The main aim of this empirical study is to explore the mediation role of the leader-member exchange (LMX) between organizational justice and job performance in several tobacco companies in Pakistan. Two models are represented in this study, the first showing the influence of the dimensions of organizational justice on job performance, and the second the influence of organizational justice on job performance with the mediating role of LMX. The data was collected from 290 employees working within several tobacco companies in Pakistan. The results of the statistical analysis found that the dimensions of organizational justice had both a direct and indirect stronger effect on job performance. It was proved empirically that LMX plays a vital role not only on organizational justice but also on employee performance. This is one of the first studies to empirically examine the mediating role of LMX in the relationship between the dimensions of organizational justice on job performance in tobacco companies in Pakistan. The study highlights the importance of job performance theory when designing strategies to promote performance.

This research aims to identify the challenges confronting the delivery of training and development in the context of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a country which is currently in a transformational phase, triggered by domestic factors like Vision 2030 and global factors. Through a process known as Saudization, the government of Saudi Arabia seeks to improve the quality of human resource in the country and provide the maximum opportunities to its youth that constitutes a significant part of its population. To this end, the government is heavily investing in training and development programs and the education sector. This study collects secondary data from government documents, databases, articles, reports, books, and previous studies undertaken by the government to measure the effectiveness of its training and development programs. Various findings have been summarised from the perspective of challenges confronting the delivery of training and development programs in Saudi Arabia.

The education sector is crucial to any nation committed to building future human capital. The Higher Education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is at the centre of transforming the nation's future in a radical move to end oil-dependency. But this is only possible if universities make a decisive change and start working as learning organisations in all employee's levels. The present study investigates the direction of higher education in becoming learning organisations. We collected data from 840 staff members in 20 public Saudi universities. We designed a questionnaire exploring the seven dimensions of learning organisation found in the literature.  Regression analyses were used to assess the impact of those dimensions on the organisational performance. Results showed that universities that adhered most to the learning organisation principles demonstrated a better organisational performance, particularly concerning research and knowledge performance. We recommend that universities should (1) use change agents to help transform effectively and meet rising demands and (2), promote continuous learning for all employees to increase productivity.

This research examines the problems encountered by the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) system from the perspective of faculty members and Human Resources (HR) managers in emerging public universities in the Saudi Arabian Higher Education sector. It aims to understand how problems with this will affect the success rate of Training and Development (T&D) curriculums. The research comprises an analytical study using a case study method of analysis. Qualitative data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews with 75 senior managers and faculty members of four selected universities, selected using purposive non-random sampling. The data was analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). The results highlight the insufficiency of the TNA techniques applied to ascertain training requirements. The primary obstacles to successful TNA were inadequate HR processes, insufficiently experienced HR directors, poor engagement, and favouritism concerning the selection of candidates for T&D. These issues affect the enthusiasm of those in the department. Additionally, resources required for T&D, particularly time and money, are misused, which could influence the growth potential of the universities against the country’s Vision 2030 plan. The findings indicate procedural differences in selecting and approving staff requests for Human Resource Development (HRD) support, managerial discretion in selecting participants for HRD programmes, and selective or restricted access to HRD programmes for foreign-born employees, which raises significant questions about equality policies. This study is unique as a contribution to the literature in exploring the challenges faced by the TNA process in Saudi Arabian Higher Education, therefore broadening understanding in the field as a whole, especially concerning the developing countries and Gulf Cooperation Council of Nations. The study concludes that there is currently unsatisfactory commitment in determining the staff training needs by the HR departments of Saudi Arabian public universities, which damages morale and leads to a lack of faith between HR directors and departmental staff. Finally, this study contributes to the area of policy decision-making by reporting the present situation surrounding the issues related to the application of TNA in T&D.

PurposeThis article aims to investigate the challenges faced during the training and development (T&D) evaluation process from the point of view of faculty members and HR managers in Saudi Arabian public universities, and to examine the influence of these challenges on the effectiveness of T&D programmes in public universities.Design/methodology/approachExploratory research using semi-structured interviews to determine the challenges faced during T&D evaluation was employed. Participants included faculty members (n = 23) and senior managers (n = 05) working in four public universities in Saudi Arabia. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.FindingsThe outcome highlights the challenges faced during the T&D evaluation process: a lack of performance measurement and role ambiguity H.R.M. practices. Finally, this study aims to investigate how do these challenges influence the higher education sector.Originality/valueTo the best of the researcher's knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to explore challenges within the T&D evaluation process in Saudi Arabian higher education. The results should therefore broaden the scope of the available literature and fill a research gap, particularly regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of Nations.