The purpose of this research article is to explore the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour among university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The study uses a novel approach of ...fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to depart from traditional assumptions that causal mechanisms apply equally to all individuals within a group. The study examines how shared characteristics may influence entrepreneurial behaviour. The study contributes to the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) literature by identifying different configurations of factors that lead to entrepreneurial behaviour. The study finds that these configurations vary depending on the student’s gender, personal valuation of entrepreneurship, self-evaluation, and perceived support from their environment. These findings suggest that the context in which students are situated plays a crucial role in shaping their entrepreneurial behaviour, highlighting the importance of considering within-sample variations when studying entrepreneurial intentions. This research article uses a novel approach, fsQCA, to explore the factors that influence entrepreneurial behaviour. It departs from traditional assumptions that the same causal mechanisms apply to all individuals within a group, and instead examines how shared characteristics may influence entrepreneurial behaviour.
Purpose: This qualitative study explores the effectiveness of crowdfunding as a financing alternative for startups and entrepreneurs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), compared to traditional ...funding sources such as bank loans and grants. Specifically, the study examines the Invest My Idea initiative by Rwanga Foundation, which supports small businesses and startups throughout Iraq. The research aims to evaluate entrepreneurs' knowledge and experience with crowdfunding, identify barriers to promoting campaigns in KRI, and provide recommendations for future efforts.
Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered through online interviews with four experts and ten entrepreneurs, analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Findings indicate that crowdfunding holds potential as an effective fundraising strategy for KRI entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth and development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Research limitations/implications: However, various obstacles were identified, including lack of trust, cultural barriers, limited knowledge about crowdfunding, legislative issues, and insufficient government support for online campaigns.
Practical implications: To address these challenges, the study recommends raising awareness among stakeholders, implementing policy support, and promoting crowdfunding as a widely recognized fundraising method. This research offers valuable insights into the potential advantages and challenges of crowdfunding for KRI startups and entrepreneurs, presenting practical recommendations to enhance campaigns and foster entrepreneurial ecosystem growth.
Paper type: Research paper
The study investigated the interplay between energy consumption (EN), economic growth (EG), and economic complexity across 59 countries from 2000 to 2018. Employing panel data methods, the research ...examined various models to estimate long-term effects while addressing unobserved heterogeneity and potential biases. Results indicate significant relationships between EG, EN, and economic complexity. Notably, the economic complexity index (ECI) displayed a positive effect on economic development, while trade openness and foreign direct investment showed varying impacts. The study identified a positive association between EG and EN, suggesting that increased energy consumption accompanies economic growth. However, a higher capital-to-labor ratio was associated with lower EN, indicating a substitution effect. Of particular note is the significant positive impact of the interaction between ECI and EN on GDP across various models. In the Country Fixed Effects Model, a one-unit increase in the interaction correlated with a 0.026 unit increase in GDP (p < 0.001). Similarly, significant positive relationships were observed in the Panel EGLS and FMOLS models, with coefficients of 0.055 and 0.031, respectively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011). Conversely, all models consistently demonstrated a negative relationship between economic complexity and GDP, with coefficients ranging from -0.062 to -0.089 (p < 0.001). These findings underscore the importance of considering economic complexity and energy consumption in policy interventions aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth. Policymakers are encouraged to adopt comprehensive approaches that account for the complex interplay of various factors influencing economic development and energy consumption to formulate effective strategies.
This study seeks to understand the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) by applying Isenberg's model. Focused on six fundamental domains-policy, finance, culture, support, ...human capital, and markets-it aims to underscore their indispensability for genuine entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Employing Isenberg's model, this research conducts a descriptive exploration of the relationships between entrepreneurship and the identified domains. Utilizing a literature review approach, secondary sources such as academic papers, news articles, and relevant literature have been scrutinized, elucidating the intricate connections shaping entrepreneurial activity in KRI. The study reveals the close connection and influence of the six identified domains on entrepreneurial activity in KRI. However, it highlights the need for further research to determine the extent of this impact, suggesting potential gaps in current understanding. Identified obstacles to entrepreneurial growth in KRI, including insufficient government support, limited funding, and cultural barriers, necessitate targeted interventions. Recommendations encompass policy reforms, financial support amplification, cultural awareness initiatives, investment in support institutions, educational enhancements, and the creation of a conducive business environment. Implementing these recommendations is imperative for unlocking KRI's entrepreneurial potential, fostering economic growth, and catalyzing job creation and economic diversification. This research contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the pivotal role of collaborative efforts and role clarity among stakeholders in effective entrepreneurial ecosystem development, particularly in KRI. Recognizing the lack of alignment and coordination as potential contributors to challenges faced, the study sheds light on critical aspects that may impede or enhance entrepreneurial ecosystem success in the region.
Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is regarded as one of the most important indicators of entrepreneurial activities and behaviors, including the process of launching a new enterprise. While research on ...entrepreneurial intention has increased globally in recent years, there has been little research on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). This study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students in the KRI, concentrating on perceived desirability, perceived feasibility, and propensity to act. A survey involving 213 business students from two universities in the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniyah was conducted, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis in SPSS. The findings demonstrated a positive correlation between the perceived desirability and the business student’s entrepreneurial intentions but no significant connection with perceived feasibility. These results indicate that students’ choice to pursue entrepreneurship is mainly driven by their willingness and interest in the field, highlighting the significance of the psychological elements in Shapero and Sokol's model for enhancing students' entrepreneurial intentions. The study adds to the existing literature on factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students in developing countries, providing valuable insights for university administration and educators in developing curricula and programs that align with students' goals in shaping their future endeavours, as well as for policymakers seeking to promote an entrepreneurial culture among university students in the KRI region.
In this research, data from 36 countries from 2013 to 2018 were used to examine the factors influencing CO 2 emissions in Islamic countries, focusing on the impact of Islamic financial growth. The ...spatial econometric technique estimation findings indicate that there is no geographical association between CO 2 emissions in the analyzed countries. The test findings establish the existence of the Kuznets hypothesis for the environment. Additionally, trade openness and increased energy usage have resulted in an increase in CO 2 emissions. The impacts of traditional financial development factors, such as financial market and financial institution variables, were examined in this research. The findings indicate that the two variables have no direct and substantial influence on CO 2 emissions and that their significant effect on CO 2 emissions appears only when their nonlinear and spillover effects on energy consumption and economic growth are included. Additionally, the growth of financial institutions is inversely proportional to the intensity of carbon emissions. The results indicate that while the development of financial markets and institutions results in a significant increase in CO 2 emissions, the negative coefficient of the interaction between financial development and energy consumption indicates that financial development ensures energy efficiency, which reduces the intensity of carbon emissions. The findings indicate that the expansion and depth of Islamic finance, as measured by total assets, asset quality, earnings, and efficiency of Islamic banks, can result in a nonlinear increase in CO 2 emissions with a U-shaped relationship. The study of spillover effects demonstrates that in addition to their direct and positive effects on CO 2 emissions, the increase in Islamic social responsibility and consumer education, and awareness about Islamic banking reduce the enhancing effects of energy consumption on greenhouse gas emissions.
