Scholarlink

<p>Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic growth, innovation, job creation, and enhancing competitiveness, particularly in the MENA region, where they form a substantial portion of businesses. However, SMEs often face significant challenges in accessing traditional financing due to restrictive banking policies, limited collateral, and insufficient credit histories, resulting in a persistent funding gap that hampers their competitive potential. Crowdfunding, an innovative and inclusive financing model, provides a promising alternative by connecting entrepreneurs directly with a diverse pool of investors through digital platforms, thereby fostering competitiveness within the SME sector. This study systematically examines the role of crowdfunding in addressing financing challenges for SMEs in the MENA region. It explores economic, cultural, and regulatory factors shaping its adoption, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as the Resource-Based View and principles of Islamic Finance. The findings, based on a PRISMA-guided review of 11 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024, highlight key themes, including the transformative potential of crowdfunding, existing barriers to its widespread adoption, and actionable strategies for enhancing SMEs’ competitive advantage. This research provides insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and platform developers, emphasizing the need for tailored platforms, cohesive regulatory reforms, and innovative models to unlock crowdfunding's full potential. By addressing these challenges, crowdfunding can significantly contribute to fostering financial inclusion, sustainable entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Crowdfunding and Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review of Alternative Financing’s Role in Enhancing SMEs’ Competitiveness in the MENA Region

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月24日

查看全文
  • Amal Abdu Arishi,
  • Moamen M. Rashed,
  • Arwa A. Elmeslemani

摘要

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic growth, innovation, job creation, and enhancing competitiveness, particularly in the MENA region, where they form a substantial portion of businesses. However, SMEs often face significant challenges in accessing traditional financing due to restrictive banking policies, limited collateral, and insufficient credit histories, resulting in a persistent funding gap that hampers their competitive potential. Crowdfunding, an innovative and inclusive financing model, provides a promising alternative by connecting entrepreneurs directly with a diverse pool of investors through digital platforms, thereby fostering competitiveness within the SME sector. This study systematically examines the role of crowdfunding in addressing financing challenges for SMEs in the MENA region. It explores economic, cultural, and regulatory factors shaping its adoption, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as the Resource-Based View and principles of Islamic Finance. The findings, based on a PRISMA-guided review of 11 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024, highlight key themes, including the transformative potential of crowdfunding, existing barriers to its widespread adoption, and actionable strategies for enhancing SMEs’ competitive advantage. This research provides insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and platform developers, emphasizing the need for tailored platforms, cohesive regulatory reforms, and innovative models to unlock crowdfunding's full potential. By addressing these challenges, crowdfunding can significantly contribute to fostering financial inclusion, sustainable entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness.