MANAGING SAUDI ARABIA'S TALENT IN A TIME OF CRISIS: HOW DOES IT WORK?

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate talent management in Saudi Arabia collecting data from various organizations using a survey analysis. Theoretical framework: Talent management is the process of identifying, recruiting, developing, and retaining talented individuals so that their extraordinary contributions can be fully realized. This process becomes less effective during crisis as organizations face enormous challenges when trying to manage their workforces. However, Research on talent management in Saudi Arabia or the Arab world, especially GCC countries, is noticeably sparse. Design/methodology/approach: The study quantitively analyse data collected from a survey disseminated to experts and professionals working in several sectors in Jeddah, KSA, to gain some understanding about the talent management practices in general and during crises in particular. Findings: The study finds that organizations in KSA adopt and apply practices of talent management. There appears to be no relationship between organisations size or type and the engagement of employees in the deployment of talent management practices. In addition, the study finds that there is no significant difference in applying talent management practises or in identifying and recruiting talent between the no-crisis and the crisis periods. However, a statistically significant difference was found in developing and retaining talent between the no-crisis and the crisis periods. Research, Practical & Social implications: the study suggest additional deeper interviews to gain more understanding of the specifics of talent management in KSA. Originality/value: Findings of this study give a sense of satisfaction about the condition of talent management in Saudi Arabian organizations.