Islamic Human Resource Management in Gulf Countries: A Literature Review

Abstract

This paper explores the nature and substance of Islamic management practices in Arab countries. It also examines the impact of globalisation on multinational (MNC) companies operating in Islamic countries. Understanding Islamic management principles helps build a more suitable model of best practice management in Arab and Islamic countries. The study argues that reverse management skills delivery by MNC managers is crucial to successful human resource management in host countries. It adds to the comparatively limited literature on Islamic management by presenting issues critical to advancing Western Islamic management systems. It concludes that the incompatibility between global integration and local obligations is a key reason for the lack of progress in most Arab and Islamic countries.