A cross-national perspective on managerial problems in a non-western country

Expatriate and indigenous managers' perceptions of managerial problems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were compared. Problems were classified as subjective (personal) or objective (organizational and societal). Foreign expatriates scored significantly higher than Arab expatriates and indigenous managers on both subjective and objective problems. The major subjective problems were sensitivity to comments taken personally, weak inclination toward research and theory, and weak inner work incentives. Only two objective problems were identified: centralization of authority and inadequate planning and information systems.