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"Culture and tourism United Arab Emirates."
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Digital cultural intelligence and its role in enhancing expatriate work adjustment: A configurational approach in global work environments
This study investigates how the digital dimensions of cultural intelligence influence expatriates’ work adjustment across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Adopting a neo-configurational perspective, it explores four facets of digital cultural intelligence alongside contextual factors such as perceived organizational support, international experience, language proficiency, and digital-cultural training. Data from 208 expatriates working in tourism, healthcare, and higher education in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar reveal multiple equifinal pathways to successful adjustment. Results highlight that adaptation emerges from distinct combinations of digital, cultural, and organizational factors rather than a single determinant. Two dominant configurations drive adjustment: high metacognitive and behavioral intelligence, combined with strong organizational support, and cognitive-motivational intelligence, paired with language skills and training to compensate for limited international experience. The study advances the person–environment fit theory by introducing the concept of digital–cultural fit and underscores the value of configurational methods in global HRM research.
Journal Article
Exploring the Early Neolithic in the Arabian Gulf: A newly discovered 8,400–year-old stone-built architecture on Ghagha Island, United Arab Emirates
The site of GHG0088, with its two successive main phases of occupation, provides crucial data for re-evaluating our understanding of the Early Neolithic period (c. 6600–5400 cal. BCE) in the Arabian Gulf. The initial phase is marked by durable stone-built structures and evidence of domestic activities and funerary practices, presumably reflecting a settled lifestyle. The material culture includes a lithic industry, tools crafted from marine shells, and plaster vessels indicative of early pyrotechnological skills, while the absence of pottery challenges traditional views of Neolithic material assemblages in the Arabian Peninsula. Analysis of faunal remains indicates a subsistence strategy heavily reliant on marine resources, particularly fish, highlighting the exploitation of the neighbouring sea. While there is no evidence of agriculture or animal herding during that period, the rich coastal ecosystems likely ensured food security, reducing the need for residential mobility. The architectural remnants reveal patterns of continuity and adaptation across both phases. A significant layer of accumulated aeolian sand suggests a period of abandonment, potentially linked to the 8.2 ka BP climatic event. The subsequent reoccupation involved the adaptive reuse of the collapsed structures, transforming them into a temporary shelter for fishers, as suggested by numerous stone weights found. Additionally, the presence of shell beads underscores a renewed significance of marine resources during this second phase of occupation and suggests participation in extensive long-distance trade networks. These findings provide valuable new perspectives on the early stages of the Neolithic period in the Arabian Gulf. Comparisons with other contemporary sites offer a foundation for redefining the Early Arabian Neolithic and its timeline in this region.
Journal Article
The Blue Economy in the Arabian Gulf: Trends, Gaps, and Pathways for Sustainable Coastal Development
The Blue Economy has emerged as a vital framework for achieving sustainable economic diversification, environmental stewardship, and social resilience, particularly in regions facing ecological pressures such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Despite its increasing recognition in national strategies, including Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Blue Economy Strategy 2031, scholarly research in the GCC remains fragmented and uneven. This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric and thematic review of Blue Economy research in the region, analyzing publications produced between 2000 and 2025. The analysis reveals four dominant thematic clusters: fisheries and food security, governance and coastal policy, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration, and blue finance and economic diversification. At the same time, it identifies persistent gaps in social equity, gender inclusivity, traditional ecological knowledge, and regional coordination. By situating GCC research within broader global debates, the study underscores both the strengths and limitations of the current knowledge base. The findings contribute to academic debate and policy development by offering a conceptual framework that highlights inclusive governance, innovative financing, and nature-based solutions as key pillars for future research and practice. In doing so, the study provides a roadmap for advancing the Blue Economy agenda in the GCC and beyond.
Journal Article
The Influence of Social Media on Perceived Levels of National Security and Crisis: A Case Study of Youth in the United Arab Emirates
The increase in the use of social media as a 21st century communication tool is in parallel increasing the threat to national security globally. This study explores the perception of United Arab Emirate community members (specifically youth) on the influence of social media as a threat; the wide use of SM platforms for Emirate of Sharjah (Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan, Kalba) were analyzed utilizing a descriptive-analytical method. The results of the study on the effects and consequences of social media on national security in the UAE, rates social media as having the highest level of influence on political implications followed in decreasing order of influence by, economic, cultural and societal, ethical and religious dimensions, and the least potential influence being on perceived national security implications. Further, the results of a one-way variance analysis indicate the potential for the perceived level of national security experienced by youth community members in the UAE to be predicted through social media. A unique feature of this study is the analysis of the influence of the five dimensions of national security on each other and national security collectively from an Arab youth perspective. Further, the study design is replicable and offers, (a) an opportunity for wider utilization as an avenue for contributing to understanding the impact of social media on the perception of a country’s national security, and (b) a fundamental baseline for future research.
