Walden University
ScholarWorks
"&&%''#"&"#'#% '(&
"&&%''#"&"#'#% '(&
# '#"
Success Strategies Saudi Entrepreneurs Used to
Navigate rough Regulations in Jeddah
Farah Mehar Spencer
Walden University
# #)'&"'#" )#%&' -$&&# %)#%&) "((&&%''#"&
%'#' "'%$%"(% "! (&"&&$%'#"&#!!#"&"' )#!!#"&
,&&&%''#"&%#(''#*#(#%%"#$"&&*' "&&%''#"&"#'#% '(&# '#"'# %#%&'&"
$'#%" (&#"" "&&%''#"&"#'#% '(&*"('#%+!"&'%'#%## %#%&#%!#%"#%!'#"$ &
#"'' # %#%&) "((
Walden University
College of Management and Technology
This is to certify that the doctoral study by
Farah Spencer
has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.
Review Committee
Dr. Marilyn Simon, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Dr. Mohamad Hammoud, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration
Faculty
Dr. Godwin Igein, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.
Walden University
2016
Abstract
Success Strategies Saudi Entrepreneurs Used to Navigate Through Regulations in Jeddah
by
Farah Mehar Spencer
MBA, Webster University, 2004
BS, University of Wisconsin, 1988
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University
August 2016
Abstract
Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs face major difficulties with the country’s complex
regulatory system. Based on Schumpeter’s theory of entrepreneurship, the purpose of this
phenomenological study was to reveal the lived experiences of Saudi entrepreneurs in
navigating regulatory procedures in Jeddah. Data were collected through prolonged, face-
to-face phenomenological interviews with 22 Saudi businesspeople who started
successful businesses. The van Kaam method and member checking helped validate the
transcribed data, which were subsequently coded into 4 themes. Four themes emerged
from the data analysis: (a) obstacles in regulatory processes, (b) lack of information, (c)
cumbersome procedures and need for alternatives to stringent protocols, and (d)
persistence strategies needed to maneuver through inflexible regulations. For
entrepreneurship progress among these individuals, business rules needed to be
comprehensible, shorter, and less bureaucratic. These findings also suggest that, once
entrepreneurship rules are transparent, Saudi Arabia may become a choice country for
international businesses. These findings have implications for positive social change by
informing the efforts of governmental authorities in their work towards effective
regulatory processes as roadways to the economic well-being of businesses and
communities, and could be a catalyst to boost foreign investments in the country.
Success Strategies Saudi Entrepreneurs Used to Navigate Through Regulations in Jeddah
by
Farah Mehar Spencer
MBA, Webster University, 2004
BS, University of Wisconsin, 1988
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University
August 2016