PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ALKHARJ GOVERNORATE, KSA: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF STIMULUS MEASURES AND INNOVATION INITIATIVES

Entrepreneurship education plays a pivotal role in fostering economic development by facilitating communal economic growth, and advancements in technology are essential for enhancing local manufacturing capabilities. Scholars argue that sustained economic growth—typically measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—is crucial for maintaining a balance among social, environmental, and financial development over time. This study aims to assess the current economic conditions in the Al-Kharj governorate and identify the primary challenges hindering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region, while also analysing the impact of various economic stimulus programs on local start-ups and enterprises. Employing a quantitative research approach, the study utilized purposive sampling to gather data through online questionnaires featuring Likert scales tailored to the research objectives. The analysis involved assessing the validity and reliability of the instruments, yielding a high reliability score (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.987), and employing Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modelling, a method widely utilized in academic research, to analyse the data. The findings indicate a strong and statistically significant positive response to different economic stimulus programs and innovation initiatives in promoting economic growth in Al-Kharj governorate, Saudi Arabia. There is a notable positive correlation between these programs and entrepreneurial activity, suggesting that entrepreneurs in the Al-Kharj province recognize the importance of these interventions in advancing economic development. This report underscores the need for sustained efforts to promote innovative thinking and entrepreneurship as a means to achieve long-term economic development in Al-Kharj and beyond, providing empirical evidence for the efficacy of economic stimulus measures in fulfilling the objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.