Human resource development policies and practices for the IT and information workforce in Kuwaiti companies

This study explores the human resource development policies, strategies, and opportunities in 30 Kuwait corporate companies for its IT and information professionals. Questions addressed were related to induction and orientation programs; approaches for developing capabilities for change management; in‐house training policies, resources, and facilities; and policies for sending employees for training. Data were collected through structured interviews with key human resource managers of these companies. It was found that almost all the companies had intensive programs for providing systematic induction to their new employees. A majority of them had in‐house resources and facilities for training. A majority of them considered outside options for training and had developed policies for the purpose. These companies were not satisfied with the role of higher education institutions in providing useful training to their employees. Administration of training awards was biased in the favor of seniors, managers, and natives that defied the parameters of organizational needs.