Sultan Qaboos University Dissertation: E-Training Readiness Level

This dissertation investigates the readiness of Sultan Qaboos University employees for e-training implementation, considering the economic challenges in Oman and the need to maximize non-oil revenue. It explores the potential advantages and disadvantages of e-training, identifies challenges in its application, and proposes recommendations for a paradigm shift in training methods. The research uses surveys and interviews to assess employee readiness and aims to provide insights for improving human resource management and employee performance at Sultan Qaboos University. The study includes a literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and concludes with actionable recommendations for the university's management.

Running head: DISSERTATION
The Level of E-Training Readiness at Sultan Qaboos University:
Basis for a Proposed Paradigm Shift
Name of the University
Name of the Student
Author Note

1DISSERTATION
Acknowledgement
Thank you to all of those who have helped listened and encouraged me throughout this study.
I am indebted to my supervisor ……………………. whose guidance, advice and patience
have been immeasurable, my mom, husband and my little daughter. My sincere thanks to all
members of the…………… [Mention your university/college name], both staff and students,
whose continuous support have made this thesis possible.
I would like to thank all of the participants in the study: students, teachers and Local
Education Authorities, for the time and help given throughout. Without their participation,
this research would not have been possible. In this context, I am also thankful to them, whose
research work helped me to execute this paper well.
Finally, I thank my family, without whom this thesis would not have been started or
completed! Your encouragement and support have never faltered; thank you.

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Abstract
The study will try to analyze the level of readiness that the employees will gain when the use
of electronic training programs will be implemented in the system. It will also provide better
insights to the university regarding the benefits that are present in e-training activities along
with the disadvantages. The necessary factors will also be highlighted that can help in
increasing the implementation of the e-training activities within the university based on
which the challenges of the employees can be avoided. The study will also help on providing
better recommendations regarding the shifts that the management of the university needs to
take so that it can provide better training methods to the employee. The important aim of this
research is to discover the level of readiness on the employees of Sultan Qaboos University
for implementing the e-training. In addition, it objects to classify the prospect advantages and
disadvantages of e-training. The major problem in the country is the decreasing price of oil
that has affected the economy of Oman. The study will help in focusing on the maximization
of the revenue in the gas and non-oil sector so that it can help in uplifting the economy. The
study will be based on Sultan Qaboos University, as they have an important part in training
the employees within groups so that they can increase the level of performance within and
outside the country.

3DISSERTATION
Table of Contents
1: Introduction............................................................................................................................6
1.1: Background of Research.................................................................................................6
1.2: Problem Statement..........................................................................................................7
1.3: Research Objectives........................................................................................................7
1.4: Research Questions.........................................................................................................8
1.5: Research Hypotheses......................................................................................................8
1.6: Research Outcomes.........................................................................................................9
1.7: Limitation of the Study...................................................................................................9
1.8: Research Structure..........................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Literature Review...................................................................................................11
2.1: Identify the Role of E- Training in Improving Productivity.........................................11
2.2: Interactivity and Trust of E-Training............................................................................13
2.3: The impact of E-Training on HR Retention..................................................................15
2.4: E-Training Potential Advantages..................................................................................16
2.5: E-Training Potential Disadvantages..............................................................................19
2.6: Factors Affecting E-Training........................................................................................22
2.7: Current Challenges of E-Training Implementation Programs in SQU.........................25
2.8: Trainings Conducted in Sultan Qaboos University.......................................................26
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...........................................................................................28
3.1: Research Purpose..........................................................................................................28

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3.2: Research Approach.......................................................................................................28
3.3: Research Instrument Design.........................................................................................29
3.3.1: Survey Design........................................................................................................29
3.3.2: Interview Design....................................................................................................30
3.4: Data Collection.............................................................................................................30
3.4.1: Population and Sample Size...................................................................................30
3.4.2: Ethical Approval....................................................................................................31
3.5: Pilot Study of Questionnaire.........................................................................................31
3.6: Survey management......................................................................................................31
3.7: Research hypotheses.....................................................................................................31
3.8: Data analysis method....................................................................................................31
Reference List..........................................................................................................................33
Appendices...............................................................................................................................38
Appendix 1: Survey questions.............................................................................................38
Appendix 2: Interview questions.........................................................................................40

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Technology Acceptance Model................................................................................11
Figure 2: E-training on HR retention.......................................................................................16
Figure 3: Increased E-learning over the years..........................................................................17

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1: Introduction
To ensure that the workforce of a country is competent enough, it is necessary to
provide adequate training facilities so that the employees can have a better level of
knowledge and skills in the market. It is also one of the best forms of human resource that
can help in increasing the economy of the country. It helps in providing a competitive
advantage, as the demand of the jobs are met according to the infrastructure that are present
in the market based on the prerequisite skills and knowledge that is possessed by the
employees. The use of the latest technologies has helped in providing better level of training
to the employees so that they can be competent with the level of skills and knowledge that are
possessed by them. This will ensure that the productivity of the organizations can be
increased to a great extent (Clark and Mayer 2016).
1.1: Background of Research
The development of the information technology in the last decade has shown that the
level of productivity has increased to a great extent, which has helped the organization in
achieving their goals and objectives in a proper manner. Training plays an important part in
the lives of the employees within the organization, as it allows them in completing the work
within the estimated time in a proper way. It also allows the organization in taking up cost-
effective methods so that maximum benefit can be achieved with the help of training
(Daradoumis et al. 2013). The use of the information technology has allowed the companies
in taking up the electronic methods of training so that it can be provided to the employees in a
proper way. The organization needs to understand the needs of the employees so that the
process of training can be effective to them and help in increasing the productivity level of
the company. The e-training systems help the companies in providing the training methods
that are suitable to the employees so that it can result in increasing their level of knowledge
within the system. This allows the companies and the organizations in gaining a competitive

