Knowledge retention in oil and gas industry – the case of contract workforce

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saleem Ullah Khan Sumbal ◽  
Irfan Irfan ◽  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Umar Farooq Sahibzada ◽  
Muhammad Adnan Waseem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Organizational Memory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Repeated Training ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate how organization retain the knowledge of Contract Workforce (CWF) and to understand the associated challenges in this regard.Design/methodology/approachAdopting an inductive approach, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers, project heads and consultants working in leading oil and gas companies across eight countries (USA, Australia, UAE, KSA, Pakistan, UK, Thailand and Russia). Thematic analysis was carried out to analyze the data collected.FindingsCWF appears to be a significant source of knowledge attrition and even knowledge loss in the oil and gas sector. There are various risks associated with hiring of CWF, such as hallowing of organizational memory, repeated training of contractors, no knowledge base, workforce shortage among others which can impede the knowledge retention capability of O&G companies in the context of contract workforce. Various knowledge retention strategies for CWF have been revealed, however, there is interplay of various factors such as proportion of CWF deployed, proper resource utilization, cross-functional multi-level teams' involvement and strength of transactional ties. Maintaining strong relationships (Transactional ties) is crucial to maintain a virtual organizational memory (partial knowledge retention) and to follow a adopting a rehired when required policy.Originality/valueThe knowledge retention issue in the context of CWF has not be addressed in past researches. This article attempts to fill this gap.

Research shows oil and gas companies could do far more to help female expatriates to mobilize dual-career strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 21-23
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Dual Career ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Career Strategies ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how female expatriates mobilize couples’ dual-career coordination strategic choices to achieve their own and their partners’ desired career goals. Design/methodology/approach The researcher initially contacted 45 expatriate women in heterosexual relationships by email. More detailed interviews were done verbally with 20 of the women. The participants were asked to explain what actions they had taken, and also the effectiveness of any employer support, to maintain two successful careers Findings The women working were often angry and disappointed with their organizations’ lack of support for their dual career strategies. They adopted strategies of their own to further mutual careers while keeping relationships on track. One is to work with their organizations to secure favorable employment conditions that minimize periods of separation and, if possible, facilitate suitable employment for their partners. A second strategy is to develop personal tactics of cooperation and coordination Originality/value The results are a demonstration to the oil and gas industry that they need to do more to support dual career couples, or they will lose out on a lot of talent.

Assessing the health, safety, and environment culture in the United Arab Emirates oil and gas industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-512
Author(s):  
Mohmaed Almazrouei ◽  
Khalizani Khalid ◽  
Salam Abdallah ◽  
Ross Davidson
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership Responsibilities ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Safety ◽  
Safety And Environment

Purpose This paper aims to assess the ways through which the concept of health, safety and environment (HSE) is perceived by workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil and gas industry. The study focused on different aspects of the HSE culture and how employees with and without leadership responsibilities differed in their conceptualization of HSE culture. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 30 staff of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE. The interviewees were purposively selected which included both those in leadership and non-leadership roles. Findings The findings revealed that the interviewees viewed HSE culture as a descriptive term, a causal phenomenon, a systemic approach or a legal requirement/obligation. Interviewees in the production and maintenance units mentioned safety most often. Employees and managers exhibited negligible differences in their usage of the HSE culture concept. Managers predominantly featured in the narratives as important drivers of HSE culture. Physical conditions, behavior and procedures, management, competence and collaboration emerged as important components of a sound HSE culture. Originality/value To enable better communication and subsequent improvement of the HSE culture, an analogical HSE culture “vehicle” was developed in the study. The vehicle is a novel illustration based on the key roles of managers and employees, as well as the main components of a sound HSE culture.

Value creation through big data application process management: the case of the oil and gas industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1566-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saleem Sumbal ◽  
Eric Tsui ◽  
Irfan Irfan ◽  
Muhammad Shujahat ◽  
Elaine Mosconi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Purpose The purpose of this study is twofold: to investigate the role of big data in firms’ co-knowledge and value creation and to understand the underlying drivers behind value creation through big data in the oil and gas industry by underscoring the role of firms’ capabilities, trends and challenges. Design/methodology/approach Following an inductive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers and analysts working in oil and gas companies across eight countries. The data collected from these key informants were then analysed using the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti. Findings Value creation through big data is an important factor for enhancing performance. It has a positive impact on both tangible (organisational performance) and intangible (societal) aspects depending on the context. Oil and gas companies understand the importance of big data to creating value in their operations. However, implementing and using big data has been problematic. In this study, a framework was developed to show that factors such as the shortage of data experts, poor data quality, the risk of cyber-attacks and unsupportive organisational cultures impede its implementation and utilisation. Research limitations/implications The findings from this study have implications for managers and executives implementing big data and creating value across various data-intensive industries. The research findings, are contextual, however, and should be applied cautiously. Originality/value This study contributes to the value creation literature in the big data context. The findings identify the key areas to be considered for the effective implementation and utilisation of big data in the oil and gas sector. This study addresses a broad but under-explored issue (i.e. knowledge creation from big data and its implementation) and strengthens the academic debate within this research stream.

