PhD Dissertations

This study aims to perform a status check and identify the factors that influence the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem. The promotion of entrepreneurship is among the top priority areas. Consequently, unprecedented efforts relating to entrepreneurship development are on the rise. Nevertheless, despite the increased government support, the sector is yet to prosper ideally, witnessing a drop of 36.7% in 2018/19, with the post-pandemic dents amplifying the same. The study hence provides a dedicated attempt to scientifically scrutinize the general nature of the present Omani entrepreneurial ecosystem and analyze the factors that determine it. Using the quantitative methodology, driven by the selected GEDI approach, the study utilized the pioneering supply of primary data via survey questionnaire, as well as results from its secondary data, to uncover the status and unleash the insights and intricacies for understanding the significance of key factors that influence the overall ecosystem. The results reveals that GEDI significantly affects, directly and indirectly, the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The years of education as a mediator and experience as a moderator significantly increase the effects of the entrepreneur ecosystem. The findings provide never before available in-depth knowledge about the Omani entrepreneurial ecosystem, fits behavior and factors that determine the same. This shall enhance the stakeholder’s understanding, proving a potent source for entrepreneurs and policy makers to first understand the fundamentals of this ecosystem and accordingly develop the policies and related measures promoting this sector. The study's biggest limitation was the difficulty, energy and time consumption in the arrangement and availability of data at primary and secondary levels, with Covid adding an extra layer to an already data constrained Oman, especially for the respective discipline with the current scope. Nevertheless, the researcher successfully collected data from above 300 respondents as primary data and further collected all required secondary data about each related component of Omani ecosystem. All in all, the work offers distinctive perspectives, novel insights, and fresh in-depth analysis, pioneeringly produced using meticulously selected frameworks to craft findings and recommendations.