Purpose: This study describes and seeks to understand the experiences of Korean nurses at a specialty hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: Data were collected from September 12 to October 12, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean nurses who had worked at a specialty hospital in the Middle East for more than five years. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis method suggested by Braun and Clarke. Results: The analysis identified four themes and 10 sub-themes. The themes are as follows: “Job insecurity and a rapid change of employment conditions”, “Stress of a dual organizational culture”, “Confusion due to cultural differences”, and “Advantages and rewards of working abroad”. Conclusion: Korean hospitals expanding into the Middle East through international medical projects can utilize the information gleaned from Korean nurses' experiences at the United Arab Emirates Specialty Hospital.

This study investigates how financial resources and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) may influence the performance of small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Twenty-seven interviews were conducted and evaluated using the method of GABEK® (A GAnzheitliche BEwältigung von Komplexität – holistic processing of complexity). The research demonstrated that access to financial resources has significantly mediated EO’s effect on the SMEs’ performance. The study found that financial autonomy, enhanced through both personal financing and availability of external finance sources, plays a central role in supporting the EO dimension of autonomy and enhancing the SMEs’ performance. In particular, the other EO dimension of risk-taking is stymied by lack of funds with which to take commercial and market opportunities. However, when an innovation strategy is pursued and adopted, access to finance can be facilitated, either through financial institutions or through other governmental funding programs attracting high potential innovators. Furthermore, financial barriers, difficulties accessing bank financing, and legal issues have a detrimental impact on SMEs’ growth. The study has implications for policy-makers in the UAE, specifically in terms of sending a signal for lending institutions to consider strategies that provide access to affordable financial services to satisfy SMEs’ needs.

The paper examines the level of disclosure on Islamic banks’ performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The data was collected through content analysis of annual reports and financial statements of all fully-fledged Islamic banks working in the UAE over the period 2009 to 2013. Return on Assets is used as a proxy for the performance of Islamic banks while disclosure index is used as a proxy for Islamic banks’ disclosure. Also, predetermined variables are used in the study like Size, Deposits, Non-Performing Investments and Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio. Two-Stage Least-Square regression method is used to check the interdependence relationships between disclosure and performance of Islamic banks in the UAE. The results show a significant relationship between performance and disclosure in the UAE Islamic banks. Our regression results show that Islamic banks with higher levels of disclosure lead to higher operating performance. Furthermore, the performance has a great impact on the level of disclosure which means Islamic banks with high performance measures will disclose more information for investors and other institutions in order to reduce the cost of equity and increase their values in the market. This study is considered as a battery for further studies in the relationship between disclosure and financial performance of Islamic banks at a global level.

Purpose – This research explores the impacts of third-party logistics (3PLs) within the aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore the role of collaborative relationships for improving outsourcing. Globalization and time based competition have changed business environments and challenged the conventional management strategies that are related to core competencies and operational models. Organizations are forced to devise innovative practices in which logistics outsourcing to 3PLs offers significant advantages. Research design, data, and methodology – This case study was conducted within a leading global aircraft MRO organization whose reach spans across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. The methods used face to face semi-structured interviews, validated through further focus group discussions. Results – These findings highlight the effectiveness of collaborative relationships on their role to improve outsourcing and also demonstrated that MROs gain several advantages from 3PL arrangements. However, any gaps in outsourcing management elevates potential risks to organizations as well, which could result in reputational, operational and financial losses. Conclusions – Although generalizability is not possible due to the case study approach, generality suggests that in order to reduce reputational, operational and financial risks, enhanced collaboration with 3PLs is recommended to optimize outsourcing arrangements.

Purpose – This paper explores the contribution lean makes to service levels by addressing lean thinking application in logistics process improvement within a MNC soft drinks manufacturer situated in the United Arab Emirates, and identifies the most significant sources of wastes and their interdependence and highlights key attributes of successful lean implementation. Research design, data, and methodology - This case study examines key logistics employees’ perceptions on lean methodology. Results - The results highlight the most significant types of wastes in logistical processes and illustrates ways to eliminate wastes and streamline process flow. The importance of the human role within lean methodology is also identified. Findings suggest that managers should follow both a micro and macro approach when implementing lean practices, as focusing on one waste often leads to ignoring the significance of other wastes. Conclusions - This study highlights the importance of implementing lean at both micro and macro levels and shows how staff involvement increases the efficacy of lean thinking. It offers guidance towards the efficiency of creating value stream mapping processes in situ, which considers different wastes and their interdependence. Managers with limited resources are encouraged to implement lean methodology taking cognizance of these factors.