TECHLEB|06 - Conference Planning Survey Results [as of 01/28/2006]  


A survey on planning TECHLEB|06 has been in circulation since December 24, 2005. Feedback from respondents has been instrumental in helping the Conference Planning Committee better structure the event and further build its knowledge-base on technology development in Lebanon. The survey consisted of 30 questions divided into 5 sections:

  1. Perceptions on Technology Development in Lebanon

  2. Knowledge-Base for Conference

  3. Feedback on Conference Planning

  4. Attendance and Contribution Preferences

  5. Survey Follow-Up and Contact Information

Key highlights from relevant questions are reported below in the aggregate :

  1. Main challenges facing technology development in Lebanon [frequency and ranking]
  2. Lebanon’s strengths in driving the development of its technology sector [frequency and ranking]
  3. Ranking of involvement expected from various stakeholders
  4. Candidate high-tech areas in which Lebanon may hold competitive advantage [frequency and raking]
  5. Importance of technology sector in achieving economic growth
  6. Relevance of other economic development models adopted in other countries
  7. Popularity among respondents of different topics and themes suggested for TECHLEB|06
  8. Respondent demographics [education, experience, industry, geography, and attendee profile]

If you have any questions about the survey and/or results compiled below, please send an email to techleb06@mit.edu. The survey can still be completed at http://www.techlebconference.com/survey.

 

Participation Statistics
 
Total invitations (primary contact) over 750 select individuals
Total participated 505 (as of 01/28/2006)
Average completion time

21 minutes

Date of first response

 12/24/2005

Date of last response factored into current report

01/28/2006

 

  
 


What do you feel are the main challenges facing the development of Lebanon’s technology sector today? Select all that apply.
  Frequency Analysis
     
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Public sector corruption and/or bureaucracy   16.53%
Domestic & regional political instability   14.08%
Insufficient/costly infrastructure   13.23%
Outdated legal system   11.88%
Brain drain   9.61%
Limited access to capital   9.19%
Shortage of technology incubators   7.59%
Uninvolved diaspora   6.18%
National debt   5.57%
Adverse tax climate   3.43%
Other challenge(s)   2.69%
Total   100%
 
   
Key Highlights
  • 30.62% chose the following options:
    • Public sector corruption and/or bureaucracy
    • Domestic & regional political instability
  • Least chosen option 2.69%:
    • Other challenge(s)
   
   
   


Please rank the challenge(s) you have selected; [1] being the most challenging:


 
What do you feel are Lebanon’s strengths that can drive the development of its technology sector? Select all that apply.
  Frequency Analysis
     
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

 Human capital   16.02%
Institutions of higher education   14.29%
Multilingualism   13.96%
Tradition of a free market economy   11.20%
Global diasporic network   10.81%
Geographic location   10.17%
Banking system   8.69%
Media and free speech   7.01%
Elements of democracy and liberalism   6.37%
Other strength(s)   1.48%
Total   100%
 
   
Key Highlights
  • 30.31% chose the following options:
    • Human capital
    • Institutions of higher education
  • Least chosen option 1.48%:
    • Other strength(s)
   
   
   


Please rank the strength(s) you have selected; [1] being the strongest driver:


 
Who should take the more active role in helping develop the Lebanese technology sector? Please rank from 1 to 7; [1] being most active:


 
In which of the following candidate high-tech areas do you think Lebanon has or is most likely to have a competitive advantage? Select all that apply.
  Frequency Analysis
   
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Software Development 25.64%
Information Technology Services 24.72%
Telecommunications and Computer Hardware 15.45%
Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Life Science Technologies 12.26%
Renewable Energy 6.28%
Semiconductors, Optoelectronics, and Nanotechnology 5.77%
Petrochemical, Natural Gas, and Refinery Technologies 3.81%
Other high-tech area(s) 2.78%
Advanced Materials 2.47%
Aerospace and Defense 0.82%
Total 100%
 
   
Key Highlights
  • 50.36% chose the following options:
    • Software Development
    • Information Technology Services
  • Least chosen option 0.82%:
    • Aerospace and Defense
   
   
   


Please rank the high-technology area(s) you selected; [1] indicating the most competitive advantage for Lebanon:


 
In comparison to other sectors, how do you rank the importance of the technology sector for achieving economic growth in Lebanon?
  Frequency Analysis
     
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
More important   59.54%
Equally important   36.26%
Less important   3.44%
I dont know   0.76%
Total   100%
 
   
Key Highlights
  • 95.8% chose the following options:
    • More important
    • Equally important
   
   
   


What economic development models adopted in other countries do you think Lebanon should follow?
  Frequency Analysis
     
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Ireland   22.66%
Israel   21.35%
Dubai   15.69%
India   15.47%
I am not sure   10.46%
Other model(s)   6.54%
East Asian Tigers   4.58%
China   3.27%
Total   100%
 
   
Key Highlights
  • 44.01% chose the following options:
    • Ireland
    • Israel
  • Least chosen option 3.27%:
    • China
   
   
   


What of the following themes and topics would you most like to see addressed at the TECHLEB|06 conference? Please make up to 5 selections:
  Frequency Analysis
   
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Accurate survey of current situation in Lebanon: constraints, efforts underway, and planned initiatives 14.54%
Challenges facing entrepreneurs, startups, and direct VC funding in Lebanon 11.75%
Strategies for combating brain drain, retaining human capital, and attracting expatriates 10.96%
Success stories of Lebanese technology companies competing globally 9.46%
Lessons learned from other technology-related economic booms 9.26%
Potential for commercial Research & Development and R&D outsourcing 8.47%