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This study explores Arab university faculty's views on fully AI-generated assignments and research papers submitted by students, what reasons they give for their stance and how they react in this case. Surveys with a sample of 45 Arab instructors revealed that 98% do not accept AI-generated assignments and research papers from students at all. They gave numerous reasons for their position. If students submit AI-generated assignments or research papers, they would ask them to re-write them. The study recommends raising students' awareness of university policies regarding AI-generated content and introducing faculty and students to AI plagiarism detection tools. Faculty views and recommendations are reported in detail.

The banking industry in the contemporary world has an exigency for Data Quality Management (DQM). Accurate and timely data not only offers a competitive advantage for banks but also empowers the corporate management to make informed and sound decisions. The importance of DQM thus lies in its ability to bolster strategic positioning while enhancing the decision-making processes. Empirical evidence reveals that there is a significant lacuna in this study area. Hence, the purpose of this concept paper is to explore the attributes and dimensions, and to ascertain how such dimensions' impact DQM. This paper while focusing on theory synthesis, was theorised and conceptualised with the Theory of Creative Destruction (TCD), the Theory of Social Constructivism (TSC) along with the DIKAR model and the Information System Success model. The paper proposes a positivist epistemology with a deductive approach. The proposed target population in the study consists of the members of the senior staff, IT staff and the regulators in the banking industry. The unit of analysis is the individual, and the proposed technique to collect data is the purposive judgmental sampling method. The paper finally discusses the envisaged theoretical, managerial and socio-economic implications along with the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A majority of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Oman, and internationally, have adopted English as the language of education, driven by its power and its globally accepted status as the language of knowledge and communication. Such an internationalisation policy has been inadequately evaluated to examine its actual effects. This paper aims at analysing the existing literature with a view to hypothesise the effects of adopting English as a medium of instruction (EMI) on establishing intellectual capital in the Omani context. Design/methodology/approach: The paper employs a case study design that draws on data generated through a systematic review of 94 peer-reviewed papers that are synthesised using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings indicate that EMI negatively affects the optimal creation of intellectual capital through limiting access to HE, hindering knowledge transfer, impeding Omanis' employability and hindering faculty's professional growth. EMI leads HEIs to mirror the supplying countries' cultures in terms of materials, ideologies and standards. It affects teaching and research quality, training and communication, the sense of equity, belonging and self-worth amongst students and the relationships amongst faculty members. It also increases reliance on external stakeholders. Research limitations/implications: The paper highlights the interconnection between the forms of intellectual capital and how some components are antecedents to the creation of the intellectual capital forms. It establishes the moderating role the language of instruction plays in relation to the three sub forms of intellectual capital in higher education. Practical implications: The paper calls for maximising higher education intellectual capital through adopting bilingual rather than monolingual higher education. It calls upon policymakers to revisit the assumptions underlying higher education systems in order to optimise their outcomes. Originality/value: The paper is the first one that sheds light on the role of language in intellectual capital construction. Such a moderating role has received almost no attention in the higher education literature that is largely busy quantifying its outcomes rather than ensuring they are actually sustainably generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild olive, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. & G.Don) Cif. is one of the three dominant species of the common tree that exits in the ecosystem of the mountains of northern and southern Oman. There are insufficient studies about the use, ecology and preservation of this species in Oman. The mountain ecosystem habitation is highly sensitive to disturbances and not easy to rehabilitate. These disturbances are caused by range of anthropogenic effects, such as urbanisation, climate change, overgrazing, introducing non-native species, as well as naturally occurring insect pests and diseases. Introduction of cultivated olive orchards (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) in Oman was introduced in 2001 for oil production and its consumption in western Hajar Mountains has added a genetic threat where wild olives are grown. This paper highlights the importance of this subspecies in Oman and the threats that Oman is currently facing. The question is rising here "Do we need to be concerned about wild olive in Oman?" This paper gives a clear picture of the wild olive in Oman including its description, distribution, ecology and current conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to develop a Knowledge Management (KM) model in order to investigate and monitor the performance of HEIs in Oman. In this paper, a KM model of five KM components based on the relative performance factor and a critical set of 22 indicators from an original set of 180 indicators are proposed and outlined; in terms of the use of the KM categories and selected indicators, the performance of 30 Higher Education Institutions was measured and studied. In this paper, the literature and related approaches were studied. A KM model which is based on the five main components of KM, relative performance factor, indicators, weights, and data collection was proposed. Three types of data were collected from institutions to calculate the indicators/the relative performance factor, and several tests were carried out. In addition, the conceptualisation and operationalisation processes of the model are discussed. The proposed KM model was implemented in all the private institutions and the obtained results show the applicability and accuracy of the technique, and the proposed technique was compared with the classical approach. The results of the proposed approach have been tested and analysed comprehensively: these results of the statistical tests of the aforementioned proposed approach show a high level of accuracy of the results, and that the results of institutions differ significantly one from another, and also that the differences between institutions are not due to any random factor. The discussion of the numerical results shows that the performance of HEIs was placed in three categories. The findings of the paper highlight the performance of HEIs and they give significant evidence to individual HEIs and to the stakeholders so as to allow them to act on the findings and distinguish between them in terms of the actual performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper underlines the significance of free trade agreements in attracting foreign direct investment and their impact on the operational capacities of local firms in host countries. It argues that free trade agreements do not only eliminate barriers to trade, but they also increase the size of the regional market and improve the business environment, making it more attractive to foreign direct investment, along with all the attributes and spillover effects associated with it. While determining the type of spillover effects of foreign direct investment associated with Oman's trade agreements, this paper uses the Kruskal–Wallis H-test and 438 samples from companies surveyed between 1 August and 31 October 2023 to assess the impact of spillovers on the performance of the surveyed companies. The results reveal that technology transfer, knowledge transfer, labour productivity, product efficiency, capital investments, and job creation have positive effects on the firms' operational capacities, with technology transfer having the highest impact (27%), followed by labour productivity and job creation (18%). The spillover effects are almost the same for company size and percentage of ownership. They also identified manufacturing and tourism as priority sectors and the availability of a skilled workforce as a major challenge. These findings make original contribution to the field as this is probably the first study to produce a firm-level analysis of spillover effects of foreign direct investment and trade agreements in the context of Oman and the wider Gulf region. The paper concludes with practical implications for policy makers when negotiating trade agreements and designing investment policies to optimize spillover effects on the performance of their domestic firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic growth has a potential impact on waste generation worldwide. Growing recognition for resources recovery from waste including production of a clean energy has led to the development of standards for, and the generation of, Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). SRF, according to BS EN ISO 21640 is a fuel prepared from nonhazardous/treated waste to be utilized for energy recovery in incineration or co-incineration plants which meets the classification and specification. The amount of combustible fractions (i.e., plastic, textile and paper) that are present in Healthcare Waste (HCW) and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) provides an opportunity for SRF production. HCW is defined as clinical waste generated from healthcare facilities. Limited efforts in utilizing treated HCW in production of SRF were noted, despite the fact that high content of combustible fractions, hence the novelty of this research. This research addresses the opportunities of utilizing autoclaved HCW as an alternate fuel; through a detailed chemical and physical analysis of autoclaved HCW collected from the Sultanate of Oman hospital and healthcare facilities. Furthermore, this study examines the possible uses of such materials instead of landfilling. The utilization of treated HCW as an alternative fuel is not only saving the land space, but also reduces the carbon emissions originating from landfilling. This in fact would also support the government in achieving its aspiring goal of the net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through better utilization of these materials in production of SRF as an alternative to fossil fuel combustion. The study revealed that autoclaved HCW appears to have a high quality SRF and is classified as (NCV 4, Cl 3); which complies with the potential end users' specifications. It is estimated that the combined energy output from MSW and HCW combustible fractions could cover about 12.75% of the energy requirements for Oman cement factories. Implications: The results confirm the viability of using autoclave (HCW) as an alternative fuel due to its high thermal energy content. Based on mean Net Calorific Value (NCV) of analyzed HCW that is found around 14 (MJ/Kg (ar)), and the mean Cl level (i.e., 0.814 ± 0.213% (d)); the SRF is classified as (NCV4, Cl 3). This grade is found to be well within the end users accepted range. This opens up the opportunity for creating a market demand for HCW that not only it could boost its recovery, but it could also unlock the value that can generates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a study that examined the relationship between the mission statements and performance of Basic Education Schools in Oman. The process of mission statement framing was also investigated. A sample of 161 school mission statements was randomly collected from the Ministry of Education school mission portal database representing 19% of the total population. A sequential mixed method of analysis was chosen. The mission statements being classified with respect to 12 themes of which the most frequently of them appearing Academic Achievement (74.5%) and the least frequent Scientific Research Methods (26.1%).

Teaching materials is an effective factor in determining EFL learners' competence levels (Richards, 2017). Taking this into consideration, this paper aims to examine the potential effect of technology, i.e. movies, on mastering past simple among Omani EFL learners. The current quantitative study uses written tests, before and after the treatment to test the grammatical competence of the participants. This study was contextualized in Oman, at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (SCT) with 13 Omani EFL learners. A considerable increase is shown in the participants' competence level (past simple) after analyzing the results of pre and post-tests. This indicates a beneficial influence of using English movies in English classrooms on learning past simple tense. Consequently, this research totally recommends the integration of English movies in EFL classes in order to solve the problem of learners' poor grammatical abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the intersection of neoliberal ideologies and language policy in the context of Chinese language education in Oman's higher education system. Drawing on critical discourse analysis and theoretical frameworks of neoliberalism, the study investigates the introduction of Chinese language programmes within Omani universities, with a focus on Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Through analysis of public documents, interviews and instructional materials, this paper examines how neoliberal free-market ideologies influence the implementation and perception of Chinese language education. Key research questions address the manifestation of neoliberal ideologies in programme policies, stakeholder perceptions and suggestions for pedagogical improvement. The findings reveal a complex interplay between geopolitical, economic and educational factors shaping language policy and its implications for Oman's higher education system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Using the multi-product dual revenue function framework, this paper examines the nature and extent of technical and economic interactions among five demersal species of Al-Batinah demersal fishery, Oman during the 2010-2016 period. The parameters of the system of output supply functions are estimated using Zellner's seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) technique. The likelihood ratio test in relation to the structure of the multi-output production technology rejects the null-hypothesis of input-output separability and non-jointness in inputs. These results suggest that the underlying production technology is non-separable between the outputs and the quasi-fixed input, and the harvesting level of one species is likely to have spill-over economic effects on the harvesting levels of others. The own-price elasticities of output supply are found to be positive, inelastic, and statistically significant in four out of five cases suggesting that, other things being equal, fishers' supply decisions are influenced by the prevailing market prices of outputs. The estimated values of the cross-price elasticity of supply are negative, inelastic and statistically significant at the 5% level for eight output pairs. The calculated values of the Morishima elasticity of substitution (MES) indicate the presence of substitutability between ten output pairs. The cross-price elasticity estimates are in the range of - 0.001 (between Emperor and Catfish) to - 0.275 (between Seabream and Grouper) which is lower (in absolute value) than that of the MES estimates. The magnitudes of the cross-price elasticity and the MES estimates indicate the extent of spill-over effects of one species on the other and signal the extent of species targeting by fishers. A statistically significant spatial, seasonal, and inter-annual variability is observed in all species cases. Finally, the implications of the findings are discussed from the perspective of developing effective management approaches, achieving sustainability of fisheries resources and improving fishers' socio-economic conditions stipulated in the Five-Year development plans for the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid power plants have recently emerged as reliable and flexible electricity generation stations by combining multiple renewable energy sources, energy storage systems (ESS), and fossil-based output. However, the effective operation of the hybrid power plants to ensure continuous energy dispatch under challenging conditions is a complex task. This paper proposes a dispatch engine (DE) based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) for the planning and management of hybrid power plants. To maintain the committed electricity output, the dispatch engine will provide schedules for operation over extended time periods as well as monitor and reschedule the operation in real time. Through precise prediction of the load and the photovoltaic (PV) and wind power outputs, the proposed approach guarantees optimum scheduling. The precise predictions of the load, PV, and wind power levels are achieved by employing a predictor of the Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN) type. With such a dispatch engine, the operational costs of the hybrid power plants and the use of diesel generators (DGs) are both minimized. A case study is carried out to assess the feasibility of the proposed dispatch engine. Real-time measurement data pertaining to load and the wind and PV power outputs are obtained from different locations in the Sultanate of Oman. The real-time data are utilized to predict the future levels of power output from PV and from the wind farm over the course of 24 h. The predicted power levels are then used in combination with a PV–Wind–DG–ESS–Grid hybrid plant to evaluate the performance of the proposed dispatch engine. The proposed approach is implemented and simulated using MATLAB. The results of the simulation reveal the proposed FFNN's powerful forecasting abilities. In addition, the results demonstrate that adopting the proposed DE can minimize the use of DG units and reduce a plant's running expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dhofar movement, which lasted for ten years, was initially influenced by Arabian nationalism led by Gamal Abdul Nasser, but shifted towards the Eastern bloc after the Arabs' defeat by Israel (1967 AD). Shortly before England's withdrawal from Persian Gulf when Sultan Qaboos entered Oman's political scene (1970 AD), Iran suppressed the movement with British and American support. The influences of Arabian nationalism and the communism current were the two major challenges during this decade shaping Iran's political response to the movement. Iran implicitly declared neutrality to the movement despite confirming legitimacy of its religious leader. However, once Sultan Qaboos rose to power, Iran directly participated in the suppression of the movement. The main concern of this descriptive-analytical paper is to know why this happened. Findings show that the above-mentioned challenges significantly impacted on Iran's adoption of two distinct political approaches: While affirming the legitimacy of Sultan's adversaries, Iran initially avoided bolstering the movement's position against the West and maintained positive neutrality and refrained from any actions. Later on, to consolidate the position of the new sultan and to confront the growing influence of the East, Iran suppressed the movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It seems that one cannot find many papers relating entropy to sport competitions. Thus, in this paper, I use (i) the Shannon intrinsic entropy (S) as an indicator of "teams sporting value" (or "competition performance") and (ii) the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHi) as a "teams competitive balance" indicator, in the case of (professional) cyclist multi-stage races. The 2022 Tour de France and 2023 Tour of Oman are used for numerical illustrations and discussion. The numerical values are obtained from classical and and new ranking indices which measure the teams "final time", on one hand, and "final place", on the other hand, based on the "best three" riders in each stage, but also the corresponding times and places throughout the race, for these finishing riders. The analysis data demonstrate that the constraint, "only the finishing riders count", makes much sense for obtaining a more objective measure of "team value" and team performance", at the end of a multi-stage race. A graphical analysis allows us to distinguish various team levels, each exhibiting a Feller-Pareto distribution, thereby indicating self-organized processes. In so doing, one hopefully better relates objective scientific measures to sport team competitions. Moreover, this analysis proposes some paths to elaborate on forecasting through standard probability concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study provides an evaluation of the knowledge and skills importance covered in the degree of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) as well as the knowledge and skills gap of graduates entry-level. Design/methodology/approach: The study used both descriptive and exploratory research designs. The study adopted a self-administered questionnaire. The sample size is 41 logistics industry mid-managers of six organizations selected from the main operators of Sohar Port in Oman. Findings: The findings reveal that logistics professionals agree on the importance of all the learner attributes, knowledge and cognitive skills, and general competencies identified in a university degree with a major in LSCM. Furthermore, the results identified moderate levels of gaps in five knowledge areas and six soft and hard skills of graduates at the entry level. Research limitations/implications: Further research can be built on this study findings by evaluating the perception of logistics and supply chain industry professionals in different global contexts and investigate the effectiveness of different training and educational programs in enhancing the knowledge and skills of logistics professionals in various regions. Practical implications: This study may extend beyond Oman and have important implications for LSCM practices in other developing countries. Universities' management in developing countries can use this study findings to identify the key skills required by entry-level logistics professionals and incorporate them into their curricula to better prepare graduates for the workforce. In addition, the skills identified in our study, such as decision-making skills, managing stress, negotiation skills and critical thinking, are relevant to logistics professionals in other developing countries with similar socio-economic and industry characteristics. Originality/value: Unlike the prior studies that focused on the mismatch between educational degrees and job requirements without considering study specializations and industry, this paper lays a nuanced understanding of the knowledge and skills gap associated with entry-level graduates of the logistics and supply chain industry. As such, the paper offers inputs for the LSCM academic degree related to knowledge and skills needed by logistics and supply chain industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Andalus journal for Humanities & Social Sciences is the property of Alandalus University for Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Al-Andalus journal for Humanities & Social Sciences is the property of Alandalus University for Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research paper investigates the impact of natural resources volatility on economic growth. The paper focused on three resource-rich economies, namely, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Using data from 1970 to 2016 and employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration approach, we found that both natural resources and their volatility matter from the perspective of growth. The study found strong evidence in favor of a positive and statistically significant relationship between natural resources and economic growth for the economies of UAE and Saudi Arabia. Similarly, for the economy of Oman, a positive but insignificant relationship is observed between natural resources and economic growth. However, we found that the volatility of natural resources has a statistically significant negative impact on the economic growth of all three economies. This study contradicts the traditional concept of the resources curse and provides evidence of the resources curse in the form of a negative impact of volatility on economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oman and its conflict management model are the focus of this paper. This model has crystalized out of the three stand‐alone but complementary systems of conflict resolution which evolved in an ad hoc fashion: the institute of tribal leaders; the reconciliation committees; and the formal judicial system. These