Khalfan Zahran Al Hijji

Bio: Khalfan Zahran Al Hijji is an academic researcher from Sultan Qaboos University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Strategic planning & Strategic human resource planning. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 5 publications receiving 46 citations.

Performance measurement methods at academic libraries in Oman

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate measurement methods that are in use in various aspects of academic libraries in Oman.Design/methodology/approach – The framework of the research was built to explore various steps of conceptualizing, collecting, analyzing data, and reporting results. Data gathered through in‐depth interviews with participants represented different management levels. The analysis process utilized content analysis to shape the relationship between categories that were subjected to formulate knowledge.Findings – Results show that all libraries have used one method or more in evaluating the progress of their services, and the performance of their staff members. These include: surveys; reports; KPIs; statistics; and interviews, in addition to appraisal forms which are used for staff evaluation. Alongside internal evaluation by librarians, an external evaluation by OAC and other international bodies took place in some libraries.Research limitations/implications – The researc...

Theory versus Practice in Cataloging Education in Oman: Students’ Perspectives

Abstract: This study investigates theory versus practice in cataloging education in Oman. In-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. Important findings of the study indicate big variations in the students’ views on the balance between theory and practice in different cataloging courses. Although the dominant opinions denote a big gap between theoretical and practical aspects of some courses, the practice of others seems sufficient. Positive practical results emerged for subject analysis and classification as a result of the online availability of their tools in the university, and there was consistency of teaching methods in the training process at the libraries.

Strategic analysis process at academic libraries in Oman

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate methods that are used for analyzing strategically various aspects of academic libraries in Oman.Design/methodology/approach – A research framework was designed to explore various steps of conceptualizing, collecting, analyzing data, and reporting results. Data gathered through in‐depth interviews with participants represented different management levels of academic libraries in the country. The analysis process utilized content analysis to shape the relationship between categories that were subjected to formulate knowledge.Findings – The results indicate that strategic analysis process has been practiced in 40 percent of academic libraries in Oman, utilizing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis technique. However, all respondents identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of their libraries under one or more of the following factors: information resources; administrative support; human resources; financial...

Cataloguing and Classification Education in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Abstract: A content analysis approach was adopted to analyze relevant literature and course syllabi for the purpose of examining cataloguing and classification education in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Important findings of this study include: traditional knowledge organization is still at the core of bibliographic control education; there are changes and developments in teaching methods; cooperative cataloguing, and partnerships with major specialized utilities are in the interest of educators; and emphasis on the practical part of cataloguing education is increasing to as much as 50% of the total teaching hours in some courses.

Teachers guide Strategy synthesis : Resolving strategy paradoxes to create competitive advantage

Abstract: This is a streamlined version of de Wit and Meyer 's successful text, Strategy: Process, Content, Context. It contains a range of articles with text contextualising the debates around key issues, allowing a wide range of views to be explored within each debate.

IFLA Guidelines for Continuing Professional Development : Principles & Best Practices

Abstract: We all know that the future of the LIS sector depends on high quality professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to design and deliver information services which meet the current and future needs of their communities. Our poster articulates the importance of CPD for all stakeholders: individual learners, employers, professional associations, LIS educators and training providers. It argues that to be a five-star profession, all players must commit to the principles of best practice in CPD and work together to create and support opportunities for ongoing learning and development. The poster not only aims to increase awareness of the value of CPD in general and of the IFLA Guidelines for CPD in particular, but also to promote the work of the IFLA Section for CPDWL. It is designed to be displayed in libraries, information centres and training environments across the world. A significant goal is to see the reach of the ideas encapsulated in the poster extended through translations into many other languages.

Upravljanje marketingom u neprofitnim organizacijama na primjeru Gradske knjižnice Zadar

Abstract: This work emphasises the value and necessity of marketing in nonprofit organisations. For a long time nonprofit organisations had a tendency of neglecting marketing in their business operations because of the general opinion that their main purpose wasn’t profit but public interest. However, it has been shown that listening to the wishes and needs of the users has lead to their increased numbers which further on created a positive atmosphere for financing the work of a nonprofit. High quality management of nonprofit organisations is of fundamental importance in achieving their goals. With the development of marketing within nonprofit organisations libraries have an opportunity to apply its potential towards the goal of achieving their purpose. For the last 20 years, the City Library Zadar has been participating in the creation of Zadar’s cultural image and as such has been chosen as an example of good practice in implementing marketing in a nonprofit organisation. Its way of doing business and its marketing concept responsible for its extraordinary success are showcased in this work.

Human resource planning practices in the Omani Public Sector: An exploratory study in the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract: Human resource planning (HRP) is the management process that helps organisations prepare for the number of employees and the types of skills needed to achieve organisational goals and objectives. In short, the aim of HRP is to have the right people in the right place at the right time. However, unlike the private sector, HRP practices are not widespread in the public sector. Literature on the ways in which HRP is conducted in public sector organisations has been limited to date. While the process of moving from traditional models of public management to New Public Management (NPM), and the Resource-Based View (RBV) approach implies the need for emphasising the central role of the Human Resource Management (HRM) function, the question of how public-sector organisations implement HRP remains largely unanswered in the existing management literature. The focus of this study was to explore the current practices of HRP in the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Oman, an unexplored context, in order to gain an understanding of good practice, and recommend further improvements. An interpretive case study methodology was adopted for this study which enabled the researcher to gain access to the tacit knowledge held by experienced practitioners who are involved in HRP processes in the MoE. The analysis of data collected through interviews with key informants revealed that despite the implementation of some strategies, the MoE did not formulate or implement a comprehensive HRP approach. The focus for the MoE remains on operational and annual requirements with only few attempts made to incorporate HRP into strategic planning efforts or to involve HRP professionals in strategic planning processes. Strategic and operational HRP practices in the MoE have lagged the good practices highlighted in the literature. The results from this study also indicate that HRP professionals lack the ability, knowledge, and skills necessary to develop and implement effective HRP practices. The study found that HRP in the MoE is influenced by both external and