Title: Outside perspectives and local traditions: charting a strategic course for the Middle East

Authors: Alf H. Walle

Addresses: University of Alaska at Fairbanks, 3875 Geist Suite E, Box 131, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, USA

Abstract: When culturally distinct peoples are presented with opportunities, outsiders and their advocates often emphasise mainstream goals, paradigms, and methods of analysis. Robust and more appropriate methods of evaluation, however, are often needed because economic and social intervention can lead to unanticipated side effects that trigger unexpected and negative consequences. The methods of conventional business and the 'new public administration' offer alternative views that often conflict with each other, offering distinct insights. Their value to the Middle East is discussed.

Keywords: Plato; Max Weber; Iran; dissimulation; business theory; new public administration; colonialism; neo-colonialism; business education; social equity; outside perspectives; local traditions; Middle East.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2016.078479

Middle East Journal of Management, 2016 Vol.3 No.2, pp.95 - 109

Received: 05 Dec 2014
Accepted: 06 Feb 2015
Published online: 22 Aug 2016 *

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