THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF AGRIBUSINESS IN PALESTINE: APPLYING PORTER'S DIAMOND MODEL

The purpose of the research paper is to study the determinants affecting the competitiveness of agribusiness firms in Palestine and to discuss the role of Palestinian universities in enhancing the competitiveness of these firms. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research are used. Questionnaires are administered on a sample of firms working in agribusiness sector in Palestine during the period (November-December, 2014) to assess the determinants affecting their competitiveness, applying Porters Model. Semi-structured interviews are also conducted with four local universities and another three with the players in this sector to assess the quality and skills of agribusiness graduates they are offering and how can these universities enhance the competitiveness of agribusiness sector. A workshop in March, 2015 is conducted at Birzeit University to validate the methodology used and to draw vital implications by the attendances from the private sector and academia. The main findings are the following: identifying the factors influencing the competitiveness of the agribusiness firms such as: skilled labor; availability and cost of infrastructure; cost of input, size of the local market; and firms' strategies in addition, to the related and supporting industries such as banks, and universities. As well, the quality of the related programs' graduates is assessed in order to recommend suggestions for developing agribusiness education, training and research initiatives so as to enhance the competitiveness of agribusiness sector.