The objective of the current study is to explore and identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs), which impact upon the effective implementation of Human Resource Development (HRD) initiatives in support of nationalisation, and to recommend a model for practical application and future research. Accordingly the study focused on identifying and analysing the various factors in the localisation of a workforce with regard to five broad categories, namely: national level factors, organisational (policies and practices related) factors, organisational (HR related) factors, individual level (expatriate and experienced staff related) factors and individual level (UAE national related) factors. The data for the study was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods were used to develop an in-depth case study of the Emiratisation process in an oil and gas organisation, as well as for identifying the critical success factors to be included in the survey questionnaire for collecting the quantitative data. The results of the study indicated that the critical success factors identified in the study are part of a complicated reality and need to be managed to ensure success of the localisation of a workforce. The mean scores obtained on the various factors differed significantly across the organisations or sub groups of respondents used in the study. This indicates that the impact of various factors that facilitate or constrain the localisation efforts are highly contextual and organisation specific. The findings of the study revealed valuable insights that could enrich not only future research in the area, but also the practical application of HR tools and methods to support the localisation process. The current study also developed a model for practical application and future research in the area. The model identified the role of HR strategies and tools as critical for managing the CSFs and ensuring the success of the process of localisation. The model developed in the current study also emphasises the need to define the 'success' of localisation in much broader terms, by addressing complex issues such as, employee morale and motivation, expectations of all employees, including expatriates and so forth, rather than just focusing on the number of UAE nationals employed and their competencies. The current study also identified some of the limitations of the study and highlighted suggestions for future research.

Prevailing propagation phenomena in certain areas play a vital role in deciding terrestrial wireless systems performance. Vertical refractivity profile below 1 km is a critical parameter for designing reliable systems; noting that there is a shortage of upper-air data worldwide. Anomalous phenomena may cause severe signal fading and interference beyond the horizon. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate dominant refractive conditions in the subtropical Arabian Gulf region, develop new approaches and empirical models for evaluating vertical refractivity profiles and relevant propagation parameters in the low troposphere, and to examine the impact of frequently experienced anomalous phenomena on terrestrial microwave links. Twenty-three years of meteorological measurements, from 1990 to 2013, are utilized using spatially separated surface stations and a single radiosonde in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Profiles of sea level, surface and upper refractivity components are statistically analysed. Three major atmospheric layers; namely 65 m, 100 m and 1 km above the ground are studied to analyse relevant propagation parameters such as sub-refraction, super-refraction, anomalous propagation probability parameter β0 and point refractivity gradient not exceeded for 1% of time. The effective earth radius factor k is investigated using a new weighted averaged approach. In addition, the seasonal structure of atmospheric ducting is dimensioned within 350 m layer above ground. Finally, microwave measurement campaign is conducted using multiple radio links operating in UAE using various frequency bands. The link budget simulations are compared with the signal strength measurements. Fading scenarios are studied against the observed anomalous conditions and several recommendations are concluded.

Cette thèse intègre l'analyse inédite de plus de 80 000 restes provenant des sites néolithiques d'Akab, de Dalma et de Marawah MR11 (Emirats Arabes Unis) – occupés entrela moitié du VIe et la fin du IVe millénaire av. n. è. Les résultats dévoilent des pêcheries déjà investies dans l'exploitation d'une grande variété de milieux marins. Les poissons capturés et consommés par ces pêcheurs incluent de nombreux sargues, pagres (Sparidae), empereurs (Lethrinidae) et petites aiguilles (Belonidae) qui témoignent avant tout de l'exploitation des eaux côtières peu profondes : le long des rivages ainsi que dans les zones d'herbiers et de récif frangeant. À Akab, la pêche dans la lagune et la mangrove est également reflétée par la présence de nombreux poissons‐chats marins (Ariidae) et mulets (Mugilidae) dans l'assemblage. Les techniques impliquées dans ce type de pêche sont peu sélectives et relativement simples : la prospection des petits fonds à l'aide de senne, la pose de filets calés, voire l'utilisation de barrages à poissons. À Dalma, des nasses étaient probablement déjà employées dans les zones de récifs moyennement profondes, pour la capture de mérous en particulier (Serranidae). Les mangroves et les zones de récifs sont des environnements très productifs auprès desquels les pêcheurs pouvaient vraisemblablement se fournir en poissons et en coquillages tout au long de l'année. En l'occurrence, ceux d'Akab connaissaient et exploitaient probablement déjà les grands rassemblements de becs‐decane (Lethrinus nebulosus) près de la lagune d'Umm al‐Quwain, au printemps et à l'occasion de leur frai. L'étude du matériel d'Akab et de Dalma révèle toutefois aussi l'existence d'expéditions de pêche en mer ouverte, impliquant l'usage de bateaux. Ces expéditions sont notamment conduites à la recherche des bancs de thonines (Scombridae) voire de carangues (Carangidae). Leur pêche n'impliquait pas seulement l'emploi de lignes munies d'hameçons en nacre mais aussi celui de filets tels que des sennes tournantes. Ces filets ont également permis aux pêcheurs de Dalma de capturer de grands requins et quelques dauphins plus occasionnellement. Bien que la pêche des bancs de pélagiques soit aujourd'hui considérée comme une activité hivernale dans les pêcheries du Golfe persique, l'existence d'un climat plus humide au Néolithique, alors soumis au régime de la mousson de l'Océan Indien, invite à nuancer nos modèles de saisonnalité.Au Néolithique, la pêche était ainsi pratiquée à la fois de manière généraliste et de manière spécialisée en faisant contribuer un large panel de techniques et de savoirs écologiques aux besoins d'une économie de subsistance reposant principalement sur l'exploitation des ressources marines. / This thesis presents the results of a study of more than 80,000 fish bones from the Neolithic settlement of Akab, Dalma and Marawah MR11 (United Arab Emirates) – inhabited from the mid‐6th to the end of the 4th millennia BC. The analysis has outlined that fishing was carried out in a wide range of marine habitats.The fish taxa caught and consumed by Neolithic fishermen include seabreams (Sparidae),emperors (Lethrinidae) and small needlefish (Belonidae) indicating the exploitation of coastal shallow waters : along the seashore, the beaches, over seagrass beds and fringingreefs. At Akab, the exploitation of the lagoon and the mangrove is also indicated by the occurrence of sea catfish (Ariidae) and mullets (Mugilidae) in the bone assemblage. The fishing techniques involved in such catches are non‐selective such as small seines, set nets or coastal barrier traps. At Dalma, the installation of baited cage traps in deeper reef areas isalso suggested by the importance of large groupers (Serranidae). Mangroves and reefs a reproductive marine environments which might have provided enough fish and shellfish allyear round for Neolithic coastal communities. Akab fishermen probably already knew and exploited the spawning phenomenon of the spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) in the vicinity of the Umm al‐Quwain lagoon.The exploitation of the open sea is documented as well at Akab and Dalma. Fishing expeditions in open sea however require the use of boats. Pelagic schools of kawakawas (little tuna ; Scombridae) and trevallies (Carangidae) were probably exploited not only withlines but also with fishing nets such as purse seines. At Dalma, large sharks and occasionally dolphins were also caught in this way. Despite that the fishing of pelagic schools is nowadays considered as a winter activity in the Persian Gulf, the existence of a wetter climate during Neolithic, affected by the Indian Ocean monsoon, leads us to temper our seasonal models. During the Neolithic, fishing was conducted both in non‐selective and specialised ways. Awide range of fishing techniques and ecological knowledges have contributed to the subsistence of coastal societies whose economies were primarily focused toward the exploitation of marine resources.

Ce travail étudie l’évolution des politiques de défense et des acquisitions militaires du Qatar et des Emirats arabes unis (EAU) depuis les années 1990. Il cherche à évaluer la prégnance du rôle des déterminants extérieurs et intérieurs dans l’élaboration des stratégies de ces deux petits Etats du Golfe et s’interroge sur la raison pour laquelle, confrontés à des défis en apparence assez similaires, ils ont adopté des stratégies différentes. Tandis que le Qatar a privilégié son rayonnement diplomatique et peu ou prou délégué sa sécurité à ses partenaires extérieurs, les EAU ont quant à eux organisé leur doctrine militaire autour de la consolidation de leurs outils de sécurité et de défense intérieurs tout en veillant à rayonner sur la scène régionale et internationale par divers canaux souvent identiques à ceux choisis par leurs voisins qataris. La thèse montre que les mutations du contexte régional doivent être articulées avec celles du contexte international pour comprendre les dynamiques communes aux politiques de défense et aux acquisitions militaires du Qatar et des EAU. Puis, elle montre que ces déterminants structurels doivent être articulés avec des variables intervenant au niveau national (territoire, démographie) et infranational (perception et réseaux du Prince) pour comprendre les contrastes entre leurs politiques. Pour finir, la thèse interroge la pérennité de l’économie et de la sociologie politique de ces « petits Etats-Princes » en les confrontant à des reconfigurations endogènes et exogènes susceptibles de les faire évoluer. / This thesis studies the evolving defence policies and military acquisitions of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 1990s onwards. It seeks to assess the role of external and domestic incentives in shaping the survival strategies of these two small Gulf states and to understand why, while they were confronted with apparently similar challenges, they adopted different strategies. While Qatar has favoured its diplomatic influence and essentially guaranteed its security through its partnerships with external powers, the UAE have consolidated their internal security and defence tools while gaining regional and international influence through various channels which often were the same as those chosen by Qatari leaders. The thesis shows that the mutations of the regional context must be articulated with those of the international context to understand the common dynamics in Qatar’s and the UAE’s defence policies and military acquisitions. It then shows that these structural determinants must be articulated with variables at national (territory, demography) and subnational (the Prince’s perception and networks) levels to understand the contrasts between their policies. Finally, the thesis questions the sustainability of the political economy and political sociology of these “small Princes-states” by confronting them to endogenous and exogenous developments which are likely to make them evolve.

Cette thèse a pour principal objectif d’étudier la nouvelle configuration de la valeur de l’art moderne et contemporain du Moyen-Orient, et plus précisément la perception qui s’est fait jour à partir du milieu des années 2000, où Dubaï serait devenu le lieu de fixation de la valeur économique et de diffusion de l’art à différents niveaux : national, régional et international. L’art visuel du Moyen-Orient, jusqu’alors limité aux scènes nationales et négligé sur la scène internationale, connaît une évolution locale ainsi qu’un rayonnement international inédit. La mutation innovante du monde de l’art de cette zone géographique repose, en général, sur l’implantation de maisons de vente et sur la formation d’un marché international pour l’art du Moyen-Orient à Dubaï. Ce nouveau dispositif a influencé non seulement l’écosystème du monde national de l’art, mais aussi le choix d’artistes, des commissaires d’exposition autant que des conservateurs des musées internationaux. L’accroissement de champ du marché est l’objet principal de cette étude, et l’ajustement du champ artistique un objet secondaire. En retraçant l’histoire des pays étudiés par une approche sociologique de l’art, il s’agira, d’abord, de cerner l’évolution quantitative et qualitative des galeries d’art visuel, après les avoir identifiées en tant qu’acteur multifonction du monde de l’art, en ce qui concerne trois pays emblématiques de l’art de la région : l’Iran, le Liban et les Émirats Arabes Unis ; ensuite, il s’agira d’analyser leurs activités internationales ainsi que leur rayonnement à la fois régional et international, avant la formation du marché de l’art de Dubaï en 2006 et jusqu’à 2015. La méthodologie employée pour ce travail sollicitera un certain nombre d’outils propres aux sciences sociales et humaines : l’entretien compréhensif, l’enquête quantitative, l’analyse typologique, l’étude documentaire et l’enquête de terrain : l’immersion et l’observation participante. / The main objective of the present doctoral thesis is to study the configuration of the value of Middle Eastern modern and contemporary art. More precisely, we look at how Dubai has emerged in international perceptions as the center for art appraisal and diffusion nationally, regionally and internationally. Middle Eastern visual arts, mainly limited to their national settings, have been overlooked on an international level. Today, we are witnessing their unprecedented emergence and appreciation on the international scene. The innovative mutation of the art world within this geographical zone is mainly due to the implantation of auction houses and the creation of an international market for Middle Eastern art in Dubai. These new measures have not only influenced the ecosystem of the art milieu on a national level, but have also impacted the choice of artists, exhibition commissioners and curators of international museums. The development of this market is the principal object of the present study and as a secondary object, we look at the adjustments made by the art world to adapt to this new art scene. Through the Sociology of Art approach, we retrace the history of three emblematic countries (Iran, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates) with the aim of understanding the quantitative and qualitative evolution of their visual art galleries identified as multifunctional actors of the art world. We then analyze their international activities as well as their expansion, regionally and internationally, before the creation of the art market of Dubai between 2006 and 2015. Our methodology is based on the research methods of the social sciences: comprehensive interviews, quantitative investigations, typological analyses, documentation review and field work through immersion and participatory observation.

Cette thèse s’attache à déconstruire, à localiser et à inscrire dans des dynamiques politiques locales d’abord, régionales et internationales ensuite, la perception qui s’est faite jour à compter du milieu des années 2000, que « le Golfe », espace aux contours rarement définis, serait devenu le lieu d’un développement culturel de très grande ampleur. Cette nouvelle image internationale des principautés arabes du golfe Persique, éloignée de leur association traditionnelle aux hydrocarbures et à la guerre, repose sur deux phénomènes distincts, voire opposés : la formation d’un marché de l’art arabe et iranien basé à Dubai qui se fait le reflet de la formation de nouvelles bourgeoisies dans les grands pays voisins, et la multiplication des annonces de musées à forte visibilité internationale au Qatar et à Abou Dabi qui ont pour cible prioritaire un public européen. Les musées sont l’objet principal de cette étude, le marché son objet secondaire. En croisant l’histoire et la science politique, une typologie binaire des musées golfiens et l’évolution du rapport de force entre les trois grandes composantes sociales des populations nationales des principautés depuis les années 1960, il apparaît que le musée, cette institution d’origine européenne qui sous sa forme moderne est apparue au XVIIIe siècle et qui compte au nombre des premières formes d’espaces publics, est dans les principautés arabes du golfe Persique un outil de renforcement de l’autoritarisme. Ce rôle qui est le sien depuis le temps de sa genèse dans les années 1960, s’est accentué au Qatar et à Abou Dabi depuis la Guerre du Golfe de 1990-1991. / This doctoral thesis aims at deconstructing, spatializing and inscribing in local and then international political dynamics the new perception emerging in the West that presents « the Gulf », a region whose boundaries are rarely defined, as the place for a large scale cultural development. This new international image of the Arab principalities of the Persian Gulf, that no longer reduces them to oil and war, but associates their names to culture, relies on two different phenomenons : the birth of an Arab and Iranian art market based in Dubai that reflects the formation of new elites in the neighbouring regional powers on the one hand, and the rise of a new type of museums targeting a European audience first, characterized by their international visibility, in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi on the other. The museums are the main object of this research, the art market its secondary one. By mixing political science and history, a binary typology of the museums and the evolution of the balance of power between the three main social components of the national communities in the Arab principalities since the 1960, the museum, this institution of European origin born in its modern form in the 18th century as one of the earliest forms of public spaces, appears as a tool for the consolidation of authoritarianism. This role that the museums has been playing since the 1960s, when the regional importation of this cultural model started, has even increased in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi since the end of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Since that period, the new museums are actively taking part to the political marginalization of the national bureaucracy.

