A Collaborative Research Project between NYUAD & Tharawat Family Business Forum

Our Research Project
Our research offers ground-breaking insights into historical transformations witnessed by family businesses in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA)
Our Goals
Understand The History
Empirical academic research is being conducted to help explore the impact of family businesses on the region’s economy throughout time
Highlight the Legacy
With our research, we aim to highlight the legacy and economic impact of selected family businesses on the region and beyond
Preserve the Heritage
We are in the process of building the first archive of family businesses in the MENASA, which will produce an invaluable repository for researchers and practitioners
Inspire the
Future
Our research findings will analyze family business practices and build models for the future
Of global GDP is estimated to be generated by family-owned enterprises
Of Middle Eastern economies' GDP is generated by family-owned companies
Of workforce in the Middle East is employed by family businesses
Why?
Family Businesses are the pillars of MENASA economies and their sustainability is crucial to the region. We believe that historical understanding and shared identity is key for strategic vision, and we see in the history of family businesses an opportunity to learn from the challenges overcome by founders and leaders in an effort to inspire the future.
Case Studies
Our publications consist of a series of case studies which explore the historical evolution of selected leading family businesses in the MENASA region. The historical narratives shed a light on the businesses' multi-generational quest for longevity in spite of internal and contextual challenges.
