From knowledge transfer to learning: The acquisition and assimilation of human capital in the United Arab Emirates and the other Gulf States

摘要: Abstract This paper examines efforts by the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States to use their oil wealth “import” human capital necessary diversify economies beyond oil. It explores how new forms of development capacity, create sustain industries in Gulf, are acquired context a global labor market. By studying circulation absorption this seeks move focus on institutions render flows knowledge transferable or not. Instead, it emphasizes ways which shape ability place assimilate integrate foreign locally. is accomplished presenting results from surveys conducted with 300 local firms throughout region key-informant interviews undertaken 30 representatives Abu Dhabi Dubai, Emirates. The indicate that strategies attract international investment, trade migration have succeeded. These efforts, however, not been accompanied social integration mechanisms for assimilation external knowledge. Expatriate workers adapt transactions application region’s unique business regulatory environments. Once its localized form, circulates within bounded, expatriate spaces. results, vary across key locations. exception found financial sector, where employment quotas mandated high levels learning via foreign–local interaction, locally embedded, personal relationships most valued asset knowledge-worker can possess.