Considered the most desirable location in the Middle East for a head office, Dubai has seen a huge influx of international companies and workers. Doing business there, however, is more difficult than simply following corporate policies and standards. Cultural norms rooted in Islamic law affect everything from when and how business is conducted to office design. Success is based on understanding these differences.
As a microcosm of the region and as the most desirable location in the Middle East for a head office, Dubai is a good example of the issues that can come up when East meets West in the workplace.
The high value the culture puts on relationships is evident in the way people integrate work and socializing. The work day begins around 8:00 a.m. and may go until 6:00 p.m. and includes morning and afternoon tea breaks, long lunches followed by a rest, and several breaks for prayer in the afternoon.
The U.A.E. is the most cosmopolitan and Westernized country in the Middle East. Dubai is positioned as an economic center for the Gulf area. It is also a popular holiday destination for tourists. This region has much to offer in terms of a lifestyle and career development. With a history of both political and social stability there is no wonder that a large and skilled multicultural workforce has settled here. The absence of a bureaucratic approach to business is another attractor. Dubai offers some of the best financial incentives offered anywhere in the world. The sophisticated lifestyle and safe conditions make this an ideal location for both the workers and businesses alike. 21st Century economic expansion has transformed the once traditional culture into a multicultural tapestry. The mix of traditional and modern and of Eastern and Western cultures has made working and doing business in Dubai a one-of-a-kind experience.
As a microcosm of the region and as the most desirable location in the Middle East for a head office, Dubai is a good example of the issues that can come up when East meets West in the workplace.
The high value the culture puts on relationships is evident in the way people integrate work and socializing. The work day begins around 8:00 a.m. and may go until 6:00 p.m. and includes morning and afternoon tea breaks, long lunches followed by a rest, and several breaks for prayer in the afternoon.
The U.A.E. is the most cosmopolitan and Westernized country in the Middle East. Dubai is positioned as an economic center for the Gulf area. It is also a popular holiday destination for tourists. This region has much to offer in terms of a lifestyle and career development. With a history of both political and social stability there is no wonder that a large and skilled multicultural workforce has settled here. The absence of a bureaucratic approach to business is another attractor. Dubai offers some of the best financial incentives offered anywhere in the world. The sophisticated lifestyle and safe conditions make this an ideal location for both the workers and businesses alike. 21st Century economic expansion has transformed the once traditional culture into a multicultural tapestry. The mix of traditional and modern and of Eastern and Western cultures has made working and doing business in Dubai a one-of-a-kind experience.
