Rate My Professor Jekope Maiono

Dr. Maiono Jekope Ramala, commonly referred to as Jekope Maiono, serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Management within the Otago Business School at the University of Otago. He obtained his PhD in Sustainable Land Development from the University of Otago in 2024, in addition to a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), a Master of Sustainable Business (MSusBus), and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). Before transitioning to academia, Maiono gained over 13 years of experience in the private sector, focusing on management in large-scale warehouse operations. As a certified Hazardous Substances Specialist, he possesses specialized knowledge in handling hazardous substances and reducing risks to human health and the environment. Maiono joined the Department of Management in 2025 upon completing his doctorate.

Maiono's scholarly pursuits center on the integration of economic development, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge systems, with a particular emphasis on the Pacific region. His research specializations include Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) and occupational health and safety concerning hazardous substances, Indigenous women-owned businesses in Fiji, sustainable livelihoods through land use practices, Indigenous governance and organizational structures, and workplace hazardous substance management. In his teaching portfolio, he delivers courses such as BSNS 111: Business and Society, MANT 217: International Management, MANT 340: Indigenous Management and Organisation, and MANT 459: Indigenous Management and Organisation (Advanced). Prominent publications feature "Vakumuni vuku ni vanua (gathering the wisdom of the land): An Indigenous fieldwork research methodology in Fiji" in Asia Pacific Viewpoint (2024, co-authored with Ruwhiu and Kalavite), his doctoral dissertation "Fifty years of independence: Indigenous perception on sustainable land development in Fiji" (2024), "Indigenous perspectives of mining in Fiji: The relevance of putting Indigenous knowledge at the core of development initiatives" in Business Strategy & Development (2026, co-authored with Ordonez-Ponce and Waqatabu), and the chapter "Walking the talk in field research: Embracing Fijian values in fieldwork" in The Routledge Handbook of Field Research (2026, co-authored with Ruwhiu). His contributions highlight the application of iTaukei knowledge in Fiji and broader Pacific contexts. Maiono currently supervises a Doctor of Business Administration candidate examining organizational structures' impact on student learning and wellbeing in international schools from 1984 to 2024.