Influences of cultural orientations on Emirati women’s careers

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 988-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linzi J. Kemp ◽  
Fang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women's Careers ◽  
Cultural Orientations ◽  
Business Application ◽  
Women’S Careers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how cultural orientations influence Emirati women’s career development. Drawing on the cultural theories of Hofstede (1980, 2001) and House et al. (2004), the authors investigated the cultural orientations of a sample of 19 women in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth interviews were conducted to collect life history data about women’s early lives, education and employment. Findings – The findings identify three themes that influenced the participant’s careers: family influence on careers, individual-level attitudes toward education for careers, and workplace career development. Research limitations/implications – Limited by the small sample of 19 female national participants that implies further international study is required to extend this research. Practical implications – The business application is that social values, beliefs and norms can be leveraged for women’s career success. Social implications – Policymakers are guided on key factors that influence Emirati women’s careers from a cultural perspective. Originality/value – The study makes a unique theoretical contribution in a model that shows: cultural dimensions are interrelated, cultural values and practices are interdependent, and cultural orientations vary between women and men.

Entrepreneurial intentions and perceived barriers to entrepreneurship among youth in Uttarakhand state of India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Cultures ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of gender and regional cultures on entrepreneurial intentions and perceived barriers to entrepreneurship in two diverse regions of a state. Authors in the past have consistently expressed the need for studies on entrepreneurial intentions that would encompass both the gender and cultural dimensions, as there is a potential interactive effect between sex and culture, which remains largely unstudied despite its potential to provide an explanation for the contradictory findings that have emerged when either sex or culture was studied separately. Design/methodology/approach This is a quantitative study. The primary data were derived from the students of professional courses. The sampling method used was proportionate stratified sampling. The scales used were tested with regard to validity and reliability. The chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to draw relationships between the variables. Findings The findings indicated significant gender differences in perceptions of barriers and entrepreneurial intentions among youth. The findings also showed that the barrier perceptions and the entrepreneurial intentions between genders vary with change in culture at the regional level. Originality/value This paper adds to the very limited research available on perceived barriers and entrepreneurial intentions that focuses on the effect of gender from a cross-cultural perspective. This paper further contributes by testing the results in two culturally diverse regions of a single state of India, which has helped us understand the impact of regional cultures while controlling for the effects of the entrepreneurship support systems provided by the governments in different nations.

Expanding horizons and expatriate adjustment

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizwan Tahir
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Social Orientation ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expatriate Managers ◽  
The Right

Purpose Expatriate management is a popular theme in the field of international human resource management in light of the fact that expatriates play a crucial role in a MNC’s global operations. The purpose of this paper is to explore how MNCs select, train, deploy and support expatriate managers during and after their international assignment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with 22 Western expatriate managers who are presently based in the UAE. However, in order the ensure a diverse sample among the participants with regards to their age, professional experience, gender and nationality, purposeful sampling was utilized while selecting the participants. Findings The results of the present study cast light on many shortcomings of the overall expatriation process as they are implemented by MNCs in the UAE. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for MNCs in the UAE to develop strategic expatriation processes, involving the following critical factors: the selection of the right person for the right job; specific and relevant pre-departure and post-arrival cross-cultural training (CCT); practical support for the expatriate employees and their trailing spouses in the host country; and lastly, a clear repatriation strategy to mark a successful conclusion of foreign assignments in the UAE. Research limitations/implications It is acknowledged that the results of this purely qualitative study, based on a relatively small sample size, cannot claim to represent the management theories, practices and realities of all the Western MNCs in the UAE. Moreover, these findings narrate the views and perceptions of this particular cohort of expatriate executives with relation to their selection, pre-departure CCT, adjustment in the UAE and the support and repatriation policies utilized by their companies for doing business in the UAE. Practical implications This study points to the fact that technical skills are mostly considered to be the predominant selection criteria for the expatriate selections in the MNCs. Other abilities, such as language skills and relational and perceptual adjustability are considered to be less important and do not feature overtly in the selection criteria for expatriate positions. The results demonstrate that distinctive features of adjustability, which include expatriates’ willingness to communicate, their social orientation, dynamic anxiety resistance and openness ability are all critical to the adjustment in the host country and should be given more emphasis. Originality/value Regardless of the presence of numerous MNCs in the UAE, it is indeed surprising to see that the topic of the expatriation management process in MNCs in the UAE has received little research attention. The objective of this study is to address this deficiency. Additionally, it is hoped that these findings may also be valuable to MNCs and consultants who are preparing expatriates for international assignments, especially in the Middle East and in particular in the UAE.

