Job Satisfaction Among Employees in Government Sector: Case of Ministry of Manpower Inspectors

Purpose of the study: The objective of the research is to examine the relationship between the factors – nature of the job, working condition, motivation, career growth and job satisfaction of labour inspectors in the Ministry of manpower in the Sultanate of Oman. Design/Methodology: The study includes all the inspectors working in the different Human Resources Department branches of the ministry of manpower in Oman. 147 respondents from all the 269 inspectors working in the ministry were selected and the data was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. Non-probability sampling technique was used for sample selection based on their job position, knowledge and the effective relationship of the inspectors.  Findings: The result of the research was that there was a statistically significant relationship between the nature of work and job satisfaction; the significant relationship between working conditions and job satisfaction and significant relationship between career growth and job satisfaction. But there was no statistically significant relationship between motivations and job satisfaction.   It was also observed that the Ministry of Manpower fully insures the risks of these jobs. Further, increased attention is being paid to the working condition needs of inspectors, including rental cars and clothing appropriate to the sites, providing incentives, free scholarships and training inside and outside the country to ensure inspectors are satisfied with their work.   Research Implications: This research reinforces the theoretical framework of the importance of job satisfaction between work and inspectors of the Ministry of Manpower through studying the dependent variables that affect the level of job performance to enable inspectors to increase their efficiency and productivity of work. Practical Implications: Through this research, job satisfaction has been identified with the labour inspectors at the Ministry of Manpower, and the proposals that have been made that serve the Ministry of Manpower in improving the level of job satisfaction through taking study recommendations. Originality: There was no study was conducted before in the sultanate of Oman in relates to satisfaction of Labour Inspectors

Measuring Competition in Banking Sector in Oman

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to investigate and measure the competitive environment in the banking sector in Oman. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study considered an effort towards measuring the nature of competition of 12 out of 16 Omani banks from 2009 to 2019 over applying Panzar and Rosse (PR-model). It measured the competition index, called H-statistic, as it gives a quantitative assessment of the competitive nature of the studied market. The non-structural model was adopted to measure the competitive behavior of the banking sector. The data was taken from Muscat Securities Market (MSM) over obtaining financial statements of banks and data was tested using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings: The result showed that it was not able to reject the monopolistic competition that H value considered between values of zero and on,e for the banking market in Oman. Thus, Omani banks operate under monopolistic competition. Practical Implications: The study has interesting policy implications. It is recommended to encourage foreign banks' presence to enhance the competitive condition of the banking sector thus making sure the exit and entrance of banks in the industry to raise the competition. Social Implications: The flexibility in the competitive condition of the banking sector will lead to increase competition so this will produce a variety of services and products to improve the banks’ performance and customer satisfaction. Originality/value: This is the first study of its kind in studying and testing the competitive environment for the banking sector in Oman using the PR-model.  &nbsp

Exploring the Impact of Hostel Life of Students on Academic Performance: Sohar University – a case study

Purpose The objective of the study is to critically investigate the facilities and the communication services required in the hostel; to critically investigate the safety services prevailing in the hostel. Design/Methodology/approach For this study, 219 respondents were chosen on a simple random sampling basis among the students both girls and boys from Sohar University who were living in the hostel outside side the campus. Using a well-defined questionnaire, the data was collected data and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to derive at the conclusion. Findings The empirical study shows that the students are satisfied with the Room Facilities and the Safety Services provided in the hostel. However, they are not satisfied with the Communication Services. The study also reveals that there is an impact of Communication Services and Family Support on Study Convenience for the students living in a hostel. Practical Implications The hostel authorities/administration should pay more attention to the communication facilities provided in the hostel especially speedy internet connection could be made available through Wi-Fi so as to convene the students. Social Implications Hostel life is a principal component in the academic life of students who leave their home and live for the purpose of learning. The factors which create an impact of hostel life on academic performance need to be paid attention by the educational authorities so that the ultimate purpose of students joining the institutions viz. learning can be achieved. Originality/value No study has investigated before the impact of hostel life on academic performance, and this study will help the College / University Administration to plan and provide the necessary facilities for the students

