Dubai as a Centre for Geopolitical Risk Advisory Service Companies

Abstract

There is no doubt that the competition and rivalry between major power to shape the value of the game and influence specific regions in international politics and creates security dilemma and uncertainty in the international system. This enhanced the demand for geopolitical risk information by different actors such as business institutions, investors, government, and nongovernmental organizations. In today's interconnected world where trouble in one place affects another place directly or indirectly, it is crucial to understand background factors that shape some of the policies and the challenges that affect the geopolitical landscape.

This research aims to understand the key factors that led geopolitical risk advisory service companies to establish their presence or operate in Dubai. It has the following four research questions:
1. What are the characteristics of geopolitical risk advisory service companies in Dubai?
2. What drives demand for the geopolitical risk advisory service companies in Dubai?
3. Why has the Dubai become the region’s centre for geopolitical risk advisory service companies?
4. Will Dubai remain a regional centre of geopolitical risk advisory service companies over the next five years?

The research followed a qualitative approach, collecting data from interviewing geopolitical risk advisory service companies’ representatives in Dubai. Analysing the data followed a three-step process: data reduction, coding and drawing conclusions.

The research found that geopolitical risk advisory service companies in Dubai share some common characteristics in that at the core of all of there businesses are providing information and analysis. Some companies provide unique services, delivery methods and levels of interaction to meet client demands and expectations. In terms of demand for service, it highly depends on the client's interests in working in the region or if there is a plan to expand into the region. The research found that Dubai became the region’s centre for geopolitical risk advisory service companies because of the following reasons: credibility, quality of infrastructure, travel connection, lifestyle and safety. The research assess that Dubai will remain incredibly attractive location for these companies and will continue for at least the next 5 years. However, Dubai will face the following challenges: the high cost of living, competitor improvement, shortage of talent, and fall in demand if there are conflicts in the region. These research findings are important for the government of Dubai to understand what it needs to do to ensure that Dubai remains a hub for geopolitical risk advisory companies.

Date of Award	Dec 2022
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Athol Yates (Supervisor)