Working in the Middle East: An American Woman's Story: An American Woman's Story

by Amanda M. Riggs

Overview

As the American workforce evolves and more women seek leadership roles in business, a growing number of women—and men—are seeking international business experiences to advance their careers and set themselves apart from their competition. Conducting business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) requires an in-depth understanding of the Arab mindset and cultural standards of that region. Authored by one of few women who have pioneered working in the region, this book delves deeply into business culture in the Middle East and North Africa and addresses how women in particular can be successful, especially Western women whose business culture is different, offering insights that will help deepen one's ability to function in business across the MENA region as well as throughout the world.

Readers will learn the truth about living in the Middle East and North Africa and what a Western woman will likely face, from cultural customs, business practices, and socio-economic challenges that exist in these emerging markets to the realities of potential sexual harassment to the lack of rule of law. The book describes aspects of the crosscultural experience, such as the importance of the collectivist mentality in the office and the role of maintaining one's honor not only in business relationships but also in MENA culture in general. It also explains the four main elements of international business negotiations and identifies the reasons that more American women should consider working internationally, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, but also in other collectivist cultures, namely in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The author illustrates the unique cultural context in the Middle East and North Africa for Westerners and supplies a breadth of recommendations and insights that will serve anyone—male or female—seeking to successfully navigate business in the region.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440849732
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/18/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	186
File size:	588 KB

About the Author

Amanda M. Riggs is a writer who specializes in topics regarding the Middle East, women's issues, renewable energy, and business. She is the founder of Verità Skin: Empower Women Worldwide, an organic skin care line based on Argan oil imported from a women's fair trade cooperative in Morocco.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Part 1 The Language Barrier 1

1 The Arabic Language 3

2 The Arab Worldview 13

Part 2 The Cultural Barrier 35

3 Working in a Cross-Cultural Environment 37

4 The Collectivist Middle East and North Africa 49

Part 3 The Gender Barrier 61

5 When Friendships Turn Coworkers into Enemies 63

6 The Honor Culture in Business 79

Part 4 The Legal Barrier 93

7 The Role of Law in Emerging Markets 95

8 International Negotiations for an American Woman 111

Part 5 Breaking through the Barriers 127

9 Its the People That Matter Most 129

10 The Chance Capitalist 139

Part 6 Conclusion 153

11 Looking Ahead: Women Working Globally 155

Notes 161

Bibliography 171

Index 181

What People are Saying About This

Curtis Ferguson

"Riggs captures the excitement and dynamism of life in the Middle East perfectly through her own experiences and anecdotes, and highlights the great personal and professional inspiration that all those fortunate to have spent time in this part of the world will immediately recognize."

Greg Lebedev

"Amanda Riggs gave herself a tough assignment: explain how seemingly incompatible international ingredients—an American woman working in the Middle East—can actually make sense. And, she carried it out with great effect. At a time when the region could not seem more inhospitable, Riggs has artfully used her personal experiences as snapshots in a scrapbook that show the reader that talented women can and should work anywhere in the world, that the Middle East region is culturally and commercially important despite its current indigestion, and that business engagement may be the single most important component of global stability."