Country Management - Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example

Management Country Project Analysis (Saudi Arabia) Management Country Project Analysis (Saudi Arabia) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or simply known as Saudi Arabia, founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud. It was established in 1932, and it is divided into 13 provinces. Among Arab countries, it is the second largest state after Algeria. In West Asia it is the second largest state when it comes to land and it covers major portion of the Arabian Peninsula. The traditions Saudi is based on Islamic teachings and Arab customs, radically, which Saudi’s learn at their early age taught by their families and schools. Most important tradition mainly includes ‘the Hajj (a journey to a shrine)” and ‘the Holy month of Ramadan”. In the Ramadan month Muslims fast for 29/30 days continuously, after that they celebrate the festival of ‘Eid-Al-Fitr’. On this festival people meet with each other including their relatives. Holidays are given on this festival + other national holiday. The Hajj brings the Muslims all over the world to Makkah, which is followed by the festival ‘Eid Al-Adha’, in which Muslims slaughter a sheep in memory of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Another very old tradition, where hospitality and Kindness is offered by Saudi’s to strangers, in that they provide coffee in small cups along with Saudi dates and sweets. (Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 2014) Saudi Arabia being the birth place of Islam also holds an important place in its arts, including both the arts of Bedouin nomads and the sedentary peoples of regions such as the Hejaz, Tihamah, Asir and the Najd. Ka’aba, as it is otherwise known the house of Allah (God) draws hundreds of thousands of people of different beliefs from all over the world to Makkah throughout the year, increasing the number of tourist visiting the country and doubling tax revenues. The mosque of Islam ‘Quba’ in Medina, which was also known as the house of prophet is the most original form of architecture, where Muslims worship Allah. Most importantly the floor and carpets used in this mosque are touched by the heads of the Muslims. The Wusum are the tribal symbols of Bedouins, which is found as the pre-historical art which is engraved on the rocks in the hills and deserts of Arabia. Mohammed Said Farsi, who became the mayor of the city Jeddah, in 1972, made Jeddah city as one of the largest open-air art galleries in the world. (Khan, 2000). It is the largest Islamic country in terms of number of schools, Wahhabis and Salamis, which holds the strong base and thought of Islam religion. The two famous Holy mosques which are visited by millions of Muslims throughout the year are also situated in this state, on in Mecca (Al-Masjid al-Haram), the other in Medina (Al-Masjid al-Nabawi). The literacy level in Saudi is medium. The school levels comprise elementary, intermediate and secondary. Education is free at all the levels. At elementary and intermediate levels education based on Islam is being taught, later at secondary level students can chose their career paths. Both boys and girls are allowed to take education, as it’s been written in Quran too, ‘Iqra’ which means ‘to read’. More universities & colleges are constructed for higher level education. Arabic is the main language spoken throughout Saudia Arabia, although English is not the most popular language it is now being taught at many of the prominent schools increasing its spoken rate in the country, which is fast overcoming the communication barrier between Arabs and foreigners. Despite of how they are portrayed in our media Arabs are the most hospitable people they stick with their traditions and beliefs, and their beliefs teach them to be kind to all of God’s creations. To work or negotiate with Arabs one must recognize and respect their culture completely. In Saudia, Islam is the recognized belief and their every move is dictated by it. The basic techniques for a resolution of conflict are simple and universally recognized for different cultures. First of, the problem is singled out and then both parties arguments are laid out, both parties are told to make their offers clarifying their interests and then a counter agreement is raised which satisfies both parties. The process often leads to agreements that are better for both parties then the initially drawn deal. This helps both parties relocate their priorities and in turn benefit each other. Contrary to the popular belief all the issues are resolved in a similar non-violent manner. While negotiations are going on there are certain things to be kept in mind pertaining to body language. In discussion, manner of interruptions, thorough introduction, eye contact, physical contact and closeness, and silence differ for different cultures. Arabs prefer thorough introductions, maintained eye contact while addressing a person, although eye contact with women in public is not appreciated. Among men handshakes, hugs or hand holding is common, while a slight touch to a woman can lead to a fight. Arabs are very protective of their women. Oil and gas are the main source of revenue for this country with it oil reserves being second and gas reserves sixth largest in the world. The eastern province of this country generates more than 70% of government’s revenue which is due to its main focus on oil that is 90% of total exports of this country. It is also the world’s largest petroleum exporter of about 20% reserves, and also playleading role in OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). (Staff, 2012). This country hold of about 260b billion barrels of oil reserves, and this figure is calculated & proven on the entire world’s large scale. In Saudia Arabia national elections have never taken place and the government complies with what is written in Quran and Sharia, which is the Islamic law. And this law includes points like; making money from money isn’t acceptable in Islam, uncertainty, risk of speculation is prohibited, investments must support only those products that aren’t forbidden in Islam. The constitution of Saudi has never been written according to the modernity of this world and yet among 167 countries, Saudi Arabia is the seventh most authoritarian regime according to the evaluation by Economists 2010 Democracy Index. The government now there is trying to improve its growth in introducing more and more private sectors. For it they are privatizing the industries of power and telecommunication. Due to the increasing cost of oil, the GDP of Saudi Arabia has boost up to $17,000 (2007). It’s been said that Saudi Arabia is just showing off rapid growth in its reserves, and very soon it’s going to sink in its production business. Worldwide Saudi is the only country progressing with $24,200 (2010) income per capita and soon it will be introducing its new economy city by 2020. The King of Saudi also stated that their per capita income would also boost from 15,000 (2006) to $33,500 (2020). Jeddah and Riyadh would also be contributing of about $287 billion dollars in Saudi by 2020. This whole economy situation based on the evaluation of both present and future, not only encourages the United States, but it also encourages the businesses worldwide to invest in Saudi Arabia to gain much and much of the output. (Global Alliance of SMEs (GASME), 2004-2013) References Global Alliance of SMEs (GASME). (2004-2013). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from News-index Saudi Arabia: http://www.globalsmes.org/news/index.php?func=detail&detailid=1061&catalog=20&lan=en&search_keywords= Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. (2014, February 27). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from About Saudi Arabia- culture and arts: http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/culture_art/ Khan, D. (2000). The Rock Art Of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from Middle-East Saudi Arabia, Rock Art: http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/middle_east/saudi_arabia_rock_art/majeed_khan.php Staff, M. (2012, February 22). Middle East Institute. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from introduction-kingdom-saudi-arabia-1979-2009-evolution-pivotal-state: http://www.mei.edu/content/introduction-kingdom-saudi-arabia-1979-2009-evolution-pivotal-state Read More