The impact of qualitative characteristics of accounting information on the decision-making process in Oman’s food industry

The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the effects of accounting information on the decisionmaking process in selected companies in the Omani food industry. The study sample consists of 100 top managers from the selected companies. A descriptive and analytical approach has been adopted to achieve the objective of the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. An Empirical research design has been used with the aid of a statistical package for social sciences SPSS version 24). The results of the analysis of ANOVA showed that there is a positive and significant effect of reliability and comparability on decision-making. At the same time, there was no significant relationship between relevance and decision-making. The study underscores the importance of accounting information predictors in the decision-making process

The Influence of Internal Auditing on Effective Corporate Governance in the Banking Sector in Oman

This research aims to examine the influence of internal audit on effective corporate governance in commercial banks listed on Muscat Securities Market (MSM) in Oman. A questionnaire was used to collect data and was distributed to the 100 top senior level officials and internal audit department of the commercial banks. The regression model that was used in this study was five dependent variables: internal audit independence; proficiency and due professional care; nature of work; quality assurance and improvement program; and managing the internal audit activity. The finding of the research establishes a significant positive relationship between internal audit and effective corporate governance. Variables internal audit independence, proficiency and due professional care, and nature of work were significantly associated with corporate governance. For quality assurance and improvement program and managing the internal audit activity, their influence on corporate governance is not statistically significant

Does Basil III Implementation Impact on Financial Performance?.Evidence from Omani's Commercial Banks

This research aims to investigate and examine the impact Basel III Implementation on financial performance of commercial banks in Omani. The annual data for all Omani commercial banks during 2013-2015 are used for calculating key financial ratios in order to assess the impact of Basel III implementation on financial performance in Omani commercial banks. To test whether there is a relationship between Basel III implementation and profitability in commercial banking sector , the research used a correlation analyses model, Ordinary and Least Square (OLS) estimation obtained from an SPSS 17.0 package is adopted to analyze the relationship between the variables, where financial performance or profitability of commercial banks was measured in terms of return on assets (ROA),return on equity (ROE) , efficiency ratio (EFR), net Interest margin (NIM) and debt-to equity ratio. The findings of the research established a positive impact of Basel III implementation on financial performance of commercial banks in Oman, however this impact is not statically significant Keywords: Basel III, Commercial banks, Financial performance, Oman JEL Classifications: G 33, G35, M4

The Impact of Entrepreneurial Characteristics on Entrepreneurial Intention of Sudanese and Omani University Students

This study aims to identify the level of availability of entrepreneurial characteristics among undergraduate students in some universities of Sudan and Oman, and test whether these characteristics have a significant impact on the entrepreneurial intention of these students. The study also intends to make comparison between the attitudes of students in Sudan and Oman towards establishing their businesses (self-employment). The sample of the study (n = 574) consists of students from University of Bahri, Sudan International University, and Dhofar University. In order to achieve these objectives, the study adopted the descriptive and analytical approach and used the questionnaire as a tool for collecting primary. The findings reveal that, there is a statistically significant impact of the entrepreneurial characteristics among undergraduate students (need for achievement, self-efficacy and locus of control) on their entrepreneurial intention. The study also found that there are statistically significant differences in the views of the respondents according their universities, concerning the locus of control and entrepreneurial intention. The analysis showed that locus of control among students of Dhofar University and Sudan International University was higher than that of University of Bahri students. Furthermore, it was found that the entrepreneurial intention among students of Dhofar University was higher than that of Sudan International University & University of Bahri student

Comparative Study on Performance of Islamic Banks and Conventional Banks: Evidence from Oman

This research aims to examine and compare the performance for Islamic banks (IBs) and conventional Banks (CB) in Oman during 2013-2015. Financial ratio analyses are employed to measure profitability, solvency and capital adequacy of seven conventional banks and two Islamic bans. IndependenSamples t T- Test was used to determine the whether there is a difference in the performance for IBs and CB. The finding of the research establishes that conventional banks are more profitable and significantly different from Islamic banks in terms of return on assets (ROE), return on equity (ROE) and Net profit margin (NPM). While, Islamic banks were performing better in term of efficiency ratio (EFR), debt to assets ratio (DAR). debt to equity ratio (DER) and credit to deposits ratio (TCTD) .The difference is statistical significant. Keywords: Islamic Banks, Conventional banks, Performance, Oman JEL Classifications: G35, G38, M4

The Impact of Auditor Integrity to Audit Quality: an Exploratory Studies from the Middle East

Background: The increasing pressure from external parties to improve audit quality and enhance the credibility of financial statements. As corporate financial scandals widely occurred, there are requests for the profession to enhance their quality in the audit. The public continuously talks about the auditor's integrity in performing their tasks, which undisputedly plays a significant role in determining the audit quality.   Purpose: This study aims to re-explore the concept of auditor integrity and understand its impact on audit quality.   Methodology:  Qualitative study approach intended to redescribe auditor integrity from auditors' perspective in the Middle East, particularly in the Sultanate of Oman, using the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). This study chooses six auditors with vast experience and who hold a significant position in the audit firms.   Findings: The study revealed that integrity is the critical determinant of audit quality and relates very much to reputation. In this profession, reputation is crucial, and integrity is the best way to uphold a reputation.   Social and Practical Implications: Reputation is the most valuable asset, and its loss may affect the profession's viability. From the FGD, the auditors are fully aware of the importance of integrity to uphold the profession's reputation and ease transactions with clients and the public