 years old, holder of certificates that are lesser than secondary school, and one of them is working.Finally, to provide answers to the third research question "What actions would Emirati women take if their husbands marry another woman", 16 of the participants, who are equal to 32%, preferred divorce in this case. These 16 participants are under the age of 35, working, and university degree holders. This is in line with Al Gharaibeh and Bromfield's (2012: 449-450) findings that educated women are more likely to resort to divorce compared to their uneducated counterparts. This reason for divorce can be added to the list of divorce causes identified by Bromfield (2014: 339). On the other hand, the rest of the participants, who are equal to 68%, would stay with their husbands even if they are dissatisfied with this relationship. This was ascribed to socio-economic reasons, namely the future of their children under the care of the father, inheritance and the full alimony, especially if there were satisfied reasons that drive the husband to marry another woman. This answer was almost answered by participants who are uneducated, unemployed and uneducated.