Policy borrowing and developing knowledge economies in GCC countries: a critique from a Human Capital Theory perspective

Abu-Shawish, Reem Khalid; Romanowski, Michael H.; Amatullah, Tasneem

doi:10.1007/s12564-020-09661-x

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…This underperformance has to do with "the shortage of skilled teachers, and the widespread prevalence of rote learning in classrooms, which hinders creativity and creates an environment that eliminates flexibility in learning" [115] (p. 13). Finally, as highlighted by Abu-Shawish et al [117], Qatar and the GCC countries in general are facing a dilemma. Can the growth of a knowledge economy and human capital coexist with local culture and traditions that are deeply embedded in national identity?…”

Section: Education and Human Capitalmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Transformative State in the Wake of COVID-19: What Is Needed to Enable Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education in Qatar?

Hassen

2022

Sustainability

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Economic diversification is vital in achieving sustainable economic development, especially for countries relying on nonrenewable natural resources, such as oil and gas, in the case of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significance of boosting resilience to adverse shocks. Indeed, the pandemic highlighted the need to promote nonhydrocarbon sectors by strengthening the fundamental pillars of the knowledge-based economy: ICT, innovation, R&D, education, entrepreneurship, and the economic and institutional regime. The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown how important it is to mobilize these pillars in record time. Like the other GCC countries, Qatar is seen as a transformative state, suggesting that, although oil and gas provide its primary export revenue, the government has also pushed to diversify its economy toward a knowledge-based one. Indeed, in 2019, hydrocarbons dominated Qatar’s economy, accounting for 90% of government income and 80% of export profits. However, this reliance exposes Qatar to fluctuations in the global oil and gas markets. Accordingly, economic diversification has come to the top of the government’s priority list. Preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar was already in the middle of an economic transition. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic and the drop in oil prices prompted the Qatari government to increase its diversification efforts. Qatar has a solid basis for transitioning to a knowledge-based economy based on its macroeconomic stability, suitable growth rates, and good governance. However, Qatar confronts several challenges in implementing the structural changes necessary for this transition. This paper has three objectives. Firstly, it aims to present the pillars of the knowledge-based economy and their link to the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, the paper aims to analyze the present state of the knowledge-based economy in Qatar, including its strengths, drawbacks, and its prospect for the future. Finally, the paper presents some structural reform recommendations to enable innovation, entrepreneurship, and education in Qatar.

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Section: Education and Human Capitalmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Transformative State in the Wake of COVID-19: What Is Needed to Enable Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education in Qatar?

Hassen

2022

Sustainability

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“…These products include teacher training programs, national professional standards, and school accreditation bodies or systems. There is no shortage of criticism of educational borrowing (e.g., Abu-Shawish et al., 2021 ; Nguyen-Phuong-Mai et al., 2012 ; Steiner-Khamsi, 2016 ). A complete discussion of these is for another venue.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teachers’ understandings of the social and professional support needed to implement change in Qatar

Karkouti

Abu-Shawish

Romanowski

2022

Heliyon

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“…Consequently, despite these reforms, there is rising evidence that graduates in GCC countries do not acquire the skills required to succeed in the contemporary economy [64]. Indeed, according to Wiseman et al [61], GCC nations still have "seemingly low quality and low impact education systems" (p. 2).…”

Section: The Knowledge-based Economy In the Gcc: The Key Strengths An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The GCC Economies in the Wake of COVID-19: Toward Post-Oil Sustainable Knowledge-Based Economies?

Hassen

2022

Sustainability

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The economic crisis and decline in oil prices caused by the pandemic led governments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to step up their diversification efforts. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were already striving to diversify their economies away from dependence on hydrocarbons, with varying degrees of success. Their development plans and visions aim to shift their economies away from oil and gas toward knowledge-based post-oil economies with solid and sustainable foundations. Accordingly, this paper has three goals. Firstly, it aims to present the GCC’s socio-economic features and highlight the importance and relevance of economic diversification. Secondly, it seeks to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GCC economies and evaluate how the pandemic spurred diversification initiatives. Thirdly, the paper aims to analyze the present state of the knowledge-based economy in the GCC region, including its strengths, drawbacks, and prospects for the future. The methodology of the paper is based on a semi-systematic literature review that includes academic and gray literature. The findings highlight that throughout the previous several decades, continuous efforts to develop the status of ICT, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship in several GCC countries have contributed to improving their international competitiveness, as seen by advancements in rankings issued by various international organizations. Furthermore, political stability, significant financial resources, and a stable credit rating provide these countries with solid foundations for future sustainable development. However, several functional, structural, and cultural factors challenge the diversification process and the shift toward a knowledge-based economy.

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Policy borrowing and developing knowledge economies in GCC countries: a critique from a Human Capital Theory perspective

Cited by 9 publications

References 46 publications

A Transformative State in the Wake of COVID-19: What Is Needed to Enable Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education in Qatar?

A Transformative State in the Wake of COVID-19: What Is Needed to Enable Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education in Qatar?

Teachers’ understandings of the social and professional support needed to implement change in Qatar

The GCC Economies in the Wake of COVID-19: Toward Post-Oil Sustainable Knowledge-Based Economies?

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