Analysis of the attrition phenomenon through the lens of university dropouts in the United Arab Emirates

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-374
Author(s):  
Sanaa Ashour
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Early Marriage ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Theoretical models of attrition have failed to address the interwoven factors from the perspective of undergraduate students that influence their decision to drop out. The purpose of this paper is to unravel these complexities using a qualitative phenomenological approach to gain systematic descriptions of the experience of non-completion. Design/methodology/approach Tinto’s (2004) and Bean and Metzner’s (1985) models serve as the theoretical construct for the study’s design and analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with 41 students who discontinued studies at universities in the United Arab Emirates, to understand the situations that led them to drop out of university and how they experienced this event in their lives. Findings Several issues were identified as contributing factors for dropping out that are consistent with those found in the international literature. Additional issues were more gender or culture specific and, to some extent, represented the differences that signal a social development that is in a transitional stage. The findings revealed that institutional factors, poor pre-college preparation, environmental factors (work-education conflict), early marriage responsibilities, well-paid job opportunities and financial concerns were most influential. Research limitations/implications Despite the limitations of relying on a small sample to generalize findings, the rich detail of this inductive study has added to the understanding of the dropout phenomenon in a new context. Practical implications The paper recommends both remedial and early intervention strategies to be undertaken by the Ministry of Education and universities. Remedial strategies include re-examining the desired standard of English as a condition for admission and adjusting the grading system. Early intervention measures that accommodate the needs of at-risk students are also proposed. At local, regional and international levels, higher education should be freed from commodification and inflated fees. Originality/value The paper presents a significant departure from the largely North American and European literature on the university dropout, by offering a broader knowledge of this phenomenon in another regional and national context.

Career Promoters

2013 ◽  
pp. 216-238
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Female Role ◽  
Women's Careers ◽  
Gender Divide ◽  
Women’S Careers ◽  
Male Dominated

This chapter aims to: discuss the complexities involved in mentoring and networking for women; identify how mentoring and networking can be advantageous in supporting women’s careers and aid women in terms of career development and progression; and illustrate how women may be disadvantaged in the workplace, due to a gender divide in terms of access to mentors, female role models, and appropriate networking opportunities. These issues are especially issues for women working in male dominated occupations and industries.

Do age, work experience and gender affect individuals’ propensity to trust others? An exploratory study in the United Arab Emirates

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 210-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachid Zeffane
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
Propensity To Trust ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of age, work experience and gender on individuals’ propensity (inclination or readiness) to trust others. Design/methodology/approach The authors gathered literature arguments and developed a basic theoretical model explored through an empirical study. The study uses a sample of 324 retail business owners/operators in the United Arab Emirates. The authors developed and tested three main hypotheses. Findings Age has a significant positive impact on the propensity to trust. Work experience has a similar effect, but to a lesser degree. Females are generally less predisposed to trust. However, the impact of age on trust was significant for both males and females. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on a small sample of individuals in a single country. A larger multi-context study would be beneficial in verifying the above findings. Also, the concept of trust used in this study is general and focuses mainly on general likelihood/aspirations to trust others. Future research could examine the relationship of age to different aspects of trust and in different circumstances. Practical implications The findings of this study have several practical benefits. They draw the attention of human resource management practitioners and policy makers to the importance of age, work experience and gender in shaping trust relationships in both societal and business contexts. Originality/value The impact of age (and aging) work and society in general is a growing concern. Despite the number of studies examining trust and the process of trust formation, the relationships between age, gender and trust have been largely overlooked in previous research. This study attempts to address this gap and provides useful evidence likely to inspire further/future research on this issue.

