Principality of Makkah Region - Essay Example

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TOWARDS APPLYING ELECTRONIC- GOVERNMENT (Field Study on Principality of Makkah Region) By: Alfayez, Bassem Abdullah D Introduction Revolution in technology and electronic progress has led to drastic changes and major societal transformations in individuals’ lives, work establishments and governmental organizations. This has led to the emergence of developed mechanisms such as E-Government, digital economy, E-Commerce, E-Management and many technology-related fields. Such fields demonstrate the major changes in organizations and offer government its benefits, behaviors and systems as the common denominator between theses fields is the great technical use in work and management (Alawamla 2003). Applying modern technology in governmental operations or what is now called E-Government is a change for modernization in all activities, procedures and governmental treatments. Furthermore, it is simplifying and specifically changing the operations from traditional systems to technical (electronic) systems for raising the level efficiency of administrative work and the standard of performance. This is achieved by computerizing the system to save time, efforts and money in the national standard. Moreover, the computerized government operations are not for a specific category, rather it includes all the citizens and business establishment. This modernization has a number of aspects in its type, mean and models with its procedures and steps to be carried out between the administrative governmental organizations and business sector (Ibrahim 2004). The concept of E-Government is as a way through which the government offers its services to the citizens of its countries and the electronic business sector by making use of modern technology without the applicant service to transfer between the governmental units. Even though, the concept of E-Government has become the name for progress and administrative distinguishing but it faces some conceptual and practical human and environmental challenges which reduces the growth in this field and hinders its application in a correct manner. Therefore, the governmental organizations seeks to achieve the benefits of E-Government through strategic plans to raise the effectiveness of the management in all its aspects and quantitative and species factors (Alhabib 1992). The strategic plan is considered the corner stone of the application of E-Government in the private and public organizations. This strategic plan basically emphasizes the importance of human resource. It aims at getting the efficient individuals to work in different jobs and to benefit from their efforts according to the quantitative and species factors mentioned previously. Furthermore, this would enhance the employees’ belonging and loyalty for the organization and increase their desire towards work. Moreover, it would develop the employees’ abilities through training them to face the technological, administrative and environmental changes. It would further provide them with the opportunity to develop in their respective organizations. Thus, the strategic planning for human resources should be consistent with the comprehensive strategic planning for the organization to reach the goals which it seeks to achieve (Alnagar 2007). Principality of Makkah Region has applied the E-Government to keep pace with the development and progress taking place around the world. It is trying, in the age development, to offer high quality services accompanied with promptness not only to the citizens and the companies of the private sector but also relieve them from physically moving to different areas to fulfill their duties. The employees have to move not only due to enlargement of the geographical area and increase in the population but also to provide services to the pilgrims and Umrah performers (King Saud University 1994). As already mentioned, the application of E-Government faces numerous obstacles and problems. These problems mainly include the training and development of the human resources. In addition to the governorates and directorates, there are eight hundred employees in the Emirates office. This is a large number of employees who need to be aligned with the strategies. Theses strategies are for the management of the human resources to apply E-Government in away to achieve its maximum benefits and not to be a slogan raised without work. The present study investigates the established strategies for human resources management in Principality of Makkah Region for E-Government application, the extent of these strategies and their influence on the Principality of Makkah Region and its employees. Study problem In the twenty first century, information and communication technology changes have led to new concepts in the modern administrative world, for example E-Government. The application of E-Government contributes greatly in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations and its workers. It also improves the social justice and reduces the red tape. Thus, the government has been forced to apply E-Government to keep pace with the development and changes. But, the application of E-Government faces certain financial, administrative, technical and human obstacles. Therefore, the organizations need to carry out a comprehensive strategy to achieve the maximum by applying E-Government. The strategy of human resources must be appropriately addressed due to its importance for the organizations and the society in general. If human abilities and efficiency cannot be imported from abroad, one should seek human skills at the national level, train them and raise their scientific and cultural skills to achieve benefit for organizations, work force and the society in general. Thus, the researcher seeks to analyze the used procedures and strategies in Principality of Makkah Region of the application of E-Government for human resources management, its effectiveness and influence on the Emirate and its workers. Objectives Saving individuals or their existence in the organization is not enough to guarantee excellence and achieve the targets; therefore, human resources should be trained and developed to achieve the maximum out of the application of E-Government. Thus, the researcher seeks to investigate the answer to the following questions: 1. What is the strategic plan for human resources management to deal with the application of E-Government in Principality of Makkah Region? 