English abstract
This study aimed at knowing the reality of information adequacy to make decisions in the Omani governmental economic institutions according to the decision theory. The study was carried out through looking at the mechanism of making decisions in these institutions and knowing the types of information used in the decisions, in addition to the sources of these information. The study also touched on finding the difficulties encountered by the decision makers during gathering the information needed. In addition to that, it discussed the alternatives and requirements needed to obtain a good level of information adequacy to take decisions. This study depended on the qualitative approach by using the open interview as a tool for data collection. The study sample consisted of 12 governmental economic institutions in which 30 decision makers such as Director Generals, Experts and Directors have been interviewed. After that, the interviews were analyzed, coded, and divided to main topics. Then, sub-themes and topics were defined and linked to the objectives of the study to get the aimed results. The study concludes that there are factors affecting the decision making mechanism such as the type and boundaries of the decision, the management taking the decision and the time of taking the decision. Thus, there is no fixed approach for decision making mechanism. Regarding the nature of the information used in making decisions, the study shows that decision makers use the statistical, accounting, legislative , legal, functional and operational information . However, when it comes to the characteristics of these information, they use modern, accurate, comprehensive, inclusive, objective , relevant, and detailed information. The study also shows that the sources for obtaining such information may be formal sources such as monthly bulletins, studies and research, statistical books, databases and the Internet. The unofficial sources are sources of verbal information. The study results also shows that there are a number of difficulties facing decision-makers to get information. An example of these difficulties are the administrative difficulties such as bureaucracy, complicated procedures and the unclarity of job specifications. Another type is the technical and technological difficulties, such as lack of information systems and archiving systems and the poor use of modern technologies in data collection and analysis. Another type is the HR difficulties such as the lack of qualified human resources and resistance to change, as well as difficulties related to language. Because there are a number of difficulties, decision-makers have suggested a number of alternatives and requirements to achieve a good level of information adequacy. These alternatives and requirements include: establishing an internal database in each institution, speeding up the project of one stop shop and rehabilitating and training of national human resources. This study suggests a set of recommendations such as establishing the comprehensive national database, preparing the Omani IT Strategic Plan concurrently with the five-year development plans and rehabilitating the national human resources and involving them in decision-making.
