Linzi J. Kemp, Susan R. Madsen and Mohammed El‐Saidi
The purpose of this paper is to research the state of affairs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the presence (or absence) of women in senior business leadership positions, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to research the state of affairs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the presence (or absence) of women in senior business leadership positions, and to investigate where they are located within organizations (e.g. board members, chief officers, vice presidents, top management, division or unit heads).
Design/methodology/approach
This is a quantitative gender analysis of 954 organizations; based on data available from the Zawya database that tracks information about public and private companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Findings
Women are still underrepresented in senior company and top department leadership positions, however, they are found slightly (but not significantly) more in departmental leadership, pseudo services and hospitality industries, and in smaller and public companies.
Research limitations/implications
The database utilized did not contain completed company data; specifically any response variable; hence, the study was descriptive in nature and lacked advanced statistical techniques for comparison and relationship analysis.
Practical implications
This study provides helpful insights for government leaders, as well as educators, and scholars, who work to help prepare women for leadership in this region. For business practitioners, the presence and development of female business leaders extends choice and increases value in the human resource pool.
Social implications
The authors believe that it is important that UAE females take up roles in both the public and private sector so they can become more effective role models to a rising generation of female workers.
Originality/value
This is one of the first scholarly studies conducted on the presence of women leaders in various sectors within the UAE.
Details
Keywords
Marilyn Davis, Majed Abu Jaber, Rabaa AlSumaiti and Boyce Williams
This appreciative inquiry study frames and reflects upon other ways of knowing: beliefs, values, and experiences of identity, diversity, and gender as lived in the Arab world and…
Abstract
This appreciative inquiry study frames and reflects upon other ways of knowing: beliefs, values, and experiences of identity, diversity, and gender as lived in the Arab world and specifically in the United Arab Emirates. It emphasizes the paradigms informing ways of leading for western expatriate females and Middle East gulf region national females in leadership positions. Western ideology related to diversity, gender, and leadership are all reflected in ways of leading in the global society that is the United Arab Emirates but in some ways are contrary to Islamic notions of women as leaders in the Gulf region causing educational leadership female expatriates and nationals to shift paradigms and revisit their identity, gender, feminist beliefs, and ways of knowing leadership working in a global society.
Details
Keywords
To date, public leadership has been conceptualised for Western systems while leadership discourse has spread across governments globally. The purpose of this paper is to begin the…
Abstract
Purpose
To date, public leadership has been conceptualised for Western systems while leadership discourse has spread across governments globally. The purpose of this paper is to begin the task of conceptualising public leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federal monarchy in the Arabian Gulf, and proposes a forward research agenda.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs a qualitative, interview-based design to elicit top government officials’ personal interpretations of the purpose and challenges of public leadership, the practices they engage in, and the arenas across which leadership is performed.
Findings
The study finds that whilst notions of public leadership as conceptualised to date are present, cultural and institutional differences result in distinct localised characteristics that belie the managerial presentation of public leadership. Stimulated by these initial findings, three points of departure for future research are suggested: public leaders’ scope for discretion, values and trust.
Research limitations/implications
The research relies on a relatively small, though élite, sample; findings are therefore preliminary, informing ideas for a forward research agenda.
Originality/value
The paper presents a first conceptualisation of public leadership in the UAE, an Arab-Muslim federal monarchy.
Details
Keywords
Linzi J. Kemp and Imelda Dunlop
Leadership, international business, financial reporting, entrepreneurship
Abstract
Subject area
Leadership, international business, financial reporting, entrepreneurship
Study level/applicability
The case study is aimed at undergraduate students at a 300 level.
Case overview
Mr Badr Jafar, co-founder of the Pearl Initiative (PI), is the chief protagonist in this case study set in the Gulf Arab states. He launched this company at the United Nations in September 2010, and the launch was timely, as business leaders were looking to rebuild the global economy following the economic downturn. The Initiative was originally the idea of a number of leading company owners in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The company vision is to improve business practices for the benefit of business and society in the future, but the context is one of a highly competitive and secretive business environment. The mission of the PI is to improve private sector corporate culture to one of transparency and accountability. The PI approaches that mission through building a network of business leaders in the GCC, particularly those from the family-owned companies in the private sector. A biography of the founder and the background to the founding of the PI is given, followed by a rationale of the company structure. The potential influence of the network of companies and leaders on the socio-business climate is considered. The specific activities are outlined within the strategy of the PI to address four key business areas: anti-bribery and corruption; corporate governance; corporate reporting; and women in leadership The PI focuses on raising awareness about the potential benefits of social entrepreneurship for business and society. To what extent this relatively new model of business can be successful in the context of the GCC is a case dilemma. Key issues: There are two main issues raised in the case study: the rationale for the relatively new business model of social entrepreneurship and the extent to which PI can modify the past and current GCC business environment by addressing the four business areas.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to: analyze the business case for social entrepreneurship and explain the contribution of PI activities for changing the business environment.
Supplementary materials
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