Title: Business incubation in the UAE: prospects for enterprise development

Authors: Nnamdi O. Madichie

Addresses: Department of Management, Marketing & Public Administration, College of Business Administration, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, UAE

Abstract: This paper evaluates the experience of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the adoption of western business incubation models. Based on a documentary analysis of selected academic papers and additional documentary evidence from media reports, the paper highlights the requisite conditions for ensuring that business incubation fulfil their primary objectives – notably entrepreneurship creation, growth, development and sustainability of the local economy. From a rigorous review of the extant literature it is clear that very little exists in terms of academic discourse on this kind of entrepreneurship in the Arabian Gulf region, not the least the UAE. Overall, therefore, the paper provides value by suggesting how the largely unreported Sharjah emirate, the acclaimed |hub| for UAE higher education, can contribute towards the success of business incubation – by forging networks between academia and industry – harnessing the entrepreneurial skills development of the typical |Emirati| graduate to match the skill requirements of Corporate Dubai.

Keywords: business incubation; universities; higher education hubs; United Arab Emirates; UAE; enterprise development; economic growth; economic development; economic sustainability; local economy; Arabian Gulf; networks; academia; industry; entrepreneurial skills; entrepreneurs; graduates; Abu Dhabi; Corporate Dubai; Sharjah; Ajman; Umm Al-Quwain; Ras Al-Khaimah; Fujairah; Emirati; global entrepreneurship; innovation management; globalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2010.035085

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2010 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.291 - 310

Published online: 03 Sep 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article