The Influence of Gender Relations in Saudi Culture on Knowledge Sharing in Gender Integrated Government Organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of knowledge sharing among male and female Saudi employees in government organizations where both genders share the same workspace. These organizations have transitioned from gender- segregated settings to integrated ones, or if formed after the Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia then they were designed to have gender integrated workspaces. These new forms of organizing significantly impact knowledge sharing among employees of different genders—a phenomenon never explored before in the Saudi context. The basic qualitative design methodology included in depth interviews with nine females and six males employed in gender integrated government organizations. The four main themes that emerged from this study (together with their associated sub-themes included in parenthesis) are the following: Gender relations in Saudi Arabia and knowledge sharing at work (upbringing and knowledge sharing at work, experiences with gender segregated workspace and knowledge sharing at work, and traditional attire and knowledge sharing at work); facilitators of knowledge sharing at work (learning and employee development and organizational kinship); culture as a barrier of knowledge sharing (new competition in the workplace, misjudged and misunderstood, and change takes time); and organizational practices supporting knowledge sharing. Based on the findings, the study concluded that a new type of organizational kinship is emerging between genders in Saudi government organizations that is based on respect between genders or muruwah. Additionally, it concluded that female employees play a primary role in initiating knowledge sharing with their male colleagues. The study recommends that organizations focus on improving knowledge sharing among male and female employees by establishing clear policies to protect employees from misconduct and implementing programs to facilitate knowledge sharing, recognizing that it takes time for the dissemination and enforcement of policies and procedures for achieving the Vision 2030 related to integration of workplaces.