UAE Pre Departure Paper, Part A

Group: Monica, Elina, & Helen.

Part A: Macro Cultural Dimensions written by Monica N.


According to Professors Gupta and House, authors of Understanding Leadership in Diverse Cultures, there are nine GLOBE dimensions that define and shape cultures: (1) Performance Orientation, (2) Assertiveness Orientation, (3) Future Orientation, (4) Humane Orientation, (5) Institutional Collectivism, (6) In-group Collectivism, (7) Gender Egalitarianism, (8) Power Distance, and (9) Uncertainty Avoidance. These eleven dimensions are used to analyze cultures and help scholars better understand the differences among cultures. Bradford Hall, author of “How Can We Succeed in Our Inter-Cultural Travels?” refers to low vs. high context and monochromic vs. polychromic dimensions to examine and explain inter-culture communications. Using these eleven dimensions, this paper focuses on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to examine each of these dimensions to characterize this culture.

The first GLOBE dimension, Performance Orientation, refers to the measurement of two components in performance: success and failure. By examining the drive of one’s culture for success and how successful this culture actually is reveals relevant information. The Middle Eastern group scored in the mid-score cluster, categorizing them as average performers at task completion. From class lectures and discussions, we can infer that the Middle East, is more relaxed with time and tasks. The culture practices siesta, an afternoon period of rest. Due to the fact that the majority of the Middle East is Muslim; their faith requires much time from one’s day to pray and worship Allah. Still fully capable of completing and maintaining progress, their work ethic varies from Southern Asia and other high performing cultures.
Assertiveness Orientation, the next dimension, examines the aggressiveness and expression of one culture’s beliefs, values, and rights. The Middle East ranked once again in the mid-score cluster, categorizing them as average in assertive behavior. Hall categorizes Arabs as the second most high-context and implicit communicators. Hall argues Arabs are elaborate yet are implicit communicators. Therefore, this combination communication style places them average in assertiveness.
The Middle East ranked a low score in the Future Orientation dimension, perhaps inferring this culture is more relaxed in planning for the future. Many Middle Easterners believe the future lies in God’s will, hence the common phrase, “inshallah,” or, “God willing.” An example of this when a Middle Easterner is faced with a future event that is uncertain, she will say, “Inshallah.” She will leave it up God’s choosing. According to GLOBE, cultures ranked with a high future orientation often lead less fulfilling lives due to an emphasis on the future and less focus on enjoying the present. The Middle East, on the other hand, is focused on enjoying life and life’s pleasures.
Humane Orientation, the fourth dimension, ranked the Middle East as average according to the five characteristics of humane oriented societies: (1) Concern with happiness, (2) Human Equality, (3) Moral Freedom, (4) Respect for Diversity, and (5) Experiential Reason. Middle Easterners ranked average in this dimension due to the incompletion and practice of these characteristics. The majority of the Middle East follows Islam, a religion that states human equality, moral freedom, and respect for diversity; yet this culture remains inconsistent with these practices. Insurgents and other religious fanatics warp Muhammad’s preachings and often neglect to incorporate the important humane qualities listed above. There is also little room for experiential reason. The Middle East is hesitant and strays away from westernization and liberalization. As Professor Moore notes in her lecture, the Middle East is in profound transition, grappling with religion, modernization, and society.
Institutional Collectivism, the next dimension, ranks the Middle East in the mid-score cluster. Social connections are fundamental to Middle Easterners, and many enjoy the surroundings of groups. When working together, individuals judge one’s dignity, honor, and reputation. Loyalty, consistency, and acceptance are very important qualities for Middle Easterners as well. These values and a desire to be apart of a group make the Middle East a cordial culture.
In-group Collectivism, the sixth dimension, categorizes the Middle East in high rank, as a culture favoring groups and cohesive environments. Middle Easterners are family based. The devotion and loyalty to the family is very important. To many, family is their life. Middle Easterners hold close and meaningful relationships with those around them. They tend to reside with several generations in one house, maintaining a tight-knit family for future generations.
Gender Egalitarianism, the next dimension, ranked the Middle East as a low scoring for practicing gender equality. Although the Middle East claims to have gender equality in their religious and social sectors, social and religious practices often divide the two sexes. An example of this pertains to terms of endearment. Middle Easterners, both Christian and Muslim who speak Arabic, follow the practice of discouraging expression of affection from man to woman using the feminine form. If a man wants to express affection to his wife or family member, the masculine pronoun is used to refer to the woman. A man would say, “habibi,” instead of “habibti,” meaning, “my love,” in English. A man is not supposed to directly proclaim his love or affection to a woman. By channeling his affection in a more appropriate form, he can then openly state his endearments. Women, on the hand, are encouraged to express affection using the masculine form, “habibi,” to their husbands or male relatives.
Power Distance, the eighth dimension, places the Middle East in an average score, revealing that that power shouldn’t be exploited in their culture. Middle Easterners share less personal distance in their relationships compared to others. This factor carries into the power distance and the inequity of power. While there is gender inequity, from class lectures, we learned that Middle Easterners favor personal relationships. They do not enjoy great distance or intermediaries; they are seen as obstacles and boundaries.
The last dimension, Uncertainty Avoidance, categorizes the Middle East as a low-ranking culture that does not stress social reliance on others to create and maintain security. “Here the values of group organization, formality, permanence, durability, and solidarity are underdeveloped, and deviant behavior is easily tolerated.” Individuals of low uncertainty are considered at risk to self-sufficiency to maintain their own levels of organizations and collective progress. In some Middle Eastern countries, insurgents bombard and terrorize their governments. The unstable power structure and power threats to the government ultimately affects the capability of that nation and its ability to function.

As stated earlier, the Middle East is a high-context society that uses implicit, elaborate, contextual and affective language to communicate. This culture is polychromic due to the close relationships and its average rank in power distance. “One reason is that those who are communicating—family, friends, co-workers, clients—tend to have both close personal relationships and large information network; they do not have to rely on language alone to communicate. Voice intonation, timing and facial expressions can all play roles in conveying information.” Middle Easterners rely on decoding verbal and body language, as well as other indicators to interpret messages. With communication functioning on several different levels, the Middle East is a polychromic culture.
From class lectures, readings, and data what can we infer Middle Easterners have traits that categorize them as a culture in profound transition. Due to their lifestyle and values, and linking to in-group collectivism, Middle Easterners are family and group based. The Middle East ranked low in: gender egalitarianism, uncertainty avoidance, and low future orientation. The combination of these strengths and challenges offer insight to the Middle East and its state. Our seminar in the UAE will attest to these data collections and other observations on Middle Eastern culture. Through our personal experiences in the UAE, we will gather a better understanding of these individuals and this fascinating as well as diverse culture.