2. To what extent strategic planning for human resources management keeps pace with comprehensive strategic planning in Principality of Makkah Region? 3. What are the major obstacles faced by the workers in improving their performance and developing their skills to face E-Government? 4. To what extent the set strategic plans for administrating the human resources in Principality of Makkah Region suit the wanted goals from applying E-Government? 5. To what extent the set strategic plans in Principality of Makkah Region for human resources management are applied? 6. To what extent is the high leaderships interest in human resources management in Principality of Makkah Region? Study Significance The importance of the present study is for those who are interested in knowing the strategy used in human resources management in Makkah region to face the application of E-Government, the extent of the application of theses strategies and its effect on the performance of Emirate and its workers. As human resources represents the real investment and human capital for organization cannot be exported like equipment and sets, therefore, one should be concerned with individuals, invest them, raise the efficiency and performance of the workers and develop their skills to overcome the obstacles and difficulties faced by them. Furthermore, one should also be concerned with the polarization of the distinctive competencies that add reality to the organization in a good way to achieve its planned goals. Study Objectives This study aims at investigating the set strategies by higher administrations for human resources management in Principality of Makkah Region to face the application of E-Government and its effectiveness on the emirate and its workers. The study also analyzes whether there are faults in setting the strategies or in their application. Furthermore, the study investigates the extent of the interest from the higher leaderships in human resources. Thus, the objectives of the study are: 1- Identifying the importance of E-Government and its influence on the Principality of Makkah Region. 2- Identifying the importance of human resources management in Principality of Makkah Region and the extent of the interest of high leadership in it. 3- Identifying the set human resources management strategy to face the application of E-Government. 4- Identifying the extent of the used strategy efficiency and effectiveness for human resources management. 5- Urging the human resources administrations in governmental organizations to set suitable strategic plans to face E-Government. 6- Obtaining results and recommendations to contribute in raising the efficiency and effectiveness of human resources management in Principality of Makkah Region. Previous Studies The Deloitte Research (2000) conducted a comprehensive study ‘The Citizen as Customer’ about E-Government. The study included 250 subjects which were government establishments in five countries. These countries were USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and UK. The study investigated the views of high government officials of the governments under study. It analyzed their predictions, plans and outlooks to cope with drastic changes in modern and future governmental conceptions. The results of the study showed that the governments used the concept of E-Government in its operations and had succeeded in achieving great benefits. The most important of these benefits were saving easier services, achieving high production, saving information, reducing workers’ complaints, raising their performance standard and improving the overall view of the establishment. The study also found out the main element of orientation towards E-Government of these governments was that they concentrated more on the use of technology rather than the participation of the information. The British E-Government Magazine (2001), previously known as Internet Intelligence Bulletin, conducted a research ‘Study on Public Private Partnership’. The study had a sample of high administrative employees in central government and local commission in Britain. The study found out the serious problems faced by the application of E-Government in governmental aspects. The study suggested that the implementation of E-Government faced a number of obstacles among which, coordination between the different aspects of the government, funding, saving the human efficiency and suitable legalization, were most important. The study also found that the most significant of the problems was the changing of the mind-set of the employees, whether they are managers or other employees. The Forrester Research (2000) conducted a research ‘Sizing U.S. E-Government’ that investigated the quick spread and implementation of E-Government during the following decade. The research found out that E-Government spread quickly because of popular pressure to introduce public and effective electronic services. The study also found that the orientation towards E-Government would be a gradual operation but it will be spread quickly and thus the governments would abandon their traditional styles. The study determined three stages E-Government would pass through. The stages included the experimentation stage, integration stage and the reinvention stage. The experimentation stage extended for two years where simple services were offered for testing, finding faults and reducing risks. The integration stage included a double process of linking information systems and nets used in the different aspects of the government whereas the reinvention stage form advanced stage for comprehensive improvement to E-Government introduced services in all its complete aspects. The study provided with a significant finding that effective E-Government will enhance the confidence of the public sector audience and therefore more active government. Aghazada (1999) conducted a study ‘HRM: Issues and Challenges in the New Millennium’ that analyzed human resources management and its requirement in the new millennium. The study concentrated on the future challenges, technology, and globalization as vital, direct and effective elements in human force field. The study also suggested