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Article
Abraaj Capital Limited: Celebration of Entrepreneurship (CoE)
Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies
  • Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan, University of Wollongong in Dubai
  • Ian Michael, University of Wollongong in Dubai
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2011
Abstract

© 2011, Company. Title: Abraaj Capital Limited: Celebration of Entrepreneurship (CoE). Subject area: Strategic stakeholder engagement, entrepreneurialism, ecosystem, corporate social responsibility, event management, branding, marketing strategy. Study level/applicability: Post‐graduate level, practitioners interested in MENSA Region, entrepreneurship policy makers and NGOs. Case overview: Abraaj Capital Ltd (Abraaj), a highly reputed private equity investment and management company, strongly believed in corporate social responsibility, strategic stakeholder engagement and entrepreneurship ecosystem development. In November, 2010, Abraaj held the “Celebration of Entrepreneurship” (CoE) a two‐day free entrepreneur event, in Dubai. CoE was attended by more than 2,400 participants. The purpose of CoE was to contribute to building an entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East North Africa South Asia region (MENASA). Based on participant feedback, CoE Outcomes and stakeholder feedback, the event was very successful.This case is a good example of community engagement and showcases entrepreneurship ecosystem development. This case also highlights the challenges of putting together a signature event in a very short time frame. The future management dilemmas are also raised on various issues like whether to make this successful event a regular part of their organizational activities, and issues concerning the funding of such events. This case can be used to teach event management, branding, marketing strategy, CSR and entrepreneurship (from the ecosystem point of view). It will appeal to both educationalists and practitioners interested in the MENASA region, policy makers who facilitate entrepreneurship, CSR managers, event management companies and marketing specialist. It can be used to teach both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Expected learning outcomes: Strategy students can focus on marketing and branding strategies; like stakeholder engagement, internal marketing, social media, positioning and brand architecture. Student of event management can learn about prioritizing, adaptability, funding and the complexity of layering a program. Supplementary materials: Teaching notes, videos.

Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Disciplines
Keywords
  • Branding,
  • Corporate social responsibility,
  • Entrepreneurship,
  • Event management,
  • Marketing strategy,
  • MENASA Region,
  • Private equity,
  • Strategic stakeholder engagement
Scopus ID
85081011898
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1108/20450621111190836
Citation Information
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan and Ian Michael. "Abraaj Capital Limited: Celebration of Entrepreneurship (CoE)" Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies Vol. 1 Iss. 4 (2011) p. 1 - 25 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/2045-0621" target="_blank">2045-0621</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ian-michael/16/