Vol.4 No.3
September 2016
Page Number
Article Information
Knowledge Sharing Culture: A Study on the Omani Commercial Banking Sector
Tareq Alhousary and Jason Underwood
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.001
Abstract
The banking sector is one that is characterized by the high need of management experience and agility to cope with the fast-paced competition raised by the international alliances in this business. The Omani banking sector in general is one of the infrastructure businesses that has essential role in the realization of the Omani Renaissance. This sector has achieved remarkable improvements in terms of the cutting edge technology it has adopted. To reach the Omani aspiration in its economic renaissance, various soft issues beyond technology are to be tuned well to reach of the required competitiveness. Softer issues such as knowledge management are one of the critical soft issues that forms the aim of the study presented, and in particular, to explore how organizational knowledge is shared and nurtured in the sector. Questionnaire- based survey and semi-structured interviews were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from over 300 hundred banking employees from five different banks. Clustered sampling was used for the survey and interviews were selective; targeting senior administrator in the sector. The qualitative data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was used for analyzing the qualitative data. The study found that the sector has built a competitive cutting edge banking technology over relatively short span of time; however there is still vast room for improvement at the administrative side of the work. Among the recommendations, is having a conscious systematic effort by the sector administration to build physical and virtual facilities for exchanging knowledge among its employees and to provide work stability and an effective reward system for knowledge sharing behavior.
Keywords: Knowledge Management, Knowledge Sharing, Organization Culture, Oman Commercial Banking Sector
Work-Life Balance Policies in Jordanian Telecommunication Companies
Mahmoud Abubaker and Christopher Bagley
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.002
Abstract
No published work is available on work-life balance (WLB) programs in Jordan. Drawing on the methodology of Critical Realism, interviews with ten senior managers, and case studies in two large telecommunication companies were undertaken. WLB practices had both similarities and differences from those in developed countries. WLB policy and practice was constructed within three main areas: social and cultural practices; financial practices; leave arrangements. In comparison with developed countries, social practices such as praying time, Hajj leave and Ramadan concessions reflected the culture and religion of Jordan as an Arabic, Islamic country. Flexible practices, such as compressed working and paternity leave did not exist. The absence of these practices was also linked to social and cultural factors, as well to levels of current economic development. However, part-time working was developed primarily to benefit employers, rather than employees, in contrast to most developed countries.Employers’ reasons for adopting WLB practices were the level of competition in the labour market, government regulations, social and culture norms of society, pressures from women in the workforce, and pressure from labour unions. Financial practices were linked to the competitive market, reflecting the need to retain well-qualified staff. Financial benefits including subsidized childcare, paid study leave, and family health insurance, were reported to have the strongest positive impact on organisational morale and staff retention.
Keywords: Work-Life-Balance, Jordan, Qualitative Research, Critical Realism, Arab Culture, T elecommunications
Factors Affecting Demand for Internet Access in Saudi Arabia
Hisham Jameel Bardesi
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.003
Abstract
As internet use in Saudi Arabia are dramatically increasing, a powerful demand is being laid down on internet service purpose where this paper aims at identifying major factors that influence these demand pertaining to internet services. Within a selected theoretical model, such multiple factors are being conceptualized and interrelated. Using time series data, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique is employed to analyze the relationships. The results of the model indicated clearly that using the internet in Saudi Arabia is influenced most strongly by the number of educated people, the number of mobile subscribers, income, the number of fixed lines, and employment level. The results also suggest that demographic factors have a significant impact on the demand for internet, specifically, the number of educated people and levels of employment. This paper concludes with a recommendation on increasing the level of understanding of those the factors affecting practitioners who plan and promote new forms of internet services in the current competitive market.
Keywords: Internet Access, Internet Demand, Demographic Factors, OLS
The Impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in the U.S.
Ender Demir and Giray Gozgor
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.004
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the United States (U.S.) over the period of January 1978 to October 2014. We estimate an empirical model based on a travel demand-analysis. It is found that an increase in economic policy uncertainty leads to a decrease in vehicle miles traveled. This negative relationship is also observed when different model types, various control variables, and the sub- indexes of the EPU are considered in the model.
Keywords: Vehicle Miles Traveled, Travel Demand; U.S. Economy, Economic Policy Uncertainty
New Approaches in the Retail Banking System for Creating Long Term Loyalty Relationships with Customers: Case Study on the Romanian Market
Elena Lidia Melnic
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.005
Abstract
With the rise of digital technologies, increasingly informed consumers expect banks to do more than connect with them, more than satisfy them and even more than delight them. They expect banks to listen and respond to them, with personalized offers, overdrawing their expectations. Consumers have access to online reviews, compare products and can move very quickly from one partner to another, being more demanding and more prepared than ever to appreciate the offer of financial services. However, only an attractive offer of banks is not the key to success today if is not supported by a superior service culture, that can make notable differentiation in the market as a competitive advantage. In order to highlight the new approach of superior service culture in the Retail Banking System I chose to make a qualitative research on the Romanian market since Romania is one of the most attractive destinations for the investors in the banking system considering the growth prospects of attracting European funds and financial intermediation. Through this analysis I present the customers’ expectations nowadays and how successful Banks carefully cultivate customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Keywords: Customer Service, Net Promoter Score, Service Quality Index, Customer Satisfaction, Banking
Sound Labor Relations at Enterprise Level in Thailand
Vichai Thosuwonchinda
DOI: 10.15604/ejbm.2016.04.03.006
Abstract
The objective of this research was to study the pattern of sound labor relations in Thailand in order to reduce conflicts between employers and workers and create cooperation. The research was based on a qualitative approach, using in-depth interview with 10 stakeholder groups of Thai industrial relations system. They were employees of non unionized companies at the shop floor level, employees of non unionized companies at the supervisor level, trade union leaders at the company level, trade union leaders at the national level, employers of non-unionized companies, employers’ organization leaders, and human resource managers, members of tripartite bodies, government officials and labor academics. The findings were presented in a model identifying 5 characteristics that enhance sound relations in Thailand, i.e. recognition between employer and workers, good communication, trust, data revealing and workers’ participation. It was suggested that all parties, employers, workers and the government should take part in the promotion of sound labor relations. The employer have to acknowledge labor union with a positive attitude, have good communication with workers , create trust with workers, disclose information, create culture of mutual benefits as well as accept sincerely the system that include workers’ participation. Workers need a strong labor union, good and sincere representatives for clear communication, trust, mutual benefits and seek conflict solutions with employer by win-win strategy. The government has a supporting role in adjusting the existing laws in the appropriate way, by creating policy for sound labor relations, and putting the idea of sound labor relations into practice.
Keywords: Conflict, Negotiation, Sound Labor Relations
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