International human resource management: implications for multinational corporations operating in the Arab Middle East

This paper explores the implications for human resources development (HRD) and practice for firms operating in the Arab Middle East. The paper makes two key contributions. Firstly, we expand the current understanding of Islamic axiology and the implications of Islamic ethics in a business context. Second, we explore successful expatriation within multinationals within the Arab Middle East. We argue that in addition to the global competencies required by expatriates when undertaking an overseas appointment, firms should also provide training and development opportunities in Islamic ethics in order to facilitate effective business-to-business relationships to aid effective and efficient social networks. The article outlines a conceptual model of the factors influencing the success of expatriate assignments in the Arab Middle East during each stage of an expatriation.