Work involvement and ethics in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia to compare expatriates to Saudis in terms of their beliefs and work involvement. Furthermore, the study aims to contrast four measures related to work involvement and investigate expatriates’ and citizens’ commitment to work. A total of 990 surveys were distributed. The final sample included 481 responses, a response rate of 48.6%. It was found that Saudi managers scored higher than expatriates on individualism, while expatriates showed higher commitment than Saudis toward IWE and Belief About Work measures. Likewise, the results show that there were strong correlations among Islamic Work Ethic (IWE), Individualism, and Belief About Work and Consumer Ethics scales. Theoretical and cultural underpinnings are presented.

Keywords:

• Consumer ethics
• ethics in expatriates
• Islamic work ethic
• Saudi Arabia

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abbas J. Ali

Abbas J. Ali, Ph.D. is Distinguished University Professor, Eberly College of Business, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705.

Lamya Al-Aali

Lamya Al-Aali is affiliated with Saudi Arabian Central Bank (SAMA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [email protected].

Krish S. Krishnan

Krish S. Krishanan, Ph.D. is Professor of marketing, Eberly College of Business, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705.