E-SKILLS QUALITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP LEADERSHIP IN THE MENA REGION

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relevant e-skills qualities for entrepreneurs and managers in different organizations. The study will analyze the up-to date technology and its impact on start-up businesses and e-leadership skills, and serves as the basis for policy development and businesses practices related to entrepreneurship development. The data collection and analysis will be based on the secondary resources and researchers findings for relevant data in determining the requirements and competencies of e-leadership. The paper will provide e-leadership guidance for managers, entrepreneurs and curricula development and enhancement for courses and workshops in leadership and technology in the Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA).

The paper presents the most recent academic research on entrepreneurship and the increasing demand on e-leadership to enhance organization performance and competitiveness in a global market place. The demand for leaders in businesses who have the skills of information technology is increasing dramatically in the world as well as the MENA region.

A global consensus on the importance of the role of SMEs in the economic growth and welfare of nations has emerged in the past few decades. Indeed, the governments in the MENA region support start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in all aspects from financial support to provide training and awareness in innovation and creativity courses in various educational institutions. Therefore, the MENA region experienced significant growth in SMEs in the recent years with no exception. Since 1995 there have been a significant number of initiatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opening new ventures supported by the government. The UAE government is establishing institutions to help the citizens by offering them various types of programs to establish successful ventures including, but not limited to, The Khalifa Fund for Enterprises Development and The Sheikh Saud ben Saqr al Qasimi's Fund for SMEs. Dubai is only one of the emirates that facilitates this type of institution and has targeted the foreign investments granting 100% percent ownership in free zones all over the city.