Beyond Arab Spring: Societal Context and Prospects for a New Paradigm of Arab Management

Abstract

This study investigates the defining characteristics of Arab management and takes into account the impact of societal and cultural factors on Arab managerial practices that provoked different opinions in the field of management thought. The proposition merits investigation because it takes place in the wake of the Arab Spring that emphasizes democratic change in Arab leadership styles and political systems. Hence, any evaluation of the underlying causes of this turmoil would recognize that a fundamental transformation in Arab management and leadership styles is also required; a transformation that creates an acceptance and eagerness to do things differently, and to keep pace with the rapidly developing societal and cultural environment. To achieve its objective, the study adopts a qualitative content analysis that incorporates the review and analysis of different studies that highlight features of Arab societal culture and the varied perspectives of Arab management styles. The study also considers some of the underlying causes and possible outcomes of the current Arab uprising as a possible basis for re-positioning Arab management in a new paradigm of management.