Paternalistic University Leadership in the UAE – Its Impact on Management Behaviour

The Middle East is an area which in recent years has been characterised by political turbulence and conflict, with potential implications for every stratum of society. Faced with instability, higher education is increasingly coming under the spotlight, as countries in the region wish to encourage stability and prosperity through economic and social development. University leadership in the region, and in the UAE in particular, is paternalistic in nature. What are the implications for organizational development? Is a paternalistic style of leadership the most suitable one for universities in the region, given the fast-paced changes that are occurring in education? This research study aims to investigate how this has an impact on the behaviour of managers, by examining their experiences to see how their performance has been affected as result of a paternalistic leadership style. A qualitative approach is employed in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of their professional experiences. Finally, some recommendations are proposed to see how the competency of managers might be improved.