The Level of E-Training Readiness at Sultan Qaboos University

This dissertation investigates the level of e-training readiness among employees at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The study aims to analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing e-training programs, identify factors influencing adoption, and propose recommendations for a paradigm shift from traditional training methods. The research includes a literature review, analysis of current training practices at SQU, and a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews with employees and management. The findings indicate a positive attitude towards e-training among employees. The study highlights the importance of addressing potential challenges and providing recommendations to facilitate a successful transition to e-training. The dissertation concludes with a proposed plan of action to aid the management in the shift. The research addresses the challenges in implementing the traditional training programs and the level of readiness of the employees in the implementation of the e-training programs.

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

1DISSERTATION
MBA Project
Declaration of Originality
This project is all my own work and has not been copied in part or in whole from any other
source except where duly acknowledged. As such, all use of previously published work
(from books, journals, magazines, internet etc.) has been acknowledged within the main
report to an item in the References or Bibliography lists.
I also agree that an electronic copy of this project may be stored and used for the purposes
of plagiarism prevention and detection.
Copyright Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that the copyright of this project report, and any product developed as part
of the project, belong to Coventry University.
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2DISSERTATION
MBA (IT) Project
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3DISSERTATION
Acknowledgement
Thank you to all of those who have helped listened and encouraged me throughout this study.
I am indebted to my supervisor … [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…………… [my college ], 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.

4DISSERTATION
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. From the questionnaires and the interview results, it is evident that the
administration employees Sultan Qaboos University were positive and ready for the proposed
paradigm shift. This proves the hypothesis of the research study.

5DISSERTATION
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

6DISSERTATION
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 Tables

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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

10DISSERTATION
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

11DISSERTATION
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