The impact of performance-related pay on employees’ performance: case studies of Omani public and private sector organisations

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Performance-related pay (PRP) has witnessed growing interest over the past two decades in Oman, alongside increasing attention to human resource management (HRM) practices. However, despite its continued adoption in various cultural contexts, gaps in its effectiveness remain the subject of widespread controversy. Consequently, this thesis is an attempt to examine the impact of PRP on various Omani public and private sector organisations in the form of four case studies. Three of these are on companies in the private sector which form the backbone of the Omani economy and one on a public sector organisation. The study gap lies in both the lack of studies on PRP in the public and private sectors in Oman, and the few numbers of studies in the pay literature in general in the region. The original contribution being made in this thesis lies in the attempt to bridge the research gap by viewing PRP systems through several lenses: from theoretical framework, managers, employees, contextual and documents (document analysis) perspectives. The different characteristics of the included organisations and the relevant findings can also be considered as an enhancement element of the originality and contribution of the thesis. However, with respect to the reservations of the participating organisations and to preserve their anonymity and confidentiality, they will be referred as Organisation A, B, C and D. Organisation A is a distinguished global organisation operating in Oman, while Organisation (B) is a local organisation working in the private sector. Organisation (C) is characterised by being a wholly-owned government organisation that operates in the private sector, and finally, Organisation (D) is a government entity operating in the civil service. Three research questions were formulated to provide a basis for the thesis structure. Accordingly, the mixed-method approach was adopted as a data collection strategy. The primary approach was face-to-face interviews with middle managers, while survey questionnaires were used with employees to measure their attitudes. In addition, document analysis was used to diversify the data sources and to increase confidence in the results. The thesis examination is based on a comparison of findings from multiple perspectives; for example, from those of middle managers, employees, document analysis, and the theoretical framework of the most important theories underlying PRP. These perspectives were then considered in the light of the literature review to determine the effectiveness of PRP in each organisation. The findings reveal that PRP in Organisations A and B was effective and achieved its goals. The reasons for this can be attributed to the methodological approach adopted in the implementation and operation of the PRP system, which were consistent with the strongest theories underlying the system, such as the agency theory, expectation theory and goal-setting theory, in addition to the systematic activation of the role of HRM and the effective development and preparation of middle managers. On the other hand, the findings related to Organisations C and D show that they do not appear to have achieved the sufficient objectives of PRP. Although the results were somewhat mixed, they revolved around the issues of fairness, favouritism, bureaucracy and the role of HRM.Oman Government

Geochemical and Radiological Baseline Studies and Environmental Impact of the Area Surrounding Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE

Geochemical, mineralogical and natural radiation analysis techniques were used for establishment of geochemical and radiological baseline around Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE. The natural radioactivity concentrations of 238U (226Ra), 232Th and 40K were measured for soil, shore and bottom sediment samples, using gamma spectrometry equipped with HPGe detector. In addition, alpha spectrometry was used to measure 234U/238U ratio for some selected samples. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used to measure the concentrations of heavy metals and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The grain size of the samples ranged from fine to coarse sand. The inverse relationship between grain size and heavy metal contaminations was validated. The results indicated the mean concentrations of heavy metals and REE are much higher in soil samples compared to bottom sediments, which in turn relatively higher than shore samples. All heavy metals concentrations were significantly below the UAE soil contamination safe limits. The levels of heavy metals and REE reported in the UAE were lower than the levels reported in the soil, shore and bottom sediments of several countries around the world. Enrichment factor calculated for heavy metals shows no to moderate enrichment (As and Cd), while the contamination factor (CF) was CF\u3c1 which indicates low contamination factor. Geoaccumulation results suggest uncontaminated area. Furthermore, the pollution load index, \u3e1, indicates no pollution in the area. With exception of La in shore samples, all the REE show no enrichment. Contamination factor for REE indicates a low contamination factor and geoaccumulation results indicate that the studied area was uncontaminated. Moreover, the pollution load index indicates no pollution in the area. The measured gamma activity concentrations in shore-sediment samples are much lower comparing to those concentrations in soil and bottom sediments. The average activity concentrations of 238U (226Ra) are 15.68±0.56, 4.43±0.39 and 4.73±0.47 Bq/kg, for 232Th are 8.3±0.23, 1.68±0.17 and 1.83±0.24 Bq/kg and for 40K, are 349.72±11.76, 106.3±7.27 and 105.23±10.03 Bq/kg in soil, shore and bottom sediment samples, respectively. Anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs is low than the detection limit in the studied area. The 234U/238U activity ratios show wide range from 0.59 to 2.24 indicating effects of sources and in situ processes. In addition, the hazard parameters such as Radium equivalent and absorption dose were estimated and all are below the world average. The spatial distribution for heavy metals, REE and natural radionuclides was generally more compact in the south compared to the north, with less severe contamination in the east and west. Relationships between heavy metals, REE and natural radioactivity concentrations were investigated and varied between soil, shore and bottom sediment samples. The previous relationships may indicate that uranium and thorium have detrital sources possibly associated with silicate minerals

A Conceptual Framework for Accountability in Cloud Computing Service Provision

This paper uses a comprehensive review of the academic and professional literature in relation to accountability in the area of cloud computing service provision. It identifies four key conceptual factors that are necessary for an organisation to be considered as accountable. The four factors were found to be: responsibility, assurance, transparency and remediation. A key finding of the paper is that in order to be considered as an accountable cloud service provider, all four factors need to be implemented and be demonstrable by the organisation

