Assessment of the Governance Quality of the Departments of English in Saudi Universities: Implications for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Recently, numerous regulations and policies have been initiated in Saudi universities that support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 of achieving smart, sustainable, and globally competitive universities. For the successful implementation of these regulations and policies, however, critical success factors including corporate governance have to be considered. Despite the extensive research on the importance of developing effective and reliable governance policies and practices for the overall growth of organizations including universities, no sufficient studies on the role of corporate governance in improving sustainable development plans and combating corruption, improving transparency, and enhancing sustainable development plans in the Saudi universities. This study, therefore, seeks to explore the impact of CG on improving accountability and sustainable development plans in Departments of English in Saudi universities. In-depth interviews were conducted with 48 participants, including the head of the English departments in four Saudi universities. Results indicate that the contributions of the universities to sustainable development plans and strategies are still under expectations. In this regard, the universities and higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia should replace the traditional academic model with the corporate model. The departments of English should address the changing needs of their candidates and students in this global world, and this has to be reflected in their sustainable development plans. Governance, however, should be enforced in all their operations as a critical success factor for sustainable development planning.