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Risk perception and risk management in the Middle East market: theory and practice of multinational enterprises in Saudi Arabia

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  • Sebastian Hain

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the risk perception and risk management strategies of Western multinational enterprises in the Middle East. A sample of 49 German companies operating in Saudi Arabia provides the empirical setting for this research. The study reveals that cultural risk is assessed as more important in the business environment than political, financial, and economic risk. The most critical risk factors are not sufficiently included in the methodology of country risk measures, which are often used as a source for country-specific risk information. In terms of risk management strategies, participating firms use mostly informal approaches rather than structured hedging or insurance products. Furthermore, we find that firm size has implications on the perception of some risk factors and for the level of risk management sophistication.

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  • Sebastian Hain, 2011. "Risk perception and risk management in the Middle East market: theory and practice of multinational enterprises in Saudi Arabia," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(7), pages 819-835, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:14:y:2011:i:7:p:819-835
    DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2011.571777
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    1. Mihalache-O'Keef, Andreea S., 2018. "Whose greed, whose grievance, and whose opportunity? Effects of foreign direct investments (FDI) on internal conflict," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 187-206.
    2. Violeta Iftinchi & Gheorghe Hurduzeu, 2018. "The Pros and Cons of Using Joint Ventures as a Tool to Mitigate Political Risks in Developing Countries," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 21(67), pages 193-199, March.
    3. Violeta Iftinchi & Gheorghe Hurduzeu, 2018. "How Multinational Corporations Use Lobbying And Advocacy To Mitigate Political Risks," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 3(special), pages 18-26, May.
    4. Jonas Eduardsen & Svetla Marinova, 2016. "Decision-makers' risk perception in the internationalisation of small and medium-sized firms," International Journal of Export Marketing, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(1), pages 4-26.
    5. Eduardsen, Jonas & Marinova, Svetla, 2020. "Internationalisation and risk: Literature review, integrative framework and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    6. Violeta Iftinchi & Gheorghe Hurduzeu, 2016. "The place of Political Risk Insurance in the political risk management strategy of multinational corporations," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 19(60), pages 201-212, June.

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