ABSTRACT
The Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are linked to the Middle East and North African region by ancient historical, cultural, and economic ties. In the 21st century Central Asia includes countries that are major players in the global oil and gas industry. Despite such considerations, however, relatively little academic research has focused on their current implications for the field of management. Based on a conceptual overview of the background of the broader Central Asian region, this paper identifies potentially fruitful opportunities for cross cultural and comparative examination of specific managerial issues in the countries of Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Propositions for future theory-based empirical research are identified in the paper.