that specialists in human resources management field should enhance organized skills in order to attract qualified individuals and keep them, that is, attract and retain personnel. Moran and Average (1997) conducted a study ‘Creating Lasting Change’ that showed the administration of change is a continuous process for organizations who wanted to keep pace with modern technology. The study also suggested that the modern technology distinguished in numeral world very quickly with a non-linear curve which did not have a clear or discriminate beginning or ending, therefore, organizations should be ready from all aspects whether financial, technical, human or legalization to keep pace with this change. Andriopoulos and Lowe (no date) conducted a study ‘Enhancing Organizational Creativity’ that found out the increased pressures upon all organizations to become more creative or what the study described as perpetual challenging. The study encouraged to enhance the workers motives and incentives to raise their standard of creation. The research also determined that the most important changes of perpetual challenging for workers were adventures, direct facing of challenges and seizing the available opportunities. Alawamla (2003) studied ‘E-Governmental and Management Awareness in Numeral World’ that showed that the E-Government is not just a technological invention or prepared kit for immediate implementation rather there are a number of obstacles that slow down its implementation. The most of these obstacles are less legalizations, funding, human individuals and weakness of social awareness. Thus, the study advised to set strategies for transformation based upon a new administrative philosophy that was to be included in the implementation of E-Government in the public and private sectors. Whereas, the transformation takes place gradually and through the studied steps which saves human, financial, technology and legal requirements to guarantee the effectiveness of the change and facilitating its practical implementation. Ibraheem (2004) studied ‘E-Government and insurance the services and distinguished performance for the future of administration’ which aimed at recognizing the opinions of high administrations and determine the available possibilities to implement E-Government. The study not only explained the concepts and dimensions of E-Government, it also explained its infrastructure and its administrative importance by keeping pace with fast change in information technology and communication. The study also recommended that the high administration should spread E-Government, set strategies and comprehensive plans, prepare human resources and select the most efficient individuals. Curriculum of the Study and Information Sources The researcher will emphasize on the analyzed curriculum because it is linked to a contemporary phenomena that describes and explains E-Government. This curriculum depends on two styles: 1. The theoretical or librarian will be a curriculum which will refer to books, scientific courses, reports, symposias and previous literature related to E-Government and human management resources. 2. Survey field study will be based upon the field survey for a chosen sample of the employees in Principality of Makkah Region Study Limits Subjective limits: Human Resources Management Strategies towards Applying Electronic-Government (field study on Principality of Makkah Region) Place limits: the place of application will be in Principality of Makkah Region Study Items 1. Strategy "It is a group of decisions and administrative which determine the mission and vision of the study in the long-term in the light of its advantage competitive and seek for carrying it out through studying and following and valuing the opportunities and threats and its relation with strength and weakness and achieving the balance between the different stakeholders (Alhabib 1992).” 2. Human Resources Management "Known with planning, organizing, orienting and watching the aspects related to getting, developing, compensating and reserving the individuals to achieve the organization goals (Alnagar 2007).” 3. E-Government "The governmental organization ability to change information and offering serves between it and citizenship and work sector quickly and inexpensively through the internet with keeping the information in secrets and safe (Ibrahim 2004).” 4. Principality of Makkah Region It is considered as the highest governmental authority in the region. Its mission can be as following: Represent The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Ensure execution of final judicial decisions Maintain security and tranquility in the region Carry out social and economic development in the region Guarantee individuals rights according to the statutory laws Protect and maintain the government property Co-ordinate with authorities to provide services in the region Monitor and improve the quality of services provided Receive complaints from citizens and solve their problems Research Methodology Sample The present study is an investigation into human resources management strategies towards applying electronic-government with the field of study being the Principality of Makkah Region. A sample of 100 subjects, including both males and females, ranging from the ages 23 to 60 years, will be drawn from the Principality of Makkah Region. All the subjects will be employees from the Principality of Makkah Region. Sampling Strategy The sampling strategy employed in the research will be Stratified Random Sampling. Stratified Random Sampling also referred as proportional or quota random sampling, is separating the population into uniform subgroups and then drawing a simple random sample from each subgroup (Trochim 2006). For the present study, both primary and secondary researches will be carried out. The use of both primary and secondary researches enables the researcher to not only gather facts and figures about the use of E-Government around the world, the challenges it faced and the measures that needed to be taken to overcome those challenges. Moreover, primary research allowed the researcher to obtain data regarding the use of E-Government in the Principality of Makkah Region, strategies for the human resources required in the implementation of E-Government and the extend of the interest of high leadership in