Providing evidence of the role of human capital on innovation in the Middle East, this edited collection closely examines the unique nature of the workforce in this region. It highlights the challenges that the United Arab Emirates faces in becoming more globally competitive, with emphasis on its unique socio-cultural context and a rapidly changing institutional set up.

Filling a growing need for research – particularly in the context of the UAE’s ambition to become one of the world’s most innovative countries – the authors address six main themes: happiness; employee incentives; the restructuring and integration of employees; inclusion and diversity; employer and nation branding; and human capital and innovation. This book examines the global best practices firms in the UAE need to adopt in order to overcome weaknesses, setting an agenda for future research in the context of human capital and human resource management for the UAE.

Vijay Pereira is Associate Professor at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and is Associate Editor of the Journal of Business Research. He has a broad range of experience across industry, consultancy and academia.

Mark Neal is Chair of the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at Khalifa University, and has ongoing associations with SOAS, University of London, and the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

Yama Temouri is Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, UAE, and is also affiliated with Aston Business School in the United Kingdom. He is an Associate Editor for Business Research Quarterly.

Wardah Qureshi is a medical doctor and a PhD candidate at ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania. In addition to her clinical practice, she has been heavily involved in healthcare education and training for over a decade.