Strategic human resource management and workforce management: a case of Saudi Arabia

Sami A. Khan () and Salem Alqarni ()
Additional contact information
Sami A. Khan: King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Salem Alqarni: King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Access Journal, 2026, vol. 7, issue 3, 543-564

Abstract: Background: This study analyzes the emerging dynamics of workforce management in Saudi Arabia after the adoption of Vision 2030. It explores and highlights the need for a national-level HRM (Human Resource Management) system for Saudi Arabia. It examines the recent raft of changes which have taken place in the labor market and the adoption of intense localization policies. Given these developments, it is imperative to evaluate the contours of the emerging HRM disposition in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The paper discusses the complexities of the HRM system and endorses the need for a national-level HRM framework for Saudi Arabia. Methods/Approach: Using an integrated literature review approach, the study evaluates the localization policies and other legal changes which have had a significant impact on the employment realities in the Saudi context. Moreover, it attempts to shed light on the emerging policies, rapidly-changing structure of labor markets, the role and competence of HR personnel and key decision makers, and the emergent HRM architecture and HRM system in Saudi Arabia. Findings: In the last 10 years, these factors have emerged together with the changes taking place economically, socially, culturally, and in the labor market. There is a need to regulate the employment scenario, and to achieve the desired employment target and other related key performance indicators (KPIs) as stipulated in Vision 2030. Conclusion: The paper argues for the adoption of a concerted approach, and the need for a national-level HRM system that can seamlessly adopt workforce management and localization policies without compromising the competitiveness or core competency of Saudi firms.

Keywords: National human resource management system; Saudi Arabia; workforce management; localization; Saudization; Vision 2030 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M12 M48 M53 M54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://journal.access-bg.org/journalfiles/journal ... ent-a_case_of_sa.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aip:access:v:7:y:2026:i:3:p:543-564

DOI: 10.46656/access.2026.7.3(4)

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Access Journal from Access Press Publishing House
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Mariana Petrova ().