A Quiet Revolution?: The Rise of Women Managers, Business Owners and Leaders in the Arabian Gulf States

by Nick Forster

Overview

An irreversible transformation is taking place in the lives of many thousands of university educated professional women in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Drawing on eight years' participative research and extensive secondary sources, Nick Forster introduces the first extensive study to document this development in the Middle East. This book documents the emerging economic and political power of women, and how they are beginning to challenge ancient and deeply-held beliefs about the 'correct' roles of men and women in conservative Islamic societies, and in public and private sector organisations. It also describes the vital role that women could play in the economic development and diversification of these countries, and the broader MENA region, in the future. It is an essential read for professionals, scholars and students, in fields as diverse as economic development, international management, gender studies, and Middle Eastern studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781316507780
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/07/2017
Pages:	622
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.94(h) x 1.22(d)

About the Author

Nick Forster is a writer and business consultant based in New South Wales, Australia. Before leaving academia in June 2015, he had worked at universities in the Arabian Gulf, Australia and the United Kingdom. He was the MBA/EMBA Program Director at Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia and, occasionally, the acting Faculty Dean. He has written four books, and published more than 130 articles, book chapters, and conference papers, as well as several consulting reports for business organisations. He received fourteen teaching awards and commendations during his academic career and, in 2013, was awarded an Outstanding Faculty Service Award by Alfaisal University.

Table of Contents

1. The contemporary Middle East and North Africa; 2. The United Arab Emirates; 3. The experiences of women in public and private sector organisations in the UAE; 4. The Sultanate of Oman; 5. The experiences of women in public and private sector organisations in Oman; 6. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 7. The experiences of women in public and private sector organisations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 8. The economic rationale and business case for increasing the participation of women in the labour markets of the Gulf States and the MENA region; 9. Creating a level playing field for women in private and public sector organisations in the Gulf States and the MENA region.

Editorial Reviews

‘A Quiet Revolution? is a great book for researchers, professionals and students of Middle East economy, policy, culture, and society … The author refers to the phenomenon taking place in three Gulf states - the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman - as an irreversible transformation in the lives of university-educated professional women in those countries. I cannot agree more … Forster's coverage of that phenomenon is deep and relevant. The book also outlines the fundamental role women are playing and the value they could add if afforded the opportunity to do more for their economies/countries.’ Zeinab Karake, The Middle East Journal

From the Publisher