Executive SummaryIn this article, the work values and attitudes of 241 nationals from the United Arab Emirates are examined. Specifically, we assessed the impact of generational membership and gender on the Islamic work ethic, individualism, attitudes toward women at work, and perceptions of the utility of wasta. Results suggest that values and attitudes held by people in the Middle East are changing on the one hand (e.g., individualism) but are also deeply held on the other (e.g., the Islamic work ethic). Results also suggest that the perceptions about the utility of wasta differ across generations. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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This article describes the occupational culture of soldiers who live and work in Northern Ireland. The analysis proceeds from the recognition that work communities are not simply random aggregates of individual workers; the interpretation and meanings that individual soldiers give to their work are critically dependent upon the social and cultural context within which the work has developed.

The impact of the threat of redundancy on teachers in Northern Ireland is examined. The problems of anger, anxiety and confusion which form part of the general impact of redundancy on teachers are highlighted. Redundancy is shown to have a particular impact on young teachers who are rarely able to build up sufficient job security to protect them from the redundancy process. It is suggested that there is a general acceptance by teachers of managerial arguments concerning the need for redundancies, and considerable criticism is expressed of the role played by trade unions. Anxiety is also expressed about the role of school principals in the redundancy process. The lack of managerial skills is also highlighted.

A new anti‐discrimination law came into operation in Northern Ireland from the 1 January 1990. The Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989 supersedes most of the Fair Employment (Nl) Act 1976 and involves a radical departure by Government in the manner in which it tackles the issues of employment discrimination in Northern Ireland. This article describes the background and content of the new legislation. It explores some of the problems the legislation raises for management and examines the impact of the legislation in the field of employment discrimination.