IHRM TERM PAPER
HR PRACTISES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Middle East region is developing at a rapid pace outstripping growth in most developed nations.
One of the key challenges faced by businesses in the face of competition is not only maintaining but engaging and developing their most vital asset – their personnel.
As businesses struggle to maintain profitability and employees struggle to cope with cost of living increases, the falling dollar has added fresh stress on already strained regional economies.
The Middle East is currently facing interesting times. The high oil prices of recent times coupled with the boom in the real estate market have led to a considerable spurt in economic growth and activity throughout the region. Government spending is on the rise, businesses are expanding and diversifying, capital markets are on a roll, liquidity is high and there is generally good cheer all around.
On one hand the popular media perception of ‘conflicts’ in the region makes it difficult for organisations to attract, develop and retain talent, while on the other hand it is accepted that
generally HR practices in the Middle East need to improve to catch up with leading international practices. It is imperative to nurture a vibrant workforce by means of meaningful
HR interventions which aim to identify and cultivate the right talent.
Under this scenario, the challenge for most organisations is no longer the depth and variety of opportunities or even access to capital and/or technology, but rather the availability of the
right resource pool. The responsibilities of acquiring, retaining and developing the right people have therefore assumed critical importance for modern business management, especia ...