Entrepreneurial climate and self-perceptions about entrepreneurship: a country comparison using fsQCA with dual outcomes

This study investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial climate (EC) and self-perceptions about entrepreneurship (SPaE). The variables and data were derived from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) dataset and framework. Specifically, the study examined variables closely related to the GEM concepts of entrepreneurial capacity and preferences across 54 countries. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted to investigate associations between EC and SPaE. Three condition variables described EC: economic stage of development, entrepreneurial framework conditions, and entrepreneurial status. Four items described SPaE: perceived start-up opportunities, perceived capabilities, fear of failure, and entrepreneurial intention. Two forms of single outcome measures were constructed from the four items that described SPaE. A standard factor analysis-based score yielded the outcome SPaEF. Fuzzy cluster analysis produced a two-cluster-based outcome SPaEC. Having two outcomes referring to the same concept (SPaE) leads to discussion on what should be done to facilitate “same concept” based analyses using fsQCA. The findings open up discussion on the efficacy of fsQCA as regards its sensitivity to slight changes in the outcome. Practical applied issues surrounding entrepreneurship (EC and SPaE) are also discussed

Challenges towards renewable energy : an exploratory study from the Arabian Gulf region

Considering the importance of energy for social and economic development, access to clean, affordable and reliable energy has been adopted as one of the United Nations sustainable development goals that all countries aim to achieve by 2030. However, much of the world's energy is still produced from fossil fuels and thus the progress towards clean and renewable energy is slow. This paper explores the key challenges towards renewable energy in Gulf Cooperation Council countries blessed with plenty of oil and gas reserves. The key challenges identified through literature review were ranked using a quantitative approach through the data collected from a selective sample across the six countries. These challenges in order of importance were found to be policies and regulations, manpower experience and competencies, renewable energy education, public awareness, costs and incentives for renewable energy and government commitment. The findings could be helpful to decision makers and government organisations in the region to develop strategies to overcome these identified challenges