The University of Balamand (UOB) is proud to announce that a research paper co-authored by Dr. Omaya Kuran, Assistant Professor and Chairperson at the Faculty of Business and Management, has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards Arab World 2025 in the category of “Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.”

The study, titled “Stakeholder Dynamics in Rural Lebanese Women’s Entrepreneurship,” was co-authored with Dr. Lara Khabbaz, Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Lebanese American University's Adnan Kassar School of Business. It explores the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs in rural Lebanon through Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Narrative Inquiry, highlighting the systemic barriers they face, from financial constraints and market isolation to restrictive gender norms.

By integrating entrepreneurial marketing, stakeholder theory, and social impact research, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers and development organizations. It proposes targeted interventions to promote gender equity (SDG 5) and business sustainability (SDG 8) in underserved communities.

Selected from nearly 700 submissions across 15 countries, this shortlisting underscores the research’s significant contribution to advancing inclusive development in the Arab world, and reaffirms UOB’s commitment to academic excellence with tangible social impact.