PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between high‐involvement human resource management practices and organizational performance in the Sultanate of Oman, an Arabian Gulf country.Design/methodology/approachCompanies listed in the Muscat Securities Market in the Sultanate of Oman were surveyed. The final sample consisted of 87 companies. Survey responses were subjected to statistical analysis. Financial measures of organizational performance were also used in the analysis for a subset of the sample for which these data were available.FindingsResults of the statistical analysis indicated that, after controlling for size, type of firm (publicly traded or closely held) and average industry price‐earnings ratio, high involvement human resource management practices were positively related to subjective organizational performance and an objective measure of performance, ratio of market value to book value.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations include measuring high‐involvement HRM practices and subjective organizational performance from the same source, assuming that HRM practices are uniform across organizational levels and using a composite measure of high‐involvement HRM practices. Future research should address these limitations.Practical implicationsThe results of the study suggest that organizations in the Arabian Gulf can enhance their performance by implementing high‐involvement HRM practices in spite of the unique national culture and special features of the labour market in the region.Originality/valueTo the best of one's knowledge, this is the first study of high‐involvement HRM practices and organizational performance in the Arabian Gulf using both subjective and objective measures of organizational performance. Unlike other studies on HRM in Oman, this study was based on data collected from private‐sector organizations.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between localization (Omanization) practices and financial performance in Oman. Design/methodology/approach Firms listed in the Muscat Securities Market were surveyed. Data were obtained from 73 firms. Financial performance data (average ratio of market value to book value) were obtained from published records. Findings Results indicated that localization practices were related to financial performance after controlling for size, type of firm, average price earnings ratio of the industry and Omanization levels. Research limitations/implications The measure of localization did not specify the level at which Omanization practices are focused on. This is a limitation of this study, and future research must measure localization practices for different levels in the organization. Practical implications From a practical perspective, the results of this study suggest that organizations in the Arabian Gulf can enhance their performance by implementing systematic localization human resource management practices. The authors believe that this study makes a significant preliminary contribution to the understanding of localization practices and financial performance in the Arabian Gulf region. Social implications These results are encouraging for managers who argue for integrating locals into the workforce rather than engaging in localization practices for public relations purposes. Sincere localization efforts develop local human capital. Originality/value Study was conducted in the Sultanate of Oman, an Arabian Gulf country. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of localization practices and financial performance in the Arabian Gulf. This study therefore contributes to and extends the growing literature on localization practices in the Arabian Gulf in general and Oman in particular.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease where both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Estrogen plays an important role in type 2 DM pathogenesis. A number of polymorphisms have been reported in the estrogen receptor (ESR1), including the XbaI and PvuII restriction enzyme polymorphisms of ESR1,which may be involved in disease pathogenesis. Metallothioneins (MT) act as potent antioxidants against various oxidative damages. Very few studies have indicated the association between Estrogen Receptora, MT1 gene polymorphisms with type2 DM. A total of 100 type 2 diabetic women and 100 age, sex matched controls were recruited. Using the PCR based RFLP method, the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of ESR1 and in MT1A (rs8052394 and rs11076161) gene polymorphisms were analysed. The genotype distribution and frequency of mutated allele showed no significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic groups in PvuII (v2 = 2.443; P = 0.1181) or XbaI (v2 = 1.789; P = 0.1812) and rs8052394 (v2 = 1.154; P = 0.2840) or rs11076161 (v2 = 0.4141; P = 0.5199), polymorphisms. This is the first Indian study to conclude that ESR1 and MT1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in Indian women.

Purpose -Average bank net interest margins vary widely across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, net interest margins of Omani banks are significantly higher. The resultant low level of financial intermediation implies reduced investment and economic growth. Understanding the reason for these high and persistent spreads is important to develop a policy for improving effectiveness of the banking system. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach -Net interest margins of Arab GCC banks during the period 1999-2012 are examined using the balanced panel regression model with bank specific, financial/market structure specific and macroeconomic factors as determinants. The method used for estimation used is the estimated generalized least squares (EGLS) method with both fixed effects and random effects. Findings -Bank-specific variables, which explain net interest margins in GCC, are bank capitalization ratios, loan ratios and overhead expenses. Spread of banking sector (as measured by ratio of total bank credit to GDP) is positive and highly significant, implying that along with the expansion of the banking sector in GCC economies, interest margins of banks also improved. Omani banks were able to increase interest margins by aggressively marketing high yield personal and credit card loans, and, zero interest paying deposit products. The study also finds a negative relationship between concentration and net interest margin, and attempts to explain this finding which is at variance with other country studies using the price leadership model of oligopoly.Research limitations/implications -The standard, accepted econometric model of net interest margins which has been used in earlier studies is unable to explain the high net interest margins of banks in Oman although it is able to explain interest margins in other GCC countries. There is a need to develop non econometric models. More work is needed on the implications of NIM spreads for how they affect an economy. Practical implications -The study shows that as the banking sector spreads in the economy, individual banks have more opportunities to market their products while at the same time maintaining interest margins. Bank managements should note this point and look for opportunities to expand. Originality/value -There is no evidence of any empirical studies which focused on net interest margins in the GCC countries. This study attempts to fill in this gap with a view to nudge policy makers to look at the issue of high interest margins and its detrimental impact on economic growth and development in the Gulf region. The paper is useful for policy makers to understand and rectify the problem of excessive interest spreads which is hurting the financial intermediation process.

This paper looks at the impact of level of working capital on a firm’s financial performance of 153 large manufacturing firms operating in the six Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC).Three hypotheses being tested in the paper are that working capital levels and inventory levels have a negative impact on corporate financial performance, have a positive impact on corporate financial performance, or that there is no empirically provable relationship between working capital and inventory and financial performance. A number of control variables including firm size, gross margins, and age of the firm are used in the regression analysis, as financial performance is not purely dependent on working capital and inventory levels. Pre-tax return on assets (ROA-profit before tax divided by total assets) is used to measure corporate financial performance. Performance is strongly influenced by levels of accounts receivables; however inventory levels and payables have no impact on performance.