industry clusters and innovation in the arab world: challenges and opportunities

Industry clusters promote innovation in the Arab World, through collaboration among businesses, research institutions, and governments. Benefits include the creation and sharing of knowledge, professional networking, access to spill-over knowledge, and specialized talent pools. These are the necessary elements to support the blossoming of innovation. In addition, clusters have the capacity to foster economic development in the region as a whole. They are key determinants in improving micro and small firms’ performance through company linkages and access to internationalization opportunities.

Industry Clusters and Innovation in the Arab World presents research and case studies in a range of Arabic-speaking countries, and proposes a series of reforms to build and promote industry clusters in the region. Challenges facing the establishment and the competitiveness of such clusters are also explored, and real-world applicable recommendations are provided. This break-through research highlights opportunities, and also macro-environmental threats. This is essential reading for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners.

Raghda El Ebrashi is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the German University in Cairo (GUC), and the Head of the Management and Organization Department at the Faculty of Management Technology.

Hala Hattab is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, and Head of Entrepreneurship and Business Unit at the Business Administration Department at the British University in Egypt.

Rasha Hassan is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Faculty of Management Technology at the German University in Cairo (GUC).

Nancy Bouchra is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Amity University Dubai, and the Head of Industry Relations for Amity Business School.