General Electric: how GE worked to transform oncology healthcare in the Kingdom

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan ◽  
Immanuel Azaad Moonesar
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
International Business ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Marketing ◽  
Behavior Health

Subject area Health Management and Leadership, Marketing Social Causes, Strategy, International Business. Study level/applicability Post-graduates, Practitioners. Case overview General Electric has been operating in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region for over a century. GE is committed to corporate citizenship having launched ecomagination in 2005 and healthymagination in 2009. For sustainability, GE believes that both innovation and localization are critical. This case deals with contextualization of breast cancer campaign for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through healthymagination. Rania Rostom, Communications Director, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region, GE, reviews the campaign implemented and looks at roll-out across the MENA region. The situation is unique, as breast cancer strikes women in the region ten years earlier than the West, and the cultural context does not allow the discussion of the topic in public. One of the peculiarities of this region was the high penetration of social media and its large adoption rate by the young. GE used a unique Facebook campaign to drive awareness on the topic, encourage screening appointments, seek treatment and reduce the discomfort associated with the process. Expected learning outcomes On completion of utilizing the case study as an exercise, students should be able to gain case-specific skills – critically examine the importance of the consumer behavior, health marketing, marketing strategy and aspects of international business in the Middle East, KSA, in particular, and demonstrate this by analyzing real regional/world examples using complex theoretical frameworks; identify examples of best practice and explain the dynamics toward consumer behavior, health marketing, marketing strategy, international business with reference to a range of theoretical models and apply these in a meaningful way to the MENA region – discipline-specific skills – synthesize and critically evaluate a corpus of academic literature and government reports on consumer behavior, health marketing, marketing strategy, international business – and personal and key skills – reflect on the process of learning and undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment; work as a participant or leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives in the field of consumer behavior, health marketing, marketing strategy, international business. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

Entrepreneurship research in the Middle East and North Africa: trends, challenges, and sustainability issues

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abobakr Aljuwaiber
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurship Research ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Economic Development And Growth ◽  
Future Economic Development

Purpose This paper aims to offer a wider examination of the research concerning entrepreneurship characteristics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region via a review of recent studies relevant to this topic. Research publications concerning entrepreneurship within the MENA region evidence growing interest in this field of study, with the potential to boost and drive future economic development and growth. This focus within entrepreneurship research is because of the economic development in the region, which is becoming increasingly important for policymakers and businesses. Design/methodology/approach The author performed a systematic literature review to produce robust information about entrepreneurship in the MENA region, followed by a thematic analysis to identify key research themes within each category. Findings Despite the growth in entrepreneurship research in the MENA region, research on certain factors is lacking. An analysis of 271 studies published between 2009 and 2019 identifies 9 main research categories, within which 30 themes have attracted significant academic attention. Female entrepreneurship and gender, youth entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship behaviour and orientation are the three key categories influencing perspectives on entrepreneurship in the MENA region. This study highlights research gaps and provides recommendations to guide future research on the sustainable development of entrepreneurship in the MENA region. Originality/value This paper highlights trends in entrepreneurship research amongst scholars within the MENA region and suggests paths for future research efforts.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Aspects of Female Breast Cancer in the Middle East and North Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6802
Author(s):  
Haya Salem ◽  
Suhad Daher-Nashif
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Female Breast Cancer ◽  
Psychosocial Aspects ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Female Breast

Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is associated with social and psychological implications deriving from women’s socio-cultural contexts. Examining 74 articles published between 2007 and 2019, this literature/narrative review explores the psychosocial aspects of female breast cancer in the MENA region. It highlights socio-cultural barriers to seeking help and socio-political factors influencing women’s experience with the disease. In 17 of 22 Arab countries, common findings emerge which derive from shared cultural values. Findings indicate that women lack knowledge of breast cancer screening (BCS) and breast cancer self-examination (BSE) benefits/techniques due to a lack of physicians’ recommendations, fear, embarrassment, cultural beliefs, and a lack of formal and informal support systems. Women in rural areas or with low socioeconomic status further lack access to health services. Women with breast cancer, report low self-esteem due to gender dynamics and a tendency towards fatalism. Collaboration between mass media, health and education systems, and leading social-religious figures plays a major role in overcoming psychological and cultural barriers, including beliefs surrounding pain, fear, embarrassment, and modesty, particularly for women of lower socioeconomic status and women living in crises and conflict zones.

Prospects for the Middle East in the second quarter

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fiscal Revenue ◽  
State Group

Subject Prospects for the Middle East in the second quarter. Significance With average oil prices in 2015 likely to be 30-40% lower than in 2014, most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will see a huge change in their financial performance. Oil exporters could face major falls in fiscal revenue and foreign exchange earnings, while oil importers will receive a welcome boost to their budgetary and external accounts. On the security front, regional governments will focus on the threat from an expanding Islamic State group (ISG), and the fallout from a possible nuclear deal between the P5+1 world powers and Iran.

Russia will strive to further Middle East arms sales

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
The West ◽  
Arms Sales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arms Embargo ◽  
Global Supplier ◽  
Missile System

Significance Under the deal, the UN arms embargo will remain in force for five years, while the ban on ballistic missile sales will stay for eight years. This means that Russia's plans to supply Iran with the advanced S-300 missile system will face further delays. However, Moscow is not only focusing on arms sales to Iran, but is looking more widely across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Kremlin will become increasingly dependent on high-value, high-technology military sales while oil prices stay low and Western sanctions remain. Impacts Russia has rebounded to become the second largest arms seller in the Middle East behind the United States. The durability of Russian equipment and its comparable cheapness to US systems will be key attractions for buyers. Russia has become the main global supplier of the anti-access, area-denial weapons. Iran will refrain from progressing controversial Russian weapons sales that could damage its detente with the West.

A comparative analysis of taxation and revenue trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 646-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Mohammad Alsharari
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Equity And Efficiency ◽  
Tax Systems ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into how well past reforms have performed against revenue, equity and efficiency benchmarks of tax policymaking, so that the direction of future reform of tax system might be determined. It also presents a comparative analysis of taxation and revenue trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region over the data set period 1990-2012. Design/methodology/approach By overviewing the development and relative significance of resource revenues, allocating non-resource taxes and examining the tax policies of constituent countries, this paper presents a comparative review of taxation and revenue trends in the MENA region. Findings Findings showed, on average, a slight decline in non-resource revenues against the significant rise in income from resources. The analysis of government revenues and current taxation structures provide insight into how prior reforms have performed against the standard measures of tax policy-making (i.e. revenue, equity and efficiency) and directions for change leading to the establishment of simple tax systems. The study observes regional differences, such as the higher tax and revenues of the Maghreb sub-region over the Mashreq, except for value-added tax, where low rates were associated with equal or greater revenue. Similarities were also found, including the partial compensation by income taxes (not indirect taxes) for revenue lost through trade liberalization. The challenges of tax reform are found to vary across countries and opportunities for improving equity and reducing the complexity of tax systems across the region are identified. Research limitations/implications Reforms in all tax systems could have major implications for the country, employment, earnings and tax revenues; but recommendations would require political value judgments and government decisions. The study suggests eliminating the current tax system, thereby replacing one of the more distortionary taxes in the current system with a neutral and efficient tax. Originality/value The paper signals the need, even of the oil-rich states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, for governments to build tax systems capable of capturing and spending revenues effectively into the future.

The role of social media in strengthening civic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allam Ahmed ◽  
Omer Gibreel
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis article explores the current trends in civic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region after a decade of social media growth in the region.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a case studies approach. In these case studies, the authors use an exploratory approach to case study research. The authors employ a mixed-method approach to exploring the development of civic engagement in the MENA region.FindingsThe study’s finding shows that the MENA region's social media growth has enabled digital natives to play a vital role in enriching and empowering their communities and their lives.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper could have explored more examples from around the MENA region.Practical implicationsThe paper's practical significance is the understanding that the ground is shifting around Internet access and how digital natives in the MENA region are employing it for their civic engagement initiative. It is an important indication that the MENA region's next innovation could be in the civic engagement arena. Unlike their parents, who are digital immigrants, these young and energetic digital natives are out to shape all aspects of their lives. Paving the way for more innovative and creative ways of civic engagement in the MENA region.Originality/valueThe paper explores civic engagement development in the MENA region, shedding light on the issues concerning MENA region youth such as cleaning the environment, waste and food recycling, combating extremism, developing education curricula and even promoting peace. The paper's value is that it gives an update on civic engagement in the MENA region.

How reward systems affect team performance in banks: evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Serhan ◽  
Wissam Salloum ◽  
Nader Abdo
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Profit Sharing ◽  
Reward Systems ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of reward systems on team performance and analyze how satisfaction with rewards can result in better working performance and cohesiveness in the job environment. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 32 single members of different teams working in 10 selected banks from the Middle East and North Africa region. Findings The analysis from empirical findings reveals that there is a positive link between reward systems and team performance. More particularly, profit sharing has positive effects on team performance and collective bargaining reward systems affect significantly team cohesiveness. These links create an opportunity for employers to use reward systems as a motivating factor to direct team behavior toward more employee retention. Originality/value This study contributes to the teamwork performance research stream by empirically studying how rewards improve team performance and cohesiveness in Eastern contexts. Studies in such contexts are relatively rare.

Americana Group: KFC in Mecca

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
International Business ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Skills

Subject area Marketing, Strategy, International Business. Study level/applicability Post-Graduates' classes. Case overview This case focuses on the particularities of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant run by the Americana Group in Mecca, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It allows students in the service industry, and especially those interested in the quick service industry to understand some of the challenges of operating in a market with high volume and other specific local market conditions. Perhaps, it will also allow those organizations wishing to enter into emerging markets to realize that globalization does not mean standardization of all practices but rather values. Expected learning outcomes On completion of utilizing the case study as an exercise, students should be able to develop: Case-specific skills: critically examine the importance of the international business and marketing strategy in the Middle East and demonstrate this by analyzing real regional/ world examples using complex theoretical frameworks; identify examples of best practice and explain the dynamics toward international business and marketing strategy with reference to a range of theoretical models; and apply these in a meaningful way to the Middle East North Africa region. Discipline-specific skills: synthesize and critically evaluate a corpus of academic literature and government reports on international business and marketing strategy; and link international business and marketing strategy concepts and theories to real regional/world examples. Personal and key skills: reflect on the process of learning and undertake independen/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment. Work as either a participant or a leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives in the field of international business and marketing strategy. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

GEA Group – doing business in the Middle East

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ian Michael ◽  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan ◽  
Zeenath Khan
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
International Business ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Skills

Subject area Management, Strategy, International business. Study level/applicability Undergraduate or Graduates. Case overview This case is suitable for students of international business and strategy at the advanced undergraduate-level or introductory masters-level courses. It can be used for organizational design, brand management and business-to-business management classes. It may be of interest to practitioners in the Middle East and North African (MENA) markets looking at managing cross-functional teams. Expected learning outcomes On completion of utilizing the case study as an exercise, students should be able to develop the following. Case-specific skills: Critically examine the importance of the international business and strategy in the Middle East and demonstrate this by analyzing real-regional/-examples using complex theoretical frameworks; identify examples of best practice and explain the dynamics toward international business and strategy with reference to a range of theoretical models and apply these in a meaningful way to the MENA region. Discipline-specific skills: Synthesize and critically evaluate a corpus of academic literature and government reports on international business and strategy; link international business and strategy concepts and theories to real-regional/world examples. Personal and key skills: Reflect on the process of learning and undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment; work as a participant or leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives in the field of international business and strategy. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

Women entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Lynda Bastian ◽  
Yusuf Munir Sidani ◽  
Yasmina El Amine
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Female Entrepreneurship ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Micro Analysis

PurposeThis paper aims to attempt to collate and understand the fragmented research on female entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The review assesses the literature at the macro, meso and micro analysis levels and addresses the obstacles, challenges, motivations and characteristics of female entrepreneurship in the MENA region.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis bases on a gender aware, narrative review, which is an appropriate method when aggregating studies of different methodological approaches, covering broad and fragmented topics in different settings. The study analyzes the areas that have received sufficient research attention and those which are still under-developed.FindingsImportant gaps in the field are lack of theoretical foundations; an over emphasis on macro level indicators, such as culture and religion and an under emphasis on organizational level variables; a lack of studies that analyze female entrepreneurship within ethnic groups, or studies that acknowledge the complex social, cultural and religious diversity of the region; and inattention to particular regional experiences (e.g. refugees crisis) and emerging trends.Originality/valueThis is the first integrative review of the literature in the growing field of female entrepreneurship in the MENA region that identifies areas of particular research interest and questions that are still under-developed. The study proposes further avenues for future research.

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