Business incubators in the Arab World. Comparative study of Jordan and UAE business incubators
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-06-2014-0011 |
| Date | 30 September 2014 |
| Published date | 30 September 2014 |
| Pages | 282-293 |
| Author | Emhamad Elmansori |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Business incubators in
the Arab World
Comparative study of Jordan and UAE
business incubators
Emhamad Elmansori
Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Al-Baida, Libya
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the economic conditions and business
strategy in the Arab countries are favourable for business incubation, and to suggest possible
directions for establishing and implementing more business incubation in the Arab countries.
Design/methodology/approach –This study adopts quantitative strategy and uses a snowball
approach for the distribution of designed questionnaire to the incubation units in Jordan and the UAE.
Findings –The findings of the research contribute to the literature of business support services,
innovation and entrepreneurship development, which enhances the knowledge and skills within the
incubation units.
Practical implications –The implementation and development of business incubators (BIs) is a key
requirement for the high technology industry. As developing countries, Arab countries have to make
efforts to accelerate the birth and growth of incubators, aim of catching up with technologically more
advanced countries.
Originality/value –The study ensures the acceleration of successful development of young
entrepreneursand their businesses in the Arabcountries through the establishmentand implementation
directives for BIs.
Keywords Business, SMEs, Jordan, UAE, Incubators, Arab World
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Start-up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are uncertain in nature. Entrepreneurs,
although technically competent, do not always have the requisite financial, managerial,
marketing or administrative capabilities needed to reduce the start-up risk. New
companies often fail because entrepreneurs do not have these skills they have not hired
people with these necessary skills (Masadeh, 2008). The role of SMEs in growth and
development is globally recognised. It is demonstrated by the quantity of stu dies,
research and literature dedicated to the subject. Both in industrialised and developing
countries, governments have been playing a key role in defining policies, programmes and
instruments which support the development of SMEs (Scaramuzzi, 2002). Unfortunately,
the majority of any start-up business’s capital is spent on administrative and logistics
expenditures (utilities, secretarial, accountant fees and on employees’salaries whether full
or part time employees), market studies and consultations, which may not be in the
entrepreneurs priority. Therefore, SMEs may face significant problems and obstacles
due to their lack of experience in dealing with these challenges (Hamad, 2007). SMEs need
to adopt modern technology to promote business.
The emergence of new technologies and the increasing globalisation of research,
development and investment have significantly changed the nature and scope of
industrial competitiveness. Where the pace and pattern of technical changes have
altered sharply, and many countries are being left further behind (Trade and
World Journal of Science, Technology
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 11 No. 4, 2014
pp. 282-293
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-06-2014-0011
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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WJSTSD
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