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.

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.

scholarly journals Diet, Genetics, and Disease: A Focus on the Middle East and North Africa Region

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akl C. Fahed ◽  
Abdul-Karim M. El-Hage-Sleiman ◽  
Theresa I. Farhat ◽  
Georges M. Nemer
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Nutritional Genomics

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suffers a drastic change from a traditional diet to an industrialized diet. This has led to an unparalleled increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. This review discusses the role of nutritional genomics, or the dietary signature, in these dietary and disease changes in the MENA. The diet-genetics-disease relation is discussed in detail. Selected disease categories in the MENA are discussed starting with a review of their epidemiology in the different MENA countries, followed by an examination of the known genetic factors that have been reported in the disease discussed, whether inside or outside the MENA. Several diet-genetics-disease relationships in the MENA may be contributing to the increased prevalence of civilization disorders of metabolism and micronutrient deficiencies. Future research in the field of nutritional genomics in the MENA is needed to better define these relationships.

scholarly journals Integrated Strategies for the Management of Wadi Flash Floods in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Arid Zones: The ISFF Project

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-34
Author(s):  
Sameh A. Kantoush ◽  
Mohamed Saber ◽  
Mohammed Abdel-Fattah ◽  
Tetsuya Sumi
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Flash Floods ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Rainfall Occurrence ◽  
High Flood

AbstractSustainable management of wadi flash flood (WFF) risks is desperately needed to secure development in wadi systems. Due to rapid flow generation with sudden high flood peaks, spatiotemporal variability of rainfall occurrence, and poorly sited rapid development, most Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have no comprehensive proper protection from WFFs. In arid regions, single mitigation measures, including storage dams, recharge dams, artificial lakes and embankments, are implemented, although soft mitigation measures are not dominant, such as early warning systems. The single management strategy under climate change impacts is not adequate to reduce flash flood risks; an integrated strategy is required. The objective of the international symposium on flash floods (ISFF) project has been to develop scientific understanding of WFFs in wadi systems; monitor, model, and mitigate; issue warnings; and plan urban development by discussing and networking the strategies in the MENA region. To achieve this goal, the project defines priorities for future research challenges and potential projects for WFFs. This chapter provides a state-of-the-art scientific basis in terms of integrated flash flood management. Further, priorities are defined for the main research gaps, and the emerging research methodologies can contribute to guide the management of WFFs in such regions.

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.

Dementia caregiving in the Middle East and North Africa: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152110364
Author(s):  
Tanya Kane ◽  
Suzanne H. Hammad ◽  
Nazmul Islam ◽  
Noor Al-Wattary ◽  
Justin Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Domestic Workers ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Burden Of Care ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Arab Muslim

Care for persons with dementia in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is undertaken predominantly by family members, domestic workers, and private nurses within the home. Domestic caregivers possess different understandings and varying degrees of knowledge of dementia that are influenced by complex socio-cultural and religious factors. With much of the burden falling on the shoulders of “invisible” caregivers, the role and needs of these individuals require deeper scrutiny. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the empirical studies published on caring for persons with dementia in Arab countries of the MENA region. Using a systematic review technique, searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar using database-specific terms associated with caregiving, dementia, aging, and the MENA region. To ensure local and regional research was captured, hand searches of regional journals, reference lists of included articles, and Arabic databases Al-Manhal and e-Marefa were also searched. No date restrictions were imposed. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria and the following themes were identified: caregiving experiences and the burden of care; barriers to caregiving; and caregiver recommendations to improve care. Results demonstrate that studies about informal caregivers and dementia within Arab-Muslim populations are underrepresented in the research. This review highlights the paucity of literature on service users’ experiences and underscores the need for future research specific to dementia care within the Arab-Islamic sociocultural context. These trajectories are especially pertinent given the unprecedented aging demographics of the MENA populations.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document