The impact of the Arab national culture on the perception of ideal organizational culture in the United Arab Emirates: An empirical study of 17 firms
Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues
ISSN: 1753-7983
Article publication date: 27 February 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impact of Arab national culture (NC) on the style of organizational culture (OC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study that uses a conceptual framework which is well‐grounded in social science theory measuring NC and OC.
Findings
The paper finds that NC appears to have some influence on the style of OC in the UAE.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is relatively small (17 firms), and each firm is represented by only one member. Future research will need to expand on this research base and should obtain broader firm representation in the sample survey.
Practical implications
Organizations in the UAE can use aspects of this methodology to better comprehend the variability of performance in their key outcomes, at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
Originality/value
This study collected primary data from a wide sample of firms in the UAE, specifically designed to measure OC and some causal dimensions (NC). This is an emerging research area, both in the Middle East and worldwide. Its value lies in improving our understanding of a key dimension of corporate performance, culture.
Keywords
Citation
Klein, A., France Waxin, M. and Radnell, E. (2009), "The impact of the Arab national culture on the perception of ideal organizational culture in the United Arab Emirates: An empirical study of 17 firms", Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 44-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/17537980910938479
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited