SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IN SAUDI ARABIA: IN SEARCH OF A CULTURALLY COMPATIBLE MODEL FOR REFORM

Economic development programs in Saudi Arabia have rapidly enlarged organizational size, and complexity. New organizations have also been created to implement the objectives of the developing nation. Yet in its quest for economic progress, Saudi Arabia continues to face challenges resulting from ways in which cultural values influence administrative structures and behavior in organizations. Current problems in organization can be understood in the context of an ongoing encounter between forces of change and forces of stability. This study examines Saudi management problems, explores alternative models for reform, cites areas of compatability between Saudi Islamic tradition and Western management practices, and makes recommendations to integrate the various systems.