Strategic Talent Management in UAE Industries: Comparative Insights into Attraction and Retention Across Aviation, Oil & Gas, Banking, and Retail Sectors

Abstract : Talent management has emerged as a critical strategic imperative for organizations operating in the competitive landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This comprehensive study examines the strategic talent management practices employed by leading corporations across four key economic sectors: aviation, oil & gas, banking & finance, and retail & e-commerce. Through a multi-theoretical lens incorporating Resource-Based View (RBV), Human Capital Theory, and Social Exchange Theory, this research analyzes how organizations attract, develop, and retain talent in alignment with UAE’s Vision 2031 and Emiratization objectives. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of talent management effectiveness with qualitative insights from corporate case studies of Emirates Airlines, ADNOC, Emirates NBD, and Noon.com. Findings reveal that while compensation and career development remain fundamental retention drivers, contemporary talent strategies increasingly emphasize employer branding, diversity and inclusion (D&I), sustainability initiatives, and technology-driven HR analytics. The research demonstrates significant sector-specific variations: aviation prioritizes global branding and service excellence, oil & gas focuses on Emiratization and technical skill development, banking emphasizes digital innovation and ESG-driven practices, while retail leverages flexibility and customer-centric cultures. The study contributes to strategic human resource management literature by providing empirical evidence of talent management effectiveness in a rapidly developing economy and offers practical insights for HR practitioners navigating the complexities of multicultural workforce management in the Gulf region.