The Role of a Collaborative Research Network (CRN) in Improving the Arabian Gulf Countries' Performance in Research and Innovation

Introduction

As a result of the knowledge-based global economy and globalization, knowledge and innovation have become the crucial factors in the development of successful economics (El-Baba, 2006; Bashshur, 2007). Research and development (R&D) is considered as the main source of knowledge and innovation in the Gulf countries and Arab region in general. Therefore, Gulf region’s chances for improving their market position and gain a sustainable competitive advantage will be impacted by the lack of research dedicated for their region (El-Baba, 2006). In fact, the current situation of the scientific research and R&D in the Gulf countries is not stable and is experiencing many problems such as funding support, private sectors involvement, quality and quantity of the researches conducted and their compatibility for the Gulf region and alike. Moreover, with continues development in the information technology and communication and the emergent of knowledge economy, the traditional ways of conducting research are changing dramatically. As such, most of the researches nowadays are conducted through multidisciplinary collaborations among research centers, industry and educational institutions. Through such collaborative effort in which stakeholders work together to enhance their understanding of the affected communities, innovation, and knowhow exchanging, sharing and creation can be facilitated (Arab Knowledge Report, 2009; Al-Faham 2006). Consequently, building Collaborative Research Network (CRN) in the Gulf countries is an essential action for building high quality and sustainable research, enabling multidisciplinary research environment and improving the educational system in the Gulf countries (Al-Faham, 2006; Peters & McNeese, 2005).

The current research aims at investigating the role of building CRN in improving the Arabian Gulf Countries’ performance in research and innovation. Therefore, the research will be conducted into two stages. In the first stage factors that influence the building of CRN will be identified and the impact of building CRN will be recognized. In the second stage and based on the results of the first stage, a research model for building CRN in the Gulf countries will be developed and examined. The current paper presents the first stage of the research. Four objectives have been set for this stage: investigate the current situation regarding the research and building a CRN in the Gulf countries such as the enablers and inhibitors of building such network, identify factors that influence the building of a CRN, identify the impact and contribution of building a CRN in improving the Gulf countries’ performance in research and innovation, and developing a model for building a CRN in the Gulf countries.

This paper consists of eight sections; each section will touch a significant component of this research. The following sections spot the light on the literature review on the current situation regarding the scientific research and R&D in the Gulf countries, the need for building a CRN, factors impacting the building of a CRN, and the impact of building CRN. The research methodology for this study is then illustrated. Description of data analysis is also presented. Finally, the findings of this study are discussed and a conclusion is presented and made ready for the research centers and institutions those intend to participate in building CRN.