Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the structure and functioning of the actors and collaborative networks in the SACM program in America. The study aimed to determine the nature of the collaborative networks and to ascertain how they may be better utilized, in terms of linkage, needs fulfillment, and capital exchange in order to help SACM better achieve its two objectives. Those objectives are the attainment of the Saudi student's educational goals and return to the Kingdom assisting it in its future development goals, and the goal of properly disseminating and presenting Saudi culture and heritage. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of this study is based on collaborative public management theory, where public, and nonprofit organizations work collaboratively to solve problems that cannot be solved by government alone. Methodology: Primary data for this study was collected through two on-line questionnaires using Survey Monkey. One survey was distributed to 300 Saudi students, their spouses, and/or adult dependents, enrolled in SACM approved education institutions in Southern California. The second survey examined capital resource exchange between the actors (stakeholders) involved with SACM in the region. These actors were: a) SACM, b) two universities, c) three E.S.L. centers, and 11 Saudi clubs. Findings: The study showed that the student's needs were being met by the full range of actors in the network. One outstanding observation was the significant contribution of resource capitals by families and the Saudi community in meeting the student's needs. In viewing the networking as a factor in fulfilling SACM's dual objectives, the study also found a similar collaboration by all the actors required in meeting those objectives. Conclusion and Recommendations: As the needs of the student's interplays intimately with the attainment of SACM's dual objectives, the totality of networking, whether to provide the needs of the students or to fulfill SACM's objectives, must be considered as a whole in order to view the phenomenon in its full dynamic.