This study aimed to examine and assess the impact of the logistics industry’s environment, entry-level graduates’ characteristics and the logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) program design on the transformation of knowledge and skills at Sohar port in the Sultanate of Oman. The study employed a pragmatic research philosophy involving a structured questionnaire. The sample size included 49 mid-managers from the logistics industry who were working at Sohar Port. The study found that entry-level graduates’ characteristics and LSCM program design positively and significantly influenced the transformation of knowledge and skills. However, the organisational environment had a negative and insignificant impact on the transformation. This study revealed several dimensions that may require further research. It is pertinent to broaden the research scope to other towns, ports, and other countries in the Gulf Council Countries (GCC) to broaden the scope and generalisability of the results. According to the study findings, several recommendations are proposed for the logistics and supply chain sector in Oman to enhance the transformation of knowledge and skills by entry-level graduates, as well as for higher education institutions (HEIs). To meet the sector requirements, HEIs may improve the current university-industry collaborations by increasing the inputs of the industry in designing and developing the LSCM program. The organisational environment must reconsider the knowledge and skills transformation by entry-level graduates in their strategic plan of resources management, which must be emphasised by the remuneration system and career paths incentive. While other studies have explored knowledge and skill transformation in the context of employee training, this study aims to fill a specific research gap by focusing on the transformation of knowledge and skills by entry-level graduates, an area which has not been extensively studied before. Furthermore, this study is unique as it examines the impact of the industry’s environment, entry-level graduates’ characteristics and the LSCM program on the transformation of knowledge and skills within the unique context of Oman. This novel approach provides an opportunity to understand the specific challenges and opportunities faced by entry-level graduates in Oman and suggests strategies for addressing them.

In the current competitive global marketplace, innovation is key for high-tech firms to thrive. Open innovation offers a promising approach, but its effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this research explored the connection between open innovation, knowledge management capability, and innovation performance within high-tech firms. We used a mediation approach to highlight the central role of knowledge management capability in the relationship between open innovation and innovation performance. We used a survey questionnaire approach to collect data from the 462 employees of high-tech firms on open innovation, knowledge management capability, and innovation performance using a convenient sampling technique. We used partial least square structural equations modeling through PLS-SEM statistics. Results indicated that open innovation has a direct, positive and significant connection with innovation performance. Similarly, the current research serves as a pioneering exploration into mediation analysis, highlighting the mediating role of knowledge management capability that influences the relationship between open innovation and innovation performance. Empirical studies offer valuable insights for leaders of high-tech firms, guiding them to identify effective knowledge management practices and determine the ideal extent of open innovation to boost innovation performance. The current study reveals novel insights into the benefits of knowledge management capability in enhancing open innovation efforts within firms. This research provides valuable implications and future research directions.

With the continuous development of science and technology, network technology has been applied to various fields, and the education model of universities has also made innovations with the application of network technology. In ideological and political education in universities, influenced by traditional educational models and other factors, the quality of education is uneven, and the learning effectiveness of students needs to be improved. Therefore, integrating network technology and innovating teaching methods in ideological and political education in universities is very important. Conducting online ideological and political education in universities can enhance students' interest in learning, while also helping them develop good moral qualities and providing assistance for their future development. This article focuses on the research goal of ideological and political education models in universities, exploring the importance and methods of integrating online ideological and political education in universities, hoping to provide some help for relevant universities.

Orientation: Rewards are integral to keeping employees happy, efficient and engaged in their work. Thus, the engagement of academic staff within higher education institutions has become a top priority for organisational productivity and competitiveness. Research purpose: This study investigated the impact of total rewards on work engagement among the academic staff at a South African higher education institution. Motivation for the study: Engagement of academic staff is vital as higher education institutions are influential in the country’s development. Literature, however, has shown that most studies on total rewards and work engagement focus on sectors such as financial institutions, the mining industry and others. However, few reports have been on total rewards and work engagement in higher education. Research design, approach and method: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, following a quantitative approach. From a population of 100 academic staff, 74 respondents responded to a self-administered questionnaire. Main findings: The results show a positive relationship between two dimensions of total rewards (work-home integration and quality work environment) and work engagement. However, no relationship was found between base pay, benefits, performance and career management, and work engagement. From the five dimensions of total rewards, a quality work environment was the only significant predictor of work engagement. Contribution: The study provides theoretical contributions through new literature and possible recommendations. The study may guide management in developing a rewards strategy that can promote staff work engagement.