The Business-in-Conflict Research Group has over 80 members and 30 affiliated researchers from across the globe, with the management team located at the American University of Beirut's Suliman S. Olayan School of Business. Members are from academia, the humanitarian sectors, and the private sector, representing a body of expertise on business in conflict settings.
Dr. Jay Joseph, Director
Since 2017, Jay has focused on the role of enterprise in conflict-affected regions. This includes how entrepreneurship at the base of the pyramid can help foster peace and reduce poverty among those most in need. Through the UN and several INGOs, he is using this work to enhance livelihood program and beneficiary selection to aid the humanitarian sector in generating impact among conflict-affected populations.
Dr. Alain Daou, Advisor
Alain's research focus is social entrepreneurship, examining the beyond-profit benefits that entrepreneurial growth can bring to society. Combined with over 10 year prior work in not for profits, he's applied his knowledge to regions in turmoil, seeking better understanding of how social entrepreneurship functions and can benefit societies affected by war and instability.
Dr. Charlotte Karam, Advisor
Charlotte's research broadly examines responsible engagement within developing economies with a focus on gender, development-oriented CSR and the intersections between the two. Her work in this space has been extended to the social role that business can play in fostering peace and human rights in regions affected by conflict.
Dr. Georges Samara, Advisor
Georges does research at the intersection of family business, business ethics and corporate social responsibility. He studies factors that make family businesses survive and thrive across generations in contexts of uncertainty and continuous political turmoil. He is also interested in the potential that family businesses have in contributing to regional development.
Dr. Ramzi Fathallah, Advisor
Ramzi focuses on understanding how different forms of business ventures emerge, adapt, and grow in adverse environments, particularly in economically and politically hostile contexts. His research has been funded by the government of Canada and the Ford Foundation. Prior to pursuing an academic career, he worked as a management consultant and a business development manager.
BICAR also has a series of affiliated collaborators from academia and the humanitarian sector from across the globe: