Impact of Dominant Culture on UAE Socioeconomic Status Report

This report examines the cultural landscape of the United Arab Emirates, focusing on the dominant influence of Islam and the contributions of minority groups to the country's cultural diversification. It explores the socioeconomic impacts of these cultural dynamics, including the impact of expatriates, and the challenges of Emiratization. The report highlights cultural liberalism, the influence of Islamic traditions on various aspects of life, and the presence of diverse ethnic groups within the UAE. It also addresses the challenges associated with a large migrant labor force and provides insights into the cultural and economic changes brought about by the discovery of oil reserves. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and a list of references.

Running head: ARAB CULTURE
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Name of the Student:
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Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Discussion..................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References:.................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
Societal diversification is being considered as the important cultural characteristic,
which is present in The United Arab Emirates (Kaabi and Sandhu 2018). The purpose of this
study is to shed light on the significant impact of dominant culture of UAE on the socio
economic status. The study has also shed light on the minority group and describe their
significant contribution on UAE cultural diversification process.
Discussion
According to Albloushi (2015), due to the availability of multicultural society in the
country, the diverse culture in the country has shown the existence of cultural liberalism.
However, it is also true that expatriates migrate to the country for job opportunities, which
has brought the strong impact on the cultural sensitiveness in the country. Analysing the
dominate culture in the country, it can be said that culture of United Arab Emirates
predominantly follows the religion of Islam and has a traditional aspect in all forms. The
educational system in this country follows the Islamic culture, and as per the culture, public
affection with the opposite sex is not being appreciated. As per the Arab culture, it is very
depressing to show the soles of the feet and while handling or eating something over, people
are expected to use their right hand. Women in this country are not required to wear abaya. It
is also true that the government has not introduced any kind of regulation regarding the dress
of women, however, appropriate dressing is greatly being appreciated in this country. As per
the UAE religion, freedom is guaranteed. Beside mosques, the country has different houses of
worship. Therefore, it can be said that the people, who migrate in this country are free for
carrying their own culture and religion. Due to the dominance of Islam, during the festivals
such as Eid and Ramadan, most of the government and business offices remain close
(Albloushi 2015).

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For example the language, literature, art, architecture, spirituality, music, mysticism
and philosophy are mostly dominated by the religion of Islam. Yet this is also a multi-cultural
as well as tolerant towards the other religions. In this country everyone is free to practice
their own religion and cultural festival without harming the religious beliefs of the others.
Total Muslim population in this country is 76% and rest of 9% is Christian and 15% is others.
There are people residing in the country coming from more than 200 different nations
making the UAE the most culturally diverse countries in this world. Within the last ten years,
the population of this country has become 8.2 million from the 34 million in 2001. Among
these 20% people are Emiratis or the original citizens of the country. Analysing the ethnicity
in UAE, it has been identified that near about 85% of total population in this country are
Asian origin, 25% of the total population in this country have the origin of Iran and 3%
belong from Dubai (Albloushi 2015). Dominant ethnicity in United Arab Emirates is the
Emiratis which consist of 11.6%. Minority ethnic group in United Arab Emirates is the south
Asians 59.4%. Among them 9.4% are Pakistani, 2.3% are Egyptian, 30.2% are Indian, 15%
are Bangladeshi, 6.1% are Philippine and rest of 12.8% belong from other countries.
Analysing the minority population it can be said that Shi’a is the minority group in UAE that
holds the 15% of total population. It is true that like other Gulf countries, due to the discovery
of oil reserves, the economic and social changes in the country has brought the strong impact
on the rate of migration in this country (Al-Waqfi MA and Forstenlechner 2014). After the
introduction of various economic opportunities in the market, it has been identified that total
numbers of 90% UAE population are involved in the labour force.
Quotation:
Despite of having challenges in organisations in the form of volatile environment in
emerging countries, the strategic imperative of the HRM deals with accounting in order to

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find out the complexities and the interconnected factors in terms of expatriation and
Emiratization. In addition to this, it is also important for the organisations to facilitate
extensive practices and policies for supporting the development in the country. A clear
interaction between the AEs, SIEs and migrants with the local labour market delivers a
unique approach for the HRM to conduct a strategic approach resembled with achieving
balance between expatriation and Emiraization and its dynamics. Nevertheless, a
disproportion is still existed where the employment market remains distinct in relation to the
ration of nationals to expatriates across the world (Forstenlechner, 2010; Harry, 2007; Hvidt,
2009; Rees et al., 2007). The process is further supplemented by the fact that less than 20% of
the population in UAE are local citizens and it symbolises the nationals as minority (Hvidt,
2009). According to Haak-Saheem (2016) the intensity of the situation is at the pinnacle in
private sector where almost 99% of the employees are expatriate. Large migrant labour force
can be considered as one of the important challenges faced by Arab Emirates. Due to the
frequent migration as well as the exploitation, the pressure on the total population increases.
Conclusion
Analysing the study, it can be concluded that although diversified culture is present in
UAE, but it is true that Islam is the dominant region in this country. Due to the availability of
socio economic opportunity in the country, the diversified societal structure is impacting on
the country culture. Analysing the minority population it can be said that Shi’a is the minority
group in UAE that holds the 15% of total population in the country. In the study it has been
identified that increasing migration is creating pressure on the labour force in the country.

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References:
Albloushi, I., 2015. Exploration of the challenges of Emiratisation in UAE in the 21st century
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Salford).
Al-Waqfi MA and Forstenlechner I (2014) Barriers to Emiratisation: the role of policy and
design and institutional environment in determining the effectiveness of Emiratisation. The
International Journal of Human Resource Management 24(2): 167–89.
Haak-Saheem, W., 2016. The notion of expatriation in the United Arab Emirates: A
contextual perspective. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 16(3), pp.301-
320.
Kaabi, K.A. and Sandhu, M., 2018. The role of workforce skills development for
entrepreneurship: an Emiratisation perspective. International Journal of Business Excellence,
14(1), pp.101-120.