Robert C. Camp

Teaching management in the Arab world

Addresses issues related to teaching management in the Arab world. Discusses issues of growth, poor quality and lack of vision. Contrasts American and Arab cultural profiles and their management implications. Specifies the illusions that seem to prevail in some quarters in the Arab world regarding management and its culture.

Global managers: qualities for effective competition

Examines the skills and qualities that are often needed by today’s global managers. Describes a study in which 184 international managers ranked 13 statements of attributes according to their importance for conducting business affairs. Concludes from the results that qualities pertaining to adaptability, flexibility, and comfortableness in dealing with people from other cultures are often needed. Looks at two factors produced from the results of rotated factor analysis. Labels these factors “essential qualities” (the attributes required by every manager) and “supplementary qualities” (the additional attributes required for international assignment). Identifies nine illusions about required managerial qualities which are common in research and practice.

The Ten Commandments Perspective on Power and Authority in Organizations

Power and authority in terms of the Ten Commandments (TCs) are discussed. The paper reviews the TCs in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The treatment and basis for power and authority in each religion are clarified. Implications of power and authority using the perspective of the TCs are provided. The paper suggests that in todays business environment people tend to be selective in identifying only with certain elements of the TCs that fit their interest and that the TCs should be viewed as general moral guidelines.

Jihad in monotheistic religions: implications for business and management

The subject of Jihad has been a fiercly debated topic in the past few decades. Contradictory translations have been adopted by differing religious groups and political camps. In some quarters Jihad has been associated with violence and war. Other quarters perceive the Jihad to mean a striving within oneself and the struggle for self‐improvement. In this paper, the historical and contemporary perspectives of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam regarding Jihad are outlined. The evolution of the meaning of Jihad in each religion is clarified and similarities and dissimilarities among the three religions are highlighted. Various forms of Jihad are presented. The paper, however, argues that true Jihad means an active participation in social improvement and economic development. In addition, the paper provides implications of Jihad for business and organizations.

Human resource strategy: the Ten Commandments perspective

Proposes to highlight the centrality of human resources in the Ten Commandments (TCs), providing a perspective regarding their application for business organizations. Focuses on the TCs in the Abrahamic religions (Jews, Christians, Muslims) and explains how loyalty, networking and minimizing conflict aims to ensure survival and continuity. Concludes TCs are general moral principles that reflect the general orientations and directions of their respective religions and that companies should give attention to universal aspects of TCs and their qualities.

Assessing the environment for small and medium enterprises success in sichuan, China

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of the environment for development of Small and Medium Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as SMEs) in Sichuan, China. Focus group discussions and case analyses were used to diagnose problems that SMEs encountered in technology implementation and institutional innovation in Sichuan. Data from a layered sample survey was used to assess how the environment could influence the growth of SMEs and to examine what the SMEs need for their future development. The findings indicate that market success for the SMEs was mainly a function of market development/low labor cost/high efficiency/ and operational methods. Failure was generally caused by a lack of funds and/or market fraud. The results also suggest that the environment needs to be improved mainly on government efficiency and market disciplines. The research also gave policy suggestions that local government should conduct to help the SMEs to develop especially in operation and commercialization.

A Cross Cultural Perspective on Individualism and Collectivism Orientations

Abstract Individualism-collectivism measures, along with decision styles, were examined between two cultural groups of participants: Americans and Arabs. The American group participated in MBA executive programs, while the Arab group participated in international management development programs. American participants scored higher than their Arab counterparts on individualism, but less on collectivism measures. Participants in both groups displayed a strong preference for consultative and participative styles and determined that these two styles were the most effective in practice and that their immediate supervisors were consultative and participative. Similar constructs in each category were significantly and positively correlated, but negatively related to opposite measures.

Economic sanctions: obstruction or instrument for world trade?

Relates Adam Smith’s invisible hand to present day globalization and considers the impact of US trade and economic sanctions on the world economy. Discusses the political roots of these sanctions, their objectives (both overt and covert), costs and incompatibility with free trade. Puts forward eight ideas to minimize the damage they do to individuals and to free trade; and calls on governments to aim at “constructive dialogue and cooperative relations with other nations” instead.

Export Attitudes of Taiwanese Executives

SUMMARY Taiwanese-based firms have long been actively involved in exporting and international trade. This article investigates their export attitudes and qualities for effective international conduct. Data from 182 companies in Taiwan provide mixed support for three hypotheses advanced in this study. International experience is found to significantly influence exporting attitude. In addition, two measurements of size (annual sales and number of employees) and international business experience are found to have some influence on export attitudes and on the needed qualities for effective international business conduct.