Investigations on Entrepreneurship Models for Countries in Transition From Resource-Based to Knowledge-Based Sustainable Economy- Qatar as a Case Study

This research presents an in-depth, multi-faceted exploratory approach to deeply understand entrepreneurship's critical role, challenges, and necessity for countries transitioning from a resource-based to a knowledge-based, diversified, and sustainable economy. Taking Qatar as a case study, this research explores the mechanisms through which the policy/decision-makers can enhance economic and social transformation and diversification by fostering and facilitating private enterprise and entrepreneurship, aligning with the national vision for sustainable development.

Through an extensive review of global examples and discussions on the importance of sustainability, economic diversification, and the role of private enterprise and government in nurturing entrepreneurship, the study examines various entrepreneurship models in economies like Norway and Singapore to learn from their experience and draw parallels and contrasts with Qatar. This study also looks extensively into entrepreneurship drivers, both psychological and situational, to enable a profound understanding while developing a localized and tailored model and mechanisms that support entrepreneurs.

Employing qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in Qatar's entrepreneurship ecosystem, this study identifies significant barriers to entrepreneurship, such as regulatory challenges, financing accessibility, and the need for relevant and local mentorship. It proposes a progressive, locally developed preliminary framework aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and small business development for economic growth and diversification in Qatar and countries with a similar context. This framework is further refined and validated through quantitative analysis, leading to actionable recommendations for different ecosystem players, such as (1) A recommendation to the government to work on the simplification of regulations and procedures and control of rental space prices. (2) Recommendations to the supporting agencies to work on the clarification of financing criteria and the development of tailored mentoring and training services. (3) Recommendations to entrepreneurs and the business sector to implement the lean concept in the business and to help develop and train local expertise.

The study also introduces innovative solutions combinations like Ryadah, an online platform for entrepreneurs’ needs, and ENTQ, a geographically unconstrained free zone to stimulate entrepreneurship. These recommendations aim to be a comprehensive solution that tackles multiple challenges and facilitates entrepreneurship from multiple angles.