How Has the Life of Emiratis Been Transformed under Sheikh Mohammed’s Leadership? What Context did Sheikh Mohammed Inherit? How Has He Changed the Context of Dubai?
Transforming a particular environment, let alone an entire country is an extraordinarily challenging task that requires the integration of skills for managing an array of intricate political, economic, and social concerns. The case of the Emirates’ transformation, in general, and Dubai, in particular, is, perhaps, the most famous example of the specified phenomenon. The transformation that Dubai has undergone within a comparatively short amount of time is amazing. What used to be a wasteland and a remote corner of the earth was turned into a stellar environment with innovative solutions in every possible domain (Mayo, Nohria, Mendhro, & Cromwell, 2010).
However, the innovations that have been occurring within Dubai can also be viewed as the vast and overwhelming influence of the western civilization and the elements of its culture, including not only the appearance of the city but also the principles based on which it was improved (Mayo et al., 2010). Therefore, the specified case begs the question of whether Dubai has lost a certain part of its identity when being transformed, and whether other countries of the Emirates can experience a similar rise in their development without the process of westernizing. However, it seems that, in the context of the globalized environment, cultural fusion is not only unavoidable but also necessary. It serves as the catalyst for the further development of unique cultures. Thus, the introduction of changes and progress into the realm of the Emirates countries needs to be viewed through the prism of multiculturalism and diversity. Thus, it can be concluded that the Emirates needs to be developed based on the principles of the Arabian culture, yet the elements of the western culture need to be present to ensure the further multicultural development of the states.
The alterations that the Emirates experienced owe their existence and successful implementation to Sheikh Mohammed, who can be seen as the innovator and the promoter of original decisions that were bound to improve the development of Dubai and the UAE, in general. The context that the sheikh inherited allowed him to incorporate the elements of the western culture into the UAE setting without disrupting the balance between the promotion of national integrity and the enhancement of progress. In retrospect, the western context that the sheikh inherited served as the platform for altering the very nature in which the residents of the city build their relationships with the rest of the community members and engage in a multicultural dialogue. Therefore, the changes that Sheikh Mohammed brought to the city and, later on, to the Emirates, in general, were not restricted to economic and political concepts. In addition to the specified innovative approaches, the idea of diversity and the opportunity to learn from other states were incorporated into the foundation of Dubai.
The change that Sheikh Mohammed introduced into the environment of Dubai can hardly be overrated. The integration of the elements of the western culture into the context of Dubai, as well as the present-day Arab culture, in general, should be seen as an opportunity to delve into the world of multiculturalism and, therefore, encourage the active promotion of intercultural communication. The specified change is bound to have a massively positive outcome in a variety of domains, including economic and political ones. For example, the rapid development of infrastructure and the creation of new opportunities for trade and other economic activities will lead to a steep rise in the overall economic growth rate within Arab states. Consequently, resources for investing in the further development of the state will be created.
The case of Dubai can be regarded as a graphic example of why western ides should be neither avoided at all costs nor forced into the urban environment but, instead, carefully planted in it. It is important to maintain a balance between the promotion of indigenous cultural development and the acceptance of influences that will improve urban infrastructure, enhance the communication process, and create the environment for fostering diversity and multiculturalism. The transformation that the city has experienced involves an extensive number of influences from western states, which is unavoidable when expanding and reaching the scale of global influence. Furthermore, the fact that the city was created with the help of migrant labor also sheds light on the importance of promoting intercultural cooperation and international dialogue. Thus, for any city that attempts at growing in the realm of the globalized setting, the specified process cannot occur in a vacuum. The process of westernizing will occur, yet the extent to which it will affect the culture of the Arabian Peninsula hinges entirely on the perspective from which the subject matter will be approached. As soon as the western culture is viewed as another source of inspiring ideas and a possible candidate for cross-cultural dialogue, successful management of westernizing will remain possible.
Compare and Contrast the Global Management Practices in View of Business Life Cycle in Dubai
The concept of the business life cycle is fairly simple. By definition, the theory suggests that any product, object, or phenomenon that can be used in the realm of a particular market have their longevity, value, and expiration date, which can be tracked down when using the stages of the cycle known as the launch, growth, shake-out, maturity, and decline (Mayo et al., 2010). In the environment of the Dubai business and economy, the life cycle of products and services can be regarded as average. However, the introduction of innovative products and services can be regarded as necessary since the current life cycle standards require higher longevity rates and a prolonged maturity stage.
When comparing the global standards for sustaining the business life cycle of products, one must mention the significance of introducing innovative technologies that lead to a consistent increase in the duration of the said services and products (Mayo et al., 2010). Herein lies the importance of expanding the life cycle of products offered by the organizations in Dubai. As a rule, most global strategies for increasing the business life cycle are aimed at reducing costs and, particularly, introducing efficient and sustainable waste management strategies that will ultimately lead to the more efficient use of resources. By reducing the expenses typically taken to purchase raw materials, transport them, manage production processes, etc., by introducing the principles of the sustainable use of resources, an organization will be able to create reserves for essential programs aimed at R&D and quality improvement. Thus, customers’ loyalty to companies and their products will rise consistently.
One must note that the emphasis on sustainability is not alien to the Dubai environment, either. Because of the recent necessity to focus on environmentalism and sustainable use of resources, MENA has set the regulations that define a range of truncations conducted in the context of its sates, including Dubai (Mayo et al., 2010). The introduction of a set of rigid regulations regarding essential economic activities and compliance with respective environmental laws has led to the creation of the setting in which future improvements will be possible. Particularly, the reinforcement of the specified principles is likely to contribute to an increase in the quality of products and the rise in global customers’ loyalty toward Dubai products. Thus, steep economic growth will be observed among the Dubai organizations operating in the global economy. Furthermore, the improvement in international dialogue will be seen as a possibility.
