IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i9p3770-d1386957.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Innovation-Based Strategic Roadmap for Economic Sustainability and Diversity in Hydrocarbon-Driven Economies: The Qatar Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Al-Sulaiti

    (College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Abdel Magid Hamouda

    (College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Hussein Al-Yafei

    (Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Galal M. Abdella

    (College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

This research addresses the critical opportunities and challenges confronting economic sustainability for hydrocarbon-based economies. The primary objective is to advocate for a transformative shift towards diversified and knowledge-centric economic models to ensure long-term sustainability. The literature review exposes vulnerabilities in hydrocarbon-based economies. The study innovatively explores multifaceted dimensions of economic diversification, including governance issues, societal well-being, and the necessity for robust ecosystem frameworks. Utilizing a qualitative case study methodology, the research investigates Qatar’s initiatives, such as the Qatar National Vision 2030 and government programs, aiming to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and foster innovation. Insightful semi-structured interviews provide nuanced perspectives on innovation in the hydrocarbon context with business and academic professionals. The primary data collection method involved the following distinct groups: five business professionals and eleven academic experts, representing eight outstanding local and external organizations. Key findings underscore a holistic view of innovation, associating it with practical solutions, adaptability, and transformative potential, showcasing diverse approaches ranging from business-centric to collaborative and user-centric methods. Identified challenges in the education system, the urgency for a matured innovation ecosystem, and opportunities in sustainable energy further enrich the study. Moreover, this research examines the challenges and mitigation strategies associated with economic diversification in hydrocarbon-driven economies, focusing on Qatar. The research recommends sustained efforts in economic diversification, educational reform, and technological integration for hydrocarbon-based economies. Policymakers, businesses, and academics can leverage these insights to navigate the complexities of resource dependency and ensure long-term viability. The commitment to addressing challenges faced by hydrocarbon-dependent nations remains crucial, with a dedication to fostering economic diversity, innovation, and educational excellence for a resilient and prosperous future.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Al-Sulaiti & Abdel Magid Hamouda & Hussein Al-Yafei & Galal M. Abdella, 2024. "Innovation-Based Strategic Roadmap for Economic Sustainability and Diversity in Hydrocarbon-Driven Economies: The Qatar Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-25, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:9:p:3770-:d:1386957
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/9/3770/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/9/3770/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Min, Jae-Woong & Kim, YoungJun & Vonortas, Nicholas S., 2020. "Public technology transfer, commercialization and business growth," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    2. Brock Smith, 2019. "Dutch disease and the oil boom and bust," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(2), pages 584-623, May.
    3. Aitzhanova, Aktoty & Iskaliyeva, Anastassiya & Krishnaswamy, Venkataraman & Makauskas, Dmitry & Razavi, Hossein & Sartip, Ahmad Reza & Urazaliyeva, Aida, 2015. "A practical approach to oil wealth management: Application to the case of Kazakhstan," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 178-188.
    4. Sun, Jiazhe & Wu, Shunan & Yang, Kaizhong, 2018. "An ecosystemic framework for business sustainability," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 59-72.
    5. García-Vega, María & Vicente-Chirivella, Óscar, 2020. "Do university technology transfers increase firms’ innovation?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    6. Xu, Guannan & Wu, Yuchen & Minshall, Tim & Zhou, Yuan, 2018. "Exploring innovation ecosystems across science, technology, and business: A case of 3D printing in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 208-221.
    7. Elbra, Ainsley D., 2013. "The forgotten resource curse: South Africa's poor experience with mineral extraction," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 549-557.
    8. Mahmoud Abdulwahed, 2017. "Technology Innovation and Engineering’ Education and Entrepreneurship (TIEE) in Engineering Schools: Novel Model for Elevating National Knowledge Based Economy and Socio-Economic Sustainable Developme," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-21, January.
