This partnership with SP Jain School of Global Management involves engaging MBA students in research and applied projects designed to address real-world challenges in the retail industry. The goal is to translate academic findings into practical and viable solutions that support the future direction of cooperative associations.
Investing in knowledge and introducing innovation
Ziad Hammami, executive director of the retail sector, said this collaboration is in line with Sharjah Cooperative Society’s vision of strengthening partnerships between academia and the retail sector. It also aims to leverage cutting-edge research concepts in digital transformation and artificial intelligence to empower young talent and develop a new generation of leaders who can drive the development of the retail sector.
Hamami further added, “This partnership reflects Sharjah Cooperative’s commitment to investing in knowledge and embracing innovation as core principles. Academic partnerships are a fundamental pillar in developing the organization’s performance and strengthening its competitiveness.”
New insights and innovative models
Hamami further said, “At Sharjah Cooperative, we believe that the development of the retail sector begins with turning academic ideas and scientific research into practical and applicable solutions.Through our collaboration with MBA students from the SP Jain School of Global Management, we will “We aim to leverage new insights and innovative models based on the latest concepts in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. These projects have presented practical ideas that will contribute to improving the customer experience and strengthening the cooperative’s competitiveness in the coming years.”
digital transformation
Faisal Al Nabooda, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Sharjah Cooperatives, explained that the study consists of two main projects. The first project focused on digital transformation, with students addressing the gap between social media engagement and the transition to purchasing decisions. They presented a comprehensive model for a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels, with suggestions to address the awareness gap and revitalize loyalty programs by using home delivery services as an incentive to increase customer loyalty.
Applications of data and artificial intelligence
The second project focused on data and artificial intelligence applications. The students presented a roadmap for achieving sustainable profit growth, led by the marketing team. This roadmap emphasized building an AI-powered demand planning system and establishing an advanced framework for precise personalization, ultimately improving customer experience and increasing loyalty.
Tackling real-world challenges in retail
Professor Umesh Kothari, Deputy Dean, SP Jain School of Global Management, said, “We are proud to collaborate with Sharjah Cooperative on this applied project. This applied project provided MBA students with an opportunity to tackle real-world challenges in the retail industry and transform academic knowledge into strategic, value-added solutions.”
Leadership and strategic skills development
Kothari added that the experience reflects the school’s philosophy of integrating academic foundations and practical application, allowing students to develop leadership and strategic skills in the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. The Sharjah Cooperative Association asserted that the outcomes of these programs are practical in nature, containing viable solutions and strategic plans that extend beyond 2026, supporting the direction of cooperatives towards innovation and sustainable growth and strengthening their role as leading institutions in the development of the retail sector.
