The influence of human resource practices, social support and personality traits on affective commitment: A study on private higher education colleges in Oman

The main objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence affective organizational commitment. The research framework contained three independent variables, namely Human Resource Practices (career development and financial incentives), Social Support, and Personality Traits (Conscientiousness and openness to experience). The dependent variable of this study was affective organizational commitment of employees. The targeted sample was the employees of private higher education colleges in Oman. The current research used the survey method. 181 questionnaires were distributed and 140 questionnaires were received back, giving the study a response rate of 77%. The analysis method used was structural equation modelling PLS. The main finding of the study showed that human resource practices, social support, and personality traits had significant influence on affective organizational commitment

The quality of a mathematics teacher training programme at the specialised institute for professional training of teachers in Oman

The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Oman provides many in-service training opportunities to teachers in all subject areas. One of the educational institutions that provide teacher training programs in this country is the Specialised Institute for Professional Training of Teachers. This study investigates trainees’ perceptions of factors influencing the quality of mathematics teacher training programmes (context, administration, training design, training content, facilities, trainer’s competencies, trainees’ characteristics, delivery, trainer’s follow-up, and feedback, and perceived outcomes). This qualitative case study is guided by the CAIPO (Context, Administration, Input, Processes, and Outcomes) training evaluation model. Mathematics trainee teachers from public schools in the first and second cohorts at the SIPTT were recruited as research subjects. Twelve individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among 433 Mathematics trainee teachers from public schools in the first and second cohorts at the SIPTT who attended the programme. Data were analysed through coding and thematic analysis. The trustworthiness of the findings was enhanced by triangulation, quotes from participants, data recording, and member checking. The participants indicated that the Mathematics teachers training program was of quality in terms of supportive school environment and professional learning communities in the context theme, training design, training content, facilities, trainer’s competencies, trainees’ characteristics in the input theme, delivery, trainer’s follow-up and feedback in the process theme, and perceived positive outcomes. They also reported several policies and procedures challenges in the administration theme. This study advances existing research by determining key indicators of training programme quality using CAIPO’s training evaluation model. Practically, the findings provide decision-makers at the MOE in Oman with important insights on how to improve educational training programme quality, especially for mathematics teachers. Future research could consider the investigation of other factors in Omani school environment to identify its role in influencing SIPTT training quality

Impact of Grid Unbalances on Electric Vehicle Chargers

There is a global trend to reduce emissions from cars through the adoption of other alternatives, such as electric vehicles (EVs). The increasing popularity of EVs has led to a growing demand for electric vehicle chargers. EV chargers are essential for charging the batteries of EVs. Since the EV charger stays connected to the grid for long periods of time to charge the EV battery, it must be able to handle disturbances in the power grid. The goal of this paper is to present an overview of the impact of grid events on EV battery chargers. As well as the impact of grid unbalances on EV chargers, this paper also provides an overview of the impact of grid faults on other, similar power electronics interfaced resources such as PV and energy storage systems