Title: A relational approach to exploring inequalities within the human resource management model in the Middle East

Authors: Safiya Banu; Nicolina Kamenou-Aigbekaen; Laura Galloway

Addresses: School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai International Academic City, UAE ' College of Business, Zayed University, Dubai, UAE ' Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK EH14 4AS, Edinburgh, UK

Abstract: This paper engages with the under-researched area of human resource management (HRM) in the Middle East and it proposes a unique theoretical for the purpose of carrying out research on inequalities within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This model will contribute to the understanding of a Middle Eastern version of the human resource value-proposition model (HR VPM). The theoretical underpinning of social capital theory will assist in understanding the philosophical aspect of the study's research questions (relating to social norms and information channels, inequalities, nepotism, organisational and individual obligations as well as expectations) and conclusions drawn within a diversity management relational framework in order to understand the interaction between individual agency and social structures as well as the impact of culture and historical context of HRM in the Middle East. This paper hopes to contribute to existing literature on diversity management and inequalities in addressing its research questions within the HR value-proposition model.

Keywords: diversity management; inequalities; wasta; nepotism; Middle East; international human resource management; value proposition model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWOE.2019.105791

International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 2019 Vol.10 No.3, pp.216 - 231

Received: 13 Jun 2018
Accepted: 19 Feb 2019

Published online: 13 Mar 2020 *

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