    9. Matallah, Siham, 2020. "Economic diversification in MENA oil exporters: Understanding the role of governance," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    10. Wonglimpiyarat, Jarunee, 2016. "The innovation incubator, university business incubator and technology transfer strategy: The case of Thailand," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 18-27.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. García-Vega, María & Vicente-Chirivella, Óscar, 2024. "The role of public external knowledge for firm innovativeness," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    2. Mounir Belloumi & Arwa Ahmad Almashyakhi, 2025. "Impact of Natural Resource Rents and Governance on Economic Growth in Major MENA Oil-Producing Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Gisele Msann & Viswanathan Pozhamkandath Karthiayani, 2023. "Resource curse and growth challenges in MENA oil exporter countries: A case for governance reforms in the post Arab Spring uprisings context," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(5), pages 992-1007, June.
    4. Choi, Kwang Hun & Kwon, Gyu Hyun, 2023. "Strategies for sensing innovation opportunities in smart grids: In the perspective of interactive relationships between science, technology, and business," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    5. Roy, Arup, 2024. "Impacts of economic development, globalization, and gross capital formation on natural resources rents: Evidence from India," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    6. Jonek-Kowalska, Izabela & Musioł-Urbańczyk, Anna & Podgórska, Marzena & Wolny, Maciej, 2021. "Does motivation matter in evaluation of research institutions? Evidence from Polish public universities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    7. Karolis Andriuškevičius & Dalia Štreimikienė & Irena Alebaitė, 2022. "Convergence between Indicators for Measuring Sustainable Development and M&A Performance in the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.
    8. Arenal, Alberto & Armuña, Cristina & Feijoo, Claudio & Ramos, Sergio & Xu, Zimu & Moreno, Ana, 2020. "Innovation ecosystems theory revisited: The case of artificial intelligence in China," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(6).
    9. repec:bla:afrdev:v:29:y:2017:i:s1:p:42-55 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Gomes, Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos & Flechas, Ximena Alejandra & Facin, Ana Lucia Figueiredo & Borini, Felipe Mendes, 2021. "Ecosystem management: Past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    11. Daniel R. Gomes & Neuza Ribeiro & Gabriela Gomes & Eduardo Ortega & Ana Semedo, 2024. "Green HRM’s Effect on Employees’ Eco-Friendly Behavior and Green Performance: A Study in the Portuguese Tourism Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.
    12. Vatsa, Puneet & Hu, Baiding, 2021. "Intra-federal effects of oil prices: Evidence from Canada," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    13. Ismail Ayman, 2020. "A Framework for Designing Business-Acceleration Programs: A Case Study from Egypt," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, April.
    14. Li, Longda, 2024. "The environmental spillovers of buyers' digital transformation: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    15. Eirini Triantafyllidou & Anastasia Zabaniotou, 2022. "From Theory to Praxis: ‘Go Sustainable Living’ Survey for Exploring Individuals Consciousness Level of Decision-Making and Action-Taking in Daily Life Towards a Green Citizenship," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 113-139, March.
    16. Juite Wang, 0000. "Analyzing and Predicting R&D Collaboration Networks in the Metaverse Industry," Proceedings of Economics and Finance Conferences 14716418, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    17. Jaime González-Domínguez & Gonzalo Sánchez-Barroso & Francisco Zamora-Polo & Justo García-Sanz-Calcedo, 2020. "Application of Circular Economy Techniques for Design and Development of Products through Collaborative Project-Based Learning for Industrial Engineer Teaching," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, May.
    18. Oluwasoye P. Mafimisebi & Adekunle I. Ogunsade, 2022. "Unlocking a Continent of Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and Digital Ecosystems for Value Creation in Africa," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 11(1), pages 11-22, March.
    19. Yanzhang Gu & Longying Hu & Hongjin Zhang & Chenxuan Hou, 2021. "Innovation Ecosystem Research: Emerging Trends and Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-21, October.
    20. Mike Burbridge & Gregory M. Morrison, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of Partnership Development at the University–Industry–Government Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-24, December.
    21. Nihal Ahmed & Adnan Ahmed Sheikh & Farhan Mahboob & Muhammad Sibt e Ali & Elżbieta Jasińska & Michał Jasiński & Zbigniew Leonowicz & Alessandro Burgio, 2022. "Energy Diversification: A Friend or Foe to Economic Growth in Nordic Countries? A Novel Energy Diversification Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-15, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:9:p:3770-:d:1386957. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.