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Workforce Diverstity

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Asia-Pacific Science and Culture Journal, Vol. 1, No. 4, 12-30
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ISSN 2220-4504 www.ieit-web.org/apscj

The Scope and Impact of Workplace Diversity in the United Arab Emirates – An Initial Study
Badreya Al-Jenaibi (United Arab Emirates) 1,*
1

Department of Mass Communication, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates, P.O Box 15551

E-Mails: E-mail: aljenaibi@uaeu.ac.ae * Department of Mass Communication, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates, P.O Box 15551; Fax: +00971-37671706 Received: May 2011 / Accepted: Jun. 2011 / In Press: Jun. 2011 /Published: Jul. 2011

Abstract: Workplace diversity and multicultural teams have become a priority concern among organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today. The UAE has one of the world's largest net migration rates, and the number of workers from India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, among other countries, has increased significantly in recent decades (Burns, 2005). The UAE's cross border mobility has resulted in the interaction of people with diverse customs and diverse ethnic backgrounds. From a human resources perspective, diversity has been shown to have a number of benefits, including enhanced employee creativity and competence. Organizations that fail to employ people from different cultural and racial backgrounds detract from overall organizational performance. This study critically analyzes the benefits and challenges organizations face in the diverse workplaces of the United Arab Emirates. The study used a multimethod approach combining survey data from 250 surveys with qualitative data from interviews. The research found a generally favorable view toward workplace diversity and policies promoting it. A segment of respondents expressed reservations about diversity when asked more detailed questions about company policy. Officials

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