Brunel Business School – Doctoral Symposium 4th & 5th March 2010

Student First Name: Rajeh

Student Second Name: Albugamy

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The Impact of Saudi Culture on Recruitment and Selection Practices in the Privet Sector in Saudi Arabia

By Rajeh T. Albugamy

Submitted to BBS Doctoral Symposium Brunel University 4th & 5th March, 2010

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Abstract The ultimate goal of recruitment and selection is to hire or get the right people for the right positions, i.e. qualifications; skills and merit are the criteria that should determine who would occupy the job rather than nepotism, favouritism or any other cultural elements (Alghailani, 2005). In Saudi Arabia like the other Arab countries , wasta for example, an Arabic term which means using connections for personal gains, is deeply rooted in the culture and having a big influence on people’s life and business among that obtaining a job depending on the strength of wasta (Hutchings and Weir, 2006). Employees in Saudi Arabia with strong family and tribal connections are often got promoted to higher positions (Mellahi, 2006). According to Al-Awaji (1971), the Saudi social-value system is based on three major subsystems: (1) Religion which is Islam for all Saudis, (2) Family and kinship, (3) Traditions. This research aims to explore the impact of the Saudi cultural factors on the recruitment and selection practices in the privet sector in Saudi Arabia