Title: Identifying emotional intelligence on job replacement policy: evidence from service industry in Saudi Arabia

Authors: Muhammad Asad Sadi

Addresses: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to explore the question whether the Emotional Intelligence (EI) model lends its credibility to |Saudization|, a job replacement policy promulgated in Saudi Arabia. The job replacement policy favours replacing expatriate workers with the local workers to reduce unemployment among local youths. The results of this study do not fully support the replacement of expatriate workers with local workers without detailed analysis of the implications of the policy. While the study favours the idea of reducing unemployment among local youths, it does not support reducing expatriate workers to solve unemployment problems in the Kingdom. The results indicate that discouraging expatriate workers in the Saudi Arabian job market means impeding efficiency and productivity in the Kingdom. The study recommends thorough review of the likely consequences and programmes of local training and skills enhancement to ensure local citizens| participation in country|s economic and social well-being.

Keywords: job replacement; emotional intelligence; work performance; service industry; services; Saudi Arabia; expatriates; expats; local workers; unemployment reduction; expatriate workers; efficiency; productivity; local training; skills enhancement.

DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2010.034502

Journal for Global Business Advancement, 2010 Vol.3 No.3, pp.228 - 242

Published online: 05 Aug 2010 *

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