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Thesis--University of Washington. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [188]-203.

Thesis (doctorat)--Université de Paris, 1914. / Published also without thesis note. At head of title: Faculté de droit de l'Université de Paris. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in microfiche.

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Oman’s school system is of relatively recent origin, having been developed from the 1970’s and much is expected of Omani schoolteachers. The research reported in this thesis was a comprehensive attempt to explore Omani schoolteachers’ understanding of the term motivation. A mixed methods approach was used, with a large-scale questionnaire survey of 3065 teachers producing a 69% response rate (2112) and yielding results that were subject to further exploration by means of 7 teacher focus-groups (with 53 teachers participating), 21 interviews with individual teachers, and 3 focus-groups with 21 headteachers. The key finding from the research was that the overwhelming majority of Omani schoolteachers participating in the research regard themselves as motivated with the most important motivating factors for them being working with pupils and being productive in society. However, both Omani teachers and headteachers would appreciate a reduction in administration and greater participation in decision-making. Analysis of my findings distinguished four groups of factors that might provide better understanding of motivation of Omani schoolteachers. These four divisions are (1) the main factors that appeared to attract Omanis to teaching profession, (2) the main factors that appeared to contribute to confirm or extend the initial motivation to enter the teaching profession, (3) two factors that appeared to increase the level of motivation of Omani schoolteachers, and (4) the main factors that appeared to contribute in maintaining the level of motivation of Omani schoolteachers, which I term guarantors. The findings from this research should help teacher educators and policy makers in Oman better understand teacher motivation. The research concludes some practical recommendations that might help maintain or enhance teacher motivation and some recommendations for follow-up research. Finally, I hope the research has contributed a little to the ongoing international debate around teacher motivation, from an Omani perspective.

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This thesis presents the results of a four year study from 1986 to 1990 on the biology of the leguminous tree Prosopis Cineraria (L.) Druce in the Sharqiya region of the Sultanate of Oman. Descriptive studies were performed on both the woodland habitat and the species. The suitability and methodology of utilising P.cineraria in future forestry programmes in Oman were also examined. Field studies have shown that this drought-tolerant indigenous phreatophyte forms large mono-culture relic woodlands in the sandy deserts of the Sharqiya. It is well adapted to the harsh environment of shifting sand dunes, growing vegetatively through accumulated sand to form tree clumps. Ecological studies have shown that the Prosopis woodland micro-environment supports wildlife not necessarily adapted to arid conditions. P.cineraria is an excellent multi-purpose tree for local people, particularly in providing fodder, fuel wood and shade protection. Over-exploitation and the general absence of natural reproductive regeneration has resulted in the decline in the condition of some Prosopis woodlands in Oman. To ensure their continued survival several methods of conservation were recommended. Studies on the mature trees have shown that the morphological variability of this species in the Sharqiya was high, which contributed to its multi-purpose potential. This variability was both phenotypic and genotype in origin. Glasshouse trials of P.cineraria in Durham have shown that seeds sampled from individual trees produced seedlings that were morphologically variable and were particularly tolerant to high salinities. Variation in morphology and salinity tolerance were related to both their geographical and parental origin. Three P.cineraria field trials in Oman have shown that the climate and soil environment greatly affected seedling growth and morphology. Silvicultural recommendations derived from these trials have been proposed for the propagation of this species in Oman.

Inter-organisational knowledge transfer is of central interest both as an academic topic and in business practice. However, despite the attention given to the importance of this subject from different perspectives in various contexts, little is known about how knowledge is transferred from vendors to clients in information systems (IS) outsourcing. This research attempts to address this apparent theoretical and empirical deficiency by providing a deeper understanding and more holistic analysis of the key factors which facilitate or inhibit knowledge transfer success in IS outsourcing. This study employed a qualitative, multiple case study approach in the interpretive paradigm. Data was collected mainly from the IS departments of three public sector organisations in Oman. Oman was chosen as the context for the study due to its rapid growth in recent years and the opportunity to consider the many major IS outsourcing projects which have been undertaken by its public sector. Through semi-structured interviews, this study explored the perspectives of the internal IS staff on their experience of knowledge transfer and learning from vendors through various IS outsourcing projects. Written and electronic documentations as well as non-participant observations also served as important triangulation and complementary sources in understanding the phenomenon being studied and as means of gaining additional perspectives and further insights on key issues. The empirical evidence demonstrated that there are five sets of factors which facilitate or inhibit knowledge transfer success in IS outsourcing. These are: knowledge (knowledge tacitness and knowledge complexity), client (learning intent, absorptive capacity and motivation), vendor (vendor capability, vendor credibility and vendor openness), relationship (relationship quality, relationship duration, relationship governance and organisational distance) and knowledge transfer mechanisms (formal and informal). The findings of this study contributed and extended the growing body of research on IS outsourcing by developing a novel, holistic conceptual framework which examined five sets of factors that impact knowledge transfer success. Additionally, it provided prescriptive value for practitioners seeking to realise efficient and effective knowledge transfer in IS outsourcing.

The economic and security significance of maritime and political interests around the world has altered with the changing international security environment, as has the importance of secure sea routes to meet global demand. Oman increasingly relies on the sea for maritime trade and exploitation of marine resources, but without a common maritime policy and strategy to align its commercial and maritime interests, its offshore resources will remain under-developed. Oman’s primary interest is to ensure national maritime security by maintaining an effective navy and other agencies to guard its sea areas, and protect its maritime trade. However, it still lacks a formal maritime doctrine to underpin its policies This study argues that a maritime doctrine will assist Oman to utilise its maritime power and protect its national interests. In the absence of archive material, this study has drawn upon personal interviews with maritime experts and practitioners, and reviewed and analyzed a wide range of official publications and secondary sources on maritime policy and doctrine. It highlights the relationship between economic growth and maritime trade in Oman, examines the role of Oman’s shipping industry and related activities, and compares the experiences and expertise of several nations that have established maritime doctrine. Oman’s need for a maritime doctrine in order to protect its national interests and sovereignty is pressing. It should connect and coordinate its maritime power, military strategy, policies, and standing operating procedures through a single maritime doctrine that will provide the basis for mutual understanding between units of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, related government agencies, and national policy-makers, ensuring operational familiarity and efficiency. In proposing a discrete administrative body to oversee the codification of principles and procedures, the study fills a significant gap in Oman’s national maritime policy and strategy, since the expression of maritime doctrine will help protect the integrity and interests of the state and its people.