Job Nationalisation in the Private Sector: Obstacles and Solutions in the Jouf Region

Abstract

This study aims to present the obstacles and solutions for job nationalisation in the private sector of the Jouf region. To achieve this, the researchers 1) conduct a descriptive analysis of 3,000 job seekers in the Jouf region; 2) apply a quantitative analysis of the questionnaire’s respondents (520 job seekers in the Jouf region); and 3) conduct 15 interviews with business owners. Based on the descriptive analysis, nationalising jobs in the private sector of the Jouf region faces several challenges, such as the lack of experience of job seekers, the gap between job seekers’ qualifications and the needs of the private sector, the lack of suitable job opportunities, and in term of working conditions and high operational cost that business owners might face in increasing their nationalisation rate. These challenges indicate the necessity of adopting solutions for job nationalisation, namely adjusting academic programmes, and engaging the private sector in this process, as well as providing training programmes for new graduates of Jouf University before they enter the labour market. In addition, it is necessary to encourage and attract local and international investment to establish businesses and support business growth and job creation. However, a policy of job nationalisation in the private sector can be burdensome for business owners and might negatively affect their success in the market, thus influencing job creation negatively. This means businesses might require support from government bodies, institutions, and law firms in the Jouf region to help them meet the required nationalisation goals. Finally, nationalisation faces other dimensions on the social, institutional, professional, and individual dimensions, where the institutional dimension is considered the highest determent to work in the private sector, and professional and individual dimensions were the least determents of working in the private sector.