67 research outputs found
Fissure Extraction Using Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform and Lung Lobe Segmentation from CT Lung Images
No full textCapturing Results a Better Way : Eight Lessons in Productive Data Collection
No full textAlthough many development partners have
been discussing impact and evaluation for the last 30 years
of international development, there still seems to be
disagreement on indicators, impact, and how to collect the
data, and discussions are ongoing. Evaluations and impact
assessments are crucial for International Finance
Corporation (IFC) advisory services projects. They help
identify issues in implementing strategies that ultimately
stand in the way of realizing the project's goals and
provide vital lessons for the success of future endeavors.
Based on experiences at the IFC South Asia Enterprise
Development Facility (SEDF), the authors want to share some
lessons on how to collect monitoring and evaluation
(M&E) data in the most effective way and what data to
look for
TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORMS FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
No full textPurpose: The objective of the study is to critically examine the concept of Smart data and its influence in creating Social entrepreneurship involving community engagement.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study involves an in-depth exploratory approach in finding out the technological platform for social entrepreneurship in social engagement.
Findings: Finding the best solution to a problem varies in terms of approach. The term Social Entrepreneurship - sounds vague for some, and the possibilities of its application are virtually limitless, which encompasses a need for boundaries to demarcate its true purpose.
Practical Implications: In today’s modern world, attempting to draw out the context of business techniques with the aid of information technology to solve social problems is being regarded as an emerging approach referred to as social entrepreneurship.
Social Implications: The study confirms the idea of social entrepreneurship is being attributed to its underlying function of fostering community engagement in an attempt to draw out solutions to long-standing social problems.
Originality/Value: The vague understanding of social entrepreneurship requires a more in-depth exploration in which this article intends to achieve. 
CUSTOMER-CENTRIC INNOVATION: CASE OF OMAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
No full textPurpose: The objective of the study is to explore the concept of customer-centricity in Oman and to analyze the challenges of implementing customer-centric innovations, and the strategies in building momentum for the customer-centricity.
Design/methodology/approach: For carrying out the research study, the concept of customer-centric innovation and the current practices by selected top companies of Oman were considered.
Findings: The finding of the empirical study reveals that the organizations in Oman are finding the way to transition from its existing customer-centric approach to a more innovative and technology aligned strategy, keeping the core strategies in place that are focused on operational issues.
Practical Implications: Only a few notable organizations in the country are very open about their initiative to improve customer interaction. It is apparent that organizations in the country are still yet to realize the importance of building core strategies that put customers in the middle. Companies in Oman can drive growth by means of business process improvement that will attract more customers and building stronger business-customer relationships.
Social Implications: There are several ways in which innovation can be integrated into customer-centricity. The technologies available today provide the best tools for improving customer interaction.
Originality/value: No study has investigated before the customer-centric innovation in Oman, and this study will help the organizations especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to plan their strategies accordingly
TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORMS FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
No full textPurpose: The objective of the study is to critically examine the concept of Smart data and its influence in creating Social entrepreneurship involving community engagement.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study involves an in-depth exploratory approach in finding out the technological platform for social entrepreneurship in social engagement.
Findings: Finding the best solution to a problem varies in terms of approach. The term Social Entrepreneurship - sounds vague for some, and the possibilities of its application are virtually limitless, which encompasses a need for boundaries to demarcate its true purpose.
Practical Implications: In today’s modern world, attempting to draw out the context of business techniques with the aid of information technology to solve social problems is being regarded as an emerging approach referred to as social entrepreneurship.
Social Implications: The study confirms the idea of social entrepreneurship is being attributed to its underlying function of fostering community engagement in an attempt to draw out solutions to long-standing social problems.
Originality/Value: The vague understanding of social entrepreneurship requires a more in-depth exploration in which this article intends to achieve. </jats:p
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING MECHANISMS IN SOHAR UNIVERSITY
No full textPurposeThe objective of the study is to critically examine the mechanisms of organizational learning in Sohar University and to identify the relationship between stages of organizational learning and mechanisms of organizational learning and to examine the effectiveness and the nurturance of the pedagogical practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with 76 employees from all the departments of Sohar University, who were selected on a simple random sampling basis and were contacted through a well-defined questionnaire. FindingsThe study reveals that the employees of Sohar University are encouraged to attend external programs and seminars on new developments have been organized and the university prepares detailed plans reflecting contingency approaches. The study also confirmed that there is no relationship between demographic factors (Gender, age, qualification and teaching experience) and the Organizational learning. The study also reveals that there is an association between the Innovations, Implementation and Organization learning.Practical ImplicationsThe study has thrown light on the organizational learning process, which is the key driver in innovating, implementing and stabilizing.Research limitationsThe study was restricted to the academic staff from all the faculties of Sohar University. Many of them did not understand the concept. So the researcher has to explain them in detail before furnishing the detailed questionnaire.Social ImplicationsThe study can be extended to other colleges and universities in Oman so that the accuracy of the tools and techniques of organizational learning can be ascertained. This will induce high transmission goals to equip and uplift the participants in a positive and creative contribution.Originality/valueOnly a very few have examined the impact of Organization Learning in the Universities of Oman, and it is a first-hand study of its kind.
IMPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS TECHNOLOGY IN INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES
No full textPurpose
Social media has transformed and influenced communication, research and education in general through the vast variety of online tools which are available for communication.The objectives of the research study is to examine and analyze the influence of Social Media on the academic Performance of students and their social interpersonal skills.
Design/methodology/approach
195 samples were collected from full-time undergraduate students studying in the University from different faculties including business, engineering, law, English Studies and Language Studies. The descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze the demographic data while inferential statistics was used in testing the research hypotheses. The results obtained from the analyses were used to interpret the outcomes.
Findings
The empirical results reveal that the students get to learn through social media differently enabling them new information and are also able to communicate easily with others. The communication exchanged is irrelevant to studies and does not help them in any manner to improve their learning. It is confirmed that the Social Media effects do not support the Learning of the students and most of the students are addicted to social media.
Practical Implications
The study confirms that it is good means to approach the students through social media whichmight boost the education in an easier way.
Originality/value
The research work is of its first kind as it focuses on the impact of social media on the academic performances of the students studying in Higher Educational Institutions. </jats:p
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING MECHANISMS IN SOHAR UNIVERSITY
No full textPurposeThe objective of the study is to critically examine the mechanisms of organizational learning in Sohar University and to identify the relationship between stages of organizational learning and mechanisms of organizational learning and to examine the effectiveness and the nurturance of the pedagogical practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with 76 employees from all the departments of Sohar University, who were selected on a simple random sampling basis and were contacted through a well-defined questionnaire. FindingsThe study reveals that the employees of Sohar University are encouraged to attend external programs and seminars on new developments have been organized and the university prepares detailed plans reflecting contingency approaches. The study also confirmed that there is no relationship between demographic factors (Gender, age, qualification and teaching experience) and the Organizational learning. The study also reveals that there is an association between the Innovations, Implementation and Organization learning.Practical ImplicationsThe study has thrown light on the organizational learning process, which is the key driver in innovating, implementing and stabilizing.Research limitationsThe study was restricted to the academic staff from all the faculties of Sohar University. Many of them did not understand the concept. So the researcher has to explain them in detail before furnishing the detailed questionnaire.Social ImplicationsThe study can be extended to other colleges and universities in Oman so that the accuracy of the tools and techniques of organizational learning can be ascertained. This will induce high transmission goals to equip and uplift the participants in a positive and creative contribution.Originality/valueOnly a very few have examined the impact of Organization Learning in the Universities of Oman, and it is a first-hand study of its kind. </jats:p
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES OF SAUDI STUDENTS - CASE STUDY: PRINCE SATTAM BIN ABDUL AZIZ UNIVERSITY
No full textundergraduate students’ academic performances and their social interpersonal skills in the Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University.
Design/methodology/approach: 64 samples were collected from full-time undergraduate students studying in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University from different colleges including Community college, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Engineering and College of Pharmacy. The descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze the demographic data while inferential statistics were used in testing the research hypotheses. The results obtained from the analyses were used to interpret the outcomes.
Findings: The empirical results reveal that the students enjoy meeting new friends online using social media rather than meeting in person and for this reason they spend a lot of time – addicted. It is also confirmed that the bad comments are passed easily through social media affecting other's sentiments and most of them strongly believe that all the information in social media is true and reliable and the rumors were spread easily in social media. Further, it is also confirmed that social media does not support the Learning of the students.
Practical Implications: The study confirms that the students exchange learning materials through social media and it helps them to update the developments in their college/university. The students believe that through Social media they have improved their communication skills and they can communicate with anyone at any time. It is also found that some of their teachers communicate with them and encourage them to use social media but for studying only.
Originality/value: The research work is of its first kind as it focuses on the impact of social media on the academic performances of the students studying in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, which has suggested effective means for effective implementation of social media strategy
FUTURE OF OMAN TOURISM PERCEPTION OF THE STUDENTS IN TOURISM STUDIES
No full textOman’s ‘Vision 2040’ aims at diversifying its economic activities from oil and gas sector to tourism sector. The vision and mission statement aims at developing tourism as a sustainable economic sector. The objective of the study is to analyze the various factors affecting the students’ perceptions towards choosing Tourism studies as their mainstream.
The study was conducted with 223 students of tourism studies who were selected on the basis of random sampling and were contacted through a well-defined questionnaire. The primary data was collected, compiled, and thoroughly analyzed to arrive at conclusions. A critical analysis was carried out using the null hypothesis, chi-square, and ranking tests.
The study reveals that the factors like non-discrimination of gender, promotion opportunities, and physical working conditions play a crucial role in motivating most of the students in choosing tourism studies. Further, this paper critically analyzes the discouraging factors for their aversion towards the tourism industry.
Our empirical results reveal that the high risk of accidents, non-tourism spouse preferences, Omani traditional values discourage the attitude towards choosing tourism as their future job and hence the tourism studies. The study further demonstrates that there is a strong association between the motivating factors and the reasons for students choosing tourism as their studies.
There exists a necessity for the Government and the related sponsoring institutions to look into these factors and encourage our young tourism students who will in return render their full support towards diversifying Oman’s future economy towards tourism
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