Digital Engagement and Environmental-Social Governance Innovation in the Oil and Gas Sector: Behavioural Insights from Oman and Vision 2040

Purpose This study examines how Environmental-Social Governance (ESG)-aligned digital technologies—such as Augmented Reality (AR)& Virtual Reality (VR) training tools, mobile engagement dashboards, and IoT-enabled workforce platforms—shape employee motivation, retention, and behavioural engagement in Oman’s oil and gas sector, and how these developments support the workforce objectives of Vision 2040. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative secondary-data synthesis was undertaken using ESG and sustainability reports (2022–2024) from BP, Chevron, and Murphy Oil, supported by sector datasets and Vision 2040 policy documentation. A reflexive thematic approach guided the analysis, conceptually informed by the Technology Acceptance Model and Self-Determination Theory. Findings Four themes emerged: (1) real-time digital feedback mechanisms; (2) capability building through Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR) simulation; (3) meaning and reciprocity via ESG-linked KPIs; and (4) reduced engagement associated with employment precarity. Reported figures from the analysed firms indicate modest increases in satisfaction (5–8%) and retention (up to ~ 10%) following digital engagement rollouts, viewed as indicative associations rather than causal effects. The study proposes the Oman Oil and Gas Engagement Alignment Model (OGEAM) to connect firm-level engagement practices with national transformation objectives. Research limitations/implications Findings draw on organisational self-reported datasets and may reflect institutional bias; further validation using mixed methods within Oman’s sector is recommended. Practical and social implications Aligning digital engagement practices with transparent ESG communication and more stable employment structures may strengthen workforce resilience and support Vision 2040 productivity targets. Originality/value This study offers the first integrated framework linking employee engagement, ESG alignment, and digital transformation to national development goals in Oman, advancing HRM theory by positioning engagement as a behavioural mechanism tied to macro-level transformation.