Same design, same response? Investigating natural designs in international logos

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Torres ◽  
Joana César Machado ◽  
Leonor Vacas de Carvalho ◽  
Michel van de Velden ◽  
Patrício Costa
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scales ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Response Styles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Logo Design ◽  
Cultural Orientations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Design Preferences

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the commonalities and asymmetries between consumer responses to different types of natural designs across countries. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered through a survey in three European countries ranking differently in what concerns Hofstede’s (1981) uncertainty avoidance dimension (UAD). Respondents can vary strongly in the way they interpret and use rating scales, exhibiting a variety of response styles. In the analysis of consumers’ preferences for logo design, this article apply constrained dual scaling (CDS) to account for response styles in categorical data. Findings Results demonstrate the broad appeal of natural logo designs, suggesting that design preferences are similar within countries with different cultural orientations. However, findings indicate that cultural dimensions influence how consumers respond to different types of natural logo designs. Indeed, the positive effects of organic designs are even more salient in countries with higher UAD. Thus, when managers prepare to launch their brands in countries that exhibit more discomfort with uncertainty, they should consider incorporating organic visual identity elements into their logos to achieve the maximum positive affect. Originality/value Companies invest extensive time, research and money in generating, promoting and modifying their logos. This paper provides important implications for international brand managers aiming to build a consistent and favorable brand image. From a methodological perspective, the results come from the analysis of clean data – that is, data after applying CDS, which increases the validity of the cross-country comparison.

Glocalising university websites: culturally formatted Arab sentiments

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1073-1089
Author(s):  
Vanaja Menon Vadakepat ◽  
Devaki Vadakepat Menon
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
School Students ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Websites

Purpose Many researchers have addressed students as consumers and considered their online searches to choose a university as typical buying behaviour. The myriad features of digital information enable universities to conveniently and quickly reach educational markets at a relatively low cost. Consumers’ market choices can usefully be interpreted in terms of their cultural perceptions. To encourage Web viewers to make repeat visits to, and remain longer on, their websites, it is critical for international universities to understand local and regional viewers’ perceptions and preferences regarding non-text Web messages through the lens of culture. The purpose of the current study is to address the need for, and the challenge presented by, glocalising the text and non-text aspects of university websites by investigating Arab consumers’ perceptions of these websites. Design/methodology/approach The sampling frame comprised 200 residents from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including 100 high school students and 100 stakeholders, with equal proportions of Arabs and non-Arabs. Illustrations and images were used in the questionnaire to collect respondents’ perceptions about university websites from a cultural perspective. Findings This study identifies a need to glocalise the non-text and website messages of international universities that are aiming to penetrate educational markets in the Emirates. Research limitations/implications This study clearly identifies the segment that is most receptive to a “glocalised” website communication strategy of international universities: Arab students, aged 16 or above, and educated stakeholders, expect to view academic information on websites, as do viewers everywhere, but prefer this information to reflect the values and traditions of Arab culture. Originality/value The increasing inflow of students from the Gulf region to the United Arab Emirates, instead of their usual choice of European or Western educational destinations, has motivated international universities to envisage the Emirates as a location for their campus expansions. An understanding of the approaches of Arab viewers to the websites of international universities through the lens of culture is essential for bridging the literature gaps that currently persist in the area of digital promotion and social marketing.

Women and leadership: challenges and opportunities in Saudi higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouharah M. Abalkhail
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Women Managers ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women's Careers ◽  
Saudi Women ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Women’S Careers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine women managers’ perceptions of forces influencing their career progression to leadership positions in Saudi Arabian higher education (HE). Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, interpretive approach is adopted for analysing in-depth interviews with women managers in Saudi HE. Findings The findings of this study provide an in-depth understanding of Saudi women’s experience in management in HE. This study shows that women face a number of challenges preventing them from achieving equitable representation in leadership positions; conversely, they do have some opportunities which help them in their careers. Additionally, it provides more explanation of how the macro factors trickle down to the organizational level to shape organizational process and practices, and have an impact on women accessing leadership positions. Furthermore, this study suggests that socio-cultural background does matter when studying women in management in the Saudi context. Research limitations/implications The paper, mainly focussing on women managers in Saudi HE, gives a clear picture of women’s careers and influencing factors. Practical implications The research has implications for government and other related institutions to formulate effective policies and appropriate strategies to help Saudi women access leadership posts. Originality/value The novelty of this paper is in its focus on the under-researched topic of careers of Saudi women managers. The paper is also valuable as it emphasizes the societal context for researchers wishing to study women’s careers in the Arab world.

