A Global View on Intercultural Management

9 Intercultural Preparation and Reintegration

9.0 Statement of the problem

The cost of failure

(Jeremy Williams)

 

Unfortunately, many Western companies and individuals fail to face the realities of life and work in the Gulf. Many costly mistakes can be made, both financially and personally. Western companies sometimes believe that simply by dispatching highly qualified and intelligent staff to undertake duties in the Gulf all will be well. Foolish companies will presume that professional qualifications is the overriding requirement and give no weight to the wider mental preparation (and selection) of such people and their spouses. Professional competence is the starting point for selection purposes; what is also needed, in the character of ...