systems offer a foundation for the current efforts of the local people to sustain a peaceful co‐existence among the vibrant and ethnically diverse Omani communities known for their turbulent past. The analyzed data obtained from interviews with Omani tribal leaders, reconciliation committee members, and lawyers shed light on both the strengths of the conflict management model and the modern challenges which the model faces. The findings confirm that this model represents a coherent entity run by an integrated constitutional‐tribal order. They also suggest that the model serves as a state mechanism for balancing power between the country's major players—the government and the institute of tribal leaders. The novel contribution of this paper lies in linking the origin and philosophy of each system with the "mediation identity" of Oman's foreign policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assessed the performance of General Foundation Programs (GFPs) in Oman in the area of 'Student Entry and Exit Standards'. Data was collected from the GFP quality audit reports prepared and published by Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA). The study adopted a simple descriptive data analysis method, consisting of identifying the formal conclusions issued by OAAAQA (Commendations, Affirmations, and Recommendations) and analyzing their distribution (frequency of occurrence and percentages) and the issues they covered. The study found out that (a) HEIs are yet to establish sustainable practices in their GFPs in relation to entry and exit standards; and (b) the systems in the GFP are still underdeveloped and practices are largely unsystematic. The paper ended by highlighting four improvement suggestions in order to ensure GFP effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a modified Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) framework, this paper assesses progress towards sustainability over time with a case study of the demersal trawl fishery of Oman, which has been transformed and turned into the coastal fishery after the trawl ban. A multi-criteria decision analysis method is used for ranking the years and deciding on the best performing year under five alternative scenarios related to the core components involving humans and the environment. Under the environment component, the year 2001 stood out as the best across all scenarios. The combined results also echoed the same in four out of five scenarios. With reference to progress towards sustainability during the study period, no clear positive year-to-year trend was observed from the overall results. The analysis of the S2 scenario revealed that the closed fishing season during 1998–2001 yielded a positive spill-over effect on the local economy. The results from a comparative analysis indicated that the strengths (weaknesses) of the year 2001 were predominantly associated with the environment (human) component, and thereby, reflecting a comparatively higher conservation outcome in the year 2001. The findings from the comparative analysis would guide fishery managers in designing appropriate strategies for improving weaknesses of the preferred option and reducing the inter-scenario risk by combining positive features of the second-best option. The framework outlined in the present paper can be used to guide the sustainability assessment of other local fisheries (for instance, the lobster, abalone, and shrimp fisheries) including the recently developed coastal fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delay in construction projects due to scheduling is considered one of the most common problems causing a mass of negative effects on the project and its participating parties. The purpose of this paper is to assess contractor schedules in Oman against the GAO's Scheduling Best Practices and to find out the 20% causes of 80% of scheduling problems according to Pareto Chart. In this paper 9 schedules from local contractor analyzed and compared to the 10 best practices listed in GAO Schedule Assessment Guide. Pareto Chart technique applied and found out that schedules have bad weakness in assigning resources to all activities. List of recommendations given according to GAO's Scheduling Best Practices to come over this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little research on the effectiveness of the rhetorical strategies adopted by governments in COVID-19 crisis communication. This study aimed to answer the following two questions: (1) What are the ethos-related rhetorical strategies used in the official Arabic discourse of COVID-19 crisis communication in Oman? (2) Aligned with Seeger's model of best practice in crisis communication, to what extent are these ethos-related rhetorical strategies effective in delivering a successful crisis response communication? The data came from Oman's COVID-19 Supreme Committee press conference. The data included the first six press conferences covering the period from April 2, 2020 to May 7, 2020. The study showed that Oman's COVID-19 crisis communication exhibits a variety of ethos-related rhetorical strategies, mainly to establish, reinforce and restore speaker's credibility. The study also showed that Oman's COVID-19 crisis communication was effective from a rhetorical perspective because it made use of rhetorical strategies that aligned well with Seeger's best practice of honesty, candor and openness. One of the key recommendations of this paper is to call for Seeger's model to be expanded to cover areas that this model does not currently address, namely speaker's competence and message believability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In response to the users of financial statements' need for better communication value from audit reports, auditors are required to expand the format and content of their reports. This paper aims to investigate the heterogeneity of key audit matters (KAM) for big4 audit firms. Design/methodology/approach: Using a pool of 273 year-observations from the Omani capital market for the period 2016–2019, a quantile regression approach is adopted to achieve this purpose because it can provide a broader picture of this heterogeneity. Findings: The results indicate that all types of big4 audit firms are associated with lower numbers of KAM. However, each big4 audit firm reports these KAM differently. Also, the results indicate heterogeneity in the number of KAM among the partners of each firm. Specifically, partners in some big4 audit firms show a significant association with fewer KAM while others are insignificant. Some partners of Ernst and Young show a positive association with a higher number of KAM. Overall, the results confirm the heterogeneity among auditors in styling their KAM disclosure. Originality/value: There are crucial implications for various policymakers. This paper is the first to analyse KAM aspects at the partner level and use quantile regression to detect the effect of audit firms on KAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of social media platforms has changed human communication once and forever and consequently, has triggered an array of emotions such as fear of missing out (FoMO). In two different studies, this paper investigated individual differences, psychological and social media motivational variables as predictors of FoMO. The paper also sought to test whether FoMO will have a negative impact on academic performance above and beyond social media engagement and social media addiction. Using a structural equation modelling (SEM) along with multiple mediation analysis, the results indicated that perceived excessive social media content generation, attention seeking, and personality variables significantly predicted FoMO controlling for individual differences and social media activity such as Instagram followers, Twitter followers, as well as WhatsApp engagement level. Furthermore, the biological sex of the individual was found to moderate the relationship between attention seeking and FoMO. Findings also indicated that FoMO had a positive impact on both social media engagement and social media addiction. Parallel mediation analysis revealed that FoMO had a negative effect on academic performance above and beyond social media addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering Research is the property of Sultan Qaboos University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There are global university rankings of higher educational institutions. Public and private universities around the world endeavour