This book combines classic and recent studies investigating challenges to Emiratization – full employment of Emirati nationals who make up only about 10% of the total workforce – in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The book offers a comprehensive overview of the events leading to the country’s rapid growth and development, as well as important social and cultural issues arising as the country transitioned from an isolated traditional economy to an open globalized one, and explores the specific challenges of incorporating Emiratis in their own vibrant economy. This topic is of interest to scholars, policymakers, and those considering investing or seeking employment in the UAE since it emerged as a Western-friendly, politically stable, and prospering oil-producing country in a region plagued by political, social, and economic turmoil.

This comprehensive book offers a fascinating set of over 40 evidence-based case studies derived from international research on work, employment and human resource management (HRM).

Development of this text has been based on the notion that workforce education and development (WFED) systems—such as, secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education (VTE), career education and guidance, human resource and organizational development (HROD), and adult training and retraining including literacy programs—have essential roles to play in supporting both individual and national efforts to successfully participate in and reap the benefits offered by globalization. While this assumption has intuitive appeal, not everyone believes that vocational preparation programs result in positive outcomes. Psacharopoulos (1997), an outspoken international critic of vocational education and training, argues that WFED programs often have a low rate of return on a country’s investment when compared to that of the general academic curriculum. He contends that WFED initiatives often fail because too much emphasis is placed on these efforts to address myriad complex issues, and that decision makers do not utilize the available evidence about VTE to make prudent, informed choices. Instead, major players in the global economy like the World Bank tout basic academic education as an essential priority for developing countries wanting to enter into global markets and exchange.

This book presents the HRM scenario in a number of countries in the Middle East, highlighting the growth of the personnel/HR function, the dominant HRM system(s) in the area and the challenges faced.

The Global Human Resource Management Casebook is a collection of business teaching cases, focusing on Human Resource Management issues around the world. Each case is based in a single country and illustrates one or more significant challenge faced by managers and HR practitioners. The influence of the unique national cultural and institutional context upon the issues in the case is emphasized. In total 32 unique and original cases are presented, each from different national contexts. Every case is followed by a set of questions for use in class discussion or private study of the cases. This casebook is a project undertaken by a committee of international members of the Human Resources Division of the Academy of Management (USA). The HR Division currently has over 3500 members worldwide, indicating a significant immediate audience for the text. The committee, referred to as the HR Ambassadors Committee (James Hayton, Chair) is intended to represent the global membership of the organization. We currently have members in over 60 countries, and Ambassadors for over 50 of these. The committee was established to contribute to the internationalization of the HR Division and the Academy of Management by creating collaborative projects that both involve and serve the global membership. This book, which represents the first product of our collaboration, is expected to provide a useful teaching tool for HRM educators, and secondarily is expected to be of use to HR practitioners with an interest in the globalization of HRM.

Each year this book celebrates achievements of the United Arab Emirates and in so doing it pays tribute to the architect of this stunning success story, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the greatly loved and respected founding father and President of the UAE from its formation on 2 December 1971 until his death on 2 November 2004. Sheikh Zayed displayed enormous wisdom and strength in overcoming the obstacles that faced him in constructing a modern nation. He never faltered on his course and knew exactly what he wanted to achieve - and why. He used to say that 'Wealth is not money. Wealth is in people.' And he devoted his efforts to providing education, health care and social services for all the country's citizens. At the same time he nurtured an environment in which business could flourish and people could live rewarding lives in freedom and peace.