Prospects for transition to a knowledge-based economy in the Arab region
| Date | 30 September 2014 |
| Pages | 256-270 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-07-2014-0017 |
| Published date | 30 September 2014 |
| Author | Samia Satti Osman Mohamed Nour |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Prospects for transition to
a knowledge-based economy
in the Arab region
Samia Satti Osman Mohamed Nour
Department of Economics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and opportunities for the transition
to a knowledge-based economy in the Arab region.
Design/methodology/approach –Both descriptive and comparative approaches are used, together
with the framework and definition of “knowledge-based economy”often used in the international
literature to examine the challenges and opportunities for a transition to a knowledge-based economy
in the Arab region.
Findings –The findings support the hypothesis concerning the challenges and opportunities for
transition to a knowledge-based economy in the Arab region. This transition is seriously impeded by
several political, social, economic, institutional and organisational obstacles and impediments.
Overcoming the major challenges hindering the transition to knowledge-based economies will involve
changing the economic structure by shifting from (rent-seeking) natural resources-based (oil)
economies to knowledge-based economies in the Arab region.
Originality/value –This paper is valuable because it fills the gap in the Arab literature by presenting
a more comprehensive analysis and investigating the challenges and opportunities for the transition,
which previous literature has failed to adequately discuss. Moreover, the paper supports the efforts
aimed at enhancing knowledge-based economies in the Arab region. The findings imply that it is
essential for the Arab region to overcome challenges by implementing sound strategies for their
transition to knowledge economies and improving and enhancing appropriate investments in human
capital, effective institutions, relevant technologies and innovative and competitive enterprises to
facilitate such a transition.
Keywords Knowledge management, Innovation, Technology, Development, Science, R&D,
Challenges, Knowledge-based economy, Arab region
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
This paper aims to discuss the potential opportunities and challenges the Arab region
faces in the transition to knowledge-based economies[1]. Two questions are addressed:
first, what are the major challenges hindering the transition towards knowledge-based
economies in the Arab region? Second, what are the major opportunities for transition
towards knowledge-based economies in the Arab region?
We examine the hypothesis that the transition to knowledge-based economies faces
several challenges in the Arab region and coincides with a substantial knowledge gap
compared to other world regions. This hypothesis implies that the Arab region has
World Journal of Science, Technology
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 11 No. 4, 2014
pp. 256-270
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-07-2014-0017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
JEL Classifications —O10, O11, O30
The research work presented in this paper is originally prepared for the World Association
for Sustainable Development (WASD) 12th International Annual Conference 2014: “West Meet
East: Sharing the Past and Current Experience to Benefit the Future”University of Quebec in
Montreal (UQAM), 13-15 August 2014, Montréal –Canada. The author would like to thank the
participants for their useful comments on this paper. All the usual disclaimers apply.
256
WJSTSD
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