The INFLUENCE OF PRACTICAL BANKING EXPERIENCE ON OPERATIONAL RISK IDENTIFICATION IN MAURITIAN BANKS

Abstract

Operational risk remains a significant challenge for the banking sector, particularly in developing economies where institutional resilience is still evolving. While much of the academic and regulatory discourse has focused on frameworks and systems, the role of human capital, specifically practical banking experience, in identifying operational risks remains underexplored. This study investigates the correlation between practical banking experience and the identification of operational risks in the Mauritian banking sector. This study employs a descriptive, cross?sectional survey of banking staff in Mauritius (150 distributed, 104 complete) and analyses the data through statistical analyses namely; Pearson correlation, chi?square tests and multiple regression. The study revealed a positive and significant relationship between the level of practical banking experience and the ability to recognise key risk exposures. These findings suggest that banking experience enhances operational risk sensitivity and underscores the need to integrate staff experience into risk governance frameworks. The study contributes to the literature on risk management and offers practical insights for improving governance, training, and regulatory practices within emerging financial markets.