E-Government. Primary Research Questionnaire A questionnaire will be distributed among the employees in the Principality of Makkah Region to find out the strategies required in the implementation of E-Government. The questionnaire will also include questions concerned with extent to which the strategic planning for human resources management keeps pace with comprehensive strategic planning in Principality of Makkah Region and the interest of the high leadership in the implementation of E-Government. Secondary Research Secondary research will also be employed in the present study. The purpose for this is to gather data regarding implementation of E-Government and human resource management from internet, books, articles, etc. The use of secondary research will enable the researcher to gather information regarding the implementation of E-Government, challenges faced by it, significance of human resource management in the implementation of E-Government. Furthermore, it will also enhance the level of objectivity involved in the research as the data will be gathered from other sources. Procedure In order to investigate the human resources management strategies towards applying electronic-government with the field of study being the Principality of Makkah Region a sample of 100 subjects, including both males and females, ranging from the ages 23 to 60 years, will be drawn from the Principality of Makkah Region. All the subjects will be employees from the Principality of Makkah Region. Stratified random sampling will be used. First of all written permission would be taken from the organizations where the survey will be conducted. They will be briefed about the research, its significance, time involved and the procedure. Furthermore, the sample population will be informed and consent forms will be distributed. Also the authority and confidentiality of the people will be confirmed. Individual testing will be carried out. One time approach to the participants will be used for data collection. The subjects will be administered the questionnaire. The testing environment provided to the sample population will be sufficiently quire to facilitate adequate concentration. The instructions will be read out loud so that the sample population can easily comprehend the questions. On average the administration time will take 15 minutes in individual testing situation. The study will be undertaken from ___________ to __________. Qualitative Analysis The qualitative analysis of the data will include the strategies used for the human resource management in the implementation of E-Government. It will also include the extent of the interest high leadership has in the implementation of E-Government. Quantitative Analysis Inferential and descriptive statistics will be applied on the data collected. Frequency and percentages of the variables will be calculated. Results and Findings The quantitative analysis of all the questions in the questionnaire will be carries out. The appropriate primary sources (statistical indexes, graphs, tables of primary data) will be used in order to support the ideas of the literature. This will enable the researcher to statistically analyze the data, interpret it and make recommendations accordingly. REFERENCES ARABIC REFERENCES 1. Alakhras, M. H, (n.d). The effect of technology upon Arabic society: social basic for technical and scientific progress, The Arab Central for Security Studies, 1411h. 2. Alaksh, A., (n.d). Technology management in developing countries. UAE University. 3. Alawamla Study., 2003. E-Governmental and management awareness in numeral world. Administrative Sciences Magazine, King Saud University, 15(2) 4. Alhabib, F., 1992. The fundamentals of technology management strategy. Social Affairs Magazine, 33 5. Allwazi, M., 2002. Administrative development. Dar Wael for publishing copy: Amman 6. Alnagar, F., 2007. Strategic management for HR. Aldar Algameia: Alex. 7. Alnowry, B. (n.d). The organized environment through modern technology. Unpublished M.Sc Research, King Abdulaziz University, 1415 h. 8. Borhan, M. N., 1988. Information technology and public administration in Arab countries. Magazine for Administration, 12(1) 9. Hbesh, A., 1992. Understanding technology and age challenges. Technology and Scientific Research Academy, 1 10. Ibrahim, L. S., 2004. E-Government and insurance the services and performance of the future of General Administration: possibilities and requirements of applying. Arabic Magazine, 24(2) 11. King Saud University, 1994. Information strategic plans for Makkah Emirate area. Faculty of Computing and Information Riyadh 12. Omar, H., 1997. Technology and management: as partners to face Internet challenges. King Fahd National Library, 1 13. Radwan, D. S. (n.d). Technology and its concepts). Alqafela Magazine, Saudi Aramco com. 10, 1411h. 14. Sendy, T., 2000. Technology progress and its influence upon the workers. Administration Magazine year, 22(82) 15. Yousef, D. 1992. The administrative of the leaderships’ orientation towards using computer in administrative: practice–applied study on government system in UAE. Administrative sciences Magazines, 1(2) ENGLISH REFERENCES 1. Aghazadeh, S. M., 1999. Human resource management: issues and challenges in the new millennium. Management Research News, 22(12) 2. Aldred, C., 2000. Government E-Monitoring criticized. Business Insurance, 34(1) 3. Andriopoulos, C. & Lowe, A. (n.d). Enhancing organizational creativity. Management Decision, 38(10) 4. Darrel, M., 2000. The Internet, democracy, west and service delivery by state and federal governments. Assessing E-Government Providence; Brown University, September 5. Dean, J., 2000. E-Government: creating digital democracy." Government. Executive Magazine, 35(8) 6. Deloitte Research, 2000. The citizen as customer. Report: At the Dawn of E-Government, Washington 7. E-Government Bulletin, 2001. Study on Public Private Partnership (PPP). 101 8. Hart-Teeter, 2000. E-Government: the next American revolution. The Council for Excellence in Government (special Report) 9. Moran, J., & Average, A., 1997. Creating lasting change. The Total Quality Management Magazine, 9(2) 10. Trochim, W. M. K. 2006. Probability sampling. Research Methods: Knowledge Base. Available at: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampprob.php [Accessed 19 March 2010] Read More