FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY: KEY CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN OMAN

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to critically investigate the challenges faced by SMEs; to analyze SMEs difficulties during adopting new technologies and to critically investigate the difficulties in the form of policies and procedures. Design/methodology/approach: For this research study, purposive sampling methodology was adopted. Using a well-defined questionnaire, 257 samples were collected from all over Oman. The data collected was recorded, tabulated, summarized and the tests – Chi-square tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and regression analysis were carried to obtain the results. Findings: The study reveals that most of the respondents got delay in the commencement of business due to lack of finance. It is also revealed that the SMEs are in dire need of technical support at the time of commencement of their businesses and need support to establish IT infrastructure. Research limitations/Implications: The study suggests that the adequate support from General Authority for SMEs can change the scenario of setting up of the SMEs in a smooth transition and the interim advances by the financial institutions can help them avoid time lag. Social implications: The study suggests that the Governmental authority should monitor and follow up SMEs to avoid the SME units becoming sick and provide technical support, guidance and nurse the units, if they become sick. Also, the licensing for the SME units should be made easier through single window system. Originality/Value: Only a very few have examined the main challenges faced by SMEs in Oman. Our study includes selected samples of SMEs and not the micro enterprises. The study can further be extended to all the MSMEs in all the regions / Governorates of Oman

THE EFFECT OF SECURITY PROCEDURES ON EMPLOYEE MORALE

Purpose The objective of the study is to critically analyze the main issues on the scrutiny of personal belongings and the effect of it on the employee morale and to understand the due impact so as to find out a simplified work atmosphere in order to increase taskforce retention. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with 260 employees working in the Oil fields of Sohar industrial port, Oman. The employees were selected on a simple random sampling basis and were contacted through a well-defined questionnaire which was made available online for this purpose.  The sample included both the managers and the workers from the task force. Findings Our empirical results reveal that the employees understand the logic behind the measures, are not reluctant and hence no negative impact on the employee’s morale. However, the study demonstrates that there is a strong association between the privacy of the employees, their trust, tolerance and the morale of the employees. The main factors which might impede the security procedures are the trust and the privacy. Practical Implications The study reveals that the security practices may violate the individual privacy and leads to ethical conflict and thus the employees may become untrusted and tend to leave the organization due to daily physical inspection which is not a very good sign. Social Implications There is a need to educate all the employees on the logic behind such inspection measures and seek the opinion on the ways to improve such measures. A national campaign can be initiated. Originality/value Very few studies have examined the effect of security procedures on the employee morale in the oil fields of Oman and it is a first-hand study of its kind

IN-COUNTRY VALUE (ICV) – ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMPANIES OF OMAN

Purpose The objectives of the study are to analyze to the opportunities created for the new entrepreneurs through the In-Country Value (ICV) scheme; to analyze the benefits earned by the entrepreneurs through ICV in the selected companies of Oman and to critically analyze the impact of in-country value in the economic growth of Oman. Design/methodology/approach To carry out this research study, exploratory approach was adopted. Secondary data were obtained from seven selected companies in Oman, and the data was collected from the four perspectives of ICV, and the collected data was analyzed, and the conclusion was drawn. Findings The study reveals that ICV initiatives have brought a great change in the local economy through enhancement of human skills and exploration of the capabilities of human resources and the potentialities of SMEs and the ICV strategy opens opportunities to the new entrepreneurs from the local community to come up with self-employment and encourages local entrepreneurs. Research limitations/Implications The study reveals that the selected companies are following their own pattern of plans, programs, and strategies and there is no uniform pattern to adjudge their performances. The Ministries should define clear guidelines and periodic reports should be generated and should be publicized that will boost up the morale of the budding entrepreneurs and the local Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Social implications The study reveals that the ICV strategy adds value to the growth of local economy and thereby the national economy through the efforts of SMEs of Oman.  Originality/Value No one has ever examined the effect of ICV strategy in the local and economic development of Oman, it is a first-hand study of its kind, and the results will be useful to streamline the strategies for ICV initiatives

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED COMPANIES AT SOHAR PORT, OMAN

Purpose The objective of the study is to investigate into the roles of Corporate Social Responsibility towards the community development of Sohar.  This study critically analyzes the current practices of CSR in the selected companies at Sohar Port area, Oman. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out with ten selected companies from Sohar Industrial Port area selected on a random sampling basis.   Findings The study has thrown light on the various activities of CSR carried out by the selected companies in the Al Batinah region of Sultanate of Oman.  The study reveals that the manufacturing companies have high inclination towards CSR programs than the other. Practical Implications Further the study shows that the selection of CSR activities by one company does not have any impact on any other company from the same area.  This will induce every company to come up with new CSR activities in to their manifold. Social Implications The study confirms that the selected companies play significant role through involving them in social responsibility activities resulting in sustained development of Sultanate of Oman. Originality/value No prior study has examined the CSR activities of the companies at Sohar Port, Oman. This study will pave a way to further scope of study on CSR activities of the companies of Oman

PERCEPTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF OVER THEIR CAREER DUE TO TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION AT SOHAR UNIVERSITY

Purpose: The objectives of the study are to analyze ways through which technology introduced in Sohar University is helping the lectures teaching in the University and improves their research activities and to analyze the methods of administrative works of lectures in the University. Design/methodology/approach: To carry out this research study, 133 samples were collected from academic staff working in all the faculties of Sohar University using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was containing the personal details, teaching, research and administration related factors. The data obtained was analyzed, and interpreted to obtain the result. Main Findings: The study reveals that the academic staff feels the technology implementation has improved the teaching pattern and standards of the university and hence their teaching style also has changed. It is also proven that the academic staff feels the technology implementation has helped to improve their research career. It is shown that the academic staff feels the technology implementation has helped to reduce their administrative work. Research limitations/Implications: It was reported that the technology implementation would be successful only when adequate training is given beforehand and most time is wasted for rectifying the technical bugs arising due to technological implementation. Social implications: The study suggests that technology implementation is successful only if technical staff regularly maintains computers. They also suggested that there is a need for software skills training though it is time-consuming. Originality/Value: Only a very few have examined the perception of the academic staff of all the faculties at University level in Oman, and it is a first-hand study of its kind, and the results will be useful to IT departments

APPLICATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION (HEI) IN OMAN: SHINAS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY- A CASE STUDY

PURPOSE The objective of the study is to investigate into the quality of the systems, processes, and practices at ShinasCollege of Technology (ShCT) and to propose a plan for future improvements in relates to quality perspectives and to provide recommendations in various areas of operations on the lines of OAAA institutional accreditation standards. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH  Samples include 50 students, 33 academics, and 16 management employees were selected, and the data was collected through a well-defined questionnaire. Students from the Department of Engineering, Business and Information Technology, were selected on a stratified random sampling basis whereas staff was selected on a simple random sampling basis. FINDINGS The survey reveals that the systems prevailing in ShCT and the practices are aligned with OAAA requirements except for staff promotion and incentives. The ADRI analysis and the study of SAR, QAR and QIP indicate thatShCT practices about Management, Staff, and Students are continuously assessed and well-defined.   SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS The study considers TQM as the most important method for HEIs to achieve efficiency for providing better services and continuous improvements. The Quality is considered as the required power to implement the entire objective desired by the HEIs to attain the efficiency and get the HEIs accredited. ORIGINALITY/VALUE No study has attempted to find out the application of TQM in ShCT, Oman ever before considering the quality assurance in education and it is the first-hand study of its kind. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS The study was restricted to various areas of the operations of the college on three stakeholders namely management, staff and students only. The study could be extended to other areas as well as to other stakeholders so that a detailed insight could be obtained.&nbsp