L’arbitrage dans les pays arabes connaît aujourd’hui une nouvelle dynamique se traduisant pas la promulgation de nouvelles lois d’arbitrage et l’implantation de nouveaux centres d’arbitrage. Cette dynamique est d’autant plus particulière qu’elle se caractérise par la mise en place de zones franches juridiques conduisant à la division du pouvoir judiciaire et à la coexistence de deux systèmes juridiques, on-shore et off-shore. Cette nouvelle dynamique est-elle pour autant le reflet d’une approche désormais favorable à l’arbitrage ? Quelle est la place faite à l’arbitrage dans les pays arabes? La réponse à ces problématiques majeures ne peut s’effectuer qu’à travers l’étude du recours en annulation des sentences arbitrales. En effet, l’approche de l’arbitrage dans les pays arabes ne peut être évaluée qu’à la lumière de la position des tribunaux étatiques lors du contrôle judiciaire de la sentence arbitrale. Il s’agira d’examiner la nature du recours en annulation, sa coexistence avec les voies de recours ordinaires, son exercice et les différents motifs d’annulation. Il s’agira également d’analyser les règlements d’arbitrage qui prennent position sur les voies de recours et in fine sur le sort de la sentence arbitrale à travers l’étude de la demande de reconnaissance et d’exécution des sentences arbitrales, aussi bien dans les zones on-shore que dans les zones off-shore. Cette étude permettra ainsi de déterminer la perception de l’arbitrage dans les pays arabes et les réformes qui doivent être entreprises en vue de sa promotion comme mode normal de résolution des litiges du commerce international. / Today, within Arab states, a new dynamic in arbitration is taking shape. This is reflected in the proliferation of new arbitration legislation and the establishment of emergent arbitration centres across the region. What makes this new dynamic even more remarkable is the contemporaneous establishment of legal free-zones where judicial power is divided and co-exists between two systems best described as on-shore and off-shore. This thesis seeks to explore the possible implications of this new dynamic with a view to determining whether or not it can be considered a reflection of a developing, more favourable approach to arbitration in Arab countries. In order to address this issue effectively, this thesis will examine the present and immediate approaches to arbitration of judiciaries in 10 Arab states. This will be achieved through the study and analysis of the action for setting aside arbitral awards in these Arab states. This thesis will look at the nature, exercise and application of the action for setting aside arbitral awards. In addition, it will explore the grounds for this action and how, as a recourse, the action for setting aside exists alongside and interacts with other avenues of recourse. In order to assess the current approaches of judiciaries, within Arab countries, this thesis will also analyze current arbitration legislation and institutional regulations. This is in addition to the emerging trends and common practice, that is, in the context of the recognition and execution of arbitral awards, in both on-shore and off-shore legal systems.

Le concept de "fluidité du droit"' interroge les variations de l'application du droit aux Emirats arabes unis (E.A.U.). L'intention est de protéger les intérêts des citoyens émiriens contre les non-citoyens tout en imposant le droit des décideurs dans un cadre juridique arabo-musulman. Le contexte (acteurs et espèces) détermine l'adaptation du droit. Les E.A. U. ont signé des traités internationaux qui les obligent à mettre le droit local en conformité. Or, les réserves stipulées et le manque de clarté retardent ce processus. Localement, l'application du droit dépend de la variété des sources, notamment du droit islamique et de ses différentes écoles, d'une procédure législative opaque et d'un système judiciaire complexe (trois types de tribunaux, statut personnel discriminant fondé sur la notion de citoyenneté). Les limites fluctuantes entre les sphères publiques et privées font enfin planer une incertitude dans des domaines relevant de l'intime ou de la diffamation par exemple. Les autorités émiriennes exercent un contrôle sur le droit en s'appuyant sur une organisation tribale et un système de permis à tous les étages de la société émirienne. La liberté d'expression à cet égard a subi les effets du Printemps arabe de 2011. Le système de délivrance de permis s'en est trouvé renforcé pour assurer la stabilité du régime. Le droit à l'éducation, très interprétatif, montre comment les permis d'exercice interprètent différemment ce droit. Le droit du travail est aussi encadré par des permis. Les autorités émiriennes sous-traitent aux citoyens émiriens le contrôle des travailleurs étrangers. Dans le contexte d'une croissance économique exceptionnelle, des observateurs extérieurs ont interrogé les effets de cette croissance sur les droits de l'homme et les médias. Le gouvernement fédéral a très vite appris à utiliser son système pour se protéger des droits« universels». Des organisations écrans ont été créées pour répondre aux critiques exprimées en insistant sur le point de vue émirien. L'aide étrangère permet en outre d'acquérir un statut privilégier dans le domaine humanitaire. L'intention est de rendre la critique de la fluidité du droit impossible ou injuste. Vu de l'extérieur, bien des décisions émiriennes peuvent être interprétées comme arbitraires. Or, la fluidité du droit est un principe interne qui a sa