This study investigates the factors that affect the adoption of mobile payment systems in Oman, focusing specifically on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the expanding FinTech landscape. By utilizing secondary sources of data from the Central Bank of Oman and global FinTech...

This research aims to explore how digital dynamic capabilities (digital sensing, digital capturing, and digital transforming capability) enable digital transformation to enhance the environmental performance of SMEs in Oman, focusing on understanding the moderating role of cost in this...

Motivated by Oman's economic transformation agenda, this paper: (i) takes stock of the state of digitalization in Oman; (ii) provides an illustration of potential gains from enhanced digitalization; and (iii) highlights policy priorities that can support the authorities endeavors in advancing...

The transition to a vibrant economy under Oman Vision 2040 and the urgency to develop a more dynamic private sector that can absorb the entry of a young and educated labor force both stress the need to empower SMEs, which play a large role in supporting job creation and nonhydrocarbon activity...

The prevalent strong preference for public sector employment among young Omanis, coupled with demographic pressures and medium-term fiscal sustainability objectives amid economic diversification away from hydrocarbons, underscores the urgency to pivot towards a more dynamic private sector that...

Despite recent government-led initiatives to improve investor access and encourage participation by local businesses, capital markets in Oman remain relatively small and illiquid and the investor base remains dominated by domestic banks and pension funds. This paper reviews the experiences of...

The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has a strong focus on transparency, building on the Omani Vision 2040. In line with the country's long-term vision, Vision 2040 (see Box 1), the CBO is committed to enhancing its policies and operations in line with international best practices. The Central Bank...

Oman has achieved a remarkable improvement in its economic fundamentals. The fiscal and external positions have strengthened significantly, while nonhydrocarbon growth is picking up amid low inflation. Investor confidence has increased, paving the way for rising private sector investments....

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of big data disclosure on audit quality in the Omani context. Design/methodology/approach: This study used data extracted from annual reports for a sample from financial companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange over the period from 2014 to...

This study is a systematic review of literature related to human resource management (HRM) practices in the Sultanate of Oman. The study aimed to advance research and practice related to HRM practices in the context of Oman. The study evaluates the effectiveness of HRM practices in enhancing...

This study is purposed to analyse whether COVID-19 pandemic affects the sourcing arrangements IAF. This research uses the signaling theory framework and existing literature to establish hypotheses that are examined using probit regression. The analysis is conducted on a dataset comprising 141...

This study investigates the current status of implementing sustainable green marketing and the requirements of its implementation from the perspective of higher education institution students in the Sultanate of Oman. Two research tools were used to collect data, a questionnaire with a total of...

This study uses transaction cost economics theory to explain the interplay of artificial intelligence readiness, frugal innovation, and business model innovation to achieve SMEs' internationalization objectives. A survey is conducted among SMEs using cluster sampling to determine their readiness...

This Selected Issues paper revisits the exposure of Oman's fiscal position to an array of potential risks, zooming in on the impact of oil price volatility and potential risks stemming from state-owned enterprises. It documents actions taken by Omani policymakers to mitigate the impact of fiscal...

The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that Oman's economic recovery continues while inflation remains contained which is supported by favorable oil prices and sustained reform momentum. The banking sector remains resilient. Profitability has recovered to prepandemic levels, capital and...

This study delves into the dynamics of green product innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) adaption, and intellectual capital, investigating their impact on the competitiveness of firms in Oman. It emphasizes the crucial role of government intervention and R&D investments in this process....

This study explores several key aspects: (1) the impact of factors such as the environment, location of higher education institutions, personal motivation, fees, and pricing on student satisfaction; (2) the influence of these factors on students' perceptions of learning, as well as their...

Underpinned by Vision 2040, Oman aims to reduce its economic reliance on the hydrocarbon sector by diversifying its economy. Reforms are targeted to develop a well-diversified, private-led, sustainable, and inclusive economy where innovation and knowledge play a more prominent role. This...

Oman's potential nonhydrocarbon real GDP growth has trended downward since the global financial crisis, with a negative contribution from total factor productivity. This paper estimates productivity gains associated with structural reforms and identifies key binding constraints and reform...

Amid a pegged exchange rate to the US dollar and an open capital account, Oman's policy rates move closely with US monetary policy. In this analysis, we show empirically that transmission from policy rates into effective lending and deposit rates remains subdued in Oman, even compared to GCC...

Fiscal risks are multifaceted in Oman and their potential impact on the fiscal position could be significant. Identification, monitoring, transparent reporting, and effective risk management of fiscal risks are a key component of a sound medium-term fiscal framework and paramount in underpinning...

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of big data disclosure on audit quality in the Omani context. Design/methodology/approach: This study used data extracted from annual reports for a sample from financial companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange over the period from 2014 to...

This research investigates the intricacies of work-life balance among female staff members (including teaching and non-teaching) in higher educational institutions within the Sultanate of Oman. Despite the increasing participation of women in the workforce, achieving a satisfactory work-life...

Purpose Health technologies are advancing rapidly and becoming more expensive, posing a challenge for financing healthcare systems. Health technology assessment (HTA) improves the efficiency of resource allocation by facilitating evidence-informed decisions on the value of health technologies....

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...

This study aims to explore the impact of various board composition elements (board size, board meeting frequency, multiple directorships, and board independence) on capital structure decisions within emerging markets, specifically focusing on the Sultanate of Oman. The study employs a sample of...

This study is purposed to analyse whether COVID-19 pandemic affects the sourcing arrangements IAF. This research uses the signaling theory framework and existing literature to establish hypotheses that are examined using probit regression. The analysis is conducted on a dataset comprising 141...

This study is a systematic review of literature related to human resource management (HRM) practices in the Sultanate of Oman. The study aimed to advance research and practice related to HRM practices in the context of Oman. The study evaluates the effectiveness of HRM practices in enhancing...

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...

This study empirically investigates the dynamics of the relationship between import demand and foreign exchange reserves for an oil-rich and high-income developing country, Oman. This study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to investigate the impact of real income, domestic...

The study aims to investigate the relationship between ownership structure (OS) and financial performance (FP) in non-financial listed companies operating in Oman and the UAE, using panel data from 2012 to 2021. The results revealed that Tobin's Q (TQ) is positively and significantly affected by...

Despite the generally swift economic growth in the Arab Gulf countries, they still face a national problem with the unemployment of nationals. Given the relatively large inflow of foreign labor across these countries, it is essential to study the association between foreign labor and economic...

Deutschland und die EU möchten künftig Wasserstoff und dessen Derivate aus den arabischen Golfstaaten importieren. Zwar hat Deutschland dafür eine gemeinsame Absichtserklärung mit dem Sultanat Oman unterzeichnet, konzentriert seine Anstrengungen aber in erster Linie auf dessen größere...

Germany and the EU plan to import hydrogen and its derivatives from the Arab Gulf states. Although Germany has signed a joint declaration of intent with the Sultanate of Oman to this end, its efforts focus primarily on Oman's larger neighbours. However, it would be a mistake to overlook Oman's...

This study presents current evidence on the impact of different corporate ownership types on audit quality in Oman and potentially in other developing countries with similar institutional environments, such as GCC countries. While previous research has primarily focused on overall ownership...