ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at salient cultural barriers that continue to thwart the growth and development of knowledge and scientific research productivity in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and, by extension, the larger Arab world. The chapter capitalizes on key cultural differences, shedding highlight on Western versus non-Western cultural norms and values. This is then followed by a discussion of relevant cultural chasms dividing Western and non-Western (Arab) societies. The chapter also provides a detailed examination of prevalent cultural influences that continue to curtail knowledge and research production. In particular, three main factors are examined in the chapter: rentier culture, nepotism (Wasta), and gender-based stereotypes.