Exploring role of Indian workplace spirituality in stress management: a study of oil and gas industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-803
Author(s):  
Anubhuti Saxena ◽  
Naval Garg ◽  
B.K. Punia ◽  
Asha Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Stress Management ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Workplace Spirituality ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

PurposeThe primary objective of the present study is to explore the relationship between workplace spirituality and work stress among offshore and onshore employees of the Indian oil and gas industry. The present study also tends to study the difference in the stress level of offshore and onshore employees of the Oil and Gas Industry.Design/methodology/approachThe size of the sample for the present study was 202 respondents. It includes 128 onshore employees and 74 offshore employees of oil and gas companies. Respondents were mainly managers and supervisors working in various departments of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Cairn India, Reliance India Ltd (RIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Indian Oil and Gas Ltd (IOCL). Since the different level of stress is experienced by employees at different stages of the organizational structure, thus study selected population comprising of managers and supervisors since they are believed to face similar work stressors. A variety of statistical tools like mean, t-test, correlation and multi-regression is used for the analysis of collected data.FindingsResults show that all six dimensions of workplace spirituality are significantly negatively correlated with stress for onshore employees. However, the sense of community and gratitude are found insignificantly associated with stress for offshore employees. Stressful offshore conditions and excessive specialization might not allow offshore employees to cherish the community at the workplace and also the virtue of gratefulness. The offshore employees might have a certain level of gratitude and community system, but it is not sufficient for the employees to perceive a lower level of work relates to stress. The result gives the impression that the normal working conditions (onshore workplace) provide adequate opportunity to workplace spirituality to transcend its impact on work stress.Originality/valueThis is one of the pioneer studies that examined the role of workplace spirituality and stress in stress management of offshore and onshore employees of Indian Oil and gas companies.

Knowledge retention and aging workforce in the oil and gas industry: a multi perspective study

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 907-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saleem Sumbal ◽  
Eric Tsui ◽  
Eric See-to ◽  
Andrew Barendrecht
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Aging Workforce ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil And Gas Sector ◽  
Geographical Locations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how companies are handling the issue of knowledge retention from old age retiring workers in the oil and gas sector. This is achieved by providing a detailed insight on the challenges and strategies related to knowledge retention through study of companies from different geographical locations across the globe. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative research methodology and 20 semi-structured interviews, with open-ended and probing questions, were conducted to gain an in-depth insight into the knowledge retention phenomena. Findings Knowledge retention activities tend to be inconsistent in majority of the oil and gas companies, with not much work being done regarding knowledge loss from old employees, partly because of the fall in oil prices and layoffs. Oil prices turn out to be a decisive factor in oil and gas industry regarding workforce and knowledge retention activities. The political situation and geographical locations of the companies also affect the knowledge retention activities. Moreover, the aging workforce and retirement issue is more acute in the upstream sector. Research limitations/implications The focus of the study was on the oil and gas sector, and thus the research results may lack generalizability. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need for investigating the issues and challenges of knowledge retention regarding old age retiring employees by taking into account a global perspective and providing a comparison among different companies in different geographical locations.

EBITDA and DACF multipliers as an indicator of investment attractiveness of domestic vertically integrated companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 718-752
Author(s):  
Oleg V. SHIMKO
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Debt Burden ◽  
Fixed Assets ◽  
Settlement Agreements ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Subject. The article addresses the EV/EBITDA and EV/DACF ratios of the twenty five largest public oil and gas corporations from 2008 to 2018. Objectives. The purpose is to identify key trends in the value of EV/EBITDA and EV/DACF ratios of biggest public oil and gas corporations, determine factors resulted in the changes over the studied period, and establish the applicability of these multipliers for assessing the business value within the industry. Methods. I apply methods of comparative and financial-economic analysis, and generalization of consolidated financial statements data. Results. The study revealed that EV/EBITDA and EV/DACF multiples are acceptable for valuing oil and gas companies. The EV level depends on profitability, proved reserves, and a country factor. It is required to adjust EBITDA for information on impairment, revaluation and write-off for assets that are reported separately from depreciation, depletion and amortization costs, as well as for income or expenses arising after the sale of fixed assets and as a result of effective court decisions or settlement agreements. It is advisable to adjust DACF for income, expenses and changes in assets and liabilities, which are caused by events that are unusual for oil and gas companies. Conclusions. The application of EV/EBITDA and EV/DACF multiples requires a detailed analysis and, if necessary, adjustments of their constituent components. However, they are quite relevant in the context of declining profitability and growing debt burden in the stock exchange sector of the global oil and gas industry.

