Book excerpt: Providing evidence of the role of human capital on innovation in the Middle East, this edited collection closely examines the unique nature of the workforce in this region. It highlights the challenges that the United Arab Emirates faces in becoming more globally competitive, with emphasis on its unique socio-cultural context and a rapidly changing institutional set up. Filling a growing need for research – particularly in the context of the UAE’s ambition to become one of the world’s most innovative countries – the authors address six main themes: happiness; employee incentives; the restructuring and integration of employees; inclusion and diversity; employer and nation branding; and human capital and innovation. This book examines the global best practices firms in the UAE need to adopt in order to overcome weaknesses, setting an agenda for future research in the context of human capital and human resource management for the UAE.