Critical factors for culture of judicial excellence: benchmarking study of Emirati courts

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess the organizational culture of courts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the culture type required to achieve business excellence. This research also aims to benchmark the criteria weights of the International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE) in the UAE and suggest new weights that better reflect courts’ local priorities and national work culture.

Design/methodology/approach The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to prioritize the IFCE criteria and select the most important culture types to consider. A questionnaire was designed and data were collected from first instance courts in UAE. The respondents were judges in management roles, to ensure that the opinions provided reflected experience of judging and were aligned with the courts’ strategic objectives.

Findings The results show that the IFCE model criteria have different levels of importance in UAE than in the original model. The major differences are in court proceedings and processes, and affordability and accessibility of services. Adaptability and mission seem to be the most important cultural traits.

Originality/value No previous studies have investigated court excellence in UAE. This study should supply court managers and administrators with a clearer understanding of the priorities for achieving court excellence. There is inconsistency about the culture needed to boost good performance in public service organizations like courts, and decision makers may use these findings to enhance the cultural attributes that are particularly associated with excellence in courts