PhD, PGCertHealSc, MSusBus, BCom
Lecturer
Room: OBS 703
Tel: +64 3 556 5081
Email jekope.maiono@otago.ac.nz
Dr Maiono Jekope Ramala joined the Management Department in 2025 after completing his PhD in Sustainable Land Development in Fiji. Prior to academia, he spent over 13 years in the private sector, gaining extensive experience in management within large-scale warehouse operations. He is also a certified Hazardous Substances Specialist, with expertise in managing hazardous substances and mitigating exposure risks to both people and the environment.
Dr Maiono’s research lies at the intersection of economic development, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge. He is particularly interested in integrating iTaukei knowledge systems as research tools in Fiji and the broader Pacific region. His work has led to the publication of his first article, derived from his PhD research, titled Vakumuni Vuku ni Vanua (Gathering the Wisdom of the Land): An Indigenous Fieldwork Research Methodology in Fiji, which was published in the Asia Pacific Viewpoint Journal.
Teaching Responsibilities
Dr Maiono teaches across various courses, including:
- BSNS 111 Business and Society
- MANT 217 International Management
- MANT 340 Indigenous Management and Organisation
- MANT 459 Indigenous Management and Organisation (Advanced)
Research Interests
Dr Maiono’s research spans five broad areas:
- Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) and Health and Safety (Hazardous Substances)
- Indigenous Women in Business in Fiji
- Sustainable Livelihoods through Sustainable Land Use
- Indigenous Governance and Organisation
- Management of Hazardous Substances in the Workplace
PhD Opportunities
Dr Maiono is seeking Pacific research students interested in exploring topics related to:
- Indigenous Governance and Organisational Structures
- Workplace Management of Hazardous Substances
- Climate change and sustainable livelihood approach
Current Supervisions
Dr Maiono is currently supervising the following students:
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Evelise Togi Vaoga - Organisational structures and their harm to student learning and wellbeing in international schools, 1984-2024
Publications
Ordonez-Ponce, E., Maiono, J., & Waqatabu, P. (2026). Indigenous perspectives of mining in Fiji: The relevance of putting Indigenous knowledge at the core of development initiatives. Business Strategy & Development, 9, e70282. doi: 10.1002/bsd2.70282 Journal - Research Article
Maiono, J. R., Ruwhiu, D., & Kalavite, T. (2026). Walking the talk in field research: Embracing Fijian values in fieldwork. In D. Hammett & N. Holmes (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of field research. (pp. 250-258). London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003404903-37 Chapter in Book - Research
Maiono, J. (2025, November). Investigating the business practices of indigenous women-owned pasela vendors in Fiji: A case study of Labasa market. Verbal presentation at the Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy (ANZIBA) and Academy of International Business (AIB) - Oceania Chapter Collaborative Event, Nadi, Fiji. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Maiono, J. R., & Ruwhiu, D. (2024). Vakumuni vuku ni vanua (gathering the wisdom of the land): An Indigenous fieldwork research methodology in Fiji [Research note]. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 65(3), 448-454. doi: 10.1111/apv.12424 Journal - Research Article
Maiono, J. R. (2024). Fifty years of independence: Indigenous perception on sustainable land development in Fiji (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/16673 Awarded Doctoral Degree