THE CONTRIBUTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Date
2024-07-24
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Reading
Abstract
This qualitative research was undertaken through a case study to explore the contribution of
council members of King Saud University (KSU) to their institutional strategy. It is the first
study to consider the impact of governing body members of higher education institutions in
Saudi Arabia. The study involved conducting 26 elite interviews with KSU council members
and collecting 9 relevant documents. Through thematic analysis, the study elucidated how
board members fulfill their responsibilities in alignment with KSU's strategic plan. Firstly,
board members were identified as holding official positions that require role-based contribution
and accountability. Secondly, the effective contribution of board members was facilitated by
the use of technology through the KSU’s board portal Majales. Thirdly, the engagement of
KSU council members at various decision-making levels, including the college council or
equivalent level, in addition to the university council level, was found to positively influence
the institutional strategy. Fourthly, the crucial role of the KSU president in enhancing
collaborative efforts between the board and the institution to achieve strategic objectives was
highlighted. Lastly, the efforts of KSU council members in developing new regulations and
enforcing implementation compliance were essential in reflecting their contribution to realizing
the objectives of KSU’s strategic plan.
The study concludes by proposing a model that outlines the process through which board
members contribute to their institutional strategy. The model emphasizes the importance of
employing a distributed system of specialized experts in their respective roles to make an
effective contribution. Additionally, it underscores the involvement of board directors in
discussions at multiple levels within the institution contributing to the improvement of
decision-making processes across the governance system. Furthermore, the model not only
advances the understanding of governance and strategic dynamics within KSU but also
provides valuable insights with broader applicability to higher education institutions.
Description
Keywords
Management, Governance, Strategy