Weakness of Creative Research Productivity in the Arab World: Symptoms, Hindrances, and Solutions with a Focus on Business Disciplines

Abstract

This research explores the problem of weakness of creative research productivity of Arab researchers in their social and human fields, with a focus on business research. The main purpose of this study is to find out the core hindrances to creative research productivity, present its main symptoms and to suggest a framework for treatment. The study adopts the descriptive methodology in the light of what the study has called “cultural civilizational critical approach”. After showing how creativity is so imperative in all academic fields, the study concludes that there are three main symptoms: (1) weakness of creativity in establishing new theories and models, (2) the dominance of quantitative studies, and (3) weakness of creativity in building new terms. The study determines three core hindrances: (1) not stemming from the Arabic Islamic civilizational framework, (2) not developing the Islamic epistemological approach, and (3) the weakness of the sense of cultural pride or cultural distinctiveness and self-esteem that reflects the extent to which Arab researchers can culturally, psychologically and conceptually accept theories and models which are inconsistent with their civilizational cultural framework. Three practical solutions were suggested: (1) producing creative researcher, (2) enhancing qualitative research, and (3) establishing terminology in the business field. Finally, a number of recommendations were put forward which can be of value to both future research and academic and cultural institutions.