The specified step in the enhancement of Dubai’s business life cycle and especially the success of entering the realm of the global competition. By exploring the issue of sustainability and considering the idea of expansion, Dubai organizations will be able to create a significant competitive advantage that will allow them to become easily recognizable in the global market. Seeing that the current business life cycle has not yet reached the stage of maturity in Dubai, its organizations will have to establish a strong presence in the global economy setting, which will require adjusting to the existing standards. Particularly, Dubai companies will need to consider introducing the latest technological advantages into their organizational environment, especially for the purposes of marketing.
From the Social Responsibility and Economy Stability Perspective, What is Dubai’s Role in Business Sustenance in the UAE?
Since Dubai’s economic processes were founded on a combination of the UAE traditions and the western ideas of economy, Dubai currently represents a link between the UAE and the western world. The city embodies the attempt at embracing the opportunities that could be seized when focusing on the active promotion of multiculturalism in every single domain of the lives of Emirati residents. Therefore, it could be argued that Dubai plays a crucial role in encouraging business sustenance since its economic and socio-cultural processes are based on the ideas of multiculturalism, diversity, and innovation.
The fact that Dubai currently performs the function of a commercial hub in business transactions in a global arena supports the specified assumption. Dubai is no longer linked solely to the Arab culture; instead, it embodies the fusion of different cultural elements that contribute to the further acquisition of relevant knowledge and experience necessary for cross-cultural dialogue. Therefore, Dubai should be viewed as the model based on which the rest of the UAE states should evolve. It should be noted, however, that the presence of a range of cultural and historical relics is what supports the residents of Dubai in their ability to maintain a delicate balance between sustaining their cultural traditions and accepting the principles of fast economic development in the global community. The city embodies the very essence of the UAE culture and, thus, plays the part of a spiritual environment in which UAE people can get in touch with their cultural legacy. At the same time, Dubai remains a place that is highly influenced by western culture, which opens new possibilities for cross-cultural communication and further development. Therefore, the fact that Dubai has experienced a significant impact on western ideas should not be regarded as a threat to the cultural integrity of its residents. Instead, it needs to be seen as the key to the successful management of relationships with the West, which includes not only interpersonal communication but also business interactions and economic issues management.
It should be noted that Dubai is not an impeccable example that needs to be copied entirely. For instance, there is evidence that the attempt to maintain the Arabic traditions of financial practices leads to massive confusion and the following mismanagement of a vast number of activities in business and economy. Particularly, problems associated with the management of financial assets, including the issue of loans, pose an especially difficult obstacle for the participants of economic processes to overcome. Because of the Theban on loans, which align with the system of Islamic values, the opportunities for UAE organizations to receive financial support are very restricted, which makes firms seek financial assistance elsewhere.
The identified complications make international organizations overlook UAE companies, dismissing them as unreliable in terms of the financial process that occur within them. The said concern can be handled by introducing changes to the current legal standards within the UAE legislative system, yet the changes associated with financial issues will demand a shift in the cultural values. Despite the fact that the residents of Dubai as the most progressive city may be ready for the change, the amendment to the state laws is unlikely to occur within the foreseeable future since the rest of the UAE is unprepared for it. Thus, crucial changes in people’s perceptions and cultural values need to be carried out for the UAE to progress along with Dubai.
In the scenario described above, Dubai plays the role of a mediator between the western innovation-driven culture and the Asian traditions-driven one. As a result, the UAE receive an opportunity to fulfill their potential and engage in business interactions with the rest of the states. The launch of JAFZA, which was the first economic free zone in the UAE environment, has led to a steep rise in entrepreneurship within the state. The specified environment, where companies are provided with a chance to explore their potential without the limitations that some of the current legal UAE issues impose on them, is a breath of fresh air for UAE entrepreneurs (Mayo et al., 2010). Thus, it would not be an overstatement to claim that Dubai serves as a hub between the UAE and the western world, particularly its economic and financial domains. In addition, apart from focusing on the enhancement of trade with western countries, Dubai gives a plethora of options for trading with India and other states that are culturally close to the UAE. Particularly, the Dubai Internet City, or DIC, offers extensive chances to build a connection with the states such as India. Furthermore, the emphasis on the active use of innovative IT tools leads to a worldwide dialogue in which Dubai and the UAE, in general, can participate freely.
Incorporating the influences of the Arab and western cultures, Dubai serves as a hub for business-related and economic transactions between the UAE and the rest of the world. Furthermore, it contributes massively to the rise in the levels of diversity by encouraging a cross-cultural dialogue. Therefore, it must be seen as an example of technological and cultural development. While remaining faithful to their cultural traditions and legacy, the residents of Dubai have managed to build a link between the UAE and western countries, thus, inviting the latter to take part in global interaction. The benefits of the specified process are beyond impressive; it gives a massive boost to UAE entrepreneurship, therefore, contributing to the consistent economic growth. Moreover, the rise in diversity and the impact of multicultural ideas will lead to a significant improvement in the performance of the state in the global arena.
References
Mayo, A., Nohria, N., Mendhro, U., & Cromwell, J. (2010). Sheikh Mohammed and the making of ‘Dubai, Inc.’ Harvard Business Review, 410-063, 1-31.