EFFECTS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON EMPLOYEE MINDSETS IN OMAN'S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR

EFFECTS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON EMPLOYEE MINDSETS IN OMAN'S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
Mahfoodh Saleh Al Sabbagh, MCBS, Oman

(Presented at the International Conference on Research in Education and Science (ICRES) which took place on April 27-30, 2024, in Antalya, TURKEY (https://www.2024.icres.net/) and at the International Conference on Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology (ICEMST) (https://www.2024.icemst.com/) organized by the International Society for Technology, Education and Science (ISTES) http://www.istes.org).

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on employee mindsets within Oman's higher education sector. It examines how employees perceive and adapt to integrating digital technologies in teaching, learning, and administrative processes. The research aims to identify factors influencing employee receptiveness and preparedness for this digital shift by understanding these mindsets. The study will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with digital transformation from an employee perspective. This will provide valuable insights for developing effective strategies to promote positive digital mindsets, build capacity, and achieve a smooth digital transformation journey within Oman's higher education institutions. This study adheres to the positivist research paradigm. Positivism emphasizes the objective nature of reality, where knowledge is acquired through measurable observations and analyzed using statistical methods. This approach aligns with the quantitative research methods employed in this study. A survey instrument is developed and administered to 40 employees in one of the higher institution in Oman. This approach allows for the collection and analysis of data to identify relationships between variables. A random sampling method employed to ensure an adequate representation of the targeted population. The findings indicate a relationship between digital skills, change attitudes, and perceived organizational support, which the identified relationship contributes to the shaping of employees' mindsets toward digital transformation. The findings reveal a significant effect of digital transformation on developing employees' digital mindsets in Oman's higher education sector. Although the sample is taken from one case study in a limited geographical area in Oman, which may jeopardize the generalizability of the finding, the study opens a new research horizon to validate the results in similar locations. This research study provides valuable insights and suggestions for changing employees' mindsets in higher education institutions in Oman.