to improve their rankings and to be at the top of the ranking lists. These rankings help students in finding out prominent universities for getting admitted, and after graduation in a better job placement. There are significant key performance indicators (KPIs) to determine these rankings. These KPIs are based on data, knowledge and information of a university (higher education institution [HEI]). Effective decision making through these KPIs improve the ranking and performance of the university. Business intelligence (BI) software for educational institutions is dedicated towards the provision of solutions for decision making. Therefore, the BI software might improve academic performance. However, literature reveals that the failure rate of BI projects is between 70% to 80%. In addition, they are costly solutions and require a huge amount of time for implementation. Hence, there is a need to find alternate solutions for better decision making that is economical and time efficient. An improvement in performance means improvement in the ranking of the university that is centred on better decision making, focusing on the significant KPIs, such as KPIs used by the Times Higher Education for world's university rankings and QS university rankings. This paper offers a framework of decision making through a visual digital dashboard for the vice chancellors (heads or presidents) of higher education institutions, based on a formal working structure of a university. Moreover, this framework focuses on policies and procedures linked to specific KPIs of the university and the impacts of these policies or procedures on these KPIs. Visual digital dashboard provides the statistics through comparison reports, flowcharts, graphs and trends. Effective decisions could be taken to improve the performance of an underperforming KPI; if there is a need of improvement for the KPI, a revision(s) is recommended in the policy or linked procedure(s) of that KPI, and the impact of revision(s) is measured again through the visual digital dashboard of decision making. These revisions of policies or procedures linked to any KPI is a continuous process until an expected outcome is achieved. According to the framework, some departments of the university play a vital role in the implementation and revisions of these policies or procedures. This framework is termed as VCDBDM (Vice Chancellor's Dashboard of Decision Making) framework that offers a visual digital dashboard as a decision support system to the vice chancellors (VCs)/heads/presidents of the universities. Altogether, the offered framework of VCDBDM provides an opening to the universities of Oman, GCC countries, MENA region, and worldwide universities concerning its application for successful decision making and improvements in the performances and rankings of the universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vertical Farming (VF) is a technique of growing food in vertically stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces. Theoretically, it has the capability of growing any crops, fruits, or vegetables. The modern techniques of vertical farming through a controlled environment can support the growth and harvest of a crop irrespective of the season and climatic conditions. The newer modern techniques of VF have further reduced the dependency on sunlight, soil, and water. This paper analyses the appropriateness of vertical farming for developing countries like Oman. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper is based on secondary data and establishes the arguments in favor and against vertical farming. Findings: The findings support the need for vertical farming and suggest that it is very appropriate for the urban setups, where it reduces the transportation cost and facilitates the availability of fresh and pesticide-less food products Research Limitations: The major limitation of this paper is that it only accounts the secondary information, the empirical investigation is missing. Managerial Implications: This paper implies government policies, allied agencies, and the agricultural sector. Originality/Value: This paper is an original paper based on secondary data, providing a conceptual model for Oman, on which very limited studies in the given context is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces an innovative method employing the Canny edge detector for automatic and precise coastline extraction, aiming to analyze spatial and temporal variations in the Oman coastline from 2000 to 2022 using GIS and remote sensing (RS) techniques. Focusing on both multi-decadal and short-term periods, the study aims to detect accretion and erosion rates through the observation and interpretation of coastal changes. Utilizing the Digital Shoreline Analysis System and LANDSAT imageries, Shoreline changes have been quantitatively evaluated using three distinct approaches: Linear Regression Rate (LRR), End Point Rate (EPR), and Net Shoreline Movement (NSM). The dynamic nature of the Oman coastal region necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its evolving coastline. Our investigation applies digital shoreline analysis to discern shifts in the coastline's position, employing a multiple regression approach for quantifying the rate of coastal change. To facilitate automatic shoreline extraction, various methods were experimented with, ultimately determining the Canny Edge algorithm's superiority in yielding precise results. The paper outlines the monitoring procedures for the coastal area and analyzes coastline changes using geospatial techniques. This analysis provides valuable insights for the planning and management of the Oman shore. Furthermore, the proposed model's applicability is rigorously tested against other generic edge detection algorithms, including Sobel, Prewitt, and Robert's techniques. The conclusive findings demonstrate that our model outperforms these alternatives, particularly excelling in the accurate detection of the coastline. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of coastal dynamics and offers a robust methodology for coastal monitoring, with implications for effective planning and management strategies in the Oman shore region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical power generation in Oman depends mainly on natural gas, while in rural areas it is based mainly on diesel fuel. Oman has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The objective of this paper is to propose an optimal energy mix model for electricity generation from various energy sources, such as gas, diesel, wind, and photovoltaic, that considers more renewable sources in the energy mix. The optimization model minimizes various costs such as construction cost, operation cost, fuel cost, and carbon emissions, while satisfying the load demand. In this paper, Masirah Island is selected to perform our analysis. Several scenarios are contemplated, including grid extension to the island. The results found that gas-powered generators with 20% PV and storage are the best option in terms of the levelized cost of electricity. The grid extension is an economically feasible option if the existing load is more than doubled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective interpretation of what is valuable to society is paramount for evaluating the merits of an intervention. As a result, social value (SV) evaluation go beyond objective evaluations. This evaluation is organic and has to do with the continuous challenges of being in the world with others, thus using different approaches to overcome social and environmental issues. Studies on SV overlooked how non-Western societies perceive SV in development projects. Hermeneutics is suitable to reveal SV's social dimensions and explore individuals' perceptions through their lived experiences beyond quantitative modelling. Therefore, this study applies a hermeneutical approach to SV to dissect the lived experiences of individuals working in national infrastructure planning in a non-Western society, which is Oman. The paper analyses 11 semi-structured interviews conducted with governmental decision-makers about Oman's infrastructure development. Findings present a total of 14 outputs and 11 outcomes for developing an SV model mapped across different national infrastructure sectors. These sectors are energy, ICT, transport, waste, and water. Findings determine different sectors provide different forms of SV, with an energy sector project being the highest contributor of