Journal Article
Cultural-based challenges of the westernised approach to development in newly developed societies
Urban theorists and policymakers are increasingly recognising the importance of integrating culture into urban development models. This article provides a critical assessment of Dubai's integration of cultural planning in its approach to tourism development. It argues that western-influenced modernisation has side-lined indigenous creative resources in the pursuit of a cosmopolitan urban vision. Rapid urbanisation and westernisation of Dubai define and redefine the approaches for tourism development. The article suggests that embracing more culturally focused tourism plans may socially sustain local community and identity affected by rapid modernisation and westernisation in newly developed modern societies such as Dubai.
Journal Article
The Comparative Analysis for the New Approach to Three Tourism-Oriented Heritage Districts in the United Arab Emirates
This study investigates the tourism-oriented heritage districts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and explores a new approach to fostering heritage tourism. This is envisaged through conducting a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to detect the characteristics of the tourism-oriented heritage districts from the residents and tourists. The systematic evaluation of opinions is based on indicators developed by UNESCO and ICOMOS international principles. According to the survey results, it is found that Dubai’s approach was successful at reuniting people with their history via modern materials in the restoration works. This has preserved the heritage value and increased their culture and national identity. The social goal to reconnect residents to their cultural history has been realized despite the inconsistencies compared to the specification of the World Heritage Convention, which requires technical authenticity and integrity. People perceived the identities of tourism-oriented heritage districts in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman differently. Based on the POE survey, the Shindagha area and Al Fahidi Historical Area in Dubai were perceived as traditional destinations for tourist attractions. The Heart of Sharjah area was perceived as cultural and educational tourism, and the Ajman Heritage District area was perceived as community tourism.
Journal Article
Perceptions of Sport Governance and Performance in United Arab Emirates
This study examines the perceptions of sport regulators and executives on national sport. Mann–Whitney test and exploratory factor analyses reveal the lacking of unified interpretations of sport performance and governance between sport state regulators and sport executives. While regulators impose reform policies, sport executives perceive these policies as being jurisdictionally external, bureaucratic, and trespassing. Sport executives resist change by establishing a parallel organisational culture based on their interpretation of good governance and excellence. National sport performance is vulnerable to continuous mismatch as regulators insist on implementing reforms and sport executives seek more state funding and more institutional autonomy.
Journal Article
Prioritising theme park service quality in Islamic contexts: an analytic hierarchy process approach
PurposeThis study aims to develop a framework to identify, categorise and prioritise the dimensions of service quality in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review was conducted to identify service quality dimensions in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context, and a survey tool was used to explore visitors’ opinions of the most important dimensions and sub-dimensions. An analytic hierarchy process was used to prioritise the main criteria and sub-criteria of dimensions of theme park service quality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study identified four main criteria and 24 sub-criteria of service quality for the theme park industry from an Islamic perspective.FindingsConsumables quality and physical environment quality were the top priorities under the main criteria. Availability of halal food was the most important sub-criteria of service quality in theme parks in the UAE, followed by price of food and beverages and staff attitude and behaviour in equal second place, and then quality of food and beverages and quality of facilities, again with equal scores.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on tourists visiting an emerging country, and the results therefore cannot be generalised to other cultural contexts. This study has developed a comprehensive model of theme park service quality using a hierarchical method. This included both general and Islamic service quality dimensions. This study, therefore, contributes to the “Islamic tourism” literature by identifying the importance of Islamic attributes in evaluating service quality of theme parks in Islamic countries.Practical implicationsThe outcome of the study will provide local and international theme parks with explicit ideas about the service quality dimensions that are important in an Islamic cultural context. This will help them to prioritise the critical service quality dimensions, and eventually contribute to the successful management of theme parks.Originality/valueThis study offers new insights into the dimensions of service quality of theme parks in an Islamic cultural context.
Journal Article
\Can She Run or Scream while Travelling?\ Is Sports Tourism Halal or Haram? Management of Sports Travel of Muslim Women in the Era of West-East Dichotomy
Purpose: The article's main purpose is to explore halal tourism as a modern trend in the tourism industry and an attempt to determine the place of sports in it. Methodology: Based on a literature review and content analysis of sources about sport, tourism, and Islam, the article presents the opportunities and barriers for Muslim women to participate in sports tourism. Findings: The work presents the forms of active leisure activities of contemporary women in Islamic culture to choose from. The article consists of three parts. The first part presents actual trends in Islamic tourism--the second part analyses women's sports (both for competition and leisure) in Islamic culture. The last part is an attempt to show the synergy of sport and tourism in the light of the values of the Islamic cultural circle. From the point of view of Islamic teachings, it can be assumed that women's sports, tourism, and sports tourism are acceptable if conditions are met, such as the ones relating to clothing, the nature of the sport, or the place of physical activity. However, due to the prevailing social and cultural conditions, sport is not (yet) an important element of Muslims' tourism. Practical implications: The article indicates how challenging the management of sport in Islamic tourism is: selected problems with sports tourism management and Muslims' sporting events. Originality/Value: The analysis of the relationship between doing sports while traveling (sports tourism) and Islam, especially from women's point ofview, constitutes a deep research niche. Keywords: Sports tourism, sporting events, halal leisure, Muslim women in sport, sport management. JEL codes: M100. Paper type: Research article.
Journal Article