logique, celle de préserver l'Etat et de le rendre résilient en cas de contestation. / The notion of "fluidity of law" illuminates how the law in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may change influencing what constitute a right serving the purpose of protecting national interest, continuing the rule of the rulers and protecting the interests of the citizens versus non-citizens in an Arab-Muslim setting. Equally important, this contextual law is just according to the idea of justice in Islamic law emphasizing the importance of knowing the local context before making moral judgements. On the international level, the UAE government has consented to certain core human rights treaties creating legal obligations domestically. But, the state's reservations to consented treaties and lack of clarity about the status of treaties in local law and courts creates uncertainty about implementation of treaty obligations. On the local level, a diversity of legal sources with Islamic law as primary source of law with its four interpretations in Sunni Islam, a non-transparent legislative and court system, three parallel court systems and persona! status law distinguishing citizens from non-citizens make it challenging to predict what the law may be. Furthermore, the notions of private and public in law are in constant flux in the jurisdiction indicating how what appears to be private might be public in intimate relations and how to be private in public domains through defamation legislation. Finally, this work shows how the authorities have established a system of control of rights based on traditional tribal organizations through a license system in law of rights in several spheres of society. This system of license creates hierarchy of rights, control of exercise of rights and at times outsources monitoring of other unacceptable behaviour. The sphere of expressions is examined in detail in this work as the regional upheavals in 2011 resulted in more legislation beyond licensing to protect the stability of the rulers. However, what the law is on the ground is also affected by local interpretations of rights and this will be illustrated through the right to education. Additionally, the license system in employment of non-citizens is based on a fusion between the interests of the authorities and citizens creating a system where citizens may willingly monitor non-citizens on behalf of the state. Against the backdrop of growing economic success in the UAE, outsiders were questioning the price of the boom resulting in attention from human rights activists and media. But, the government quickly learnt how to use its license system to protect itself by establishing a front organization to retaliate on its behalf. Other organizations with links to the authorities would appear. On the back of growing influence of the state, the authorities changed its way of responding to the view of outsiders on its law and rights. Foreign aid provided the state with status and influence as a humanitarian state making it harder to question the fluidity of law in the jurisdiction. While the unpredictable nature of the law in the UAE might seem chaotic from the outside and on the ground, I argue that the fluidity of law legitimises the state and makes it resilient.

The diploma thesis named British reaction to the Arab Spring events in the context of United Kingdom's relations with Persian Gulf countries is concerned with an impact of the revolutionary events of 2011, known as the Arab Spring, on bilateral cooperation between United Kingdom on one side and Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman on the other. While using quantitative analysis approach, it depicts how the Persian Gulf developments were reflected by prominent British representatives and members of the Cameron coalition government. Since the government promised to approach foreign policy matters through a liberal-conservative lens and also planned to further deepen its relations with Persian Gulf countries, the Arab Spring events can be interpreted as a clear dilemma for British policymakers. This thesis aims to answer whether such dilemma forced the government officials to re-asses the traditionally warm attitudes towards Persian Gulf and additionally, it demonstrates which spheres of their cooperation were threatened the most. Firstly, the bilateral relations between United Kingdom and Persian Gulf countries between 1971 and 2010 are described. Then, the focus moves towards the Cameron coalition government and its foreign- policy aims. In its final part, the thesis focuses on British...

The goal of this study is to generate a more holistic picture of the diffusion and assimilation of universal human rights norms in diverse cultural and political settings such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The overarching question to be investigated in this thesis is the relationship between the evolving international human rights regime and the emerging human rights normative and legal culture in the Middle East. This question will be investigated in detail with reference to regional human rights schemes such as the Arab Charter of Human Rights, as well as local human rights developments in three Middle Eastern states, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Having gauged the take-up of human rights norms on the ground at the local and regional levels, the thesis examines in full the extent of socialisation and internalisation of human rights norms across the Middle East region at large.