UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE ERA OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

البطالة في عصر الثورة الصناعية الرابعة في سلطنة عُمان: الدور الوسيط لإدارة الموارد البشرية من منظور العدالة التوزيعية الإسلامية

Authors

  • Ghadeer Hamood Humaid Al-Junaibi Postgraduate Candidate, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya
  • Asmuliadi Lubis Senior Lecturer, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/

Keywords:

Unemployment, Distributive Justice, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Human Resource Management, Islamic Perspective, Sultanate of Oman.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on unemployment in the Sultanate of Oman, while testing the mediating role of human resource management in explaining this relationship and employing Islamic distributive justice as an interpretive and normative framework for understanding the findings and formulating recommendations. The study assumes that digital transformation and automation may intensify structural unemployment, particularly among low-skilled groups, unless they are accompanied by effective policies for training, reskilling, and equitable access to employment opportunities. A quantitative descriptive-analytical approach was applied using a validated questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of 341 job seekers in the Sultanate of Oman. SPSS v26 and Hayes PROCESS Macro (Model 4) were used for regression and mediation analyses. Findings reveal that 4IR has a significant negative effect on low-skilled labour (β=0.173, p<0.01), while support for SMEs is the strongest driver of unemployment reduction (β=0.259, p<0.001). Human resources exhibit partial mediation in this relationship. The study concludes that an integrated system combining educational reform, vocational training, and equitable employment policies—anchored in Islamic social solidarity (Takaful)—is essential for just distribution of job opportunities in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.

Author Biographies

  • Ghadeer Hamood Humaid Al-Junaibi, Postgraduate Candidate, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya

    Postgraduate Candidate, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya

  • Asmuliadi Lubis, Senior Lecturer, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya

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Published

2026-04-24

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Online Journal of Islamic Management and Finance

Section

Islamic Management

License

The published manuscript shall be a copyright of the Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The published manuscript would not represent the stand or opinion of the Advisory Board, Editorial Board, Co-Editorial Board and the Management Team of Online Journal of Islamic Management and Finance (OJIMF), or the Department of Islamic Management and Finance, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya.

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