THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN THE EMPLOYMENT AND THE ECONOMY OF LEBANON

This paper aims at presenting, from a theoretical perspective, the development of human resources, regarded as a means of evolution for the employment and the economy in Lebanon. The method used for investigation was documentary analysis and the findings present a broader perspective of human resources and the Lebanese labor market. The characteristics of the Lebanese labor market are not sufficiently diversified to include a wide range of skills. The two big employers in Lebanon are the banks, which have a very specific corporate culture that is not suitable for everyone, and the Food and Beverage sector, which is highly oriented towards commercial and promotional skills. On the economic side, Lebanon has a strong banking sector, benefiting from international aid. Its educational side is high, the number of graduates increases over the years, but the lack of job offer in the market is considerable. The public and private Lebanese universities produce every year a number of graduates that the local market is unable to absorb. SMEs, which represent the majority of businesses in Lebanon, are family-owned and attach a very little importance to the human resources department. In general, human resources departments are not involved in the company's decisions and strategy, but simply at an operational level. In addition, there are gaps at the legislative and regulatory levels. Inequality is also remarkable in the demand for employment between men and women. Women lack support at the corporate level to reach higher positions and be able to participate in decision-making as managers, but this is less easy than with men.