Closing the Executive Leadership Gender Gap in the UAE
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Date
2010-05
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Publisher
The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Abstract
This research presents the findings of a study in which 115 participants from a broad range of sectors and backgrounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided their views about women and leadership in the UAE. The research involved administering a quantitative survey instrument to 115 survey participants, and a series of qualitative face-to-face interviews with a select group of six Emirati men and women. It defines and validates a model of behavioural competencies that facilitate women’s ability to be successful in leadership roles, assesses the competency similarities and difference between gender groups in the UAE, explores the expectations of male and female leaders, studies the situational similarities and differences between gender groups with regard to the obstacles and challenges they have encountered in their leadership roles, identifies the barriers that potentially make it more difficult for Emirati women than men to be successful in leadership, and develops a competency model that is appropriate for the culture of the UAE. Recommendations from this research are that ultimately, everyone in UAE society has a role to play in achieving greater representation of Emirati women in positions of leadership, including women themselves, organisations, the government, and mentors.
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Keywords
executive leadership, gender gap, United Arab Emirates (UAE), women and leadership, Emirati women, competency