Fauzia Jabeen

Strategic interventions to improve women entrepreneurship in GCC countries: A relationship modeling approach

Purpose n n n n nIn Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, entrepreneurship is not a very popular option among women. The low rate of entrepreneurship as a career choice among females is attributed to factors that are specific to females in GCC region. The purpose of this paper is to understand these variables and their interrelationships that lead to low rate of adoption of entrepreneurship as a career choice among females in GCC region. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nThe research followed a two-stage process; first, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify barriers to female entrepreneurship in GCC region. In the second stage, the identified barriers were modeled using fuzzy interpretive structural modeling technique to construct a hierarchical structure and the impact matrix cross-reference multiplication applied to a classification approach to analyze the control power and dependence among these barriers. n n n n nFindings n n n n nThe research shows that there exists a group of barriers having a high driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance, while another group consists of those variables that have high dependence and are the resultant actions. n n n n nPractical implications n n n n nThis research will help policy makers to focus on variables that are most important and requires immediate attention for the development and empowerment of female entrepreneurship in the GCC region. The paper suggests future course of action to provide an impetus to efforts aimed at improving female entrepreneurship in the GCC region. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThe policy makers in the GCC region have accorded high priority to entrepreneurship to reduce the dependence of population on government jobs. This research is one of the few studies on female entrepreneurship conducted in GCC region to understand the impediments that limit the adoption of entrepreneurship as a career choice by women.

Entrepreneurial mindset and the role of universities as strategic drivers of entrepreneurship: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates

Purpose n n n n nThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the factors that influence the mindset of youth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in choosing entrepreneurship as their future employment. It also suggests the pathway to improve the role of the universities as strategic drivers in inducing an entrepreneurial mindset. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nAn exhaustive literature review of extant research followed by an exploratory study was conducted. Furthermore, to understand factors influencing the role of universities, interpretive structural modelling methodology is applied to evolve a hierarchy-based relationship among the strategic factors. n n n n nFindings n n n n nThe results of empirical research suggest that young people in the UAE rank entrepreneurship as their first employment choice. However, most of them have not attended any formal entrepreneurship-related course in school or in college. The study also suggests that individual and environmental factors influence the entrepreneurial mindset of both males and females in the UAE. The structural model developed in the study indicates that to give an impetus to the entrepreneurial mindset, the government must create a supporting environment with UAE universities playing the role of a catalyst. n n n n nPractical implications n n n n nProfessional entrepreneurship instruction is seen as a strategic tool to stimulate financial and societal growth. The results could provide insights for both entrepreneurship educators and policymakers and will boost their commitment to promote the entrepreneurial mindset within UAE society by enhancing and developing traits associated with entrepreneurial success. The results support recognition of the factors that induce educational programmes and economic incentives targeted at the development of sustainable entrepreneurial culture and ventures in the UAE. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThe study is an effort to highlight the role of higher education in envisaging and cultivating entrepreneurs in a fast-growing developing country through a survey and a hierarchy-based model.

Challenges associated with the Greek SMEs in the basin of Athens-Greece: an exploratory study

The paper attempts to identify the motivation for business ownership, the factors contributing to success and problem areas and developmental issues attached to entrepreneurship related to small medium enterprises (SMEs) particularly in Athens, Greece. The first phase of the study attempted to identify the problem areas of entrepreneurs by an extensive review of the existing literature. The second phase incorporated a ground survey with groups of entrepreneurs (n = 113) for assessing the factors related to entrepreneurship. The prime motives for starting a business were to increase income, to obtain job security, and to secure independence. The entrepreneurs identified problems in the areas of securing long term and short term finances for establishing and running SMEs, confusing and complex tax structure, too much competition, government bureaucracy, and a weak economy as major bottlenecks. The paper is an important study taken in the entrepreneurship context in Athens, Greece.

What drives consumer choice of Islamic banking services in the United Arab Emirates

Purpose n n n n nIslamic banking (IB) has witnessed remarkable growth in the past decade. The purpose of this study is to explore some factors that are influencing the choice of Islamic banking and finance (IBF) products and services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a predominantly Muslim country. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nStudents enrolled at a university located in a major emirate in the UAE were asked to respond to a survey on factors underlying their decision to open an account at an Islamic bank. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and regression analysis. n n n n nFindings n n n n nResults indicate that the decision to open an account with an Islamic bank is influenced by consumer expectations regarding the conformity of the bank’s operations with Islamic principles, as well as consumers’ Arab language skills. Variables such as consumers’ nationality, gender, education and familiarity with IB do not have a significant influence on the decision to open an account at an Islamic bank. n n n n nResearch limitations/implications n n n n nThe study focuses on university students from a certain Emirate only, which somewhat limits the generalizability of the research results. Nevertheless, the findings of this study may potentially provide some practical insights for further improving and promoting IB, with special reference to the UAE youth market segment. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThe research is original in nature, particularly as there have not been many instances where the choice of potential consumers (university students) regarding IB and finance services has been explored within the IB sector in a predominantly Muslim nation such as the UAE, an emerging Gulf economy. Consequently, the research findings have important implications for Islamic banks operating in a predominantly Islamic environment.

