Governance in focus: An issue important to our well-being

An organisation on the right track to achieve its long-term goals will bring prosperity to all of its stakeholders – whether they are employees or the country at large, writes Mohammed Al Otaiba, editor in chief of The National.

Alvaro Sanmarti / The National

Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighted that in a fast-changing and challenging world, happiness and well-being are critical to our country’s economic future. He asked each of us to incorporate this crucial focus into our work.

Governance – both corporate and at the government level – refers to the mechanisms, processes and relations that are in place to keep an organisation happy and well.

An organisation on the right track to achieve its long-term goals will bring prosperity to all of its stakeholders – whether they are employees or the country at large.

While management is busy running things day-to-day, it is the board of directors that is responsible for ensuring good governance.

The board’s performance and its composition can have a significant impact on the workplace, resonating down into an organisation – promoting or hindering, for example, the development of women’s participation in the workforce, levels of transparency, innovation and the overall accountability taken by individuals.

This week, The National reports on the state of governance in the UAE.

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Governance in focus

■ Awareness: UAE companies increasingly aware of gains to be had

■ Management: Know your requirements before you set up a board

■ AGMs: When annual meetings become forums for confrontation

■ Virtual AGMs: When the AGM is everything but personal

■ History: Be good, because investors are watching more closely

■ Poll: Corporate governance in the UAE - have your say

■ Analysis: A good board brings right mix of knowledge and culture

■ Gender equality: 30% Club GCC chapter to boost women numbers on company boards

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We report on the link between good governance and productivity, employee welfare, and good HR and labour practices.

You will hear from the country’s top experts, including the Pearl Initiative’s Badr Jafar, Insead’s Ludo Van der Heyden, Fause Ersheid of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Corporate Governance and Ashraf Gamal Al Din, the chief executive of Hawkamah.

Special reports recount the history of corporate governance, show how Arabian Gulf countries compare internationally and highlight the role of women in governance.

Of course, engagement from our readers – individuals and the business community at large – is imperative to properly illuminate this topic. A series of online polls will gauge public opinion on the state of governance in the UAE. Twitter, Facebook and other mediums will also buzz with discussion. Our Workplace Doctor is also ready to answer any of your questions on this issue.

Let us know what you think: email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone].

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