Ebook: The Real Issues of the Middle East and the Arab Spring: Addressing Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The wave of protests and populist uprisings in the Middle East has heightened the focus on a volatile region. But the emphasis on political issues has obscured underlying issues concerning education, infrastructure, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic and social development. This volume, emerging in the aftermath of a conference and workshop on science and technology in the region, presents contributions from a range of experts from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States to provide fresh new insights and perspectives on the challenges and prospects for regional development in the changing global context of our time. The authors explore such topics as: the role of information and communication technologies; mindset change in support of investment in intangible assets and risk-taking; how to approach cultural issues, institutions and governance; collaborations with other regions, and; benchmarking performance while drawing lessons of relevance for the special local context. Ultimately, they offer a number of precise policy recommendations and practical insights for creating an enabling environment for capturing economic, political, and social opportunity.

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The wave of protests and populist uprisings in the Middle East has heightened the focus on a volatile region. But the emphasis on political issues has obscured underlying issues concerning education, infrastructure, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable environmental and social development. This volume, emerging in the aftermath of a conference and workshop on science and technology in the region, presents contributions from a range of experts from the Middle East, Europe, and the world to provide fresh new insights and perspectives on the challenges and prospects for regional development in the changing global context of our time. The authors explore such topics as: the role of information and communication technologies; mindset change in support of investment in intangible assets and risk-taking; how to approach cultural issues, institutions and governance; collaborations with other regions, and; benchmarking performance while drawing lessons of relevance for the special local context. Ultimately, they offer a number of precise policy recommendations and practical insights for creating an enabling environment for capturing economic, political, and social opportunity.

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The wave of protests and populist uprisings in the Middle East has heightened the focus on a volatile region. But the emphasis on political issues has obscured underlying issues concerning education, infrastructure, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable environmental and social development. This volume, emerging in the aftermath of a conference and workshop on science and technology in the region, presents contributions from a range of experts from the Middle East, Europe, and the world to provide fresh new insights and perspectives on the challenges and prospects for regional development in the changing global context of our time. The authors explore such topics as: the role of information and communication technologies; mindset change in support of investment in intangible assets and risk-taking; how to approach cultural issues, institutions and governance; collaborations with other regions, and; benchmarking performance while drawing lessons of relevance for the special local context. Ultimately, they offer a number of precise policy recommendations and practical insights for creating an enabling environment for capturing economic, political, and social opportunity.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 17-17
The Changing Landscape of the Middle East ....Pages 19-57
Capacity Building, Rationale and Learning from Best Practice....Pages 59-93
Basics on Benchmarking ....Pages 95-110
Examining Performance....Pages 111-127
Measuring Performance in GCC and Selected MENA Countries: In-Depth Considerations of Implementation....Pages 129-166
Front Matter....Pages 167-167
The Relevance of Science and Technology for the Arab Spring and the Key Role of the Knowledge Economy....Pages 169-193
Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Rentier Culture in the Arab Countries....Pages 195-227
S&T Innovation Systems: The Role of Manufacturing, Institutions and Leaders....Pages 229-240
Innovation in the Public Sector: Experiences in E-Procurement and University Research....Pages 241-257
New Perspectives on Health Issues, Research and Innovation....Pages 259-273
A Research and Development Framework for Sustainable Development in the GCC Countries....Pages 275-295
Front Matter....Pages 297-297
Research Priorities and Their Impact on the National Innovation System....Pages 299-313
ICT Convergence and Europe’s Digital Agenda 2010–2020....Pages 315-330
Establishing a New Framework for Lifelong Learning....Pages 331-347
University-Industry Cooperation and Conditions for Start-Ups....Pages 349-358
Building Knowledge and Innovation-Driven Economies in Arab Countries: How to Do It....Pages 359-369
Special Considerations and Ways Forward....Pages 371-398
Introduction....Pages 1-16
Back Matter....Pages 399-438

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The wave of protests and populist uprisings in the Middle East has heightened the focus on a volatile region. But the emphasis on political issues has obscured underlying issues concerning education, infrastructure, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable environmental and social development. This volume, emerging in the aftermath of a conference and workshop on science and technology in the region, presents contributions from a range of experts from the Middle East, Europe, and the world to provide fresh new insights and perspectives on the challenges and prospects for regional development in the changing global context of our time. The authors explore such topics as: the role of information and communication technologies; mindset change in support of investment in intangible assets and risk-taking; how to approach cultural issues, institutions and governance; collaborations with other regions, and; benchmarking performance while drawing lessons of relevance for the special local context. Ultimately, they offer a number of precise policy recommendations and practical insights for creating an enabling environment for capturing economic, political, and social opportunity.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 17-17
The Changing Landscape of the Middle East ....Pages 19-57
Capacity Building, Rationale and Learning from Best Practice....Pages 59-93
Basics on Benchmarking ....Pages 95-110
Examining Performance....Pages 111-127
Measuring Performance in GCC and Selected MENA Countries: In-Depth Considerations of Implementation....Pages 129-166
Front Matter....Pages 167-167
The Relevance of Science and Technology for the Arab Spring and the Key Role of the Knowledge Economy....Pages 169-193
Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Rentier Culture in the Arab Countries....Pages 195-227
S&T Innovation Systems: The Role of Manufacturing, Institutions and Leaders....Pages 229-240
Innovation in the Public Sector: Experiences in E-Procurement and University Research....Pages 241-257
New Perspectives on Health Issues, Research and Innovation....Pages 259-273
A Research and Development Framework for Sustainable Development in the GCC Countries....Pages 275-295
Front Matter....Pages 297-297
Research Priorities and Their Impact on the National Innovation System....Pages 299-313
ICT Convergence and Europe’s Digital Agenda 2010–2020....Pages 315-330
Establishing a New Framework for Lifelong Learning....Pages 331-347
University-Industry Cooperation and Conditions for Start-Ups....Pages 349-358
Building Knowledge and Innovation-Driven Economies in Arab Countries: How to Do It....Pages 359-369
Special Considerations and Ways Forward....Pages 371-398
Introduction....Pages 1-16
Back Matter....Pages 399-438
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