Omani SMEs Business Case Studies Project: Management, Markets, and Finance Conditions in Oman Medium-size Companies

Research Project - Omani SMEs Business Case Studies Project: Management, Markets, and Finance Conditions in Oman Medium-size Companies Business case studies profiling Omani firms are in need of further development. A few sectoral studies exist, primarily related to Omani Islamic banking, female entrepreneurs, and works by SQU Professor, Dr. Rafi Ashrafi and colleagues that chart the use and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Oman (Rafi, 2015 and 2014). This project proposes to extend the current sphere of Oman business academic query, research, data collection, and analysis to include the management, finance and market conditions, structures and practices of medium-size firms, both Omani and foreign-owned (defined as 26-99 workers and annual sales of OMR500,000-less than 3,000,000, Times of Oman, 2016). The Principle and Co-Principle Investigators for this project, Drs. Ansari and McGlade, have already secured, in partnership with the Director of the Muscat Securities Market and his staff, first of its kind data reports featuring 197 publically traded medium-size companies operating in Oman that will be included in the study. This grant will allow Drs. Ansari and McGlade, in close consultation with the MSM Director Mr. Al Marhoon and Dr. Ashrafi, to design and distribute surveys, conduct direct interviews with chief representatives of the targeted firms, and collect other forms of data and information necessary for completing the business cases. The grant will also support CEPS Student Research Assistants, who will aid Drs. Ansari and McGlade in the collection and analysis of the procured surveys, interviews and business data. In line with research methodologies, data collection, and results analysis standards set by EQUIS and AACSB accredited international business schools (Harvard Business School, 2016, Aspen Institute, 2016, Notre Dame, 2016, University of Michigan, 2013), the PI and Co-PI will then author and publish the Oman business case studies with the intention of attracting wider academic awareness and interest in Oman?s developing SME sector in national, GCC regional, and international business contexts. The project is also distinctive as it strives, in the manner of top American and European business schools, to create an online SQU repository of local and national business case studies that can be readily updated, expanded and available for educational, teaching and research purpose by CEPS students, faculty, and other interested parties. Finally, this project will lend important information and support for government and corporate leaders involved in developing and positioning Oman?s SME sector as a central driver of jobs creation and business expansion in national, GCC regional and international markets.