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advantage in the market so that they can increase the power of revenue as well (Arunachalam
2014).
1.2: Problem Statement
The major problem in the country is the decreasing price of oil that has affected the
economy of Oman. The study will help in focusing on the maximization of the revenue in the
gas and non-oil sector so that it can help in uplifting the economy. The study will be based on
Sultan Qaboos University, as they have an important part in training the employees within
groups so that they can increase the level of performance within and outside the country. The
mission of the organization is to provide efficient training to the employees so that they can
be highly skilled and the level of competence can be increased within the organizations
(Cheung and Vogel 2013). The university is run by the government and the training methods
that are taken up within the organization is old. This has resulted in the lack of skilled human
resources, which needs to be increased to a great extent. The researches that were conducted
earlier had indicated that due to the lack of the advanced technologies in the training
methods, it has led to the fall in the level of skills among the employees. The use of electronic
training methods will help the employees in improving the level of satisfaction within the
employees and will also equip them with better benefits in the future actions as well. The use
of the modern day training methods will help in providing flexibility among the employees
along with the cost-effective techniques that will allow in decreasing the cost of
implementing the shifts within the university (Rennie and Morrison 2013).
1.3: Research Objectives
The important aim of this research is to discover the level of readiness on the
employees of Sultan Qaboos University for implementing the e-training. In addition, it
objects to classify the prospect advantages and disadvantages of e-training. Furthermore, the
study will point out the possible challenges that could face the application of e-training. The

8DISSERTATION
overall objective of this research is to find solutions for problems related to human resources
management and increase the employee performance. The following are the objectives of this
research;
 To know the current status of the trainings conducted in Sultan Qaboos University in
the academic year 2016-2017.
 To give light to the challenges of a shift from a traditional training programs
implemented in Sultan Qaboos University to e-training.
 To investigate the level of readiness of the employees in the implementation of the e-
training programs.
 To recommend a proposed plan of actions that would aid the Management on the
possible shift
1.4: Research Questions
This study will address the following questions:
1. What is the current status of the trainings conducted in Sultan Qaboos University in
the academic year 2016-2017?
2. What are the challenges in implementing the traditional training programs in Sultan
Qaboos University specifically on the planned shifting to e-training?
3. What is the level of readiness of the employees in the implementation of the e-training
programs?
4. What recommendations which can be proposed to decide on a plan of actions that
would aid in the process of shifting?
1.5: Research Hypotheses
The research will be based on the following hypothesis:
H0: The Employees are not ready on the possible shift from traditional training to e-training

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H1: The Employees are ready on the possible shift from traditional training to e-training
1.6: Research Outcomes
The study will try to analyze the level of readiness that the employees will gain when
the use of electronic training programs will be implemented in the system. It will also provide
better insights to the university regarding the benefits that are present in e-training activities
along with the disadvantages. The necessary factors will also be highlighted that can help in
increasing the implementation of the e-training activities within the university based on
which the challenges of the employees can be avoided. The study will also help on providing
better recommendations regarding the shifts that the management of the university needs to
take so that it can provide better training methods to the employee.
1.7: Limitation of the Study
The study that has been conducted has been based on Sultan Qaboos University and
the results that has been found may not be applicable in case of other institutions. The
research has been conducted based on a particular population within a stipulated period of
time. The findings that has been presented in the study is dependent on the reliability and
honesty of the participants who has taken part in the interview and questionnaire session.
1.8: Research Structure
The study has been divided in to five chapters where the first chapter is the
introduction to the research that will be conducted. It deals with the problem that the research
has aimed to provide the solution for along with the objectives and questions that the study
has addressed.
The second chapter is based on the literature review that has been conducted by taking
in to consideration the various studies of different scholars. It has helped the researcher in
understanding the importance for which the study is being conducted. The third chapter deals

10DISSERTATION
with the research methodology where the researcher has defined the various methodological
tools and provided justifications as well for the methods has been taken up.
The fourth chapter has provided a detailed descriptions of the findings and the
analysis based on the survey and the interview process that was conducted. The survey that
was conducted has been provided with the help of tables and graphs along with the
explanations below it. The fifth chapter consists of conclusion and recommendation that will
summarize the entire study and provide recommendations that will be viable for the
university to take up.

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Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1: Identify the Role of E- Training in Improving Productivity
E-training is the kind of training that is provided to the employee with the help of the
latest technologies that are available so that it can help in enhancing their level of
competency. It is the use of training knowledge that helps in facilitating and supporting the
performance of the employees so that it can be enhanced, which will allow them in achieving
the goals and objectives of the company where they are currently employed (Kelly, Lesh and
Baek 2014).
The use of this training program will; help in increasing the level of flexibility among
the employees so that they can be a better expert in balancing their work and training shifts.
The flexibility is due to the fact that the employees do not have to attend classes for their
training programs for gaining knowledge regarding the type of work that they need to do
within the organization (Chow and Shi 2014). It will allow the employees in gaining the
knowledge through the online platforms that will also save their time. The learning process
can be interactive as well, which will allow the employees in gaining necessary feedback
form the management when they are working within the floor. This will result in increasing
the level of productivity of the organization as well (Oproiu 2015).
Figure 1: Technology Acceptance Model
(Source: Oproiu 2015)