خصخصة الجامعات السعودية في ضوء مؤشرات الاقتصاد المعرفي والتحول الوطني
The study aimed at exploring the requirements and obstacles to the privatization of Saudi universities in the light of knowledge economy and the national transformation indicators. The descriptive survey approach was employed. The study population was (1462) academic leaders in (5) universities (Umm Al Qura, King Saud, King Khaled, Imam Abdul-Rahman Bin Faisal, Tabuk). The sample of the study was chosen using random stratified sampling and comprised 304 of the study population. The questionnaire was used to collect the study data. Main results: 1) The grand arithmetic mean of the requirements of privatization of Saudi universities in the light of knowledge economy and national transformation indicators from the point of view of the academic leaders was (4.37) i.e. (very high). 2) The grand arithmetic mean of the obstacles to privatization of Saudi universities in the light of knowledge economy and national transformation indicators from the point of view of the academic leaders was (3.91), i.e. (high). 3) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) between the responses of the study sample which related to the requirements of privatization of universities in two fields (innovation, education and training) according to gender in favor of males. 4) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) between the responses of the study sample on the requirements of privatization universities in the first domain (economic incentives and institutional construction) and the second domain (ICT) depending on the university variable in favor of Umm Al-Qura University. 5) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) between the responses of the study sample on the obstacles to privatization of Saudi universities in the light of knowledge economy and national transformation indicators according to gender in the field of (ICT) in favor of males. 6) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) on the obstacles to privatization of Saudi universities in the first field (economic incentives and institutional construction) according to the University in favor of Umm AlQura, King Khalid and Tabuk. 7) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) on the obstacles to privatization of Saudi universities in the second field (innovation) according to the university in favor of King Khalid and Tabuk. 8) There were statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) on the obstacles to privatization of Saudi universities in the fourth field (ICT) according to the University in favor of Umm Al-Qura, King Khalid and Tabuk. (Published abstract)