Purpose The aim of this study is to examine the factors that lead to success or failure of a small business in the West Bank of Palestine. Design/methodology/approach This study methodology is a survey research, testing the Lussier model of business success and failure with a sample of 246 small businesses (90 failed and 156 successful) to better understand the reasons of their success or failure using logistic regression statistical analysis. Findings The model is significant (p = 0.000); it will predict a group of businesses as successful or failed more accurately than random guessing 99 per cent of the time. The model will also predict a specific small firm as successful or failed 94 per cent of the time vs. 50 per cent for random guessing. The r-square is very high (r = 0.70), indicating that the model variables are, in fact, significant predictors of success or failure. Results indicate that having adequate capital, keeping good records with financial controls, making plans and getting professional advice on how to manage the firm are the most important factors for the viability and success of small businesses. Practical implications With the high rate of small business failure globally, results of this study provide a list of variables that contribute to the success of small firms. Firms that focus on these important factors will increase their odds of success. Thus, avoiding failure, firms better utilize resources that contribute to economic growth. Originality/value This is the first study that looks at success and failure of small businesses in Palestine. There is no one single accepted theory that may be applied to small businesses. This paper aims to further contribute to the global validity of Lussier success and failure model moving toward a theory to better understand why some businesses succeed and others fail.

This paper examines the nature of the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories that occurred post Oslo Agreement. The paper has two main objectives: first, to examine with empirical evidence the impact of entrepreneurship on economic growth; second, to explore the effect of two control variables on the relationship — checkpoints and international aid — which are unique to this particular study. Using data spanning over a course of sixteen years, various statistical methods were applied to explain the effect of variant levels of entrepreneurial activity on GDP and unemployment. The results show that contrary to a reservoir of research, entrepreneurship appeared to have no significant impact on economic growth. This can be explained by the fact entrepreneurial activity is expected to decrease as a result of growth in the economy as new jobs are created.

Being an entrepreneur is becoming an anabranch in the business world. In addition, many young adults are preparing to be entrepreneurs in the future. Worldwide, many intellectuals view entrepreneurship as necessary to small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in general because it is critical to development. Micro, small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial in Palestine because MSMEs dominate the Palestinian economy. This study highlights the specific characteristics of entrepreneurship and the factors motivating and challenging people when starting up their enterprises in Palestine and dealing with these challenges and obstacles. The research method combines qualitative and quantitative tools, each of which was used to study relevant aspects. The qualitative tools used are interviews with the entrepreneurs in Palestine, while the quantitative tool included a designed questionnaire. The collected data was then analyzed using SPSS v 23. Findings indicated that entrepreneurs in Palestine are self-confident, passionately seeking new opportunities with a good network of professionals, patient, persistent, and determinant, and can adapt to change.  The results further highlighted that the most motivational factors behind being an entrepreneur in Palestine include being their boss and increasing income to have a better financial future. However, Lack of savings, political situation, competition, and the fear of risk associated with starting a business is the significant challenges and obstacles they face., Finally, Results indicate that gaining experience, developing business plans, managing financial resources, and motivating employees are the critical factors they have to consider. At the same time, they deal with these challenges and obstacles.

Purpose: Because high employee performance can lead to positive organizational outcomes, improving employee performance is one of the foremost objectives for any organization. Nowadays, since employees have an arguably greater number of job opportunities from which to choose and may, ostensibly, opt to leave unfavorable conditions in search of better alternatives, the workplace environment proves a critical factor in deciding to remain or leave any given position. Put simply, the workplace environment stands to influences employees’ levels of motivation, performance, and productivity. This study examines the effects of the work environment on employee performance in the Palestinian banking sector. Design/methodology/approach: Questionnaires were distributed among an initial 320 bank employees from a total of 14 Palestinian banks found in Palestine. Of the 320, 268 were deemed completed in a manner satisfactory to be considered primary source data. The remaining 52 surveys were improperly or incompletely populated and not calculated into the results. The data from these surveys were then analyzed using SPSS v 27. Findings: Findings indicate that the work environment correlates to a significantly positive effect on employee performance. After that, these results have provided robust and beneficial recommendations, which policymakers and banks may implement to formulate relevant strategies to manipulate the work environment and improve employee productivity. Originality: This research is the first to address the relationship between employees’ performance and the workplace environment in the Palestinian Banking sector. 

Through perseverance achievements are more. It is my motto ever since I enlisted for the masters' degree. Since then also, with the perseverance of my advisor Dr. Naser Abdelkarim, to whom I extend my gratitude for his personal and uninterrupted commitment, I am enabled to conclude this much sought after achievement. My thanks also do to the supervisory committee, Dr. Nidal Sabri and Dr Abderauf Taha for their review and appraisal of my work. Special thanks to my family and friends for their undivided support throughout my years of pursuit. Special appreciation is extended to uncle Fahim for he, on a short notice, edited the pre-final version of the thesis for English, style and grammar, correcting both and offering suggestions for development of the contents of my thesis.