Amani Ahmed Headshot

Research Topic

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Conflict context and the role of the digital space
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Research Summary

Entrepreneurship has been recognized as a powerful tool for promoting economic development, particularly in challenging contexts like developing countries (Acs et al., 2018). Policymakers have consequently taken steps to encourage entrepreneurship with the aim of creating jobs, reducing poverty, and fostering peace, prosperity, and well-being.

Despite these initiatives, there is limited knowledge about how entrepreneurs in conflict contexts are creating, utilizing, and accessing resources to grow, and the role gender plays in these dynamics. Additionally, there is a notable gap in understanding how the digital space may influence or mitigate the barriers faced by local entrepreneurs, especially women, in these conflict settings.

Therefore, this thesis aims to investigate an underexplored facet of entrepreneurship: the analysis of entrepreneurial activities in conflict-ridden contexts. This study adopts a distinct viewpoint that diverges from the conventional understanding of entrepreneurship, seeking to offer novel insights into this topic.

Focusing on entrepreneurial practices in these difficult environments, the research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews as the primary tool for data collection.

Supervisor(s)

Research Area

Background

I am an electrical engineer with masters in Business Administration and long administrative experience in higher education sector management.

Education and Qualifications

Institute Award Dates
The Graduate Institute - Geneva (IHEID) Executive Master in Development Policies & Practices 2020-2021
University of Graz, Austria Multidisciplinary Gender Studies online courses diploma 2018-2019
Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine Master degree in Business Administration 2009-2013
Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering (Communications & Control) 2001-2006

Professional & Voluntary Experience

  • Head of the International Relations, Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine (2016–present)
  • EU Commission Member of Higher Education Reform Experts Network (volunteer), Palestine chamber (2022-present)
  • Lecturer (part time), Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine (2020–2022)