Middle Eastern Women in International Management

This project is part of an international research collaboration with Prof Beverly Metcalfe of Liverpool Hope University, UK. This research builds upon existing literature on women in international management in examining the disposition which Middle Eastern women have towards undertaking international assignments. This research is significant because of the growing international strategic political and economic importance of many Middle Eastern nations and that many Middle Eastern women are highly educated and would prove a valuable human resource commodity for international organisations. A key and unique finding of our study for international human resource management and international business scholars is that the majority of Middle Eastern women’s managerial, international employment, and skills development, opportunities come via non-government organisations and women’s organisations. This makes their opportunities for international engagement very different from those of Western women who overwhelmingly receive international experience via MNCs. This research surveys women in management in selected Middle Eastern nations which sought to elucidate the reasons why or why not Middle Eastern women would take international assignments and the influence which they may accordingly gain through community and international development organisations.

Key Researchers:
Associate Professor Kate Hutchings, kate.hutchings@buseco.monash.edu.au
Dr Brian Cooper, brian.cooper@buseco.moansh.edu.au