Natural resource governance, accountability and legitimising propensity: insights from Ghana's oil and gas sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Asare ◽  
Bruce Burton ◽  
Theresa Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Resource Discovery ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Governance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study explores Ghanaian views about accountability discharge by firms and government in the context of the nation's newly discovered oil and gas resources. The research focusses on a range of issues relating to stakeholder interaction, communication flows and the impact of decision-making on Ghanaian lives, as perceived by individuals on the ground.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adapts elements of legitimacy theory to interpret the outcome of a series of semi-structured interviews with members of key accountee and accountor groups including citizens and representatives of the state and private firms in the oil and gas industry in Ghana.FindingsThe results indicate that rather than attempting to effect substantive accountability discharge, Ghana's government and oil and gas firms employ a wide range of legitimation strategies despite the apparently complete absence of the accountee power normally seen as driving the need for social contract repair.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that accountability discharge in Ghana is cursory at best, with several legitimising strategies in evidence. The representatives from state institutions appear to share some of the concerns, suggesting that the problems are entrenched and will require robust enforcement of a strengthened regulatory approach to effect meaningful change.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on the discharge of institutional accountability by building on earlier conceptualisations of legitimacy theory to explore perceptions around a recent natural resource discovery. The analysis highlights grave concerns regarding the behaviour of state and corporate actors, one that runs counter to sub-Saharan African tradition.

A perfect storm: how high levels of risk and weak internal controls resulted in violations of the foreign corrupt practices act

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Franz
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Department Of Justice ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perfect Storm

Theoretical basis This case is based on Weatherford International’s settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Both the SEC and the DOJ were critical of Weatherford for its violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and for its “inadequate internal controls.” This case explores the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations and issues related to internal controls. Research methodology Case study. Case overview/synopsis This case is based on Weatherford International’s settlement with the SEC and the Department of Justice. Weatherford provided equipment and services in the oil and gas industry. Because international markets were growing faster than domestic markets, Weatherford made a strategic decision to pursue growth in international markets. The oil and gas industry has high levels of operating risk as did the countries that Weatherford decided to pursue operations in. However, despite the decision to take on additional risk, Weatherford failed to implement adequate systems of internal controls. The title of the case “A Perfect Storm” refers to Weatherford’s trifecta of operating in an industry with high levels of corruption risk, countries with high levels of corruption risk and failing to implement adequate internal controls despite those high operating risks (Department of Justice, 2013). Weatherford was ultimately assessed a $152m penalty for its violations of the FCPA that included bribery, volume discounts, improper payments and kickbacks. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and graduate auditing classes.

Assessment of Conflict Management in Niger Delta and Implications for Sustainable Development of Oil and Gas in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humphrey Otombosoba Oruwari
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Management ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Positive Elements ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Abstract Nigerian oil and gas industry have over the years witnessed incessant conflicts between the stakeholders, particularly the host communities in Niger Delta region and the oil and gas companies in partnership with the Federal Government. Conflict which is here defined as manifestation of disagreement between individual and groups arising from differing and mutually incompatible interests has both positive and negative effects depending on how it was managed. Managing conflicts is all about limiting the negative aspects. The study examined conflicts management in Nigeria oil and gas industry and how best the positive elements of conflicts can be maximally exploited for the mutual benefit of both oil and gas company and the host communities in Niger Delta. The study adopted the multidisciplinary approach, literature review, case study and relied on secondary sources using analytical method of data analysis. The study findings revealed that the major factors that precipitate conflicts between the oil and gas industry and host communities in Niger Delta include economic, social, political, and ecological factors. There are available strategies that can be used in conflict management. These include avoiding, accommodating, or smoothing, competing, or forcing, compromising, and collaborating. Any of these strategies can be used to manage conflict depending on the situation, the environment factor, and the nature of the conflict. The problem is that the oil and gas companies in partnership with the Nigerian government often adopted the wrong approach in dealing with the conflict with host communities, using avoiding or forcing strategies. The study recommends collaboration strategy which ensues long term-term solution to mutual benefits.

Applying asset-and equity-based multipliers in the valuation of oil and gas corporations

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-167
Author(s):  
Oleg V. SHIMKO
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Market Capitalization ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

Subject. This article explores the ratios of the company's market capitalization and value to the balance sheet value of assets and equity of the twenty five leading public oil and gas companies between 2008 and 2018. Objectives. The article aims to identify key trends in the changes in market capitalization and value ratios of the company to the balance sheet value of assets and equity of the largest public oil and gas companies, identify the factors that have caused these changes, and establish the applicability of these multipliers to estimate the value of the business within the oil and gas industry. Methods. For the study, I used comparative, and financial and economic analyses, and generalization of materials of the companies' consolidated financial statements. Results. The article establishes that the multipliers studied are acceptable for assessing the value of oil and gas companies, but it is preferable to use asset-based ratios. Conclusions and Relevance. The overall decline in profitability and the increase in debt load in the stock exchange sector of the global oil and gas industry should be taken into account when using multipliers based on assets and shareholder capital in the assessment of the value of oil and gas corporations through a comparative approach. The results of the study can be used to assess the possible value of oil and gas assets as part of a comparative approach and develop measures to increase the market capitalization of public oil and gas companies.

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