| I consider the Arab world a very interesting case for | | | | themselves away from the standard western |
| studying economical growth. Its fuel resources | | | | guidelines, as they simply fail to function in the Arabic |
| provide power to most of the world and acts as a | | | | context of accomplishing any kind of business or |
| magnet not merely for highly rewarded expatriates | | | | work. Their capitalistic and individualistic approach of |
| from the west, but also workers from much of the | | | | dealing is diminished by the Arabic context of |
| underdeveloped world. This region contains the world | | | | nurturing business through interpersonal relationships |
| poorest and richest countries. So, why is it that | | | | and social networking. |
| approaches in management by Arabs are not given | | | | One possible barrier to efficient management in this |
| focus even though their economies are prominent | | | | part of the world is due to the fact that knowledge |
| and fast growing? Is there a different way of looking | | | | sharing is almost nil. Due to the over-reliance on |
| at marketing and business in the Arab world? | | | | foreign workforces- professionals are not given |
| Efforts to study and develop Arab management | | | | long-term contracts leading to job insecurity and in |
| techniques are neglected mainly because its | | | | turn lack of willingness to share information and |
| economical growth is considered temporary, by the | | | | inculcate team-spirit. Foreign professionals of all |
| west and other developed nations. There is a notion | | | | grades, refrain from knowledge sharing mainly |
| that a product like crude oil represents an unusual | | | | because of feeble training sessions, less rewards for |
| case of temporary prosperity. Somehow, the Arab | | | | spreading awareness, discrimination in the work place. |
| techniques and traditions of knowledge are | | | | There exists negativity between Arab and non-Arab |
| considered' undeveloped' and not stable enough to be | | | | workers. Also, the most regular knowledge sharing |
| learnt from. | | | | activities among the elite are one to one discussions, |
| Unlike during the industrial age where the operating | | | | informal gatherings that are based on mere verbal |
| styles of the western world made them winners, the | | | | communication. |
| information age certainly seems to be demanding | | | | The Arab culture does not prefer a formalized and |
| otherwise. Unlike the west in the past, the Arab | | | | documented knowledge sharing approach. Will there |
| world openly welcomes foreign capital, foreign | | | | come a time where the Arab management approach |
| enterprises and world class expertise that in turn | | | | will precede this multi-national arena of guidelines? I |
| create high-quality jobs. It primarily aims at an | | | | may not be wrong in assuming that the Arab world |
| integrated, harmonious regional prosperity unlike the | | | | has always yearned for unity in governance while |
| western industrial concept of functioning where | | | | enjoying the benefits and drawbacks of a common |
| countries are sensitive to its borders and prefers | | | | language and religion. Known for their authoritarian, |
| domestic capital and growth. One also has to | | | | consultative and familial style of management - it will |
| remember that the private capital drives this part of | | | | be interesting to see whether other countries evolve |
| the world unlike nation-state governments. | | | | a similar approach to management in the future. In |
| Entrepreneurial initiatives are very much encouraged | | | | fact, current leading textbooks on management have |
| than any direct government initiatives. | | | | already added another extra dimension to the |
| Very few Arab clients are ultimately happy with | | | | importance of social networking and relationships to |
| western paradigms of management and business. | | | | allow business to thrive. |
| Often managers from the west are forced to mould | | | | After all, management is a social activity. |