Local versus Foreign Worker Perceptions, Commitment and Attitudes toward Careers in Restaurants and Cafés: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) heavily relies on expatriates to meet the needs of their labor market, especially in the private sector. Nonetheless, to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment the government has recently implemented a new Saudization quota in restaurants/cafés. The new Saudization policy aims to replace foreign workers with up to 50% locals. This research takes the first attempt to examine the perceptions, commitment, and attitudes of local workers, who newly joined this career after the new quota in October 2021, versus foreign workers toward careers in restaurants/cafés. A quantitative research approach was used, including a self-administered questionnaire for a sample of 408 local workers and 455 foreign workers in a random sample of restaurants/cafés. The results showed statistically significant differences between local and foreign workers in relation to nature of work, perceived social status, working conditions, career development, relationship with managers and co-workers and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. Despite foreign workers having higher education and experience in comparison to their local counterparts, they received less compensation, albeit they have positive perceptions, attitudes, and commitment to a career in restaurants/cafés. The negative perceptions, attitudes and commitment to a career in restaurants and cafés held by newly joined local workers have several implications for scholars and practitioners in the restaurant business. It is crucial that restaurant managers in KSA recognize the heterogeneity of their restaurant/café workers, especially after the new Saudization quota, for proper management of their human assets and sustainable performance.