Assessing Research and Development Strategy at Macro-Microeconomic Levels in Qatar

Abstract

Research and development (R&D) is a broad term incorporating a firm's activities to innovate and familiarize new products and services. Unlike most operational jobs, it is profit-driven and should increase the firm's long-term profitability. R&D includes trademark, copyright, patent, and product manufacturing information, as basic, applied, and experimental R&D. Theoretical economics explains why corporations and people invest in research and development. This thesis analyzes macro/microeconomic Qatari company R&D. The research highlighted country R&D drivers and limitations and presented recommendations to boost R&D returns. Two surveys; one at the macroeconomic and the second at the firms' level-represent distinct businesses and sectors. According to the findings, many Qatari companies had an R&D strategy and actively conducted R&D using diverse methods. The study indicated that certain companies measured R&D investment returns differently. Many responses highlighted government R&D subsidies for corporations. The analysis identified Qatari R&D opportunities and obstacles. Financial resources, educated people, and favorable regulations were opportunities. Financial constraints, recruiting and retaining qualified researchers, and a lack of contemporary technology were obstacles. Respondents advised expanding government assistance to improve Qatar's R&D environment, enhancing relationships between private enterprises, universities, and research institutes, and investing in education and training to build a qualified workforce. Finally, this study reveals Qatari company R&D; policymakers and stakeholders learn about R&D funding, opportunities, and challenges. R&D funding trends may be studied using longitudinal data in the future.