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Article
Publication date: 28 July 2020

Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi and Saeed Al-Muharrami

The national and global digital transformation makes investments in information and communications technology (ICT) by financial institutions a necessity, not only for gaining a…

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Abstract

Purpose

The national and global digital transformation makes investments in information and communications technology (ICT) by financial institutions a necessity, not only for gaining a competitive advantage but also for expanding their knowledge and learning about their customers. This study assesses the business value of ICT investments by financial institutions using a mixed-method approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a mixed-method approach. First, financial data were gathered from Omani banks' annual financial reports and through a longitudinal quantitative analysis in order to assess the value of ICT in financial institutions' profitability performances. Second, a Delphi qualitative approach was utilized in order to further assess how top managers view the impact of ICT investments in different aspects of business. We used an extended balanced scorecard (finance, customer, internal process and learning and growth) and a sector perspective to address how future ICT investments can offer value that goes beyond traditional metrics of profitability.

Findings

The results of the longitudinal study demonstrated significant evidence of the impact of ICT investment on finance performance indicators; ICT value is significantly positive. Furthermore, the results indicated that there is an acceptable consensus among business and ICT managers that ICT is linked to performance indicators beyond financial; ICT value is linked also to customer indicators, internal process indicators and learning and growth indicators in addition to sector indicators.

Originality/value

ICT is vital for a diversified and knowledge-based economy, especially for developing countries, because modern banking and financial institutions are relatively new in economies such as those that had previously relied on cash and informal financing institutions. Therefore, continued ICT investments face challenges and may not succeed. Most of the existing literature on ICT value has focused on tangible financial performance indicators. The financial evaluation of intangible performance indicators of ICT investments still remains a problematic area of high relevance to decision-makers. The present study provides an integrated assessment that enables financial institutions to develop their strategies and assessments in terms of ICT investments and to go beyond typical, tangible financial profitability indicators. Furthermore, it integrates assessment indicators that are beyond organizations themselves and reaches sectors and countries. This type of investigation is limited in the literature yet important for the financial sector as it is highly integrated by nature and critical to the development of a nation's economy.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Ali Tarhini, Ra’ed Masa’deh, Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi, Ashraf Bany Mohammed and Mahmoud Maqableh

This research aims to examine the factors that may hinder or enable the adoption of e-learning systems by university students.

2993

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to examine the factors that may hinder or enable the adoption of e-learning systems by university students.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was developed through extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, social influence, price value and facilitating conditions) by incorporating two additional factors, namely, trust and self-efficacy. Data were collected from students at two universities in England using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey between January and March 2015.

Findings

The results showed that behavioral intention (BI) was significantly influenced by performance expectancy, social influence, habit, hedonic motivation, self-efficacy, effort expectancy and trust, in their order of influencing the strength and explained 70.6 per cent of the variance in behavioral intention. Contrary to expectations, facilitating conditions and price value did not have an influence on behavioral intention.

Originality/value

The aforementioned factors are considered critical in explaining technology adoption but, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no study in which all these factors were modeled together. Therefore, this study will contribute to the literature related to social networking adoption by integrating all these variables and the first to be tested in the UK universities.

Details

Journal of International Education in Business, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-469X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2022

Zainab Al-Ajmi and Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi

This study aims to assess the knowledge-sharing risks and controls in the government sector from the knowledge workers’ perspective.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the knowledge-sharing risks and controls in the government sector from the knowledge workers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study combines two techniques. First, the study uses the Delphi technique to identify the risks and rank them. Second, the study used a follow-up interview approach to identify the needed controls to mitigate these identified risks.

Findings

The Delphi study revealed the top knowledge-sharing risks are related to organizational and individual risks. Furthermore, the study identified the top controls that needed to mitigate these identified risks from technology, process and people dimensions. The study findings suggested that implementing controls on people and processes is the most important, and the focus must be on them, especially in the government sector.

Originality/value

The study offers several practical implications for the government sector to establish a knowledge-sharing risks management strategy. Such study has been given little attention in previous research, especially in developing countries.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2020

Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi

Information and communications technology (ICT) is the driving force and key enabler of a knowledge economy. The purpose of this study is to identify the critical ICT indicators…

Abstract

Purpose

Information and communications technology (ICT) is the driving force and key enabler of a knowledge economy. The purpose of this study is to identify the critical ICT indicators that foster the development of the knowledge economy and its main pillars (education, innovation and economic and institutional regimes) in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative approach and conducted four Delphi studies on four groups of experts (ICT experts, educators, innovation experts and economists) in Oman.

