Li, AliceAlazzaz, Suliman Abdullah2024-12-152024-08https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/74184Dr. Alazzaz examined the future of the work environment at Saudi universities. His research predicted a future with increased technology integration, hybrid work, industry collaborations, alongside evolving human resource practices involving digital employee management and regular training. These insights have significant academic and governance implications that will aid strategic planning.Recent advances in technology and social structures have affected nearly every sector including higher education institutions (HEIs). The aim of this research is to examine the future of the work environment in Saudi HEIs by analysing emerging trends relevant to academics and human resource (HR) professionals. This research is grounded in the theory of organisational adaptation, which postulates that organisations change the way they operate to keep up with changing environmental or market conditions. A qualitative research approach involving semi-structured interviews was used to collect data from 42 participants across eight universities. Key predictive elements include recent transformations in internal/external environments such as changes in human resource management (HRM) practices, staff roles, advances in technology and evolving HR trends that have emerged to meet changing demands of staff, students, and the contemporary marketplace. In the current work environment in Saudi HEIs, work schedules are more flexible, following the pandemic. Saudi HEIs are closely following global trends such as implementing technology, hybrid working, internationalisation, academic entrepreneurship, and developing online learning platforms to compete with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Major themes on the future work environment are integration with technology, diversification of income, and increased hybrid work and industry collaborations. HRM practices which are likely to become crucial in the future include regular training programs to improve skills, motivation, technology integration and digital employee management. Data also indicates that bureaucracy, culture, language, and religious barriers could hinder Saudi universities from meeting global standards. To overcome these challenges, it is recommended that the Saudi Ministry of Education work on decentralising governance, while HEI leadership must focus on upgrading HRM policy to meet emerging needs such as digital employee management and fostering industry partnerships to improve academic entrepreneurship.238enKeywords: Future of workhigher education intuitionsacademic work environmentHRMThesis