Life and Work Motivators of Gen Y Professionals in the Middle-East

The Saudi Arabia population demographics herald the coming of the Big Crew Change with the retirement of Generation X workers and the entry of a large Generation Y (Gen Y) segment. This study examined the life priorities and work preferences of Gen Y professionals in Saudi Arabia to understand their motivations, strengths and aptitudes that could guide organizations in forming strategies to effectively recruit, retain and integrate this new generation into the nation’s workforce. Gen Y engineering and business professionals from a major company in Saudi Arabia were surveyed and interviewed. The findings revealed the Saudi Gen Y’s most important life values and work motivators. This book extended previous studies by providing a rare insight into this young generation in Saudi Arabia from their distinct cultural and religious perspectives that would be valuable to researchers of motivational studies, human values, generational studies, and organizational behavior. Additionally, recommendations for the effective recruitment and retention of this young generation were provided that would help human resource managers understand how to attract, engage and retain this new workforce.

Dr. Hwee Ling Lim is an Associate Professor at The Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi (UAE). She obtained Bachelor, Master degrees, a Diploma in Education from The National University of Singapore, and a PhD from Murdoch University (Australia). She has over 29 publications in educational technology, computer-mediated communication, and education.