Article: Systemising a holistic growth model of SMEs in the United Arab Emirates: the synthesis between Quadruple Helix and Quadruple Bottom Line Journal: International Journal of Business Innovation and Research (IJBIR) 2026 Vol.39 No.4 pp.474 - 497 Abstract: The aim of this research is to get a better understanding of a holistic sustainable growth model based on the Quadruple Helix and the Quadruple Bottom Line perspectives, in which strategic innovation plays a role in bridging the gap between desired growth of the UAE SMEs and entrepreneurial attitude. This conceptual research considers a range of literature reviews from the disciplines of strategic management and entrepreneurship, as well as a recently emerging topic of sustainable growth in SMEs. The study showed how SMEs might strategically combine entrepreneurial attitude, strategic innovation, and corporate spirituality-guided sustainability principles to obtain a sustainable competitive edge. Alongside, the findings can also help owners or managers make better decisions when it comes to social, economic, environmental, and spiritual elements of their everyday operations. It may be also useful to promote innovation which is the key in creating active and informed citizens in the public sphere. The conception is a one-of-a-kind attempt, taking into account Arab regions, to broaden the present knowledge of SMEs' strategic innovation-focused, long-term growth processes from a holistic perspective. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Systemising a holistic growth model of SMEs in the United Arab Emirates: the synthesis between Quadruple Helix and Quadruple Bottom Line

Authors: Ariful Islam; Kamna Anum; Sazali Abd. Wahab; Ahmad Shaharudin Abdul Latif

Addresses: Putra Business School (AACSB-Accredited), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia ' Putra Business School (AACSB-Accredited), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia ' Putra Business School (AACSB-Accredited), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia ' Putra Business School (AACSB-Accredited), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia

Abstract: The aim of this research is to get a better understanding of a holistic sustainable growth model based on the Quadruple Helix and the Quadruple Bottom Line perspectives, in which strategic innovation plays a role in bridging the gap between desired growth of the UAE SMEs and entrepreneurial attitude. This conceptual research considers a range of literature reviews from the disciplines of strategic management and entrepreneurship, as well as a recently emerging topic of sustainable growth in SMEs. The study showed how SMEs might strategically combine entrepreneurial attitude, strategic innovation, and corporate spirituality-guided sustainability principles to obtain a sustainable competitive edge. Alongside, the findings can also help owners or managers make better decisions when it comes to social, economic, environmental, and spiritual elements of their everyday operations. It may be also useful to promote innovation which is the key in creating active and informed citizens in the public sphere. The conception is a one-of-a-kind attempt, taking into account Arab regions, to broaden the present knowledge of SMEs' strategic innovation-focused, long-term growth processes from a holistic perspective.

Keywords: corporate spirituality; exploitative innovation; explorative innovation; small and medium-sized enterprises; SME; sustainable growth; United Arab Emirates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2026.153093

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2026 Vol.39 No.4, pp.474 - 497

Received: 14 Jan 2022
Accepted: 15 Dec 2022
Published online: 22 Apr 2026 *

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Title: Systemising a holistic growth model of SMEs in the United Arab Emirates: the synthesis between Quadruple Helix and Quadruple Bottom Line

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