Findings

The results indicated that the most commonly top-listed ICT indicators of a boost in the country’s knowledge economy are related to the national level (total research and development expenditure on ICT, ICT patents as a percentage of national total and ICT as an overall priority for the government), firm level (the proportion of businesses using the internet, the proportion of businesses using computers and the proportion of businesses with a Web presence), and inhabitant level (mobile phone subscribers per 100 inhabitants, internet subscribers per 100 inhabitants and personal computers per 100 inhabitants).

Originality/value

ICT is the driving pillar of a knowledge economy. The literature indicated that most of the ICTs for development studies are conducted in developed countries; hence, there is a great need for investigations in the context of less developed economies such as Oman. This study can provide insights for the country on how to develop and exploit ICT to boost the development of the overall knowledge economy and its pillars and to provide guidance for exploiting ICT to gain economic value. Oman’s vision for 2020 and 2040 aims at economic diversification; the knowledge economy is a critical aspect of the country’s economic diversification. In addition, the literature indicated that the relationship between ICT and development is still not clear; hence, this study provided some insights into the context of knowledge economy development.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 50 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2017

Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi and Lorne Olfman

Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing…

5151

Abstract

Purpose

Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing processes and systems will not only be challenged by individual and organizational factors but also by social, technical and political inter-organizational factors. This paper aims to investigate the impact of knowledge worker, peer, IOKSS, organization and sector factors on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Knowledge workers are the key stakeholders that enable the survival of IOKSS.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected, through a questionnaire, from knowledge workers in the education and the health sectors.

Findings

This study found that the human factors (related to knowledge workers and their peers) have significant direct impact on intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Other factors, such as IOKSS system, organization and sector factors showed indirect impacts on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Such investigation can be very valuable for developing countries as technological innovations such as IOKSS can be crucial for training and building human resources, and national knowledge management.

Originality/value

Little is empirically known about the enablers of sharing knowledge in systems that connect organizations in horizontal linkage in a specific sector or industry. The study also adds value to under investigated region.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 47 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Himyar Al-Jabri and Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi

Inter-organizational knowledge transfer (IOKT) is important especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Organizations need external knowledge to improve learning…

Abstract

Purpose

Inter-organizational knowledge transfer (IOKT) is important especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Organizations need external knowledge to improve learning capabilities and their own competitiveness. SMEs are important for every nation’s economy. IOKT can enable SMEs’ learning and innovation and consequently its contribution to the national economy. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the IOKT process in Omani SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses qualitative methodology. Participants were ten Omani SMEs from the information and communications technology sector, a knowledge-intensive sector. The study is based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews and content analysis.

Findings

The results confirmed that inter-organizational knowledge is considered to be important to SMEs. This research also showed that IOKT is affected by many factors related to the donor organization, recipient organization, nature of the knowledge and inter-organizational dynamics. The core factor to IOKT in SMEs is risk and trust.

Originality/value

Literature shows that there is an emphasis on the importance of studying knowledge management in SMEs; however, there is little work that has been done. Such study is even more important for Omani SMEs to improve their learning, innovation and contribution to a national diversified economy. This study provides valuable insights to establish an effective foundation for IOKT in Omani SMEs.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2012

Kamla Ali Al‐Busaidi

The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the payoffs of a corporate portal in an academic institution in Oman and its impacts on business processes and employees.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the payoffs of a corporate portal in an academic institution in Oman and its impacts on business processes and employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included 100 employees, mostly instructors, in an academic institution. The questionnaire included indicators related to the portal usage, employees’ benefits (learning, adaptability and job satisfaction) and business processes’ benefits (effectiveness, efficiency and innovativeness) constructs. Data were analyzed by PLS‐Graph 3.0, a variance‐based structural equation modeling software.

Findings

Results revealed that corporate portal has significant returns on employees’ learning, adaptability and job satisfaction, and business processes’ effectiveness, efficiency and innovation. All six hypotheses in this study were supported.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical evidence for practitioners and researchers on the benefits of a corporate portal in an academic institution in Oman.

