Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and contents of Islamic management
practices and their consequent implications for human resource management (HRM) in Arab
countries. In addition, it aims to examine the implications for multinational companies (MNCs)
operating in Islamic countries and the impact of globalisation before proceeding to an analysis of
managerial problems in Arab countries and the need for understanding Islamic management
principles by Arab (national) and international managers.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a qualitative approach based on an
extensive review of relevant literature and the employment of examples from selected Arab countries.
Findings – The study reveals that a gap exists between the theory of Islamic management and the
practice of management in Arab countries. Management in Arab countries is informed and heavily
influenced by non-Islamic traditional and national cultural values and norms of different countries and
by Western management thinking rather than Islamic principles derived from the Holy Quran (words
of God) and the Hadith (words of the Prophet Mohamed)