Islamic entrepreneurship : a case study of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The point of departure in this study is that entrepreneurship, regard less of how it is defined , is more than a means to create employment opportunities and maximise economic returns; it is rather a development alternative with g reat potential to contribute to the well-being of ind ividuals, communities and nations in developed , developing and less developed countries al ike . The purpose of this thesis is to explore the entrepreneurship phenomenon from an Islamic perspective with in the Saudi Arabia context. The thesis specifically seeks to examine the relationship between Islamic values and entrepreneurial activity and to establish whether these va lues can be more effectively tapped into to raise the profile of Islamic form of entrepreneursh ip and promote alternatives to development. The phi losoph ical differences between the Islamic and the prevai l ing Western world­ views on the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of development are fundamental , to the point where they cannot be marginal ised or reconciled and integrated with in a standard ised single development model . Furthermore, the lack of cultural sensitivity on the part of the Western model and its inabi lity to account for variables specific to the Is lamic cultural and institutional environment justify the need to search for an alternative Islamic model of entrepreneurship that best serves the ultimate goal of the Muslim nation (ummah), that is, realising the state of well-being (rajah). Despite the suggestion of modern isatio n theories of development and the prevalent conventiona l assumption that Islam is intrinsical ly anti-modernisation and anti­ development, and that the relig iously based Saudi cu ltu re would be the foremost obstacle in the way of cultivating a dynamic entrepreneurship class in Saudi Arabia, the find ings of this study ind icate otherwise. There is no evidence of incompatibi l ity between Islamic values and entrepreneurship. Lack of entrepreneurial dynamism in Saudi Arabia by no means can be attributed to adherence to Islamic values and business ethics; rather, it can be l inked to the state's fa i lure to assimilate the implication