SV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to empirically investigate time–frequency linkages between Euramerican mature and Asian emerging crude oil futures markets in terms of correlation and risk spillovers. Design/methodology/approach: With daily data, the authors first undertake the MODWT method to decompose yield series into four different timescales, and then use the R-Vine Copula-CoVaR to analyze correlation and risk spillovers between Euramerican mature and Asian emerging crude oil futures markets. Findings: The empirical results are as follows: (a) short-term trading is the primary driver of price volatility in crude oil futures markets. (b) The crude oil futures markets exhibit certain regional aggregation characteristics, with the Indian crude oil futures market playing an important role in connecting Euramerican mature and Asian emerging crude oil futures markets. What's more, Oman crude oil serves as a bridge to link Asian emerging crude oil futures markets. (c) There are significant tail correlations among different futures markets, making them susceptible to "same fall but different rise" scenarios. The volatility behavior of the Indian and Euramerican markets is highly correlated in extreme incidents. (d) Those markets exhibit asymmetric bidirectional risk spillovers. Specifically, the Euramerican mature crude oil futures markets demonstrate significant risk spillovers in the extreme short term, with a relatively larger spillover effect observed on the Indian crude oil futures market. Compared with India and Japan in Asian emerging crude oil futures markets, China's crude oil futures market places more emphasis on changes in market fundamentals and prefers to hold long-term positions rather than short-term technical factors. Originality/value: The MODWT model is utilized to capture the multiscale coordinated motion characteristics of the data in the time–frequency perspective. What's more, compared to traditional methods, the R-Vine Copula model exhibits greater flexibility and higher measurement accuracy, enabling it to more accurately capture correlation structures among multiple markets. The proposed methodology can provide evidence for whether crude oil futures markets exhibit integration characteristics and can deepen our understanding of connections among crude oil futures prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Musandam peninsula (northern part of the Oman thrust-and-fold belt), although flanked by a foreland basin rich in petroleum resources, has remained so far without a proven play. As part of an exploration project that covered partly the exposed external part of the peninsula made up of mainly Mesozoic carbonate platform, i.e., Arabian (including the equivalents of the producing reservoirs), the study of its outcrops, easily accessible along existing valleys, became the best opportunity to record details far beyond the resolution allowed by seismic surveys or wells and thus, to refine the structural model. The purpose of the paper is to update the general tectonic framework based on novel observations presented as series of outcrop pictures, supplemented with two interpreted seismic lines imaging the subsurface structure. These observations were made in around two hundred points where bed and/or fault/fold axis positions were measured or estimated, eventually modifying an existing geological map. Although it has been generally considered that in Musandam peninsula the fault systems affecting the Arabian platform were related in essence only to the continuing shortening since Late Cretaceous (after the obduction of the Semail ophiolite), the first outcomes of the fieldwork refer to those tectonic events pre-dating the contraction in the foreland plate which have not been previously noticed, namely a widespread Upper Triassic extension followed by inversion and development of a major angular unconformity at the Jurassic base (an equivalent of the "Old Cimmerian phase" encountered elsewhere along former Neo-Tethys margins). Within the newly installed carbonate platform, a second but milder angular unconformity occurs at the Dogger/Liassic boundary. Surprisingly, two ubiquitous ~ 20-m-thick reservoir beds—Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic—leaked (everywhere accessible) hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulfide odor upon hammering. Other new outcomes are related to the structures and tectonic displacements induced during the shortening period, which appear far more complex and significantly larger than usually interpreted, as documented by series of thrusts making a duplex system, farther coupled within the foredeep to a triangle zone as supported by seismic data; these data also allowed to depict an offshore canyon initiated roughly at the Oligocene base which lies in continuity with a few small Paleogene clastic units cropping out just downstream the northern Musandam valleys (in UAE). The last (Late Miocene) major outcropping structure is a NW–SE-trending long and steep reverse fault running from near the confluence of valleys Shah and Bih in the south, up to at least the western parts of the Tibat and Bukha offshore hydrocarbon fields (Sultanate of Oman) in the north (called herein Bukha-Tibat-Ghalilah-Rahbah fault), which cuts obliquely the former nappe pile. As it appears to be synchronous with the orthogonal, also major, Dibba fault (SE margin of the Musandam platform), but of opposing kinematics (the latter is normal), one can infer that ~ E-W sinistral wrenching had acted upon the peninsula before the shortening was transferred to the Zagros system. Coeval with them or younger, a system of normal faults trending variously around N-S, with throws up to 100 m, was mapped. The main fieldwork results reported in the paper bring significant improvements to the understanding of the Musandam belt by highlighting previously overlooked tectonic events (particularly the early rifting), refining the structural geometry of the successive fault systems and adding new constraints on the regional kinematics and evolution. Furthermore, the onset of the Musandam nappe pile erosion can be placed confidently at around the beginning of the Oligocene, older than previously considered. Through the depiction of the aforementioned reservoir beds and a direct indication of a new perspective in terms of viable source rocks in the subsurface, the accompanying suggestions may trigger a rejuvenation of the prospectivity-oriented research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing evidence that a companionship is an important tool for improving the quality of care provided to pregnant women during the labour and delivery process. The literature review shows very limited studies assessing the role of companions during childbirth from the companion's point of view. Many published papers studied the role and satisfaction of pregnant women but not their companions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the role and effect of companions during childbirth in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, between June 2022 and April 2023. Companions were interviewed face-to-face at a time convenient to them. A telephone interview was conducted with those who left the hospital early. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data and other sections, including the nature of the help provided by the supportive companion, their effects on the women who gave birth, and the timing of their presence during companionship. Results: A total of 214 companions were included in this study with the mean age of 42.54 years. The most common relationship to the pregnant women was mothers (35.7%), followed by husbands (30.5%). The majority of companions provided support during admission (62.6%), in the immediate post-partum ward (56.5%) and during delivery (54.2%), while a minority helped from admission to discharge (22.4%). The most common type of support provided was encouraging words (89.7%) followed by transferring things (43.9%), massage (37.4%) and touch (33.6%). The majority of companions (96.7%) reported that their support helped very much, and the pregnant women felt better and calmer. Conclusions: Labouring women felt better and calmer because of the presence of companions. Companions preferred to be present in the postpartum and during labour and delivery. The majority of companions support their labouring women by encouraging wards. Companions love and encourage others to support their labouring women during their critical times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zagros