Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Palestinian Institutional Framework in Supporting Entrepreneurial Initiatives in the West Bank: A Policy Approach within the Context of Fragile Sovereignty
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Palestinian institutional framework in supporting entrepreneurial initiatives in the West Bank during the period (2018-2024), within a context characterized by sovereign fragility and geopolitical constraints. The study adopts a qualitative analytical descriptive approach, utilizing a “Triple Integration” of analytical tools: (Documentary, Comparative, and Critical Analysis) of a corpus comprising (45) policy and legislative documents, based on Bardach’s Eightfold Path for public policy analysis.
The analysis reveals a state of “Incomplete Institutional Maturity”; where modern legislative frameworks exist alongside limited executive capacity and weak coordination among key stakeholders. The study concludes that the institutional gap results from a misalignment between legislative ambition and a restrictive procedural environment. Accordingly, the study proposes a Policy Roadmap based on: (1) Institutionalizing the executive powers of the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence as a central umbrella, (2) Digitalizing the entrepreneurial journey through a unified gateway to reduce transaction costs, and (3) Activating alternative financing tools (e.g., Angel Investing) to enhance the digital and physical resilience of initiatives. These findings contribute to a practical approach for transforming crises into opportunities for sustainable innovation in conflict-affected environments.
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