Family Business Histories – A unique research project

Tharawat Family Business Forum and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have entered a partnership to collaborate on a research project on Family Business Histories and their impact on economic growth and social change in the MENA region.

In the Middle East and North Africa, it is estimated that more than 80% of businesses are family-owned and run. This interdisciplinary project of NYUAD and the Tharawat Family Business Forum will bring together scholars from the Humanities and Social Sciences at NYUAD to compile, document and analyze the history of selected regional family businesses to better understand past challenges and decision-making, as well as commercial legacies.

This understanding will not only offer significant insights into historical transformations of business cultures and socio- economic environments in the GCC as well as the MENASA region but also support family businesses address current and future challenges.

What are the Overall Goals of the Project?

The Research Initiative will broadly seek to better understand the impact of family- owned businesses in the regional economy and document individual achievements.

Understanding the History

Academic research will be conducted based on the information gathered, to have a better understanding of the impact of family businesses on the regional economy.

Highlight the Legacy

We are looking to highlight each family‘s legacy and economic impact in the region and beyond.

Preserve the Heritage

With the expertise of the NYUAD Library, a leading regional institution, we will start the first family business history archive, which will inspire generations to come.

Inspire the Future

Based on the ground-breaking research conducted during this project, we will be able to understand family business decision making and develop models for the future.

This Research Initiative is the first and most ground-breaking project mapping family business legacies in the MENA. The Initiative features a globally unique approach to understanding family business impact.

Contact Us

Would you like to know more about this research project?

Send your inquiry to [email protected]

Get some insights!

Look back to our first joint events around family business history and legacy.

About NYU Abu Dhabi

NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and science campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly-selective liberal arts, engineering and science curriculum with a world center for advanced research and scholarship enabling its students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges.