Onboarding New Employees in the Era of Digital Transformation

Abstract

This research responds to calls for more studies on the digitalisation of onboarding processes by exploring the impact of the adoption of digital onboarding in a Saudi telecoms company (STC). Adopting a qualitative methodology, it draws on 25 semi- structured interviews with HR professionals and new employees, national policy documents, and company annual reports, with the aim of identifying whether digital solutions can enhance onboarding practices and foster employee engagement effectively within the Saudi context. While previous studies have explored the general benefits and challenges of digital onboarding, little is known about how these processes unfold within specific socio-cultural environments, such as the Gulf States. This study addresses this gap by offering a context-specific examination of digital onboarding in Saudi Arabia, a country which combines a young, tech-savvy population with rapid digital transformation as part of its national development plan (Saudi Vision 2030) but which retains deeply-rooted cultural norms that prioritise interpersonal relations and face-to-face communication. By situating digital HR processes within the cultural and generational dynamics of Saudi society, this research highlights the nuances that are often overlooked in the universalised models of digital transformation. The findings show that digital onboarding, as practiced in a leading organisation within a transforming national context, is shaped by a confluence of strategic, technological, and human factors. They also indicate that, while digital tools can enhance organisational efficiency and employee engagement, their full potential will only be realised when a balanced, context-sensitive, and culturally-grounded approach to digital transformation is adopted. This study therefore concludes that digital onboarding practices must adapt not only to generational shifts but also to deeply ingrained social customs. In doing so, it contributes to the theoretical understanding of digital onboarding and provides valuable insights into how digital processes can be effectively designed and implemented in culturally-rich and evolving work environments.