BizBahrain November 2016

Expert Opinion | Information Technology
was an attempt to conceptualize and
understand it, trying to visualize the
concept of organizational culture
reflected in the meaning of work for
employees and managers.
Corporate culture can be defined as
the set of values, beliefs, and behavior
patterns that forms the core identity
of an organization. The measurement
of corporate culture was based on
individual perceptions of organizational
practices and conditions; these
perceptions were used to characterize
the culture of each organization.
A culture, in a general sense, can
be described as it applies to a group of
people; a culture is the way in which a
group of people resolves the issues of
identity, hierarchy, gender, truth and
virtue. In other words, culture refers to
the customs and civilization of a society
or group. The national culture can be
defined as the cultural experiences,
beliefs, learned behavior patterns, and
values shared by citizens of the same
nation. Cultures, especially national
cultures are extremely stable over
time. This stability can be explained by
the reinforcement of culture patterns
by the institutions that themselves
are products of the dominant cultural
value systems. Any change occurs
through trade, conquest, economic or
political dominance and technological
breakthroughs.
Strong national cultures have
important effects in societies as they
lead to the flourishing of institutional
arrangements and customs and views
that members of a society have a clear
direction in life and an identified set
of goals when they are familiar with
particular value systems and are
committed to them. The significance
of Islam as a social and organizing
principle emphasizes collaboration
and mutual humility and respect, an
employer‘s obligation and duty of care
and employees long term commitment
to the organization. Employer-employee
relations are based on consensus and
unity, balance or equilibrium, and high
trust exchanges facilitated through
extended family networks, which
are quite unlike the management
environments in many European and
US corporations.
When we go to the national
culture of the Kingdom of Bahrain,
we see that it follows those of the
general Arab culture which has
unique characteristics different from
other cultures in the west or even
far east. The informality of life that
characterizes Middle Eastern societies
is manifested most clearly in its various
social institutions. By far the most
resonant of them have proven to be
the family, the tribe and its derivative
ethnicity, and religion. The extended
family has retained its strength
and vitality despite the onslaught
of social change and its attendant
consequences, such as the emergence
of the nuclear family and the generation
gap. Likewise, religion remains deeply
embedded in people’s emotions and
psyches, its hold seldom affected by
fads and political nuances. The Arabs
possess a common culture that has
united them by religious and historical
factors. Their life is interdependent,
many of its elements are inseparable,
and each aspect of life depends on
another. And the Bahraini national
culture is characterized by traditions of
the extended family influence, which is
reflected in both its institutions and the
interpersonal. Thus, traditionally, status
still depends more upon family than
acquired wealth, upon position rather
than education, and upon age more
than skill or profession. The society
in Bahrain is shaped on the basis of
family, neighborhood, friendships,
regional, and religious affiliation rather
than profession.
It is important for a foreigner to
be aware of these cultural patterns,
to distinguish them from individual
traits. In order to understand any
group of people, it is useful to begin
by identifying their most basic beliefs
and values. Westerners tend to believe
that individual is the focal point of
social existence and those laws apply
to all equally. Arabs believe that most
things in life are controlled by fate,
everyone loves children, wisdom comes
with age and inherent personalities of
men and women are vastly different.
These beliefs play a powerful role in
understanding the nature of Arabs.
The Arabs spread over the Middle
East and North Africa and have
vastly different food habits, manner
of dressing, architectural styles and
decorative arts, and political values
as well. Yet the Arab world is more
homogenous than a westerner may
be aware. Their religion Islam and
a history of the glory of the Muslim
empire bind them all into a common
identity of Arabs. Since all their values
and beliefs are influenced by Islam,
there is a strong bond of brotherhood
and common destiny amongst
them. In business relationships,
personal contacts are valued and
quickly established. A good personal
relationship is the most important
single factor in doing business with
Arabs. Usually Arabs set aside a few
minutes to before commencing a
meeting for enquiring about each
other‘s health and recent activities.
Arabs place great value on hospitality
and sharing food with everyone around
them. While working with Arabs it is
important to praise them for the work
that they are doing.
Looking into the distinct Arab
culture, and the unique Bahraini
culture, organizations that create a
harmonized corporate culture that
assimilates with the local culture
of the Kingdom of Bahrain while
adopting to the international sense,
this will create a healthy and positive
working environment that all different
cultures and backgrounds can blossom.
Such environments will benefit from
the positive traits of each culture
and provide a deep foundation for
organizations to perform, grow and
withstand the competition of others.
Dr. Jassim Haji
Technology Executive &
Researcher
www.facebook.com/DrJassimHaji
November 2016
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