Quality of Work Life in the Postnationalization of Human Resources: Empirical Examination of Workforce Emiratization in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

In response to the challenge of human resource imbalance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the government enacted a nationalization policy (Emiratization) which compelled organizations to hire national job seekers. The present study aimed at assessing the quality of working life (QWL) of 450 national employees in the public and private sectors. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that employees indicated an above average level of perceived QWL. Four factors were important to adding quality to the work life, namely managerial approach, prestige, pay and benefits, and professional development opportunities. These results and their implications were discussed in detail.

Keywords:

• nationalization
• Emiratization
• human resource
• Emirates
• quality of work

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This paper is the product of a research grant by United Arab Emirates University and National Research Foundation, number 31H044-UAEU/NRF(4) 22992.