The purpose of this research study is to investigate the relationship between knowledge management (KM) processes and the level of business performance of organizations in Kuwait. The research utilized a survey that was administered to 500 employees of 139 private and government companies in Kuwait. Tests of validity and reliability confirmed the use of the survey instrument whereas factor analysis revealed 4 main factors whose impact on performance was assessed. The research results revealed that all 4 KM processes examined (i.e., knowledge generation and development, codification and storage, transfer and sharing, and use and evaluation) have a positive and significant impact on perceived business performance. Additionally, the research revealed that KM processes have the highest impact on innovation performance. The limitation of this study is mainly related to the limited geographical scope of the research, because the survey covered only companies from Kuwait. The originality of the research comes from geographical area covered. Virtually, no empirical research has been undertaken in area of knowledge management in Kuwait, as an oil‐dependent country.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that evaluates the performance and assesses the success of small business enterprises in the service sector in Syria. Design/methodology/approach -A logistic regression model based on a comprehensive questionnaire with a response rate of 58 percent that examines the contribution of several factors to the success of small business enterprises; a sample of 340 firms; implied by three performance measures: owner/manger satisfaction with performance, profitability, and sales turnover. These factors are: planning, firm size, source of capital, owner/manager age, and training for company management and staff. Findings -Provides information about each factor, indicating their significance and contribution to the success of small business enterprises. Recognizes that trained self-financed young owners/managers are better able to run their business successfully. However, lack of training and insufficient planning were found to be common among the surveyed sample. Research limitations/implications -A higher response rate could have added better significance to the examined factors. The investigation is limited to the small business service sector in established in Syria. Self-administered interviews could have given a better insight on the significance of the findings. Practical implications -This paper could prove helpful to young entrepreneurs willing to start their businesses in growing economies such as the Syrian economy. Originality/value -This paper satisfies the need for young entrepreneurs who lack the proper knowledge, based on scientific research, for small business development. Also introduces a fair representation of the small business economy in a developing country, most likely similar in behavior to other countries in the region.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which perceived servant leadership of the supervisors impacts the intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction of the followers. Design/methodology/approach Servant leadership factor structure was evaluated by applying Liden et al.’s (2008) measure, and used the second-order model to test its relationship with the intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test data from 205 individuals working in service-sector organizations in Kuwait. Findings The seven-factor structure proposed by Liden et al. (2008) holds valid in this sample, thus providing greater validity for this measure to be used in similar contexts. The results also indicate that second-order factor of servant leadership positively affects both intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications Servant leadership was measured using follower perception of their leader attributes. Next, the cross-sectional data limit the ability to demonstrate causality between servant leadership and employee satisfaction. Further, data were collected only from service-sector organizations in Kuwait, which limits the generalizability of results. Practical implications This research helps in highlighting the significance of embracing more altruistic leadership approach in enhancing job satisfaction. Leaders in the analyzed region must be aware of the positive outcomes of this approach on job satisfaction, which can eventually contribute to engaged employees and their performance. Originality/value This research tries to add to the growing body of knowledge in terms of assessing relationship between servant leadership and job satisfaction in the service sector in the Middle East.

Purpose -The paper aims to spotlight the level of patient satisfaction with quality of care in a private hospitals setting. Design/methodology/approach -This study was carried out at three private hospitals in Syria.The study used written survey (interview-type questionnaire) assessing patient's perception of the quality of the services offered by the hospitals. The total of 108 patients participated in the study making the response rate 60.3 percent. Findings -On the basis of this study, several interesting findings were found. There was a general patient satisfaction with most of the facilities and services provided by the hospitals. Although the focus of the study was not on the medical services, patients were satisfied with the medical treatment. The hotel aspects of the services were found to be evidently poor as indicated by patients.Research limitations/implications -The perception of management about the services provided was not studied in detail to find out if there was a perceptual gap between the two parties. The findings of this study can only be generalized to other private hospitals in Syria not public hospitals. Originality/value -This paper satisfies the needs of the managers of private hospitals in Damascus/Syria who lack knowledge about what affects the overall patient satisfaction especially with regard to the hotel aspects of services offered by private hospitals as patients generally want more than just a cure of ill health.

This paper explores the possible barriers that prevent micro-business owners (with a specific focus on the participants in the Self Employment Assistance Program in Cornwall Ontario Canada from outsourcing non-essential services. The paper will include both primary and secondary research to ascertain those barriers. The Findings show that although the respondents of the survey are aware of the benefits of outsourcing their non-essential business activities, they are still reluctant to outsource activities beyond the year-end tax preparation. It seems apparent that the respondents see outsourcing as an option for bigger businesses as 79.2% of them said they would outsource when their business grew.