Examining the impact of organizational culture on trust and career satisfaction in the UAE public sector

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of organizational culture on trust in top management and career satisfaction. The concept of culture was split into four types: “clan,” “adhocracy,” “hierarchy” and “market.”,A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 128 mid-level managers in ten public sector organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The questionnaire included demographic questions and three established scales to measure culture type, trust in top management and career satisfaction. Correlation and regression analysis were used to examine relationships between variables.,Respondents from “clan” and “adhocracy”-type organizations tended to have more trust in top managers than those from other culture types. Respondents from “clan”-type organizations also had greater career satisfaction. Only a clan-type organizational culture significantly predicted career satisfaction.,The study is based on a small number of mid-level managers working in ten public sector organizations. This limits the generalizability of the results. Future studies should examine both public and private sector organizations operating in various industries across the UAE, to increase the generalizability of the findings. The study results will assist organizational policy makers who wish to transform their organizational culture to one that will increase the career satisfaction of managerial staff and their trust in senior managers.,The study contributes to the literature on organizational culture, particularly on the relationship between trust and career satisfaction in the public sector in the UAE.

Slices: what is next?

Subject area n n n n nEntrepreneurship and Strategic Management. n n n n nStudy level/applicability n n n n nThis case is intended for teaching entrepreneurship and strategic management courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. n n n n nCase overview n n n n nThis is a field-researched real case about a growing food business started by local entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Slices, a UAE-based organic food pioneer company is becoming popular in the UAE nowadays. The company was poised for growth as demand was exceeding all expectations. There were many challenges Slices had to face: increasing demand and brand awareness of Western Fast Food Giants; and what future skills Slices needed to develop to meet the regional and global challenges. Slices specializes in organic food, and they came up with different varieties in their menu every day. This, in turn, expanded the outlet greatly and they gained high revenues in a short period of time. Based on resource-based theory, Slices entrepreneurs have developed their business which is unique in terms of food with a flare of community service that involves offering healthy food to the customers and also a philanthropic attitude toward the poor. Slices is novel not only because they have more or better resources but also because of their distinctive competences (unique healthy food, community service and philanthropic attitude). Slices adopted a simple concept in which they sell their healthy food in a healthy atmosphere with delicious recipes that appeal to many different nationalities. But the challenges and hurdles are many which the company has to think of if they want to sustain in the long run. Faisal, Khalid, Hamad and Amina are wondering what their next step ought to be in light of the stiff competition. Do they have the dynamic capability to strategize? Do they have enough resources to expand locally and internationally? If yes, where and how? This case will enable the students to critically think in various facets and reach a decision based on the facts provided. n n n n nExpected learning outcomes n n n n nThe case will help the students identify and evaluate the entrepreneurial strategy adopted by the company for start-up and future growth. This will also enable the students to critically think in various facets and reach a decision based on the facts provided. n n n n nSupplementary materials n n n n nTeaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Assessment of knowledge management practices in project-oriented business

The rationale of this paper is to illustrate how the management of knowledge in temporary organisations is being carried out in many industries. It aims to examine knowledge management (KM) practices in and between projects. Online survey was conducted to collect the data from project managers and assistant mangers in Finland. It is found out that majority of project managers have intermediate level of intimacy with knowledge management and mostly project completion reports are consulted for capturing information. For information dissemination, lectures/seminars are organised. It is also stressed by the respondents that humans (employees) have more importance than other technologies for successful KM. Further, research should include large-scale surveys to systematically analyse the successful project KM practices in different types of projects, organisations, and industries located in other cultural areas could help extracting possible effects caused by cultural or societal influences on KM practices in projects. It is proposed that project managers should put more emphasis to synchronise KM practices with common and widely accepted realities about project KM programmes. It portraits the real picture of KM practices of project-based organisations.

Just Falafel: a success story of an international expansion

Subject area n n n n nEntrepreneurship, strategic management and international business management. n n n n nStudy level/applicability n n n n nThis case is intended for teaching entrepreneurship, strategic management, international business courses at the undergraduate as well as graduate levels. n n n n nCase overview n n n n nThis is a field-researched real case about a growing fast food business started by local UAE entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Just Falafel, a UAE based fast food pioneer company in the vegetarian and healthy food category is one of the most popular food outlets in the UAE. The company was poised for growth as demand was exceeding all expectations. Newer markets were being considered for expansion. By taking into consideration the present economic conditions as well as market stability it is possible to make a detailed calculation of market growth. There were many challenges Just Falafel had to face: increasing demand and brand awareness of Western fast food giants; and the future skills Just Falafel needed to develop to meet the regional and global challenges. Just Falafel specializes only in falafel and the company devised different flavors to differentiate its sandwiches based on each culture. This in turn expanded the outlet greatly and it gained high revenues in a short period of time. But there are many challenges and hurdles which the company has to consider if it is continue in the future. The owners and management are wondering what their next step ought to be in light of the economic recession. Should they expand? If so, where? If not, why not? n n n n nExpected learning outcomes n n n n nThe case will help students to identify and evaluate the business strategy and the business model adopted by the company for international expansion. This will also enable students to critically think in various facets and reach a decision based on the facts provided. n n n n nSupplementary materials n n n n nTeaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Al–Maha mobile shop

Title – Al‐Maha mobile shop.Subject area – Strategic management/entrepreneurship.Study level/applicability – Undergraduate and/or MBA level in either a strategic management and/or entrepreneurship courses.Case overview – The dilemma that Zayed, Al‐Mahas founder and owner, is facing, is typical for an entrepreneur who has been successful for a number of years (ten, in his case), without a formal strategy. He is now at a cross‐road: should he expand in his present location in the Madinat Zayed Shopping Center, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, or open another store in another location? if he grows within its current location, how would that be? Zayed, like many small‐store owners in a developing economy, faces fierce competition especially in the mobile phone business. Technology is changing constantly, demand is increasing and he has to address all these issues, among others, before making a decision. Should he create an advisory council so he can be the recipient of feedback from trusted individuals who might serve on ...