Details

Campus-Wide Information Systems, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-0741

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 February 2014

Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi

This paper aims to assess information technology (IT) managers' perception of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of using social networking sites (SNS

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess information technology (IT) managers' perception of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of using social networking sites (SNS) for group work at government organizations. According to the research, SNS provide considerable potential and can be a valuable technology for group work in government, public and/or non-profit organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a Delphi technique to assess the SWOT from IT managers in government organizations in Oman, a developing Middle Eastern country. One of the main roles of IT managers is to develop a short-term and long-term IT strategy, and identify opportunities in new technologies. SWOT analysis is a very useful tool to strategically analyze and understand an organization's current position in any IT deployment. As an exploratory study, Delphi technique is utilized as it produces the most reliable consensus of a group of experts. Data was collected through a web-based questionnaire.

Findings

The results suggest that there are more strengths than weaknesses and more opportunities than threats. However, some weaknesses and risks are critical as they relate to security and privacy controls and breaches. The study illustrates IT managers' perception about the use of SNS in government organizations.

Originality/value

For government organizations, prior research was mainly on the use of SNS to improve communication between government organizations and citizens. Not much is known about organizations' use of public technologies for a challenging process such as group collaboration. Results can be utilized by researchers and practitioners to improve SNS use for group work and to raise organizations' and individuals' awareness about implementing some controls that eliminate the critical threats. Results also can be utilized by IT policy and strategy makers in Oman and government organizations to develop overall national policy and guidelines for the use of SNS by government organizations.

Details

VINE: The journal of information and knowledge management systems, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-5728

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2016

André de Waal and Miriam Frijns

This paper aims to investigate whether the United Arab Emirates (UAE) business context as described in the literature still matches with the UAE business context in practice. In…

1668

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the United Arab Emirates (UAE) business context as described in the literature still matches with the UAE business context in practice. In many managerial publications, and even in quite a few academic ones, warnings are given about the different and difficult business environment which exists in Arab countries. This environment is allegedly characterized by a high religious influence, a definitive centralization of power, a strong family and tribal culture and a strong role of wasta, which makes doing business in the Middle East arduous. However, the context of the UAE is not typical Arab, as it is very much multicultural with many expatriates working in both local and foreign companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical aspects of the UAE business context were derived from a literature study. The aspects of the UAE business context in practice were collected during interviews with 36 Emirati and Western and Eastern expat managers working in the UAE. Subsequently, the theoretical aspects were matched with the practical aspects.

Findings

The matching shows that the typical Arab business setting is still there but that it exists next to the international business setting.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the coexisting cultural business settings, more nuance is needed in describing the typical Arab elements of the UAE business context, to fully understand the way of operating in the UAE.

Originality/value

As during this study a cross section of nationalities working in the UAE, including Emirati, was interviewed, it gives an unique insight into the current state of affairs in the UAE.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Mohamed I. Elghuweel, Collins G. Ntim, Kwaku K. Opong and Lynn Avison

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate (CG) and Islamic (IG) governance mechanisms on corporate earnings management (EM) behaviour in Oman.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate (CG) and Islamic (IG) governance mechanisms on corporate earnings management (EM) behaviour in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ one of the largest and extensive data sets to-date on CG, IG and EM in any developing country, consisting of a sample of 116 unique Omani listed corporations from 2001 to 2011 (i.e. 1,152 firm-year observations) and a broad CG index containing 72 CG provisions. The authors also employ a number of robust econometric models that sufficiently account for alternative CG/EM proxies and potential endogeneities.

Findings

First, the authors find that, on average, better-governed corporations tend to engage significantly less in EM than their poorly governed counterparts. Second, the evidence suggests that corporations that depict greater commitment towards incorporating Islamic religious beliefs and values into their operations through the establishment of an IG committee tend to engage significantly less in EM than their counterparts without such a committee. Finally and by contrast, the authors do not find any evidence that board size, audit firm size, the presence of a CG committee and board gender diversity have any significant relationship with the extent of EM.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a first empirical attempt at examining the extent to which CG and IG structures may drive EM practices that explicitly seek to draw new insights from a behavioural theoretical framework (i.e. behavioural theory of corporate boards and governance).

Details

Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-1168

Keywords

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