This study was concerned with two objectives: (a) To understand the current in-service training needs assessment in Saudi Arabia, and (b) to understand the applicability of different needs assessment techniques in the Saudi organizational context. / Factors considered for the first objective were: Definition of training, perception of training needs assessment, perception of the current assessment process, responsibility for assessing training needs, perception of efforts at cooperation to assess training needs, and perception of the value of the annual training plan of each ministry or agency. Approaches considered for the second objective were: Questionnaires, interviews, observations, records, performance appraisals, key consultants, critical incidents, assessment centers, nominal group techniques, self-assessments, and management excellence inventories. / A total of 41 interviews were conducted with Institute of Public Administration (IPA) policy makers, IPA trainers, and government training managers; and 640 questionnaires were distributed to government line managers and employees, of which 443 were returned. / The major findings revealed an absence of performance-based needs assessment; little sense of shared responsibility for a systematic needs assessment process; a generally limited and passive exercise of responsibility by training units, with the real burden falling on the line agencies; a perception of in-service training as dealing primarily with the job, rather than individual development needs; and training nomination as the focus of attention instead of needs assessment. The absence of a credible performance appraisal system further exacerbates problems of needs assessment. Institutionally, the IPA was found to play a major part in these activities and to have made steady and gradual efforts to enable government organizations to take charge of identifying their needs. / The study contributes to a very limited empirical literature on the operating realities of needs assessment, a critical part of public service training. In suggesting further directions for research, emphasis was placed on comparative studies that would provide practice-based generalizations on the needs assessment process. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: A, page: 0788. / Major Professor: Frank P. Sherwood. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77960 |
| Contributors | Algabbani, Faisal Mohamad., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 323 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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