Rakesh Belwal | Sohar University (original) (raw)
Papers by Rakesh Belwal
European Journal of Training and Development, 2014
Purpose – This study aims to assess the training needs of fishermen in Oman using the concept map... more Purpose – This study aims to assess the training needs of fishermen in Oman using the concept mapping technique. This study was the part of a larger research project on the training needs assessment (TNA), where a mixed method approach was used to identify the training needs. Design/methodology/approach – Perspective of 12 instructors on a focus question was taken during a brainstorming session at a Fishermen Training Institute in Oman. Using the concept mapping technique involving the multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, the data recorded was analyzed to arrive at the need clusters, which were later rated and ranked to assign relative importance. Findings – The identification led to a ten-clustered solution, covering a range of areas, requiring technical and behavioral skills. The top five training concerns were also identified using the participants’ ratings of the identified training-need clusters. Furthermore, the merit of concept mapping technique over pu...
Fishing is common among the inhabitants in every coastal region. Oman's Al-Batinah coast accounts... more Fishing is common among the inhabitants in every coastal region. Oman's Al-Batinah coast accounts for 20% of the national catch. However, poor uptakes of improved fishing technologies and practices, weak management, inefficiency and ineffective marketing have resulted in Al-Batinah fishermen securing low earnings (Al-Zabri, 2008). This study assesses the situation of the fishermen on the Batinah coast of Oman. It uncovers the reasons behind their leading a subsistence life. This study also explores their difficulties and concerns, and devises some policy implications that offer them a better life. The study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data collected from fishermen using questionnaires and interviews in an organized form of field survey. The majority of the fishing activity takes place in the traditional sector, where small fishermen run it as their family business. Expenditures surpass fishermen's income and restrict their savings and growth. The Omani Government has provided infrastructure; however, there is a need for officials to be more observant and concerned about the not so well off fishermen. Facilitators such as training institutes and banks need to provide concentrated measures to improve fishermen's skills and productivity. Altogether all the facilitators and the fishermen need to come together and share a common platform to advance fishing activity and its scope in the region.
The small-scale fi shing industry of Oman is responsible for almost 90 percent of the total marin... more The small-scale fi shing industry of Oman is responsible for almost 90 percent of the total marine fi shery production. It is also the main supplier of fi sh for Omani households. This study analyzes the factors that determine small-scale fi shermen's income on Oman's Batinah Coast, which has almost 30 percent of Oman's population and more than one-third of the small-scale fi shermen. We fi nd that fi shermen's income here can be explained broadly under four major blocks of variables: geographical region, fi shing inputs and catch, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and the nature of the relationship with fi sheries extension services.
Page 1. 1 ONLINE TOURISM AND TRAVEL-ANALYSING TRENDS FROM MARKETING PERSPECTIVE Dr. Manoj Dixit R... more Page 1. 1 ONLINE TOURISM AND TRAVEL-ANALYSING TRENDS FROM MARKETING PERSPECTIVE Dr. Manoj Dixit Reader Department of Public Administration University of Lucknow Email: manojdixit23@gmail.com Dr ...
CONGRESS-DUBAI 2011, 2011
Abstract: The quality of democracies is known by the way these handle information. Inaccurate and... more Abstract: The quality of democracies is known by the way these handle information. Inaccurate and distorted information leads to malfunctions in the system. The notion of e-governance is though attracting such democracies, but linking such information for better governance in ...
Delhi Business Review, 2001
Scores of overt changes in the globalisation process in the past two decades give it a distinct f... more Scores of overt changes in the globalisation process in the past two decades give it a distinct feature. Today things like knowledge and computer technology-widely traded in the global marketare extremely mobile.
Journal of International Women's Studies
Journal of Information, Communication …, 2008
... Khalid Al-Zoubi, Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. ... Viewing... more ... Khalid Al-Zoubi, Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. ... Viewing electronic governance merely as a means to facilitate state-citizen transactions and services would be a fallacy, for it is also a new and effective way to deter corruption (Mahmood, 2004). ...
This paper attempts to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on the demand for biscui... more This paper attempts to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on the demand for biscuits in Ethiopia, reviewing the fact that 'culture', particularly religion, plays a crucial role in determining consumption patterns in developing countries. The first stage of research involved a review of literature which was conducted using desk research. The second stage include analysis of primary data secured through a survey of 81 consumers, 40 retailers, interviews with 15 religious leaders, and a jury of executive opinion technique with 6 marketing executives to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on demand for biscuits. The impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting is quite pervasive in shaping consumption habits of church members in Ethiopia. Religious-culture here places a total taboo on the use of animal products during fasting. The demand for biscuits-for-fasts which do not use animal products such as milk and butter offers good opportunity to marketers. It was found that market demand for biscuits to be used during fasts, based on a meager per-capita consumption of 400 g per person per year, totals 8200 tons per year. This bestows a good opportunity for marketers. This study reveals that the market, though attractive, is still under-served. Marketers of biscuits need to understand these socio-cultural aspects to be profitable in Ethiopia. However, in order to succeed, tension between orthodoxy and secularism needs to be well understood. The study is of benefit to the food industry in general and Orthodox Christians in particular, in Ethiopia. The study reveals religious factors affecting the demand for food consumed during fasts observed by the Orthodox Ethiopian Christians. The study reveals that the demand for biscuits-for-fasts is attractive for marketers; and identifies that religious tensions are a threat to marketing organizations, if unattended.