Using the kaleidoscope career model to analyze female CEOs’ experiences in sport organizations

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 500-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Shaw ◽  
Sarah Leberman
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sport Organizations ◽  
Barriers To Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women's Careers ◽  
Career Model ◽  
Female Ceos ◽  
Women’S Careers

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the experiences of female CEOs in New Zealand sport using a career account approach overlaid with the Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM). This research focuses on their successful careers, rather than constraints and barriers, which is a feature of much previous research in the area. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews and analysis were informed by the principles of the KCM of career authenticity, balance and challenge. Seven chief executive officers in New Zealand sport organizations were interviewed. Data analysis was undertaken through a three-step coding process. Findings – Respondents highlighted the importance of authenticity, balance and challenge in different ways. The KCM model is extended by identifying sub-themes within each principle. These were, under authenticity, passion and relationship-building; under balance, self-awareness and influencing the organization; and under challenge, taking opportunities and working in sport’s gendered environment. Findings indicate that a more nuanced development of KCM is required and that decision-makers in sport organizations need to be aware of the varied drivers of women’s positive experiences. Research limitations/implications – This research contributes to an understanding of successful women’s careers, rather than focusing on barriers to success. It also extends the KCM. Future research is necessary to examine the viability of our suggested extensions to the KCM. Practical implications – While not generalizable, this study’s findings suggest that sport organization decision-makers would be well advised to understand the unique ways in which authenticity, balance and challenge are understood by their female employees. This may encourage organizations to look more closely at their cultures to ensure that they are more welcoming and supportive to women in a male-dominated industry. Originality/value – This research contributes to an understanding of successful women’s careers, rather than focusing on barriers to success. It also extends the KCM. Future research is necessary to examine the viability of our suggested extensions to the KCM.

“Wasta” and women’s careers in the Arab Gulf States

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouharah M. Abalkhail ◽  
Barbara Allan
Keyword(s):  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women's Careers ◽  
Women’S Careers ◽  
Gulf States ◽  
Arab Gulf ◽  
Arab Gulf States ◽  
Public Organisations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Women are under-represented in senior positions across the world, and this paper aims to explore the impact of wasta on women’s careers in the Arab Gulf States. This paper has two main objectives: to understand the phenomenon of wasta and how it manifests itself within public organisations in the Gulf region; and to examine how wasta is impacting on women’s career advancement. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 female managers working in public organisations in the Arab Gulf region. Findings The findings indicate that wasta refers to a social network of interpersonal connections, rooted in family and kinship ties, and linked to family affairs as well as work. In addition, the findings demonstrate that, as a result of wasta, social networks in the workplace, in the Arab Gulf Region, include family connections, and this is different to workplace networks in Western societies which are frequently limited to professional contacts and separate from family or friendship networks. In addition, the findings show that wasta may be used to support women’s career progression, providing they have access to appropriate wasta. Furthermore, the findings revealed that women, in the Arab Gulf Region, rely directly on their male family member’s connections, as career facilitators, to gain access to organisational opportunities. Practical implications The paper provides some practical suggestions for helping to overcome the potential negative effects of wasta and to ensure that organisations make the best use of their talent. Hence, this research could potentially inform national policy and organisational policymakers and, in particular, influence recruitment and selection practices to ensure that they are based on competence rather than personal connections. Originality/value The paper is based on empirical work in an under-researched, non-Western context. There is extensive literature on gender and management and leadership in Western cultures, and this paper contributes to the developing body of research on women in the Arab cultures. It provides a better understanding of the phenomenon of wasta, and it highlights the long-term consequences of wasta on employees, particularly women, working in public organisations. Also, it contributes to theory on the culture of organisations by highlighting the often neglected influences of the broader social and cultural systems, including patriarchal practices, on women’s positions in the organisational hierarchy.

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