HUMAN RESOURCES

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Human Resources GlobalLtd.

REASON FOR PAPER/EBOOK Convey further insight into the

interesting and challenging region of the Middle East.

Human Resource Management and the strategic importance across the Middle East.

HRG has vested interest in this region as they are response for International Human Resources in international/local companies.Yet, hardly any external HR

information was available on HR in countries across the Middle East, causing cultural confusions.

THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

The Middle East has been and is currently the center of attention:Accelerating globalization of

businesses Varying oil prices Turmoil

Further increased economic, political and social issues have meant that the region has experienced increased growth and interest from multinational organizations

CHALLENGES

Region has complex challenges and many issues are socio-culture based:Decreases the application of

standard Human Resource models and methodologies.

Many multinationals have employed an ethnocentric approach towards the management of their Middle Eastern subsidiaries.

Highly questionable if approach is strategic enough or practical for survival in this region.

HR IN THE MIDDLE EAST The region has many factors to

take into account when looking at Human Resource Management:historical contexts, professional

status, national wealth, composition of workforce, employment legislation and even trade unions.

The relationship between the Middle Eastern cultures and many aspects of Human Resources, values and behaviors are custom to individual countries.

HR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (CONT.) HR management practices

used are not at all compatible to religious beliefs. However the national culture has

a huge impact on Human Resource practices

Loyalty to one’s family and friends override loyalty to organizational procedures have resulted in the use of inequitable criteria in recruitment, promotion and compensation.this is know as Wasta or

favoritism of recruitment and compensation.

HR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (CONT.) Everyone wants to move

towards a competence or merit based approach, moving away from the Wasta.

Solution: Full commitment from

management in the regions stresses equal opportunities in recruitment, promotion while developing and rewarding employees.

HR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (CONT.) The HR function was and is still

sometimes perceived as a “common-sense‟ function that does not require professional skills. We were called into one country to

assist the “HR Manager‟ (a MBA

graduate with no HR experience). He ended up leaving as he had difficulty understanding the use of the HR function in a business.

One of the causes is that many countries are taking a piecemeal and fragmented approach to Human Resource Management.

HR IN THE MIDDLE EAST (CONT.)

It is important to be competitive with the other businesses and countries in the world.

Is it ethical to ask Arabic HR practitioners to change their views to the western way?

Other ways in which to develop a HR framework that can be used across the Middle East region holding onto the very important Middle East culture, values and traditions.

HRG’S OPINION ON HR Increases with divergence , not

convergence and the gap between divergence and convergence grows.

Trends to be stimulated by the change of global competition and impact of Western society.Like in Europe, the Middle East may start

to focus more on performance-based criteria not focusing on the relationship based practices.

this will take a very long time, most local companies and countries will go through the so-called learning curve

CONCLUSION Human Resources Global

believes that there is a need for increased global competitiveness and economic efficiency. the strong tradition and

pressure for social protection and welfare that nationals have enjoyed is likely to weaken in certain countries in favor of a more market driven socio-economic development.

Policies and procedures will need to be adopted to the need of each country and its culture.

NOTE FROMHUMAN RESOURCES GLOBAL LTD.

Did you enjoy going through this presentation on “Human Resources In The Middle East‟? why not get the in-depth Paper/Ebook

@ $4.99

We are always happy to hear from readers:www.humanresourcesglobal.com