Core elements in information security accountability in the cloud

This paper proposes 9 core elements of information security accountability in the area of cloud computing. The core elements were determined via a series of 18 case studies with Omani government organisations that were actively using and/or providing cloud computing. 36 interviews were conducted and then analysed using a grounded theory methodology As a result of the analysis, responsibility, transparency, assurance, remediation, accountability support environment, flexible change process, collaboration, mechanisms and commitment to external criteria. The research also found that the emphasis on specific core elements is context-dependent and that there was considerable variation in emphasis amongst the case study organisations

Literature-based analysis of the influences of the new forces on ISMS: A conceptual framework

This paper presents an analysis that arose from a comprehensive review of the academic and professional literature of two areas – information security management systems (ISMS) and information resources – and their relationship with information security. It analyzes the role of ISMS in protecting an organization’s information environment and infrastructure. It has identified four key areas that strongly influence the safety of information resources: cloud computing; social media/networking; mobility; and information management/big data. Commonly referred to as ‘new forces’, these four aspects are all growing exponentially and are not easily controlled by IT. Another key finding of the paper is that organizations aiming to protect their information resources need to adapt their ISMS in an environment where these new forces have exposed them to a range of external entities and influences

Knowledge Management And Organizational Performance: A Research On Systematic Literature

Studies that investigate the KM and organizational performance are few. The purpose of this study is to review the literature and review the articles related to the effect of knowledge management (KM) on organizational performance. A systematic literature review was conducted, and three screenings were performed to refine the articles. Article were extracted from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). A total of 29 articles were considered to meet the selection criteria was reviewed, analyzed, and important information was extracted. A frequency analysis was conducted on these articles. The findings indicated that majority of the articles were extracted from WoS and published between 2015-2017 in Malaysia and Taiwan. The reviewed studies were conducted on manufacturing and technological industries using quantitative method. Sample size in most studies is less than 200 and data was analyzed using first generation of data analysis. Findings were discussed, and it was recommended for future studies to increase the sample size and use more frequently structural equation modeling

Adoption Model for Digital Technologies: Case Study of Petroleum Development Oman

As Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) embarked in using digital technologies to address operational challenges, it was ill prepared regarding the approach the company needs to take. This thesis proposes an adoption model that PDO can use to adopt digital technologies. During the process of problem analysis, three research objectives were identified. These are; understand digital adoption, investigate factors influencing digital adoption and developing a model for digital adoption. In order to address these research objectives using action research over several cycles, mixed methods were utilised. The research was conducted over a period of almost one year from April 2020 to Jan 2021. The research contributed to identifying two main actions for PDO. PDO embarked in the implementation of a PDO wide digital strategy and kick started the talent development program as a result of this research. The literature review identified key areas to investigate in order to develop an adoption model for digital technologies. These include identifying the digital drivers, the organizational readiness, the required capabilities, leadership and change. As a result of the literature review, the theoretical framework was based on those five pillars. These formed the five research stages of this action research, including debriefing sessions with PDO management after each stage to ensure continuous alignment. The population sample included all staff involved in contributing to the experimentation of digital pilots within PDO. A digital adoption model for PDO emerged with seven key pillars: digital strategy and vision (focusing on building a coherent digital strategy for PDO), digital leadership (focusing in building the required skills for PDO leadership), digital talent development (focusing on skilling PDO resources to implement digital projects), digital capabilities (focusing on key business capabilities to drive digital), business model innovation (focusing in creating a digital mindset to drive future business development), digital governance (focusing on building faster decision making capabilities), and digital change management (focusing on managing the transition to a higher digital maturity). The proposed adoption model was partially implemented by PDO through the development of PDO-wide digital strategy and developing the digital skills within. Finally, the research identified the potential to generalize the model to other organizations and identified key limitations. The limitation includes the use of a particular population sample, conducting the study during COVID19 pandemic and the use of descriptive analysis to analyse the results. This study provided empirical evidence supporting the drivers to adopt digital technologies In addition, the survey developed to measure the digital capabilities provided empirical insights into the digital capabilities needed for organizations planning to adopt digital technologies. Finally, the study outcome was an adoption model (based on evidence collected during this action research).that could guide organizations embarking on similar journey to adopt digital technologies

The Oman Botanic Garden (1)

The Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) is a new botanic garden which is being constructed on a 423ha site near to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Oman is floristically rich and is considered a centre of plant diversity in the Arabian Peninsula. The plan is that OBG will showcase this plant diversity, inform visitors of its value and provide a model for sustainability. This paper, part 1, covers the vision, early plant collections and propagation, and part 2, which will be included in Sibbaldia No. 7, will cover design, construction, interpretation and planting

Validation of GeneXpert testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in eight hospital laboratories in Oman

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, numerous commercial assays have been developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 for use in the clinical diagnostic laboratories. To date, there is limited comparison of testing methods performed in different hospital laboratory sites. The aims of the study were to evaluate the analytical performance of Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 when compared to RT-PCR. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 155 nasopharyngeal swabs were taken in duplicate from patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 to 8 hospitals in Oman. One swab was tested by the hospital laboratory and the duplicate swab was sent to the national Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) for testing. We compared the analytical performance of the commercially available point of care Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay which was used in the 8 different hospitals with assays including Liferiver, Sansure, TIB MOL BIOL, Kingfisher and COBAS 6800 by Roche which were performed at the CPHL. Testing of the duplicate swabs revealed excellent agreement of results with the viral loads of Ct values ranging from 16-43 for the E gene, 18-44 for the N gene and 17-44 for the ORF gene using the Liferiver assay. The overall sample sensitivity and specificity of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay were both 100% and there was 100% agreement across specimens. We conclude that the rapid GeneXpert and RT-PCR kits assessed in this study may be used for routine diagnostic testing of COVID-19 patients by experienced clinical microbiology diagnostic laboratories. Our results highlight the importance of rapid molecular testing at different sites within a country in a public health emergency