Open Innovation for green SMEs in Middle East and North Africa

This paper intends to present lessons learned from establishing green knowledge nodes to promote open innovation in green businesses for SMEs in five countries; i.e., Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Oman, and Jordan. The rationale... [ view full abstract ]

This paper intends to present lessons learned from establishing green knowledge nodes to promote open innovation in green businesses for SMEs in five countries; i.e., Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Oman, and Jordan. The rationale for this initiative was informed by UN green economy initiative which aims to mainstream green business and support SMEs to adopt technological innovations in areas related to water and environmental technology, green building, renewable energy, waste management, recycling, energy audit, organic farming, and eco-tourism.

The methodology adopted to conduct this research was based on interviews and focus group meetings to define niches and business models for a sustainable green business for SMEs. Institutional analysis was conducted to each knowledge note and its hosting partner in each country. Hosting partners include R&D entities like the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan; governmental organizations like the Ministry of environment in Tunisia and Authority of SMEs in Oman; regional organizations like Center for Environment and Development in Egypt; and civil society organizations like Lebanese Union of Industries. Each knowledge node had a mandate to develop a strategy to promote and build capacity for SMEs in green business through partnerships with the private sector and governments.

The key lessons learned include the added-value of forming strategic alliances with civil society in identifying needs and business opportunities in the green industry. Besides, a culture of innovation was co-evolving through social learning with various knowledge node and partners in the five countries. Knowledge sharing and creation of new knowledge was evident through regional platforms and transfer of technologies between countries in energy audit and waste management. It was concluded that open innovation and organizational learning are enhanced through diverse and dynamic interaction with strategic partners.