Consortium Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, 2006
Journal of International …, 2011
Women entrepreneurs account for a sizable majority of small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa. A mino... more Women entrepreneurs account for a sizable majority of small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa. A minor change in their capitalization could assure their participation in diverse productive activities and has a large impact on their lives and families, as well as on the economy. While their access to credit is impeded profoundly because of the regulatory constraints imposed by formal financial institutions, on one hand, the informal sector interest rates as high as 300 per cent are literally untenable, on the other. The paper investigates the contribution of microfinance to the economic improvement of women small-scale entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa. The research assesses the impact of credit and saving services on the economic improvement of women smallscale entrepreneurs by using secondary data and a quantitative analysis based on questionnaires and interviews. The study probes financial facets such as income, savings, credit, financial services, family obligations and access to education. It concludes that women entrepreneurs who obtain microfinance face a number of problems. The study exposes the overall environment constraining women entrepreneurs on financial fronts and suggests some measures of relief to ameliorate the situation.
The purpose of this paper is to study the mobile phone usage behavior of university students in O... more The purpose of this paper is to study the mobile phone usage behavior of university students in Oman. A survey was conducted in Muscat and Sohar cities of Oman where 200 students were contacted using questionnaires and interview methods. Students in higher educational institutions were covered and hypotheses about mobile services usage among students were formulated and tested on different aspects of mobile phone use. It was realized that Oman is very close to secure 100% penetration in mobile adoption and newer mobile technologies are available. Mobile usage related statistics revealed that a majority of students prefer to have prepaid connections, spend more than 10 Omani Rials per month on services, make less than 10 calls but more than 10 SMS per day, and depend on their parents for payment of bills. Nokia is the most popular handset brand among students and they tend to change handsets at least in a year. It was significantly tested true that students have higher affinity to buy top end mobile phones, they feel uncomfortable without mobile phones, they keep their mobile phone switched on 24 hours, and they are equipped with almost every feature in their mobile.
European Journal of Training and Development, 2014
Purpose – This study aims to assess the training needs of fishermen in Oman using the concept map... more Purpose – This study aims to assess the training needs of fishermen in Oman using the concept mapping technique. This study was the part of a larger research project on the training needs assessment (TNA), where a mixed method approach was used to identify the training needs. Design/methodology/approach – Perspective of 12 instructors on a focus question was taken during a brainstorming session at a Fishermen Training Institute in Oman. Using the concept mapping technique involving the multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, the data recorded was analyzed to arrive at the need clusters, which were later rated and ranked to assign relative importance. Findings – The identification led to a ten-clustered solution, covering a range of areas, requiring technical and behavioral skills. The top five training concerns were also identified using the participants’ ratings of the identified training-need clusters. Furthermore, the merit of concept mapping technique over pu...
Fishing is common among the inhabitants in every coastal region. Oman's Al-Batinah coast accounts... more Fishing is common among the inhabitants in every coastal region. Oman's Al-Batinah coast accounts for 20% of the national catch. However, poor uptakes of improved fishing technologies and practices, weak management, inefficiency and ineffective marketing have resulted in Al-Batinah fishermen securing low earnings (Al-Zabri, 2008). This study assesses the situation of the fishermen on the Batinah coast of Oman. It uncovers the reasons behind their leading a subsistence life. This study also explores their difficulties and concerns, and devises some policy implications that offer them a better life. The study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data collected from fishermen using questionnaires and interviews in an organized form of field survey. The majority of the fishing activity takes place in the traditional sector, where small fishermen run it as their family business. Expenditures surpass fishermen's income and restrict their savings and growth. The Omani Government has provided infrastructure; however, there is a need for officials to be more observant and concerned about the not so well off fishermen. Facilitators such as training institutes and banks need to provide concentrated measures to improve fishermen's skills and productivity. Altogether all the facilitators and the fishermen need to come together and share a common platform to advance fishing activity and its scope in the region.
The small-scale fi shing industry of Oman is responsible for almost 90 percent of the total marin... more The small-scale fi shing industry of Oman is responsible for almost 90 percent of the total marine fi shery production. It is also the main supplier of fi sh for Omani households. This study analyzes the factors that determine small-scale fi shermen's income on Oman's Batinah Coast, which has almost 30 percent of Oman's population and more than one-third of the small-scale fi shermen. We fi nd that fi shermen's income here can be explained broadly under four major blocks of variables: geographical region, fi shing inputs and catch, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and the nature of the relationship with fi sheries extension services.
