Sami M. Abbasi

Turnover: The Real Bottom Line

Turnover is the rotation of workers around the labor market; between firms, jobs, and occupations; and between the states of employment and unemployment.1 “In-house engineering,” “revolving door policy,” and “management by turnover,” are a few of the many colorful and euphemistic terms used to describe this organizational phenomenon. By whatever name or form, labor turnover is one of the most significant causes of declining productivity and sagging morale in both the public and private sectors. Management theorists say it lies behind the failure of U. S. employee productivity to keep pace with foreign competition.2

Business Success in the Middle East

The Middle East has been overlooked by American companies as a region in which to explore market opportunities. Suggests that this is largely due to ignorance of, and bias towards, the culture and politics of the Middle East. Discusses aspects of Middle East culture and situational determinants which American companies would be wise to assimilate and suggests practices to carry out or avoid when attempting to form business relationships in the Middle East.

Dissent: An Important but Neglected Factor in Decision Making

Unless the question of decision making is encouraged disasters can occur. Several examples of bad decisions which have been compounded by a lack of dissent are outlined – from President Reagan′s “Irangate” scandal to the Ford Pinto to Coca‐Cola′s failed “New Coke”. Eight recommendations are made for encouraging dissent in decision making.