The practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Middle East is explored in this volume, through a unique compilation of data and perspectives from authors living and working in the region. The authors demonstrate how the long-entrenched traditions of philanthropy and generosity in Arab culture have been reinvigorated in recent years and are starting to cross-fertilize with new and more institutionalized forms of giving, advocated through advances pertaining to CSR. Using a variety of cases, this book ponders the multiple facets of CSR in the region, including philanthropy, strategic giving, social entrepreneurship, internal CSR and responsible human resource management practices, effective CSR integration in SMEs, corporate environmental responsibility and its evolution, CSR reporting and lingering challenges in this respect. It also considers the relevance and applicability of CSR to a wider spectrum of societal actors and institutions. The contributions nicely capture and reiterate commitment to CSR in the Middle East.

Edited by two renowned specialists in CSR in the Middle East, this book features contributions from leading CSR scholars in the region. Each chapter provides a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of the most pertinent issues within the subject area, and also includes a number of real life case studies addressing emerging and timely CSR topics facing organizations in the Middle East. The book is intended for researchers and students of CSR, providing a state-of-the-art overview of the key themes, best practices and current debates focused upon the Middle East.

Although most Arab countries remain authoritarian, many have undergone a restructuring of state-society relations in which lower- and middle-class interest groups have lost ground while big business has benefited in terms of its integration into policy-making and the opening of economic sectors that used to be state-dominated. Arab businesses have also started taking on aspects of public service provision in health, media and education that used to be the domain of the state; they have also become increasingly active in philanthropy. The ‘Arab Spring,’ which is likely to lead to a more pluralistic political order, makes it all the more important to understand business interests in the Middle East, a segment of society that on the one hand has often been close to the ancien regime, but on the other will play a pivotal role in a future social contract. Among the topics addressed by the authors are the role of business in recent regime change; the political outlook of businessmen; the consequences of economic liberalisation on the composition of business elites in the Middle East; the role of the private sector in orienting government policies; lobbying of government by business interests and the mechanisms by which governments seek to keep businesses dependent on them.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing significant socio-political and developmental transition. Although interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the region is growing, little research has addressed corporate social responsibility education and its potential impact. CSR has an important role to play in the socio-economic development of the Middle East and North Africa due to the volatility and developmental needs of the region. Recent research has highlighted that the vitality of the institutional environment and the needs of multiple stakeholders in CSR are not necessarily consistent with the notion of CSR in the West. This book compiles conceptual, contextual, and empirical research that addresses the concepts of CSR, ethics, and sustainability education in the MENA region, with a special emphasis on how educators can bridge to the Giving Voice to Values approach. This book presents a much-needed portfolio of articles from authors based in Egypt, Morocco, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), highlighting first an overview of the topic and its corresponding publications in the MENA region, then presenting several exemplary cases related to ECSRS application in various countries.

This book discusses the effectiveness of Western organizations’ social media strategies in the Middle East. Social media has changed the rules of doing business, but the exact impacts vary across regions. In the context of Middle Eastern societies, social media is seen as a way for individuals and communities to communicate with each other and is generally not viewed as a means for brands to interact with individuals. Examining how the use of social media in the Middle East is shaped by the region’s culture, authors discuss the factors that businesses need to consider when creating digital marketing strategies targeted there. Including case studies of Middle Eastern companies, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the rise of social media in the MENA region and the often-neglected role of culture in research in this area. It will provide researchers and practitioners with a deeper understanding of conducting business in the Middle East through the effective and efficient use of social media.

Business Ethics in the Middle East fills a crucial gap in the Middle East educational landscape. Written in an easy and accessible format, this book covers the foundations of business ethics by drawing from both Eastern and Western traditions. The chapters include many examples, case studies, activities, and illustrations that are customized to the Middle Eastern market, yet relevant to readers outside of the Middle East who want thorough insights about business behaviour in the region. A special module introduces the Arab Middle Eastern context that non-Arab readers will find valuable. The author addresses topics related to organizational culture, leadership, CSR, corporate governance, marketing, HR, accounting, finance, and production. This is accomplished with a deep attention to the cultural and contextual elements of the Middle East. Special attention is given to religious business ethics, while still deeply engaging the vast heritage of Western ethical systems. This combination is essential for the development of a comprehensive approach to the topic of business ethics. This textbook will be essential reading for students of business ethics in the Middle East and will also be valuable for students and researchers across business ethics, Islamic Studies, religion, and philosophy.

This two-volume book unveils trends, strengths, weaknesses and overall dynamics and implications of social entrepreneurship in the Middle East region, whilst identifying both opportunities and threats facing social entrepreneurship and supplements through a wealth of insights and examples inspired from practice and current applications.