foldbelt – foreland system in SW Iran is a prolific hydrocarbon province with known reserves of more than 90 billion brl of oil and 800 TCF of natural gas. Establishing the structural style of folding in the Zagros area presents a major challenge due both to the geographical extent of the foldbelt, which is some 1600 km long in total, and the presence of marked lateral variations in fold style related to the complex regional tectonic history. In addition, while numerous high‐quality structural studies of the Zagros have been completed over the last 20 years, they support a variety of different interpretations and are therefore $$difficult to synthesize. In this paper, we review the general structural style of the Zagros fold‐and‐thrust belt in SW Iran, and in particular the style of folding in the Lurestan arc, Dezful embayment, Izeh Zone and Fars arc. We summarise relationships between folding in these areas and fracture development, and investigate the timing of folding and the interaction between NW‐SE oriented "Zagros" folds and north‐south oriented "Arabian" folds. Finally, we briefly assess the implications of fold style for petroleum systems in the Zagros area. Although no new data are presented in this paper, a series of unpublished maps are used to illustrate the main results and include: a map showing the extent of the main detachment levels across the Lurestan, Dezful and Fars structural domains; two palaeotectonic maps (for Late Cretaceous – Paleocene and Miocene – Pliocene times, respectively), showing the position of the deformation fronts of the Zagros and the North Oman thrust systems and their potential spatial and temporal relationship with folding; and a set of four maps showing the distribution of reservoir rocks which are grouped by age into the Permian – Triassic Dehram Group, the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Khami Group, the Late Cretaceous Bangestan Group, and the Oligocene – Miocene Asmari Formation. In addition, for the Lurestan, Dezful and Fars structural domains, a series of regional cross‐sections at the same scale are presented and discussed. Most of the data in this review paper were acquired in order to gain an improved understanding of the petroleum systems in the Zagros area; however the data are used here to investigate a range of interacting processes including tectonics, sediment deposition and subsurface fluid flow in the development of the fold‐and‐thrust belt and its associated foreland basins. The resulting synthesis is intended to provice a starting point for future tectonostratigraphic and hydrocarbon‐related studies which will make use of both existing and new multidisciplinary techniques to constrain the results. The knowledge acquired and the techniques used will be of benefit in future challenges including the identification of subsurface reservoirs suitable for the permanent storage of CO2 to mitigate the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen and synthetic fuels are increasingly recognized as a key strategic element for the progress of the global energy transition. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with its large wind and solar potential, is well positioned to generate renewable energy at low cost for the production of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, and is therefore considered as a potential future producer and exporter. Yet, while solar and wind energy potentials are essential, other factors are expected to play an equally important role for the development of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels (export) sectors. This includes, in particular, adequate industrial capacities and infrastructures. These preconditions vary from country to country, and while they have been often mentioned in the discussion on green hydrogen exports, they have only been examined to a limited extent. This paper employs a case study approach to assess the existing infrastructural and industrial conditions in Jordan, Morocco, and Oman for the development of a green hydrogen and downstream synthetic fuel (export) sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishing wealth is one of the richest resources in the Sultanate of Oman. It is considered as one of the most important economic developments that nation depends on in a larger way. The Sultanate of Oman is characterized by the presence of a large fishing fleet as the number of fishing vessels and boats in it. Good research with the application of modern technology in fishermen boats is required to increase the quality of fishing by providing fishermen with a safe and secure fishing experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) in boat automation technology is new and it is a mandatory demand for Oman's fisheries sector. At the time of fishing, there are a lot of problems fishermen face such as weather changes, border tracking, navigation, illegal fishing, pirate attack, oil spill, technical fault in boats, etc. Therefore, the application of AI and related techniques in boat automation, information sharing, and preparation of documentation resources is very important in this sector. The main requirement for a fisherman is a high-quality fishing boat with proper communication devices to provide all the required information to fishermen and the control room. In this paper, a review has been made on fishermen's boats with artificial intelligence for a sustainable fishing experience ensuring safety, security, navigation, and sharing information for Omani fishermen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an overview of the current status of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disorders (DD) in Oman. A review of demographic and background information about Oman is first presented, followed by an overview of the current status of individuals with autism and developmental disorders, in terms of disability-related legislation, prevalence and diagnosis, as well as treatment and education. In the last section of the paper, major challenges faced in the field are addressed, including lack of autism awareness, lack of healthcare and educational programs or related services, lack of highly qualified professionals to implement evidence-based practices, issues regarding early identification and early intervention, as well as issues pertaining secondary transition, independent living and employment. Corresponding recommendation is proposed at the end of each challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examined the relationships between patient‐centred care, diabetes self‐management and selected health outcomes for Omani patients with type‐2 diabetes. Methods: Cross‐sectional surveys were administered for 237 patients with type‐2 diabetes. Hierarchical regression analyses examined the relationships between the selected study variables. Results: The sample was middle‐aged (M = 48, SD = 11.0 years) with nearly a decade (M = 9.68, SD = 6.11) since being diagnosed with type‐2 diabetes, with higher than ideal glycaemic control measures (M = 8.8%, SD = 2.4%). In bivariate analyses, patient‐centred care was positively associated with diabetes self‐management but not with glycaemic control or quality of life. However, after controlling demographic and clinical characteristics, patient‐centred care was positively associated with both physical and mental aspects of health‐related quality of life. In the final regression model, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics and patient‐centred care, diabetes self‐management significantly predicted both glycaemic control and both physical and mental aspects of health‐related quality of life. Conclusions: The findings support that providing individualized care may contribute to the self‐management of chronic conditions. For achieving optimal outcomes, it may be necessary for providers to effectively assess patients' unique challenges and motivations. Increasing diabetes self‐management may improve quality of life and reduce diabetes complications. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Patient‐centred care (PCC) enhances diabetes self‐management (DSM).Little is known about the primary care nurse's role in promoting DSM within a PCC model. What this paper adds? PCC contributes to DSM and improves patient health outcomes.Expecting patients with diabetes to comply with provided instructions may not be enough to change self‐management behaviours. The implications of this paper Administrators responsible for employing a PCC approach in their clinics may need to establish clear goals and expectations for each team member to achieve overall success and ensue that nurses and physicians have targeted training on specific strategies to encourage patient‐provider partnerships that support the adoption of effective DSM behaviours.As the patient‐centred model of care is implemented in Oman, medical and nursing education programmes may highlight in their curricula its potential impact upon self‐management behaviours.Observational studies and longitudinal research to monitor Oman's progress towards the transition to a PCC model of care may uncover modifiable barriers and facilitators that primary care providers encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years, particularly after Covid-19, Health care waste (HCW) has increased significantly due to the increasing population and number of healthcare organizations. HCW produces a significant risk of infectious contamination and injury. Accordingly, healthcare waste management plays a vital role in creating waste management strategies, and policies and implementing waste management plans. To build robust healthcare management systems, the risk assessment process is a key step. This paper assesses the top hazards of healthcare waste at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Oman using the Exponential Weighted Geometric Mean-Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (EWGM-FMEA). Fifteen healthcare waste hazards were selected to apply the tool. These hazards are ranked to prioritize the top hazards wastes. This assessment helps in identifying the most crucial hazards, whiche the policymakers should pay attention thus, the main countermeasures could be conducted. These hazards were proposed based on the conducted survey questionnaire and interviews accordingly, and analyses of the data have been carried out. The applied tool examined the importance of quantifying healthcare waste to apply the appropriate corrective actions which can be applied to mitigate the harm and the negative effects of healthcare waste. The results of the assessment tool will help policymakers in developing clear plans for management, disposal of wastes, and segregation. Furthermore, prioritizing healthcare waste explored the importance of integrating tthe raining plans of workers with the healthcare waste management policy. Although the prospective managerial and policy implications of this research, some limitations could be studied by future researchers. Firstly, the sample covered one hospital that may be representative of only one hospital in Oman which constrains the generalization of results. Secondly, the number of identified waste hazards is fifteen so, increased the number of hazards may help policymakers in building a more effective healthcare waste management plan which will reflect in improving the healthcare management system in the organization, mitigating the harmful effects on human health and the negative effects on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide are required to acquire accreditation for the sake of their academic reputation at the institutional as well as programs levels. Meeting the requirements of standards established by accrediting bodies can be daunting for HEIs undergoing accreditation for the first time. Drastic organizational change is required to overhaul and implement systems to meet the requirements of quality standards. HEIs in the Sultanate of Oman are determined to acquire and maintain institutional accreditation from the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA). The purpose of this paper is to describe how a HEI has undergone organizational change to meet the requirement of the research–teaching nexus standard using Lewin's and McKinsey 7-S change management models. Design/methodology/approach: This is a qualitative research which made use of primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected through focus group discussions and workshops, and documents analysis while internet resources were used for secondary data. The dimensions of the research–teaching nexus were determined through review of the literature which became the basis for evaluating the HEI's practices in the area. Lewin's and McKinsey 7-S change management models were combined to provide the conceptual framework for describing the process of change the HEI undertook. Findings: Lewin's and McKinsey 7-S change management models allowed for a systemic and systematic perspective of the change required for the HEI to meet the research–teaching nexus standards and acquire institutional accreditation. The HEI documented its practices, conducted an evaluation and instituted the changes in the dimensions of the research–teaching nexus and the supporting 7-S elements. As final result, the HEI was granted institutional accreditation. Research limitations/implications: This is a case study of the experience of an HEI in the Sultanate of Oman in its effort to acquire institutional accreditation from the OAAA. However, this case study can provide insights to a larger audience of institutions in Oman and within the Gulf region (or even outside the region) that are in the process of going through a similar experience. For those who have already undergone a similar exercise, this case study can provide a valuable comparison. Practical implications: The practical experience of the HEI in the Sultanate of Oman can provide valuable lessons/insights to those in the praxis of educational management and quality assurance in education. Social implications: Quality in education is a social issue. HEIs are pressured to acquire and maintain accreditation as evidence of quality. The case study provides the larger audience a perspective of how much effort HEIs place in this aspect. Originality/value: This paper documented the experience of an HEI in the Sultanate of Oman. This is the first paper describing an HEI's change process in a country which is also implementing a new academic accreditation system. In this paper, two change models – Lewin's and McKinsey's 7-S – were integrated to provide a more comprehensive perspective in analyzing organizational change. Review of the literature has shown that these two models have not been used together in one paper, providing novelty to otherwise "classic" models. This paper should be valuable to HEIs pursuing accreditation. It is a "universal" knowledge that acquiring accreditation is a major goal of all HEIs worldwide. The described process of organizational change should be insightful to those who are responsible for steering this process with the goal of acquiring accreditation. Educational leaders at the forefront and center of the change process should find in this paper a valuable reference material, providing a systemic and systematic view of the change they have to lead in order to acquire the much-coveted accreditation. Faculty, staff and students of HEIs can be advocates or sources of resistance. This paper should provide better understanding of the process of change and how they, as stakeholders, benefit from it. Finally, students of educational management and leadership should find this paper as a useful case study for class discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban infrastructure deals with various objects, such as multi-floor buildings, underground utilities, and other typical two-dimensional (2D) geographic information system (GIS) objects. Currently, Oman and Qatar authorities attempt to manage and handle all these spatial objects and features via spatial data infrastructure (SDI). Qatar has a long tradition of applying SDI, while Oman has made rapid progress in building SDI according to the current practices in this field. Governments in both countries work toward smart cities and e-government to meet the fourth industrial revolution requirements. Current literature, indicate that SDI could be considered a major building block for such smart initiatives in the near future. This paper describes the status and challenges of developing SDI (including 3D SDI) for Oman and Qatar. We anticipated these 2D and 3D SDI initiatives would eventually provide future direction for the smart city and e-government. The current status and challenges form major discussions of this paper. It also discusses 3D SDI development. This paper ends by describing a framework for implementing the 3D SDI. The outcomes could significantly improve the awareness for developing 3D SDI in Oman and Qatar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]