Page 1. 1 ONLINE TOURISM AND TRAVEL-ANALYSING TRENDS FROM MARKETING PERSPECTIVE Dr. Manoj Dixit R... more Page 1. 1 ONLINE TOURISM AND TRAVEL-ANALYSING TRENDS FROM MARKETING PERSPECTIVE Dr. Manoj Dixit Reader Department of Public Administration University of Lucknow Email: manojdixit23@gmail.com Dr ...
CONGRESS-DUBAI 2011, 2011
Abstract: The quality of democracies is known by the way these handle information. Inaccurate and... more Abstract: The quality of democracies is known by the way these handle information. Inaccurate and distorted information leads to malfunctions in the system. The notion of e-governance is though attracting such democracies, but linking such information for better governance in ...
Delhi Business Review, 2001
Scores of overt changes in the globalisation process in the past two decades give it a distinct f... more Scores of overt changes in the globalisation process in the past two decades give it a distinct feature. Today things like knowledge and computer technology-widely traded in the global marketare extremely mobile.
Journal of International Women's Studies
Journal of Information, Communication …, 2008
... Khalid Al-Zoubi, Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. ... Viewing... more ... Khalid Al-Zoubi, Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. ... Viewing electronic governance merely as a means to facilitate state-citizen transactions and services would be a fallacy, for it is also a new and effective way to deter corruption (Mahmood, 2004). ...
This paper attempts to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on the demand for biscui... more This paper attempts to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on the demand for biscuits in Ethiopia, reviewing the fact that 'culture', particularly religion, plays a crucial role in determining consumption patterns in developing countries. The first stage of research involved a review of literature which was conducted using desk research. The second stage include analysis of primary data secured through a survey of 81 consumers, 40 retailers, interviews with 15 religious leaders, and a jury of executive opinion technique with 6 marketing executives to assess the impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting on demand for biscuits. The impact of Orthodox Christians' fasting is quite pervasive in shaping consumption habits of church members in Ethiopia. Religious-culture here places a total taboo on the use of animal products during fasting. The demand for biscuits-for-fasts which do not use animal products such as milk and butter offers good opportunity to marketers. It was found that market demand for biscuits to be used during fasts, based on a meager per-capita consumption of 400 g per person per year, totals 8200 tons per year. This bestows a good opportunity for marketers. This study reveals that the market, though attractive, is still under-served. Marketers of biscuits need to understand these socio-cultural aspects to be profitable in Ethiopia. However, in order to succeed, tension between orthodoxy and secularism needs to be well understood. The study is of benefit to the food industry in general and Orthodox Christians in particular, in Ethiopia. The study reveals religious factors affecting the demand for food consumed during fasts observed by the Orthodox Ethiopian Christians. The study reveals that the demand for biscuits-for-fasts is attractive for marketers; and identifies that religious tensions are a threat to marketing organizations, if unattended.
Consortium Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, 2006
Journal of International …, 2011
Women entrepreneurs account for a sizable majority of small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa. A mino... more Women entrepreneurs account for a sizable majority of small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa. A minor change in their capitalization could assure their participation in diverse productive activities and has a large impact on their lives and families, as well as on the economy. While their access to credit is impeded profoundly because of the regulatory constraints imposed by formal financial institutions, on one hand, the informal sector interest rates as high as 300 per cent are literally untenable, on the other. The paper investigates the contribution of microfinance to the economic improvement of women small-scale entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa. The research assesses the impact of credit and saving services on the economic improvement of women smallscale entrepreneurs by using secondary data and a quantitative analysis based on questionnaires and interviews. The study probes financial facets such as income, savings, credit, financial services, family obligations and access to education. It concludes that women entrepreneurs who obtain microfinance face a number of problems. The study exposes the overall environment constraining women entrepreneurs on financial fronts and suggests some measures of relief to ameliorate the situation.
The purpose of this paper is to study the mobile phone usage behavior of university students in O... more The purpose of this paper is to study the mobile phone usage behavior of university students in Oman. A survey was conducted in Muscat and Sohar cities of Oman where 200 students were contacted using questionnaires and interview methods. Students in higher educational institutions were covered and hypotheses about mobile services usage among students were formulated and tested on different aspects of mobile phone use. It was realized that Oman is very close to secure 100% penetration in mobile adoption and newer mobile technologies are available. Mobile usage related statistics revealed that a majority of students prefer to have prepaid connections, spend more than 10 Omani Rials per month on services, make less than 10 calls but more than 10 SMS per day, and depend on their parents for payment of bills. Nokia is the most popular handset brand among students and they tend to change handsets at least in a year. It was significantly tested true that students have higher affinity to buy top end mobile phones, they feel uncomfortable without mobile phones, they keep their mobile phone switched on 24 hours, and they are equipped with almost every feature in their mobile.