Dr. Fadia Kiwan, a Lebanese political-science professor at Saint-Joseph University and the director general of the Arab Women Organization, had observed through her work that Lebanon's socio-political landscape presented both opportunities and challenges for women's empowerment. Thus, in February 2022, she faced a significant career dilemma: she could run for Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary elections or continue her impactful roles in academia .....more

Mariam Assi was the founder of Marazal—a small business dedicated to repurposing empty bottles, primarily empty liquor, wine, and beer bottles. In August 2023, Marazal’s Facebook account, the primary platform she used for marketing, sales, and engaging with her 2,500 followers, was blocked because it had been reported by the manufacturer of Belvedere Vodka. She was in a state of disbelief as she had never intended to misuse the brand; instead, she .....more

On a day in early June 2017, Fadi Kanaan, a member of the organizing committee of the Beirut International Model United Nations (BEYMUN) conference at the American University of Beirut (AUB), sat in front of college hall feeling very excited yet worried. He had just received an email informing him that he would be the secretary-general of the annual Model United Nations conference at AUB in the spring of 2018. BEYMUN invited students from universities .....more

A 19-year-old student had just started university studies and was confronted by the financial challenges that many young adults faced as they embarked on their own life away from home. Her parents provided for her education and many basic living expenses, but there were still many unexpected costs and social life expenses to plan for. After an interesting conversation about personal finances with her friends, the student decided to start her own financial .....more

After five years abroad, Soumaya Merhi, a Lebanese German entrepreneur, returned to Lebanon in 2013 with the goal of introducing superfoods to the Middle East. Despite limited resources, she launched TAQA Snacks (TAQA) in 2017, prioritizing sustainability alongside financial growth. By 2018, TAQA had seen remarkable 400 per cent growth, established a dedicated team, and ingrained its socio-environmental values. However, Lebanon’s severe economic crisis .....more

Within a single year, Lebanon experienced multiple adversities, from the economic crisis in October 2019, to the COVID-19 pandemic, to the Port of Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020. Many start-ups had to shut down during this period. This case investigates the role of organizational culture in how Toters Delivery, a high-tech Lebanese-based start-up, responded to these challenges and adapted its business model to overcome adversity. Its co-founder .....more

In June 2023, the director of corporate communication and digital services for Khalil Fattal et Fils SAL (a subsidiary of Fattal Group) was tasked with presenting a strategy for the company’s online activities. The family business was a fourth-generation diversified distributor of a large variety of products and many other items by well-known brands headquartered near Beirut, Lebanon. The director had started to explore online sales platforms after .....more

Lebanon is a country with many contradictions; and yet, it has a special place in the heart of the many admirers. The famous Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran conveyed this contradiction in his poetic works. He unambiguously declared that the way you view Lebanon is a matter of perspective; you choose what to see. His words still hold true today, without a doubt. Lebanon is a country that has an exceptional beauty of nature and the unmatchable .....more

Maliks, a major stationery retailer and provider of photocopy and printing services, had operated in Beirut, Lebanon, for over 25 years. The company’s founder was considering the most suitable strategy for his goal of 100 branches by 2020. He was assessing the advantages and disadvantages of adopting the franchising business model as an expansion strategy and wondered what operational problems he would encounter. The Maliks management team was also .....more

The chief executive officer (CEO) of Middle East Airlines (MEA) had to decide whether the airline should fly over Syria during the armed conflict. All other airlines in the Middle East had decided not to fly over Syria either because they did not want to show their support for the Syrian government or because they believed it was too dangerous. Yet, these airlines did not have as much to lose as MEA because, unlike them, 50 per cent of this airline’s .....more