Thesis Proposal Business Consultant in Saudi Arabia Jeddah – Free Word Template Download with AI
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative has positioned Jeddah as a pivotal economic hub for regional trade, tourism, and investment. As the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and the nation's primary gateway to the Red Sea, Jeddah faces unprecedented opportunities for business expansion. However, local enterprises encounter significant challenges in navigating market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and global best practices without specialized guidance. This thesis proposes a comprehensive study on optimizing Business Consultant services tailored specifically for Jeddah's unique ecosystem. The research addresses a critical gap: while international consulting firms operate in Riyadh and Dubai, there is insufficient locally-adapted consultancy infrastructure to support small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and emerging industries in Jeddah. This proposal asserts that effective Business Consultant engagement is non-negotiable for realizing Vision 2030's economic diversification goals within the Jeddah context.
Jeddah's business landscape is characterized by fragmented market entry strategies, inefficient resource allocation, and limited adoption of digital transformation—particularly among family-owned businesses comprising 80% of the city's SME sector. Current consultancy services often fail to integrate cultural nuances (e.g., relationship-based business practices), local regulatory complexities (such as Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization [SASO] compliance), and Vision 2030 alignment. A recent KPMG report indicated that 65% of Jeddah-based SMEs experienced failed consultancy engagements due to generic service offerings lacking contextual understanding. This gap impedes job creation, foreign investment attraction, and sustainable growth in Saudi Arabia's coastal economic corridor.
- To analyze the specific challenges faced by Jeddah-based businesses requiring specialized consultancy services
- To develop a culturally-intelligent framework for Business Consultant service delivery aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 priorities
- To evaluate the economic impact of context-specific consulting interventions on SME growth metrics in Jeddah
- To propose a scalable model for local Business Consultant certification and industry standards tailored to Jeddah's market needs
Existing literature on business consulting predominantly focuses on Western or GCC-wide models (e.g., Dubai-based frameworks), overlooking Jeddah’s distinct characteristics as a commercial port city with deep-rooted trade traditions and emerging tourism sectors. Studies by Al-Muhanna (2021) and Saudi Ministry of Commerce reports acknowledge the need for localized consultancy but lack empirical data on operational models within Jeddah's context. Crucially, no research examines how Business Consultant service delivery can leverage Jeddah's unique advantages: its 50+ international trade corridors, the new King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) spillover effects, and cultural affinity with African and South Asian markets. This thesis bridges that void by centering Jeddah as the primary research site.
This mixed-methods study will employ three-phase analysis:
- Phase 1 (Qualitative): Semi-structured interviews with 30+ stakeholders including Jeddah Chamber of Commerce members, SME owners, and international consultancy firms operating in the city. Focus: Identifying service gaps and cultural barriers.
- Phase 2 (Quantitative): Survey of 300 SMEs across Jeddah’s key sectors (tourism, logistics, retail) measuring impact metrics pre- and post-consultancy engagement.
- Phase 3 (Action Research): Co-designing a pilot consultancy model with Jeddah-based consultants, tested with 20 SMEs over six months. Metrics: Revenue growth, operational efficiency gains, and compliance rate improvements.
Data analysis will utilize NVivo for qualitative insights and SPSS for statistical validation. The research ethics framework adheres strictly to King Abdulaziz University's guidelines and Saudi Arabia's General Data Protection Regulation (SDPR).
A. Academic Contribution
This thesis will establish the first empirically-grounded model for Business Consultant service delivery in a non-capital Saudi city context, advancing literature on "culturally embedded consulting" within emerging economies.
B. Practical Contribution to Saudi Arabia Jeddah
- Development of a Jeddah-specific consultancy certification standard to elevate service quality
- Resource toolkit for SMEs on navigating Vision 2030-linked business opportunities (e.g., tourism, fintech, logistics)
- Evidence-based policy recommendations for the Jeddah Economic Development Authority
C. Strategic Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
The research directly supports Vision 2030 pillars: • Private Sector Development (by boosting SME competitiveness) • Economic Diversification (through targeted sectoral consultancy strategies for tourism and trade) • Social Transformation (by creating local consultant employment opportunities under the "Saudization" mandate)
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | Literature review, stakeholder mapping, ethics approval (Jeddah-based university) |
| 4-6 | Data collection: Interviews and surveys across Jeddah business zones |
| 7-9 | Pilot consultancy model development and implementation with partner SMEs |
| 10-12 | Data analysis, thesis drafting, policy recommendations for Jeddah authorities |
The success of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation hinges on localized execution—not merely imported strategies. In a city like Jeddah, where cultural capital and trade history are assets waiting to be strategically leveraged, the role of the Business Consultant evolves from advisor to catalyst for sustainable local growth. This thesis proposal argues that without context-specific consultancy frameworks deeply embedded in Jeddah’s socio-economic fabric, Vision 2030's ambitions will remain unmet for 85% of Saudi Arabia's small businesses. The proposed research transcends academic exercise; it delivers actionable intelligence to empower Jeddah as a model city for business innovation within Saudi Arabia. By centering the Business Consultant profession in Jeddah’s development narrative, this work promises not only to elevate local enterprise success but also to redefine how global consultancy models adapt to emerging market realities in the Kingdom.
This Thesis Proposal is submitted for academic approval under King Abdulaziz University's Graduate School of Business (Jeddah Campus) and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's "National Transformation Program" priority 4: Enhancing Private Sector Performance.
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