An analytical study of job satisfaction among Saudi nationals in the Saudi economic offset program companies

Abstract

This study is principally concerned with measuring, and identifying the factors that affect, the job satisfaction levels of Saudi nationals employed by companies established as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Economic Offset Program. The study begins by providing an overview concerning the purpose, potential significance, and achievements to date of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Economic Offset Program, which constitutes a crucial component of the Saudi government’s plans, both for the long-term diversification of the economy, and for the generation of much needed employment for the country's growing population. The study proceeds to consider the potentially very significant but previously neglected topic of job satisfaction levels in the offset companies, addressing the issue in two ways. First, the study considers the underlying causes, and the practical consequences, of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction in light of the considerable body of theoretical and empirical literature that has been produced on the subject in other settings. Second, and more importantly, the study explains the development and presents the results of an empirical research project carried out by the researcher in three of the more developed Saudi offset companies. The study will report that the overall level of job satisfaction in the three companies surveyed is quite high, and will show that job-related factors, such as the nature of an employee’s work itself, recognition and status, were found to be the most important correlates of the high overall satisfaction level. The study also calls attention to some potentially important problem areas, such as worker dissatisfaction with the companies’ policies governing training, dismissals, transfers and promotions.