Influences of cultural orientations on Emirati women's careers. Issue 5 (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kemp, Linzi; Zhao, Fang
• Editors: Wapshott, Robert; Pezet, Eric
• Is Part Of: Personnel review. Volume 45:Issue 5(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: Personnel management -- Periodicals; 658.3005
• DOI: 10.1108/PR-08-2014-0187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3486

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how cultural orientations influence Emirati women's career development. Drawing on the cultural theories of Hofstede (1980, 2001) and House et al., (2004), we investigated the cultural orientations of a sample of 19 women in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach: In-depth interviews were conducted to collect life history data about women's early lives, education and employment. Findings: The findings identify three themes that influenced the participant's careers: family influence on careers; individual level attitudes towards education for careers; workplace career development. Research limitations/implications: Limited by the small sample of 19 female national participants that implies further international study is required to extend this research. Practical implications: The business application is that social values, beliefs and norms can be leveraged for women's career success. Originality/value: Our study makes a unique theoretical contribution in a model that shows; cultural dimensions are interrelated; cultural values and practices are interdependent; cultural orientations vary between women and men.