Research Lab for Organisational Research in MENA
Overview
The MENA Organisation Research Lab at Heriot-Watt University is a pioneering initiative designed to function as a research institute and knowledge hub. Rooted in the University’s tradition of excellence, the Lab is dedicated to advancing scholarship and applied research that addresses the pressing challenges faced by organisations across the UAE, GCC, and wider MENA region.
Mission and focus
Our mission is to generate evidence-based insights and interventions that inform both private and public sector strategies, thereby contributing to the UAE’s national wellbeing agenda and the broader UAE 2030 sustainable development goals. By combining rigorous academic enquiry with practical relevance, the Lab seeks to:
- Develop quality in research by producing high-impact publications and advancing theoretical frameworks.
- Build research capacity across the region, equipping institutions with the tools to foster innovation and resilience.
- Support organisational transformation through positive people management strategies and workplace innovation.
- Bring international expertise into the region to strengthen the GCC research community.
Vision
The Lab aspires to be a home to world-class researchers and a trusted partner for regional institutions. By reshaping the world of work through cutting-edge research and actionable insights, we aim to strengthen organisational effectiveness, enhance employee wellbeing, and contribute to the sustainable development of the UAE and the wider MENA region.
Advisory, Consulting, and Training Services
Beyond research, the MENA Organization Research Lab provides specialist advice, consulting, and training to organizations across the region. A core strength of the Lab lies in the actual successful implementation of initiatives, recognizing that meaningful organizational change is fundamentally a process of behavioral change. With over a hundred established perspectives on behavior change, the terrain can be complex; however, our team offers accessible, evidence-based methods and tools that translate theory into practice. Drawing on a proven track record in implementation, we support institutions in embedding sustainable strategies that enhance wellbeing, leadership, and organizational effectiveness across diverse sectors.
Our advisory and training services are enriched by the Lab’s ongoing research across diverse domains. Current projects include advancing workforce wellbeing for blue-collar workers and domestic labor groups in Dubai, examining the skills and competencies required by HRM practitioners and line managers, and exploring female leadership and identity issues through innovative theoretical frameworks. We are also investigating the organizational and cultural implications of Generative AI, preparing institutions for the future of work, and studying how to support silver workers and retirees in Dubai as part of the city’s long-term vision. These research-driven insights ensure that our consulting and training offerings are both evidence-based and regionally relevant, enabling organizations to implement strategies that are practical, sustainable, and impactful.
Contact the Heriot Watt Consulting team via our Executive Education team: https://www.hw.ac.uk/dubai/study/executive-education#GeckoForm
or the head of executive education, Anna Schebsat: a.schebsdat@hw.ac.uk
Strategic themes
Our current research themes reflect the evolving needs of industry, government, and civil society, with emphasis on:
- Workplace wellbeing and resilience
- Leadership and organisational culture
- Future of work and digital transformation
- Talent management and workforce development
- Policy design for sustainable organisational growth
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Although anchored in psychology and business disciplines, the Lab thrives on interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration. We bring together leading scholars and practitioners from diverse fields to co-create solutions that address the complex realities of work and workplaces in the region.
Core research themes
Wellbeing and workforce resilience
The Lab is committed to advancing research into the wellbeing of diverse workforce groups, with particular attention to blue-collar workers and domestic labour communities such as nannies in Dubai. Current projects investigate the psychosocial challenges these groups face, alongside organisational practices that can enhance their quality of life. Parallel initiatives explore the skills and competencies required by HRM practitioners and line managers in the UAE, ensuring that organisational leaders are equipped to foster inclusive, supportive, and resilient workplaces.
Female leadership and identity in the GCC/MENA context
Female leadership and identity issues represent a cornerstone of our research agenda. Drawing on frameworks such as Identity Process Theory (IPT), Multiple Identity Change Theory (MICT), and social identity complexity, our projects examine the lived experiences of both GCC nationals and expatriate female leaders. This work highlights the challenges, opportunities, and identity negotiations that shape women’s leadership trajectories in the region, while offering evidence-based insights to support gender equity and organisational transformation.
Generative AI and the future of work
The Lab is at the forefront of examining the implications of Generative AI (GenAI) for organisations in the MENA region. Our research investigates the cross-cultural challenges, future skills requirements, and organisational adaptation strategies necessary to harness this transformative technology. By analysing how GenAI reshapes work practices, decision-making, and talent development, we aim to provide guidance for organisations seeking to balance innovation with ethical responsibility and cultural sensitivity.
Silver workforce and retirement in Dubai
As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for living and retirement, the Lab explores how to encourage and support “silver workers”, individuals approaching or in retirement who wish to remain active contributors to society. Our projects examine policies, workplace practices, and community initiatives that can enhance the wellbeing, engagement, and social integration of older adults. This research supports Dubai’s ambition to become a destination that values and leverages the experience of its ageing population, while promoting sustainable models of retirement and lifelong participation.
Events
The lab hosts an annual academic-industry conference focusing on organisational research and developments in the MENA region. This will bring together international industry and academia across MENA to showcase research and developments on workplace research in the MENA region. This will be a unique event of its kind in the UAE and region as a whole.
Stay tuned for upcoming events
Past Events
Our people
Our collaborative team members are from Psychology, Management, Marketing and Business and Enterprise and from HWU in Dubai, Edinburgh and Malaysia. The team also have a number of existing partnerships and ongoing research projects with academia including Oxford Brookes University (UK), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), London Metropolitan University and the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China). The wider team also have active working relationships and contacts with a number of industry partners and are integral members of the Society for Business Psychology in the Middle East (SoBPME).
