Middle East & North Africa

The Creating Emerging Markets project provides a unique research and teaching resource on business leadership in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East over recent decades. At its core are over 180 interviews by Harvard faculty with high impact leaders in business and social enterprise. Read the interview with Alan Tabourian Chairman, Interbrand S.A.L.

On February 20th, the HBS MENA Research Center and Harvard Business Review Turkey hosted a special session on the integration of AI into marketing strategies. Led by Shunyuan Zhang, Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Marketing Unit at HBS, the discussion explored how businesses can leverage AI for content optimization, automated customer insights, AI-powered customer service, and enhanced consumer engagement. Attendees gained valuable perspectives on how AI-driven technologies are transforming marketing and customer experience. Around 40 alumni, friends, and business executives participated, engaging in a dynamic exchange on the future of AI in marketing.

On February 19th, the MENA Research Center, in collaboration with the HBS Club of GCC, hosted an alumni event in Dubai exploring the challenges faced by family businesses. Titled “Beyond the Façade: Transforming Communication in Family Businesses,” the session delved into breaking through the illusion of “fake harmony” and equipping participants with strategies for approaching tough conversations with confidence and clarity. The discussion was led by Christina Wing, Senior Lecturer in the Technology & Operations Management Unit, who shared insights from her work with family businesses globally. Around 20 HBS alumni and friends attended, engaging in a dynamic exchange on navigating communication challenges in multigenerational enterprises.

On December 8th, MBA Admissions and the MENA Research Center hosted a coffee chat in Dubai, where 20 prospective MBA applicants engaged in conversations with Vai Schierholtz (MBA 2019), from MBA Admissions, and Alpana Thapar (MBA 2012), Executive Director of the MENA Research Center, as well as with two HBS alumni who joined the discussions and shared their perspectives on the MBA experience. This informal coffee chat provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to ask questions and gain deeper insights into the HBS MBA journey. On December 9th, the team continued their efforts with an information session in Cairo, welcoming around 100 prospective MBA applicants. The event began with welcome remarks by Vai Schierholtz and Alpana Thapar, followed by an introduction to the Case Method by Prof. Andy Zelleke, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and Faculty Chair of the MENA Research Center. Hisham El Khazindar (MBA 2003), Co-Founder and Managing Director of Qalaa Holdings, shared his experiences during and after HBS and offered valuable insights on scholarships. The session also featured a panel discussion and Q&A with alumni and a current student, who shared their perspectives on the MBA journey. The evening concluded with a networking session, allowing attendees to connect and explore the transformative opportunities that an HBS MBA offers.

To mark its 10 year anniversary milestone, the MENA Research Center unveils a video series aimed at shining a spotlight on the significant diversity of enterprises in our region and the important role played by family businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit shaping local economies. The Center has had the honor of turning some of the powerful stories into HBS case studies, and the videos feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including faculty members, subject matter experts, and the case protagonists. In addition to those themes, the Research & More segment introduces perspectives from leaders representing key departments at HBS with which the MENA Research Center collaborates: Executive Education, External Relations, Global Initiative, Global Experience Office, and MBA Admissions. Watch the videos here.