Talent Management and Career Issues of Persons with Disability in Saudi Arabia

Research has consistently shown that persons with disabilities (PWDs) face more significant career obstacles than their non-disabled counterparts, often leading to the underutilisation of their talents and skills. Despite the growing body of work in the field of talent management (TM), only a few studies have specifically addressed the career management issues faced by PWDs. This study aims to address this gap by focusing on the career management challenges of PWDs in Saudi Arabia, a country that has received comparatively little attention in this area, particularly within the context of the Arab Gulf region. While developed nations have been the primary focus of such research, Saudi Arabia’s unique political, economic, religious, and cultural context offers valuable insights, making it a significant case study. Moreover, the findings of this study could have broader implications for other countries in the Gulf region, which face similar challenges and opportunities related to PWDs inclusion in the workforce. This study represents a substantial contribution to the field of TM by adopting an empirical approach, given that much of the existing literature remains conceptual or theoretical. By conducting semi-structured interviews with PWDs in Saudi Arabia, this research explores the career management issues faced by this often underrepresented group, particularly within the context of developing countries. This study’s central focus is exploring the proactive strategies PWDs adopt to manage their careers. Key activities identified include goal setting and planning, relationship-building and networking, cultivating resilience and adaptability, obtaining professional qualifications, completing educational studies, maintaining discipline and commitment, and enhancing language skills such as learning English. Additionally, the study draws on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to argue that an inclusive talent management approach may be better suited to the Saudi context rather than an exclusive one. This research highlights the critical role of contextual factors in shaping talent management practices, contributing to the growing body of literature on TM in non-Western settings, particularly in the Gulf region.