The Social and Environmental Impact of Hybrid Cars

Purpose of the study: The objective of this research was aiming at understanding the effect of hybrid cars on the environment. The research was also aimed at proposing a government policy that must be implemented to regulate the usage of hybrid vehicles. Design/Methodology: An analysis of the hybrid cars was carried out along with evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of said vehicles from the perspective of customers, support and maintenance. The study was based on a product substitute, introduced to replace vehicles that run on gasoline, with a hybrid of electric and gasoline vehicles. Findings: The result after testing the vehicles and its components is that Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) does is indeed less harmful to the environment due to it consuming less gasoline. With increasing production of hybrid variants, batteries are being planned and designed in way that extends its life as well as provides the ability of recycling. This turns to be safer, healthier, and also a money saver package, saving a fine amount spent on fuel. Research Implications: The researchers hope to achieve a clear understanding of the influence of hybrid cars on the environment and individuals, the way hybrid cars operate, its advantages and disadvantages and the proposed government policy that will regulate the impact of hybrid cars on the environment. Originality: The study is of its first kind and no one has carried out such study ever before in Oman Purpose of study

Perceptions and Barriers of Active Learning amongst Business Students- A study at Sohar University

oai:ojs2.gspjournals.com:article/1Purpose The objective of this study was to find out what are the perceptions of active learning, to rule out the barriers and to see whether it holds any importance in a classroom. Design/Methodology Data has been collected through a structured questionnaire, from 280 samples, being students of Faculty of Business at Sohar University, Oman. This was a cross-sectional, exploratory study to identify the perceptions and barriers from the student’s point of view. Findings The findings of the study reveal that student-teacher interaction is essential and thereby the students’ communication skills and social interactive skills enhances. Students’ perception is that they develop more interest in the subjects and that their creative and critical thinking improves. Students consider the lack of student-teacher interaction as a huge barrier followed by the lack of experiential learning. Also, their own lack of communication is a huge obstruction. Implications With the world becoming more digitalized, we would like to further find out how to implement active learning through the online education system and how to improve it for both teachers and students. We can introduce hands on practice in classrooms. Originality This research work is an idea taken up from other resources but is one of a kind since it is focused on Business students at Sohar University which have not been done before. &nbsp

Entrepreneurial Intentions among Graduating Students at Sohar university

Purpose of the study: The objective of the study is to critically do a review of literature on the factors impacting the entrepreneurial intention of the graduating students and to critically analyze the impact of such factors on the entrepreneurial intention of the graduating students. Design/Methodology: 269 undergraduate students were selected on a random sampling basis from Sohar University and were considered to be the sample for the study. An online questionnaire was shared through digital media for survey purposes which were filled by students. The statistical analysis was carried out using excel and SPSS. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that the Entrepreneurial intention is influenced by Graduate Potentials, Creativity, and Education of the students and not by Government support. The undergraduate students are developing creative skills and bringing out their entrepreneurial potentials and improvising their practical knowledge through their education.  Implications: It was suggested that the graduating students need proper guidance to fulfill their entrepreneurial intention which is in the hands of teachers.  Students should be exposed to the development of various skills – creativity, communication, presentation, marketing, funds management, etc. and they should be invited to a platform where competitions of all innovative kinds should be conducted regularly and the participants should be guided with assistance to improve their ideas. Originality: This research work is one of its first kind as no study was conducted before focusing on the entrepreneurial intentions of the students in Oman

Individual’s Investment Decisions in the Muscat Security Market (MSM), Oman

Purpose The objective of the study is to investigate the influence of the personal factors, economic factors, and social factors of individual investors at MSM, from different demographic backgrounds such as age, gender, education. Design/methodology/approach A random sampling method was used and 100 samples were collected from the totality of investors at MSM, and interviews were also conducted with the brokers from different financial companies.  The data was concerning each of the three factors –personal, social, and economic that affect the individual investor’s decision and performance. Chi-square test of independence and non-parametric correlation analysis was executed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings The results of the study reveal that the investors transact at MSM at younger ages.  The investment experience and the age were highly dependent. Similarly the current occupation and the purpose of investment are highly dependent. This implies that investors were investing in capital growth and to meet emergency needs. Research Implications The respondents in the private sector were interested to invest more than employees of the public sector. This might be due to the employees in the private sector feel less secured than public sector employees. Originality/Value No study has been done to examine the investment decision-making traits of individuals in relates to Muscat Securities Market, Oman and it is a first-hand study of its kind and the results will be useful to the stakeholders