Human Resource Management in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This chapter reviews the current state of the research literature on HRM in the UAE, in part because more work has been published on "HRM in the UAE" than on any other country in the GCC country or even the Middle East generally (Afiouni, Karam, El-Hajj, 2013). We searched the ABI/INFORM and EMERALD databases for published peer-reviewed academic articles using the following keywords: human resource management, personnel, HR practices, HR policies, HR strategies, human resources roles, HR planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection, training, development, performance management, rewards, compensation, talent management, in combination with United Arab Emirates or UAE, without limiting the time frame. We excluded from this review any studies dealing primarily with HRM practices related to Emiratisation, as this literature is reviewed in the later chapter on labor localisation and HRM practices in the Gulf countries. The chapter is organized as follows. First, we examine the core issues and factors influencing HRM in the country, such as the cultural and labor market characteristics of the UAE, the evolving UAE education system and the Emiratisation process. We then review the literature on HRM in the UAE, and on the key HRM challenges in the UAE. Finally, we conclude with some recommendations for practitioners and researchers.